Let it go

²³ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I assure you that it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ In fact, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” ²⁵ When his disciples heard this, they were stunned. “Then who can be saved?” they asked. ²⁶ Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.” ²⁷ Then Peter replied, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. What will we have?” ²⁸ Jesus said to them, “I assure you who have followed me that, when everything is made new, when the Human One sits on his magnificent throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And all who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms because of my name will receive one hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:23-30, CEB)

There is nothing we can do to make it into heaven.

But there are many things we can do to keep ourselves out. Or at least that is an impression I get from this lesson. If you are in love with your stuff and can’t let it go, then your stuff will keep you from heaven.

We need to not be worried about stuff and what we will get, but what Jesus has called us to.

We will get more than we could possibly imagine when we follow Christ, but that isn’t why we follow, because then we won’t get it. It is a very interesting catch 22.

And if we try to be last to be first that won’t work either. God knows our hearts and why we are doing what we are doing.

So just be and love as God loved you, and follow after Jesus loving everyone along the way, because that is what God told us to do.