This morning, as I began thinking about the goodness of God, I was reminded of the TV show “Mission Impossible.” Over the last decade or so, Hollywood has brought the show back with a series of movies starring Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames. Though updated to appeal to modern audiences, the catchy theme music was left intact, and the storyline took its lead from the original: A special team of government agents (called the Impossible Missions Force or IMF) is given an overly complicated, “impossible” feat to perform—one that no regular group could perform. Always given the option, “Should you choose to accept it,” the agents say “yes,” and, in the end, accomplish this “impossible” mission.
What we need to see is this: Even though the title says the mission is impossible, when placed in the hands of these special agents, the mission became possible!!! Now, let’s move from the natural to the spiritual for a moment.
In the 19th chapter of Matthew, a young rich man walks away full of sorrow when Jesus presents him with a special mission. This man had been diligent in keeping the Ten Commandments, but his money was what he was holding on to. In verse 21, Jesus tells him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. But instead of “choosing to accept” what seemed like an impossible mission, this young man walks away, still rich by earthly standards but poor in spirit. He wanted heaven, but he didn’t want to give up his most prized possessions and follow Jesus to get it.
Baffled by what they had just witnessed as well as by Jesus’ statements about how difficult it is for a rich man to enter heaven, the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” (v. 25). To their question, Jesus replied, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (v. 26).
Out of curiosity, I decided to search the King James Version and the New American Standard Version of the Bible just to see how many times the word “possible” is mentioned. What I found was quite interesting. The word “possible” is not used until we get to the Gospels; the first time takes place in the above story (Matthew 19:26). Did you get that? Throughout the Bible (KJV and NASV), the word “possible” is not used until Jesus comes on the scene!!!
You see, without Jesus, there is no possible. Without Jesus there is no life more abundantly. Without Jesus, there is no way to heaven—because Jesus is that “Special Agent,” the One we need on our team to turn the impossible into the possible. Had the rich young man accepted his mission, he would have discovered the “treasure in heaven” Jesus spoke of in the 21st verse. He would have received what Jesus spoke of in verse 28: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Today, know that the mission—dream, plan, or goal— God has placed before you is not impossible, not impractical, not far-fetched, and not insurmountable, for “with God all things are possible.” Should you choose to accept….
Get Movin’,
