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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Desires & Imagination
Article by Russ Lawson
What are your deepest desires? Russ Lawson speaks to our desires being the pursuit of our prayers.
When I Can't, He Can!
Article by Teresa Bell Kindred
What can't you do? While we may think we can't make a difference in the lives of troubled teens, with God's help, we can.
Dare to Dream
Article by Tom Norvell
Do you dare dream for the road ahead? Tom Norvell shares about moving into a new home and his dreams for the future.
Better Broken: The Plan
Article by Phil Ware
What was God's plan to help Jesus' broken and flawed followers accomplish his mission? Phil Ware continues his series called Better Broken that focuses on how God used flawed, broken people to change the world by sharing the message of Jesus and this involved Purpose: to be witnesses, Plan: to release God's power through prayer; People: the
See All 6 Related Resources about Matthew 19:25-26

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, September 12, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Mustard Seed Effect'
"Dear Child of the King of Glory, The kingdom of heaven is powerful. You are a part of that kingdom. You are a child of the King. Great power is at..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'My Place of Safety' (Ps. 18:2)
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Good Centurions Open to Jesus & His Message!'
"In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Samuel 9:13
"Mephibosheth was no great ornament to a royal table, yet he had a continual place at David's board, because the king could see in his face the..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!