What was the "eye of the needle"?
A rich man asked Jesus, "What
is required for eternal life?
'Jesus replied, "Follow the
commandments.'"
The man told Jesus that he had
always kept the commandments and
wanted to know what else was
required. Jesus then told him, "If
thou wilt be perfect, go and sell
that thou hast, and give to the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and come and follow me"
(Matthew 19:21). The man walked away
very sad because he was wealthy.
Jesus told His disciples, "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" (Matthew
19:24).
It has been suggested that "the
eye of the needle" refers to a
narrow gate in Jerusalem that a
camel could just squeeze through--if
the creature were not carrying any
baggage. It has also been used to
describe a short passage that a
camel could only pass through on its
knees.
I feel that Jesus meant exactly
what He said. It is difficult for
someone who is comfortable and wants
for nothing -- to put God first in
his life. His wealth becomes his
God. The disciples were amazed at
Jesus' statement and asked, "Who
then can be saved?"
Jesus then told them, "With men
this is impossible; but with God all
things are possible" (Matthew
19:26).
God is the factor who makes
everything possible. With God in our
lives, even the impossible becomes
reasonable. Without God, no one has
a chance to enter the Kingdom of
God. You might as well try to pass a
camel through the "eye of a needle."
