Oh, am I (we) ever screwed

It continues. A parable tells me if I don't have mercy on others, God won't have mercy on me.

Then this. A rich man, who has apparently followed a great deal of the law, but can't bring himself to sell everything he has, give it to the poor, and follow, is unable to enter the kingdom. This goes down much harder when I (we) realize I/we am/are, by global standards, the richest people in the world. I have appeased myself by giving 10% (give or take) of my stuff away over the years. But that's hardly the standard given here. Big deal, giving away my scraps.

There is a hint in that story, though, of the larger truth: "With man this (rich people being saved) is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -Matthew 19:26

That might be the key verse in Matthew, at least from this perspective I'm looking at it with on this read-through. I'm wondering if that verse should be read more broadly as the theme of all of Jesus teaching in this book: Entering the kingdom is impossible for me, but with God all things are possible.

On the one hand, I've heard/known that since I was a kid. On the other hand, it's making me aware at a much deeper level of my/our brokenness. A bit depressing -- thanks a lot, Stan.