# 590 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 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."
(Mr 10:25)
Many attempts have been made to use this passage in such a way to actually make it possible for a covetous man to enter heaven. My favorite is the illustration that when Jesus spoke of the needle, He meant the small portal of a gated city. In order for a camel to enter through such a portal, it would have to be unpacked of all excess baggage, and actually kneel to get through. The problem with this illustration is once through the camel is ready to be loaded up again, and the sin of covetousness has not really been dealt with.
Now this is a lovely illustration and a great spiritual principle and certainly connected to being followers of Christ. Jesus said elsewhere in Scripture Lu 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.. In other words it is necessary to let go of worldly things (unpack the camel) to follow Him. Just don't load him up again! This is a daily unpacking, a daily forsaking and following.
Furthermore it is bluntly stated in 1Co 6:10, that the covetous will not inherit eternal life. “ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
While this illustration of the camel makes for an interesting sermon, it misses the real point that Jesus is making.
A real live camel, packed or unpacked cannot fit through the eye of a needle. It's that simple. We must trust God. He is the only one able to move our trust in wealth and other things to a saving trust in Him.
Can a camel unpack itself? Of course not! It needs outside help and so do we! This is the point! Don't miss it!
Father, help me to stop looking for my salvation apart from You
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