What Jesus Did! 'Who Can Be Saved?' — Matthew 19:25-26

Friday, September 12, 2025

The disciples were astounded [when Jesus said it's very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom]. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

— Matthew 19:25-26 NLT

Key Thought

In a world where financial blessing was equated with God's blessing, it was hard for the disciples to imagine who could be saved if the "rich" were not saved. Jesus reminded the disciples that salvation is not the work of mere mortals: Saving ourselves is not something we can do; only God can accomplish it. But then, that is the whole gospel story, that in Jesus, God did what we could not do!

Today's Prayer

Gracious God and loving Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save me when I wasn't worthy of his sacrifice. Thank you for doing what I could not do. Please accept my life as an offering of appreciation for your grace. In Jesus' name, I praise and thank you. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 5:6-10
  • Ephesians 2:8-9
  • John 3:16-17

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 19:25-26 NLT — "Then who in the world can be saved?" —— "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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