Presents
Pamphlet #4430
Presents
Pamphlet #4430
Matthew 19:23 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily
I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
24 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.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed,
saying, Who then can be saved?
My
Hi-lite: Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto
them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible
That a rich man shall "hardly" enter into the kingdom of heaven means that it will be very hard or difficult for one who "trusts in riches" (see Mark 10:24) to sell all that he has, unload his idolatrous spiritual baggage, to become as a little child and turn and follow Him....[23] Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"Again" He says to restate the point and make clear by illustration what He is saying. Many who read this verse picture in their mind's eye a camel trying to squeeze through the eye of a sewing needle which is not what the "eye of a needle" was. It was a small gate in the surrounding wall of the city that one had to go through during the night when the main gate was closed for homeland security purposes.[24] 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.
For a camel to actually go through the eye of a needle, that gate, it had to be completely unloaded of its "burden" and had to physically get down on its knees in order to pass through.
The disciples were totally shocked by this! With their eyes focused on the physical impossibilities of all the things Christ has just taught them regarding adultery, eunuchism, and "honey I shrank the camel", they are thinking that becoming saved is almost an impossible task.[25] When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But... Jesus BEHELD them!
"Beheld them" in Greek is to "em-blepo" which means "to look at intently", to look them in the eyes as if to cause them to spiritually sharpen up and get with the program to "see" and "hear" what He is saying to them. There is nothing man can do to save himself or herself and enter into the kingdom... because there is none good! We are all fall short of the law and the glory of God. He alone is "good"! You may think you are a pretty good Christian because of all the wonderful things you do, but when it comes right down to where the rubber meets the road... unless you unload whatever it is you have on your camel's back and humbly turn to Him in repentance, you'll never get through the gate.[26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
The good news is that He has provided a way and made it possible through the blood of the Lamb for ALL to come to Him in repentance and be forgiven and enter into eternal life. And that is His desire (2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus Christ is the "door" through which you can enter into the kingdom and have peace of mind and serenity for ever more.
There's that big little word "If" again. Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is that door.John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
It is your choice to enter in through that door or struggle with your camel and hope you can make it through the eye of a needle!
Forsake all the traditions of men and the temporary riches this world has to offer and turn to His Word and hear His Voice this day.
Psalm 95:7-8 "...To day if ye will hear his voice, [8] Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness."
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
is.
Published by:
Rhine
Publishing Co.
E-mail address:americanwisdomseries@verizon.net
If you would
like to have your essay published
as part of
the American Wisdom Series
submit your
manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address
above for consideration.
Click
Here to Return to "The
American Wisdom Series" home page.