The Eye of a Needle

You are probably familiar with the scripture about the camel and the eye of the needle:

it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

I had been taught that the needle referred to in the scripture was a small entry in a walled city that was used when the main gate was closed.  The theory was that the camel  had to get on its knees and crawl through the “eye.”

I recently learned that there is no historical evidence of this scenario.

The parable mentioned the camel because it was the largest animal they knew in those parts of the world. Likewise the eye of a needle was the smallest opening they knew.

Whether or not the eye of the needle is a literal needle or a small gate in a fortified city wall, is not really the point.

What does it really mean?

So let’s look at the scripture again stated another way, it is easier for a large animal to pass through an microscopic opening. I would say that is actually impossible.

It is also impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven based on his richness. Additionally it is impossible for a poor person to enter the kingdom of heaven based on his suffering and poorness.

We cannot enter heaven by our own merits, no matter how hard we try. It is impossible.

What allows us entry to heaven is the blood of Jesus. Accepting his payment on the cross, looking to him and not ourselves, is how we enter heaven.

Your Turn

In what areas of your life do you need Yeshua’s grace? His grace is sufficient for us. It never runs out.