These words were spoken by the disciples of Jesus and recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  It is not written which disciple spoke these words, but in Mark we read, “they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?” Mark 10:26. Matthew mentions that the disciples were, “exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?” Matthew 19:25. And Luke simply puts it, “And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?” Luke 18:26

Clearly, the disciples were quite astonished at the words of Jesus. Jesus made some comments that exceedingly amazed them and led them to ask, “Who then can be saved?” What were the words that Jesus had just spoken that caused them so much distress?

Jesus had just had a discussion with a rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. He claimed to have kept the commandments since his youth and so he went on to ask what he was still lacking in his personal life that would keep him out of heaven. Jesus’ answer was that he had to sell all that he had and give to the poor and come and follow Him. This was too much and so the ruler sorrowfully left the presence of Jesus.  Jesus then turned to His disciples, stating that, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24. In other words—impossible.

It is these words that astonished the disciples. Why would they be astonished? The disciples were still harbouring the false concept regarding the nature of the kingdom of heaven.  They had been influenced by the false teaching of the Jewish leaders concerning riches as always being a sign of divine favour; therefore, they were greatly puzzled at the words of Jesus. They were astonished and amazed.

The disciples reasoned that if prestige, influence, and wealth were not evidences of divine favour, then those who lack these have even less of a chance for salvation. Remember that Judas was one of the 12 disciples and it was the other 11 who recommended him to Jesus because of his prestige. “The disciples were anxious that Judas should become one of their number. He was of commanding appearance, a man of keen discernment and executive ability, and they commended him to Jesus as one who would greatly assist Him in His work.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 294

Judas had a strong opinion about this event. He “was displeased. He thought that a mistake had been made. If such men as this ruler could be connected with the believers, they would help sustain Christ’s cause. If Judas were only received as a counselor, he thought, he could suggest many plans for the advantage of the little church. His principles and methods would differ somewhat from Christ’s, but in these things he thought himself wiser than Christ.” –Ibid., p. 719

However, the thought processes and understanding of the Kingdom of God was all wrong in the minds of the disciples. Jesus clearly showed that worldly wealth and prestige will not save a man who is rich and influential in the church if he is acting from selfish principles.

The request of Jesus to the young ruler was not unreasonable. We have the happy contrast of Matthew. Remember that he once was a wealthy man who held an important position, and he left all. Also, Zacchaeus was another wealthy man who transferred his affections from his riches to Jesus. The disciples “expected the young ruler to do as Matthew had done, and because of his refusal they were sorrowful and dejected.” –The Review and Herald, September 11, 1900. “Said the angel: ‘Will God permit the rich men to keep their riches, and yet enter into the kingdom of God?’ Another angel answered: ‘No, never.’

“I saw that it is God’s plan that these riches should be used properly, distributed to bless the needy, and to advance the work of God. . . . Here they are proved to see how much they love God, how much they love the truth; and, like the young man in the Bible, many go away sorrowful because they cannot have their riches and a treasure in heaven, too. They cannot have both; and they venture to risk their chance of eternal life for a worldly possession.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 172

This article is not about money and the obligation we all have to give to support the cause of God; it is more about the reaction of the disciples in this circumstance.

Why were the disciples astonished?  “They realized that they themselves were included in the solemn warning. In the light of the Saviour’s words, their own secret longing for power and riches was revealed. With misgivings for themselves they exclaimed, ‘Who then can be saved?’” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 394

Have you ever felt the same way that the disciples felt? Have you felt that—The way is too narrow, the standard is too high?

When we read the following statements, will we be tempted to ask also, “Who then can be saved?” Read them carefully because the standard is high.

“Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God’s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. They testify to their love of Christ by obeying all His precepts.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1118

“Are we striving with all our power to attain to the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever pressing toward the mark set before us—the perfection of His character? When the Lord’s people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads.” –Ibid., p. 1118

One man I met many years ago, who was a member in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, told me that the standard of the Reform Church is too high for him. He stated that he currently cannot live up to the standard in his own church, so there is no way he could even conceive of living up to the higher standard in the Reform church. Is it Reform Standard? Or is it God’s standard as revealed in His Word—the Holy Bible?

I have also heard some Christians say that the 144,000 is an elite group of very holy people who get special privileges in heaven due to their spotless life here on earth. They claim they could not be one of these elite because of their current lifestyle. They will just be content to be one of the great multitude—a lower class in heaven (according to their way of thinking). But, is there a different standard for the 144,000 as opposed to the Great Multitude? No. The standard is the same as it has been all throughout history.

We are told, “I am instructed to say that you must raise the standard of piety and truth and holiness higher, still higher.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, p. 170. Diet is an area where many are content in their current state; however, we are instructed to “raise the standard of temperance higher and still higher.” –Ibid., p. 32. We need to adopt the diet of heaven before we reach heaven. In other words—today.  There are many other areas in life that we need to raise the standard even higher. God’s people are “a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9) and “a spectacle unto the world” (1 Corinthians 4:9). Jesus prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:15–16. We are to be out of this world while living in the world.

There will always be those who are content with a lower standard and who seek to lower the standard—those who state that too high a standard is a form of fanaticism.  “We must do nothing to lower the standard of our religious principles. Let there be a decided reformation. Let nothing be done to weaken the faith or mar the soul.” –The Review and Herald, March 10, 1910

Since the judgment is going on in heaven today, should we not seek to live in conformity to His laws in every respect today? The judgement is very, very exact, reaching beyond our mere actions.

“God’s law reaches the feelings and motives, as well as the outward acts. It reveals the secrets of the heart, flashing light upon things before buried in darkness. God knows every thought, every purpose, every plan, every motive. The books of heaven record the sins that would have been committed had there been opportunity. God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. By His law He measures the character of every man. As the artist transfers to the canvas the features of the face, so the features of each individual character are transferred to the books of heaven. God has a perfect photograph of every man’s character, and this photograph He compares with His law.” –The Signs of the Times, July 31, 1901

“The life He has given us is a sacred responsibility, and no moment of it is to be trifled with; for we shall have to meet it again in the record of the judgment. . . . Not only are we held accountable for what we have done, but for what we have left undone. We are held to account for our undeveloped characters, our unimproved opportunities.” –The Review and Herald, September 22, 1891

With such a high standard, I ask again? “Who then can

be saved?”

JESUS’ ANSWER

When the disciples, in their astonishment, asked their question, Jesus did not leave them in perplexity very long. He had a ready answer for them.

“Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26. Both Mark and Luke also record these same words of hope after this encounter.

Jesus wanted to teach them that riches, prestige, and influence have little bearing on a person’s salvation. Persons in this situation often feel self-confident, as though having obtained their wealth and worldly position with their own efforts they are automatically deserving of heavenly favours also.  However, it is impossible for a rich man to get into heaven on the basis of human efforts alone, because he has no means of freeing himself from the grasp of the love of riches upon his heart. In reality, it is not possible for anyone to be saved on the basis of their own efforts. Only a miracle of divine grace will be able to save a rich man from a supreme love of riches, or any other man from his particular besetting sin.

The Apostle Paul had both riches, prestige and honour, however, he came to the conclusion that, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. He knew that only the power of God in a person’s life can bring about the transformation of character that is required prior to entering the heavenly Canaan.

“A rich man, as such, cannot enter heaven. His wealth gives him no title to the inheritance of the saints in light. It is only through the unmerited grace of Christ that any man can find entrance into the city of God.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 394

HOPE IN CHRIST

Who can honestly say that they deserve to be saved? “Satan suggests that you are helpless and cannot bless yourself. It is true; you are helpless.” ­–Faith and Works, p. 37

Although many times we may have felt overwhelmed or in despair and perhaps had the same thoughts as the disciples, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus does not long leave His children in a hopeless situation. When Satan reminds you of your helplessness, he is telling you the truth; however, “lift up Jesus before him: ‘I have a risen Saviour. In Him I trust, and He will never suffer me to be confounded. In His name I triumph. He is my righteousness and my crown of rejoicing.’ Let no one here feel that his case is hopeless, for it is not. You may see that you are sinful and undone, but it is just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9). Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, for Jesus has promised it. Precious Saviour! His arms are open to receive us, and His great heart of love is waiting to bless us.” –Ibid., p. 37–38

Jesus not only speaks hope to us in discouraging times, He took it upon Himself to make sure we have hope. His actions clearly showed how seriously He is working for our salvation. “Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:17–18. “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’” –The Desire of Ages, p. 25. What a solemn thought. How underserving we are of His goodness. How we have slighted His love in the past.

Even knowing this, there will be times when our feelings are overwhelmed with our sense of unworthiness, wondering if we are accepted by God. Although we are in a hopeless situation as Jeremiah spoke of when he said, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil”( Jeremiah 13:23), Jesus came to tell us that what is impossible with man is possible with God.

“There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ, and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, ‘These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ And do not forget the words of Christ, ‘The Father Himself loveth you.’ John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. All sin . . . may be overcome by the Holy Spirit’s power.” –The Faith I Live By, p. 118

“How careful is the Lord Jesus to give no occasion for a soul to despair. How He fences about the soul from Satan’s fierce attacks. If through manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived into sin, He does not turn from us and leave us to perish. No, no, that is not our Saviour. Christ prayed for us. He was tempted in all points like as we are; and having been tempted, He knows how to succour those who are tempted. . . .

“Unto Christ is committed all power in heaven and in earth, and all things are possible to him that believeth. Christ’s glory is concerned in our success. He has a common interest in all humanity. He is our sympathizing Saviour.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 948

BELIEVE—AND YOU CANNOT BE LOST

What a wonderful thought—that you cannot be lost. This is the opposite of the sentiment that the disciples expressed to Jesus. They thought it would be impossible to be saved, according to the conditions that Jesus laid out; but, the reality is that if we believe, we cannot be lost. “The gates of eternal life are thrown open to all who believe on Jesus Christ. All believers who pass through a natural death, have, through eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, eternal life in them, which is the life of Jesus Christ. In dying, Jesus has made it impossible for those who believe on Him to die eternally. . . .

“Christ lived and died as a man, that He might be God both of the living and of the dead. It was to make it impossible for men to lose eternal life if they believe on Him. The life of men and women is precious in the sight of God; for Christ has purchased that life by being executed in their stead. Thus He made it possible for us to attain to immortality.” –Ibid., p. 926 

Our salvation, although at times may seem impossible, and we are tempted to echo the same words as the disciples, “who then can be saved?” the reality is, if we believe, it is impossible for us to die eternally.

And what does it mean to believe?  “The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. Those whom Heaven recognizes as holy ones are the last to parade their own goodness. Men who have lived near to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their own nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ. So will it be with all who behold the Saviour.” –The Youth’s Instructor, June 5, 1902 (emphasis mine)

“Through His sacrifice, human beings may reach the high ideal set before them, and hear at last the words, ‘Ye are complete in Him,’ not having your own righteousness, but the righteousness that He wrought out for you. Your imperfection is no longer seen; for you are clothed with the robe of Christ’s perfection.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 907

Who then can be saved?  Any and all (rich and poor, young and old, influential or not) who believe in Christ and their belief is seen by their actions (“who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act”). Any and all who have given up their own righteousness and accepted the robe of Christ’s Righteousness. May we all find salvation in Christ. “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Wendy Eaton