The eye of a needle

Mark

Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25).  Some people have suggested that a camel going through the eye of a needle referred to a small gate into Jerusalem, where camels had to get down on their knees in order to go through it.  Such a task was very difficult, but not impossible.  However, Jesus was likely just referring to a real sewing needle, in which case it would be impossible for a camel to go through the eye of the needle (referenced from the Archaeological Study Bible).  This latter interpretation is supported by Jesus’s later statement in Mark 10:27 – “With man this is impossible…”.  That is, it is impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God on his own.  But the good news is that “with God all things are possible”.  Not to say that following Christ will not be difficult at times, because Jesus also goes on to say that we have to leave family and possessions and follow him wholeheartedly.  But we’ll receive more than what we left behind when we go after God.  The hard part is that we have to give it all up in order to receive.  Ask God today to help you loosen your grip on this world so that you’ll be able to receive more abundantly from the next – eternal life with God!