February 15th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
Let me say it again: ‘it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.’
Matthew 19:24, New Testament for Everyone
Profile: This unnamed rich official knelt and addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher” showing humility and high regard for him. “What good deed must I do to obtain life?” he asked, as though the way to life was through deservedness! Jesus highlighted six commandments which dealt with man's relationships to man and added, “go sell what you have and give to the poor”. Jesus was not setting out the terms of salvation by philanthropy, but exposing the man’s heart – he was loving himself
and possessions as his god more than loving his neighbour. Neither money nor merit would save. Jesus said, “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.” By rejecting Jesus, he would miss the future greater riches and rulership in the “regeneration” (19:27-30).
Lessons:
• Even with the services of an industrial-sized food processor, camels - the largest animals in Palestine - cannot pass through needle’s eyes. Even trying to push the greased beast through would be a pointless exercise! From the human angle, we are humped camels and heaven is as open as a pinprick. But from God’s side, if we come as little children entirely dependent on Him, as he described in the previous verses (19:13-15), heaven is as wide open as the arms of Jesus.
• The man needed a whole new starting point. Instead of adding another commandment to keep or a good deed to perform, the young man needed to submit humbly to the lordship of Christ.
PEOPLE JESUS MET
RICH YOUNG RULER – Self-Centred
RICH YOUNG RULER – Self-Centred
Let me say it again: ‘it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.’
Matthew 19:24, New Testament for Everyone
Profile: This unnamed rich official knelt and addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher” showing humility and high regard for him. “What good deed must I do to obtain life?” he asked, as though the way to life was through deservedness! Jesus highlighted six commandments which dealt with man's relationships to man and added, “go sell what you have and give to the poor”. Jesus was not setting out the terms of salvation by philanthropy, but exposing the man’s heart – he was loving himself
and possessions as his god more than loving his neighbour. Neither money nor merit would save. Jesus said, “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.” By rejecting Jesus, he would miss the future greater riches and rulership in the “regeneration” (19:27-30).
Lessons:
• Even with the services of an industrial-sized food processor, camels - the largest animals in Palestine - cannot pass through needle’s eyes. Even trying to push the greased beast through would be a pointless exercise! From the human angle, we are humped camels and heaven is as open as a pinprick. But from God’s side, if we come as little children entirely dependent on Him, as he described in the previous verses (19:13-15), heaven is as wide open as the arms of Jesus.
• The man needed a whole new starting point. Instead of adding another commandment to keep or a good deed to perform, the young man needed to submit humbly to the lordship of Christ.
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Receive Christ – receive Life.
Receive Christ – receive Life.
