Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Habakkuk 1-3
     New Testament Reading: Matthew 19

Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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.” When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:23-26).

After a brief interaction with a young rich man who pretended to pursue righteousness, Jesus penetrated to the root of the issue. The rich man sought righteousness on his own terms and refused to give up the idol of wealth that had become a barrier to true righteousness by faith.

The rich man’s response prompted Jesus to observe that it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven (v23). Riches tend to become an idol. It is hard to have them without trusting in them.

Our Lord declared 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 (v24).He was using a figure of speech, a hyperbole, a statement made in intensified form to produce a vivid, unforgettable effect.

It is clearly impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle! The “needle’s eye” has often been explained as the small door in a city gate. A camel could get through it with great difficulty by kneeling down and crawling through. However, it seems clear from the context that the Lord was not speaking of the gate, but of a sewing needle. He was not speaking of difficulty, but of impossibility. Jesus is not saying that a rich man could, with great difficulty, buy his way to heaven.

The Jewish people of that day believed that riches were evidence of God’s blessing. The disciples, being good Jews, were astonished by these remarks. Their question reflected their theology, Then who can be saved? (v25).If those who enjoyed God’s blessing couldn’t be saved, who could?

The Lord replied, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (v26). Humanly speaking, it is impossible for anyone to be saved; only God can save a soul. Jesus did not say that the possession of wealth keeps a man from the kingdom. Abraham was a very wealthy man, yet he was a man of great faith. It is good to have wealth if wealth does not have you.

Jesus reminds us that this life is one of self-denial and that following Jesus requires us to sacrificially surrender anything that prevents us from wholehearted discipleship. We cannot follow the King and live for worldly wealth. We cannot serve God and money. Jesus Christ demands of all of us to love Him supremely.