the great physician

Good morning friends,
Today's reading is one of the most challenging readings in scripture for me. In preaching this passage recently the image that came to mind was Jesus as the great physician. He looks at the man and knows what it is that's separating him from God, so he prescribes the cure. The man has a hard time swallowing the pill, which leads Jesus to say that wealth is one of the hardest sicknesses to cure: "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The good news is that God can make a way where there is no way.
God bless,
Sam


Luke 18:18-30

18A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” 21He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich.

24Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, 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.” 26Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” 28Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”