Matthew 19:24 (NASB)
“And again I say to 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.”
I have misunderstood this statement of Jesus’s my entire life, and believe me when I tell you, I have heard it since before I can remember. As a modern American with little knowledge of ancient Israeli practices and little incentive to learn or I guess have instruction by Sunday School or Bible study teachers, I have always assumed the eye of a needle to be a “sewing needle.” In reality, Jesus’ reference to a “needle” is the farthest thing from it. Not that we cannot receive the same meaning from the lesson.
So, what “needle” or “eye of the “needle” is He speaking of in Scripture? To discover the Lord’s lesson we must first return to the architecture of the buildings of Christ’s time and the different modes of transportation— primarily the camel.
As you can see above, there are two “doors” to the entrance to an Old City of Israel as depicted by this historically preserved area in Jerusalem. The large doors are kept open during the day but closed in the evening hours to protect the citizens from raiders, wind storms, and other dangers. The small door on the right, termed the “Eye of the Needle,” was guarded during the night.
Travelers would need to haul all of their belongings including their animals if they wished them to survive the harsh elements through this small door. Donkeys, cattle, even camels were led through this door with the latter being the most difficult.
It was an art to fit the large wieldy camel to through the tiny opening for many needles were tiny. A camel needed to kneel if not lie on his belly and crawl or scoot forward one painful inch at a time after days or weeks of travel. Their stubborn and defiant nature fought their rider’s or leader’s every order with numerous snaps, nips, and spits even as their mouths were bone dry from the journey. And with the enormous effort of only a few yards, every muscle trembled, each breath shook its chest, and beleaguered groans vibrated the darkness.
In the end, the animal collapsed on the city’s road in relief and accepted water for its dry throat. The camel had made it to safety. It had made it through the Eye of the Needle.
As I examined this comparison of this camel, I realized I must also examine the definition of “wealthy” or “rich.” Not only in a social sense, but in other ways as well.
In the 21st century, rich or wealthy at face value means monetary— or having a lot of money in the bank. For example, Elon Musk is rich. In biblical times, the Roman Emperor was rich as were his Roman friends and appointed lieges and governors controlling his conquered territories and countries.
Wealthy in Israel (in money) is referred to the Jewish Kings, Prophets, and many of the Pharisees. Of whom do I speak? Solomon, Isaac, Joseph of Arimethea, Job, and of course, the disciple Philip.
But the Oxford Dictionary offers one definition of wealth as the following:
“a plentiful supply of a particular desirable thing”
In other words, money is only one “thing” that can be the desired object of wealth. Humans can pick anything to gather, collect, or accumulate in excess (other than money) and desire above all else including God. What, you ask?
Land, possessions, gems, education, science, the unknown, the universe, or Karma… you name it. The Eye of the Needle can be many, many things and the journey can be treacherous and long— stealing every ounce of energy and strength as the camel labors under the piles and burdens of riches piled upon it.
But the rich man with the desires of their mind, heart, and soul piled upon their chafed, and bruised back faces the Eye of the Needle, and a tiny lit door in the darkness of the night. Those precious few yards seem a mile as heat swells from the desert floor and the breeze from cool courtyard beyond can cause dry eyes to blind with water.
But in the black, the ethereal shimmer of our Loving Jesus sends the shadows running in fear and illuminates the path ahead.
Nobody can make the choice for the rich man. Nobody can force the step forward. The fear and trepidation of the possible loss of riches accumulated must be swallowed and braved when the feet itch to run. The Light revealing selfish motivations in lieu of Truth is more frightening especially when the night is all that is known. But with His Light comes knowledge, love, joy, and fellowship, complete forgiveness of the old, and a fresh rebirth into the new.
Whether your life is a priority of money, places, things, or unfulfilled dreams, and the burdens have seem to grow heavier each day, Jesus offers a path of everlasting life, love, fellowship, and redemption for all. Even the one who believes he is the most unredeemable, intolerable, unlovable, unlivable, and intractable person on the planet. Or vice verse— does not need a god to “save” him or her, that is, until she or he does.
Human life is precious and means more than God’s own life. He sacrificed HIMSELF— in the form of His Son Jesus Christ— for each one of us. Because He does not wish any of us to suffer in hell. Not the rich nor the poor. Not the strong nor the weak. Not the healthy nor the sick.
God wants all of us to spend eternity with Him.
Do you want your most important desires, no matter what they are, to become the one thing that prevents eternal fellowship with the Lord? Simply because your earthly limitations make you “think” they are more “believable” than God? Open your mind. Open your heart. Open your soul.
Are you going to deny and turn from the love, joy, and protection along with the security of the everlasting arms of the Almighty because it takes a bit of work and sacrifice? Whether that be spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or physical or combinations thereof, I guarantee you it’s worth it.
I won’t sugar-coat the journey. It’s as rocky and glorious as a Believer AFTER the step forward EVEN as it is before. The difference? You’re never alone in your life again. No matter where, what, who with, when, why, or how you live. Rich or not. And believe me when I say, your life will never be the same again. I mean it.
Even if every person in your circle never speaks to you again, the Lord will be your companion, your mentor, your STRENGTH to survive and withstand ALL that comes your way that is humanly livable. And when you are ready to leave this planet, God will be waiting.
But again, this decision is up to you.
Will you pass through the Eye of the Needle? Shed your pretenses, strip down from your burdens, and facade, and show who you truly are to Jesus? Get down on your knees and accept His help as He leads you through the door into a new place? Into the Light? Believe He is the only One who can? He is Christ. The one and only way to Heaven for man. Only through complete trust and belief in Him we can be saved.
I’ll let you decide.
In Christ,
Renee
Renee Blare Christian Author 