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Who is going to enter? // Quem vai entrar?



It is easy to say that you are a Christian. I can assure you easier said than done. Who believes in God might think that is all that he needs to enter the kingdom of heaven. But, how far are you willing to do to really enter the kingdom of heaven?

In these two passages, Psalm 24 and Matthew 19:16 – 30, David and Jesus describe what it takes to be a citizen of heaven. Psalm 24:3 David asks: Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? In Matthew 19:16 a man comes to Jesus and asks, “what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

We find two different answers but in the end, they are the same. David answers, “he who has clean hands and a pure heart, dos not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully (v.4). Jesus, on the other hand, says the same thing but using more openly God’s commandments. Although the man had kept most of the God’s commandments, he failed to do the greater one “you shall have no other gods before me” Exodus 20; who was the other god that the man had and didn’t know about? This man, I guess, didn’t hear the sermon on the mount when Jesus said “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21) and  (…) you cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24b).

The man left Jesus presence because he was rich and didn’t want to sell all his properties to give to the poor. Some people might misunderstand this. This doesn’t mean that Jesus doesn’t want rich people to be saved, or even it is impossible for them to be saved. It isn’t that. The main point here is: Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37); and money certainly takes a huge place in some people’s hearts.
But, when we look back to David, how he finishes the Psalms? He invites you to glorify God because He is the only one who deserves all the glory.

5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.
É fácil dizer que você é cristão. Eu posso dizer que é mais fácil falar do que fazer, certo? Quem acredita em Deus pode achar que isso é tudo o que precisa para entrar no reino dos céus. Mas, até que ponto você está disposto a fazer para realmente entrar no reino dos céus?

Nessas duas passagens da bíblia, Salmos 24 e Mateus 19: 16 – 30, Davi e Jesus descrevem o que é preciso para ser um cidadão do céu. No Salmos 24 Davi pergunta: Quem poderá subir o monte do Senhor? Quem poderá entrar no seu Santo Lugar? Já em Mateus  19:16 um homem se aproxima de Jesus e pergunta “Mestre, que farei de bom para ter a vida eterna?"

Nós encontramos perguntas semelhantes e respostas semelhantes. Ditas com outras palavras, mas que no fim querem dizer a mesma coisa. Vejam o que Davi responde: “Aquele que tem as mãos limpas e o coração puro, que não recorre aos ídolos nem jura por deuses falsos” (v.4). Jesus por sua vez diz a mesma coisa, porém usando os mandamentos da lei de Deus. Embora, o homem disse que tinha cumprido os mandamentos, ele falhou em um. O maior e mais importante; o primeiro mandamento “Não adorarás nenhum outro deus além de mim” (Exodus 20); mas quem era o outro deus que esse homem servia e que ele não sabia? Este homem, eu acho que eu não estava presente no dia em que Jesus deu o sermão da montanha. Ele perdeu quando Jesus disse: porque onde estiver o seu tesouro, aí também estará o seu coração (Mateus 6:21); (...) você não pode servir a Deus e ao dinheiro (Mateus 6:24b).
O homem saiu da presença de Jesus triste porque ele era rico, e não queria vender tudo o que tinha para dar aos pobres.  Jesus na verdade estava provocando aquele homem, para ele reavaliar o que era mais importante na vida dele. E as pessoas pode mal interpretar essa passagem. Não quer dizer que não haverá ricos no céu, nem que é impossível um rico ir para o céu. O ponto é que Jesus disse “Ame ao Senhor seu Deus de todo o seu coração com toda sua alma e com toda sua mente” (Mateus 22:27); e o dinheiro no coração de algumas pessoas toma bastante espaço.
Quando nós voltamos para Davi no Salmos 24, ele finaliza convidando para adorar a Deus, para glorificar o Deus porque só ele merece toda glória.
Salmos 24:5 - 10
 Ele receberá bênçãos do Senhor, e Deus, o seu Salvador lhe fará justiça.
São assim aqueles que o buscam, que buscam a tua face, ó Deus de Jacó.
Abram-se, ó portais; abram-se, ó portas antigas, para que o Rei da glória entre.
Quem é o Rei da glória? O Senhor forte e valente, o Senhor valente nas guerras.
Abram-se, ó portais; abram-se, ó portas antigas, para que o Rei da glória entre.
Quem é esse Rei da glória? O Senhor dos Exércitos; ele é o Rei da glória

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