"Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!' The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, 'Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.'… 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'" ~ Mark 10: 23 - 31
In this passage, Jesus challenges the disciples—and us—to rethink our priorities. The rich young man in the verses just before this text walked away sorrowful because his attachment to his wealth outweighed his willingness to follow Jesus completely. Jesus’ words, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” were shocking, but He wasn’t condemning wealth itself—He was pointing out the danger of allowing possessions to hold our hearts captive.
Jesus emphasizes that entering God’s kingdom is not a matter of human effort or worldly resources. It requires surrender, trust, and dependence on Him. The disciples’ astonishment reflects a common struggle: we tend to rely on what we have—money, status, abilities—rather than on God. But Jesus reminds us that what seems impossible for man is possible with God. True riches are found not in earthly treasures, but in a life fully surrendered to Him.
Notice what Jesus promises in verses 29-30: those who sacrifice earthly things for the sake of following Him will receive blessings—not necessarily worldly wealth, but eternal life, joy, and the fellowship of God. The upside-down nature of God’s kingdom reminds us that our security is not in possessions, influence, or comfort, but in Christ Himself.
