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Almost three years ago, the world was captivated by the daring rescue of 12 Thai soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave. The group had planned a picnic to celebrate the birthday of one of its members but became stranded when torrential rains flooded the cave. It took rescuers more than a week to even discover the team perched on a narrow rock shelf about two miles from the cave’s mouth.
That was the easy part. Treacherous conditions made a successful rescue of all 13 people highly unlikely. Each one had to scuba dive to safety, and none of them had any experience with diving. The situation was so dangerous that even an experienced Thai rescuer died while placing oxygen tanks along the route for future dives. Everything was further complicated by impending monsoon rains that threatened to swamp the cave with even more water that could drown the remaining survivors.
Still, the rescue team was persistent. Ultimately, they transported the boys using a buddy system. Each boy was sedated and fitted with an oxygen mask and accompanied by two divers – one carrying the boy’s oxygen tank and another trailing behind. Only four boys could be rescued each day, but after three days everyone had been moved to safety. What had seemed impossible just a week earlier had ultimately become a reality.
In today’s scripture, Jesus poses a seemingly impossible proposition – fitting a camel through the eye of a needle. The Lord used that unlikely premise as a comparison for how difficult it was for a rich person to attain eternal life. But this presented a quandary for the disciples. In ancient Jewish society, wealth was equated with God’s favor. So, if it was seemingly impossible for wealthy people to go to Heaven, what hope did those without money have? Jesus responded by reminding them that things that appear impossible to man are entirely possible to God – including salvation.
Today, think about the things in your life that appear to be impassible or impossible. When it seems like your efforts haven’t made a difference or never will, remember that when man’s efforts are fruitless, “with God all things are possible.” Pray that the Lord will help keep you in His will so that, with God’s help, you can go to possible from impossible and to hope from hopeless.
Reflection copyright © 2024 Doug DeBolt.
Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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