Then Jesus looked at His followers, and said to them, "It is very hard for people who are rich to come into the kingdom of God!" His followers were very surprised because He said that. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, it is very hard to come into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the very small hole of a needle, than for a rich person to come into the kingdom of God."
They were very surprised and they said to each other, "Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "It is impossible for people to do this, but it is not impossible for God, because all things are possible with God."
Peter began to say to Jesus, "We have left everything and have followed you."
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, everyone who has left his house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or fields for me and the good news will receive 100 times more now in this life (houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, together with persecutions). They will also receive life that lasts forever in the future. But many people who are first now will be last then, and the people who are last now will be first then."
The other ten followers were angry with James and John when they heard this. Jesus called them to Him and said to them, "You know the men who rule the Gentiles use their power over them, and their important leaders use their authority over them. But it must not be like this among you. You must be a servant to the others among you if you want to become great, and you must be the slave of everyone if you want to be first among you. Even the Son of Man did not come to be served by other people, but to serve them and to give His life to pay for the salvation of many people."
[We suggest you also read chapters 10 through 12 of Mark today. It should only take you between 10 and 15 minutes.]