FR. MAZI UC
The question of what one must do to enter the Kingdom of God is central to Christian faith and spirituality. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus presents clear and sometimes challenging teachings on what is required to inherit eternal life. These teachings are often focused on the necessity of faith, love, and moral integrity, as well as an emphasis on God’s special concern for the poor and marginalized.
Jesus’ message is radical, and it challenges cultural and social norms, especially in relation to wealth, status, and power. His teachings reveal that entrance into God’s Kingdom is not based on outward success or wealth, but on a life of humility, love, and care for the least among us.The Call to Faith and Discipleship
When considering the question, “What must I do to enter the Kingdom of God?” one of the clearest biblical encounters is the dialogue between Jesus and the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-30). The young man asks Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus responds by listing some of the commandments, which the man claims to have kept since his youth.
However, Jesus, recognizing the man’s attachment to wealth, challenges him further: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). The man, unable to part with his wealth, leaves in sorrow, and Jesus declares, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).
This interaction illustrates a key point: entrance into the Kingdom of God requires more than just outward obedience to laws or commandments. It demands a radical surrender to God’s will, a detachment from material possessions, and a willingness to follow Christ fully. In this case, wealth was an obstacle preventing the man from fully embracing discipleship.
The Option for the Poor: Who Will the King Allow In?
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates a preferential option for the poor and marginalized, which is a consistent theme in both His teachings and actions. This option for the poor is central to understanding who will be allowed into the Kingdom of God. The poor, the humble, and those who recognize their dependence on God are consistently uplifted in Jesus’ ministry.
One of the most striking depictions of who will be allowed into the Kingdom is found in Matthew 25:31-46, in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. In this passage, Jesus describes the final judgment, where the King (symbolizing Jesus Himself) will separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The criteria for judgment are simple but profound: those who have shown love and compassion to the least of their brothers and sisters will be welcomed into the Kingdom.
The King says to those on His right, the sheep, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:34-36).
The righteous respond, surprised, asking when they had ever done these things for the King, to which He replies, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
In this powerful parable, Jesus teaches that entrance into the Kingdom of God is not determined by status, wealth, or worldly success, but by acts of mercy, compassion, and justice, especially toward the most vulnerable. Those who care for the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the marginalized are those who will inherit the Kingdom. This passage underscores the importance of recognizing Christ in the poor and the oppressed.
The Beatitudes: A Vision of the Kingdom
Another key passage that illuminates who will enter the Kingdom of God is the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). In the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the characteristics of those who are blessed and who will inherit the Kingdom:
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
- “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).
- “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
These verses reveal that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who embody humility, mercy, righteousness, and a hunger for justice. It is the poor in spirit—those who recognize their need for God—who will inherit the Kingdom. The Beatitudes paint a picture of a Kingdom that welcomes the lowly, the humble, and the compassionate, while challenging the powerful and self-reliant.
The Difficulty of Wealth and the Call to Detachment
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the challenge wealth poses to entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man and His declaration about the difficulty for a rich person to enter the Kingdom point to the spiritual dangers of materialism and attachment to wealth. Wealth can lead to self-reliance, pride, and a failure to depend on God or show compassion toward the poor.
Jesus calls for a radical detachment from wealth, not because wealth is inherently evil, but because it can create barriers between individuals and God. The Gospel urges believers to use their resources for the service of others, particularly the poor, rather than hoarding wealth for personal security.
Conclusion: Who Will Enter the Kingdom?
The Bible offers clear teachings on what is required to enter the Kingdom of God. Faith in Jesus Christ is foundational, but this faith must be accompanied by a life of active love, humility, and service to others, particularly the poor and marginalized. The preferential option for the poor is central to Jesus’ message, and it serves as a litmus test for genuine discipleship.
Those who care for the least of Christ’s brothers and sisters—by feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick—will be welcomed into the Kingdom. Meanwhile, those who rely on wealth or social status, neglecting the needs of the poor, risk being excluded.
Ultimately, entrance into the Kingdom of God is about more than outward acts of righteousness. It is about having a heart that is open to God, willing to follow Jesus in His love for the poor, and ready to live out the Gospel through acts of mercy and justice.