Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
The imagery of this verse was made real to me in our recent trip to Israel. The “eye of a needle” was a small opening at a city gate and measured approximately 3 feet high and 18 inches wide. Entering through the eye was a tight squeeze for an adult and an impossibility for a large animal like a camel.
This teaching moment is brought to you by a rich young man who asked Jesus what was necessary for him to receive eternal life (Mark 10:17). Jesus told him to honor the moral principles of the Mosaic Law through his actions and attitudes. Then in a serious test of the young man’s values, the Lord instructed him to “sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (V.21). Verse 22 states the young man “went away sorrowful, for he had great possession.”
It is worth noting that Jesus didn’t challenge the man’s commitment to God. Look at verses 19-20 and you will see he had check all the right boxes in regards to spiritual disciplines. Don’t commit adultery – check. Don’t murder – check. Don’t steal – check. Don’t bear false witness – check. Don’t defraud – check. Honor your father and mother – check. The man was deeply religious.
It is also worth noting that Jesus did not condemn the man for his wealth. Wealth is not sinful, for it can be used to spread the gospel and provide assistance for people in need. The problem wasn’t the man’s wealth, but the value he placed on it. Jesus wanted to see what price the man was willing to pay for the privilege of being a disciple, and in the process challenged him to place greater value on service than possessions. Read again the accounts of Jesus recruiting His disciples and take note that He asked each of them to walk away from something before they walked with Him in service. Peter, James and John left a lucrative fishing business. Matthew walked away from a successful career as a tax collector. Jesus left the throne room of heaven to pick up a towel and basin to wash feet. Somewhere I heard it said, the value of a man is not measured in what he accumulates, but gives away.
Dr. Adam Clarke was an esteemed scholar, theologian and preacher of the 19th century. On his tomb in London is carved the figure of a candle that had been reduced by use. Beneath the candle are the words, “In giving light to others, I myself have been consumed.”
Let’s sing: “To be used of God to sing, to preach, to pray. To be used of God, to show someone the way…”
