The Principle of ''The Eye of the Needle''
Jerry Watts
Luke 18:18-30
''How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.'' These are the words of Jesus as recorded for 3 of the 4 gospels and what I have termed the ''Principle of the Eye of the Needle.'' And for those of us who think this is a stunning statement, so did the disciples. In fact, they were so concerned at this statement, that scripture records they were astonished, amazed, utterly astonished, and even more amazed at the 'demands' of Christ.
For the person who has spent time in God's word, you know that these words were spoken in the aftermath of the encounter with the Rich Young Ruler. (Text call - 'let's get this story in front of us' - Read text)
Every time I read this text I ponder a couple of questions, ''What was it that tipped Jesus off to the truth that this rich man was not really interested in discovering God's requirements for salvation and eternal life?''
Could it have been his Appearance? Do you think he walked up with every hair in place, the smell of expensive cologne, his beard extra neat, and his face laced with a hint of cream?
Could it have been his Attire? - Perhaps as he planned to come and see Jesus he carefully planned what he would or could wear to make Jesus aware of who 'he was?' After all, he was an up and coming young man who already possessed the trappings of success and wealth.
Could it be that this man came to Jesus with an attitude? - To read the text is glean the idea that this is a real possibility. Both Mark and Luke quote the man as beginning the conversation with ''Good Teacher.'' This could be a sign of respect or disrespect, of admiration or sarcasm.
While we do not know exactly how Jesus knew, we need to understand that Jesus saw through the verbal games this young man was playing. And Jesus sees through ...
Jerry Watts
Luke 18:18-30
''How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.'' These are the words of Jesus as recorded for 3 of the 4 gospels and what I have termed the ''Principle of the Eye of the Needle.'' And for those of us who think this is a stunning statement, so did the disciples. In fact, they were so concerned at this statement, that scripture records they were astonished, amazed, utterly astonished, and even more amazed at the 'demands' of Christ.
For the person who has spent time in God's word, you know that these words were spoken in the aftermath of the encounter with the Rich Young Ruler. (Text call - 'let's get this story in front of us' - Read text)
Every time I read this text I ponder a couple of questions, ''What was it that tipped Jesus off to the truth that this rich man was not really interested in discovering God's requirements for salvation and eternal life?''
Could it have been his Appearance? Do you think he walked up with every hair in place, the smell of expensive cologne, his beard extra neat, and his face laced with a hint of cream?
Could it have been his Attire? - Perhaps as he planned to come and see Jesus he carefully planned what he would or could wear to make Jesus aware of who 'he was?' After all, he was an up and coming young man who already possessed the trappings of success and wealth.
Could it be that this man came to Jesus with an attitude? - To read the text is glean the idea that this is a real possibility. Both Mark and Luke quote the man as beginning the conversation with ''Good Teacher.'' This could be a sign of respect or disrespect, of admiration or sarcasm.
While we do not know exactly how Jesus knew, we need to understand that Jesus saw through the verbal games this young man was playing. And Jesus sees through ...
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