Eye of the Needle

Today I helped someone move one of those big, automated exercise treadmills. It’s gigantic and heavy!

We wondered if it would fit in my tiny truck and it was a perfect fit! Just short enough to close the tailgate.

And then…

We got to his house.

Wider than all the doors. Wider than the gate to get into the backyard. He said “I’ll just take it apart and call you if I need help.”  Okay.

It reminded me of the parable of the camel and the eye of the needle. In response to the rich man asking how to get into heaven (and Christ’s initial reply of “Keep the commandments” not being satisfactory), he was told to sell all he owns, give it to the poor, and come and follow Jesus.

This account is relayed by Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18.

In Matthew 19:23-24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 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.”

This was quite a shocker to his disciples, however we lose something in this that we are missing culturally.

Back in yon olden days of walled cities, the main gates to enter in and out were open only during daylight. At dusk the main gates were closed until dawn. All persons entering into the city had to enter by a side gate. This wasn’t very big and was commonly called “the eye of the needle.”

Arriving after dark with your caravan of camels (the cargo trucks of yesteryear), a person would have to unload all their goods off from the camel, have the camel scooch along on its knees through the needle gate, pass all the goods through by hand and reload the camel.

Not impossible but definitely not entering in by the main gate. Anyone who has loaded a moving truck, then had to empty it and reload it can relate.

Or take apart a treadmill to reassemble it on the other side of the door. lol

The greater lesson is don’t get weighed down with worldly goods, with physical items. The world often sells ownership of “stuff” by stating how much “freedom” it will give you. A car gives you the freedom from taxis and buses, yet they don’t sell you on insurance, oil, gas, and cleaning of that car. Or home ownership. Or owning a business. Or or or…

It all can be a distraction from our walk with Jesus Yeshua. Make time for Him every day!