Matthew the apostle wrote how, “one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments. He said unto him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man said unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven”, and in chapter nineteen and verse twenty-four of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” where we read:
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
The verse reads, “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and again” or “and anew, on the other hand, once more and furthermore” “I say” “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto you” which means “to Jesus' disciples”, “it is easier” or “entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is more facile and better for toil” “for a camel” which means “for a camel animal” “to go through” or “to pass, journey, pierce and travel through” “the eye of a needle” which refers to “the aperture or hole of a puncturing”. Matthew shared how Jesus said a camel is able to make entrance through a needle's eye easier than that which is is about to declare.
The verse continues, “... than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew added the words, “than for a rich man” or “compared to a wealthy, abounding in material resources and abundantly supplied person” “to enter into” which means “to make entrance into” “the kingdom” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Matthew wrote how Jesus said a “wealthy and abundantly supplied” person has a very difficult time entering into God's Kingdom.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see another reference made by Jesus as to how difficult it is for people who are “wealthy” to enter into God's Kingdom. Some say this “needle” spoken of by Jesus is a reference to the “needle gate” that was provided within the walls of the city. A camel would have to be unloaded, get on it's knees and crawl through the small hole provided before it could make entrance into the city. Others believe this to be an actual “sewing needle” referred to by Jesus which the probability of a camel making entrance through the hole therein would seem impossible. Because wealthy people tend to rely upon their riches rather than God, they feel no need for the Heavenly Father's aid. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for the “sins” of every person, and no amount of wealth is able to purchase forgiveness for those “sins”. Jesus died for the “sins” of the world, and whether a person is rich or poor, all are in need of Him. Those who are wise, regardless of their station in life, will submit themselves to Jesus Christ who alone is able to give people entrance into the Kingdom of God.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus' disciples asked, “who then can be saved?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
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