Mark wrote how Jesus, “said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-five of his book, Mark shared how Jesus told His disciples, “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” where we read:
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, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, ...” Mark began with the words, “it is easier” which means “it is more facile, better for toil and less labor” “for a camel” or “for the hump-backed animal known as a camel” “to go through” which means “to enter into” “the eye of a needle” or “the hole or orifice of a piecing needle”. Mark shared how Jesus began to explain how it is more facile to enter the hole in “a needle” rather than the next thing Jesus will say.
The verse continues, “... than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark added the words, “than for a rich man” which means “than for a person who is wealthy, abounding in material resources and abounding with possessions” “to enter” or “to make entrance and come” “into the kingdom of God” which means “into God's dominion and rule, royal power and rule”. Mark shared how a person who is “wealthy” has a more difficult time “entering into” God's Kingdom than a person who attempts to “go through the eye of a needle”.
When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how difficult it is for people who have “wealth” in this world to “enter into” the “Kingdom of God”. Jesus wanted people to know the “lure” of “wealth and money” which draws people to think they are “secure” when they have “riches”. The trouble with that thinking is that death looms over everyone, and every bit of “wealth” a person accumulates will be left on the earth when they leave. In other words, “riches” are a false “security” even when they are accumulated in massive quantities. God loves people, and no one is “richer” than He, and He sent His Son Jesus to the earth to pay the price for the “sins” of people so they may live with Jesus forever. Those who are wise will never attempt to “trade” their “eternal life” for “temporary” “riches” in this world.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus' disciples asked themselves, “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"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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