The eye of a needle?

Mark 10:17-27 (NIV)

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

The scripture today is the story of Jesus’ encounter with a rich young ruler. It is a story familiar to many. It starts in a straight forward way but ends in a way that can leave us asking questions. As with anything that is said it is always helpful to try to understand it as those present would have heard it and then ask ourselves how we hear it. In the case of the Bible this is complicated by the need for translation since it is often hard to translate from one language to another and keep the meaning the same. It is like a lot of other sayings of Jesus that at first seem impossible. But sometimes we need to look beyond the actual words and try to discern what is actually being said.

In my NIV translation a footnote for verse 24 says that some translations read in part “Children how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God.” At that time, as some do today, some equated having riches as a “reward” from God for leading a good life. Lots of cities had walls around them with gates that could be closed. In addition to the main gate there was often a narrow gate beside it. When loaded camels came to the main gate, they were often required to unloaded all their baggage so it could be searched. Then they were made to walk through the narrow gate. The narrow gate was so tight and hard to navigate that they could barely make it through. They certainly could not make it carrying any baggage.

I think the message to us is that to enter the kingdom of heaven is not impossible. But we must leave all our baggage (anything that we put before trusting and obeying God) behind. That is easier said than done. But as we are reminded in verse 27, all things are possible with God’s help.

Prayer:

Dear Lord help me this day to leave all my baggage behind and put your will first in everything that I say, think, and do.

This devotion was written by Alvin Jenkins and read by Cliff McCartney.

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