Instruction
Scripture: Mark 10:23-31
The question of the rich man, “What must I do to inherit
eternal life?” led into a larger conversation regarding wealth and faith. In
this passage Jesus points out that wealth can be a detriment to a person’s
faith, in fact, he says, “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.” The passage causes
the reader to reconsider what it means to be blessed and to see how great a gift
it is to enter God’s kingdom.
Teaching
Much has been written about what Jesus meant by a camel
going through the eye of a needle. Some have said that there was a small gate
called, The Eye of the Needle, and it
was hard to get a camel through it. It is more likely that He is saying that
salvation for the rich (just as it is for anyone) is miraculous; as miraculous
as a great big camel going through a little bitty needle’s eye. It is not
possible for people to accomplish this feat. He is saying salvation is fully a
gift from God for Whom all things are possible.
Life
Have you ever paused to consider how miraculous it is that
you get to be part of God’s kingdom? We get so used to going to church,
praying, taking Communion, and participating in the things of God’s kingdom
that sometimes we think that this is normal. It is not. It is as miraculous as
a camel going through the eye of a needle that the Son of God would die and
rise for us. How amazingly blessed we are! Pause to consider how much it means
to be part of the kingdom of God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You teach that it is truly miraculous when a
person enters into the kingdom of God. Even those who seem the most blessed
among us enter only through a miracle as great as a camel going through the eye
of a needle. You show us that entering the kingdom is impossible for us, but
that all things are possible with Your Father.
Thank You for dying and rising for us – more actions that
seem as likely as a camel going through the eye of a needle! – so that we are
now part of the kingdom of God. Thank You for making this possible. Your
promises of extended family, inheritance, and eternal life are great, and we
thank You for them.
Forgive us for the times that we think that some people are
more blessed, or more worthy, or somehow better equipped to enter the kingdom
of God than we are. Forgive us for forgetting that all who enter do so only by
Your grace and the faith that You give them by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Forgive us for thinking that salvation is rooted in human action instead of
God’s miraculous grace.
Bless us, Lord Jesus, with strong faith and fill us with
wonder and awe that we too are privileged to be part of Your kingdom. Keep us
grateful and amazed at what You have done to give us everlasting life. When the
persecutions come that You say must be, give us an extra portion of Your Spirit
to strengthen and comfort us. Bring us safely into the eternal home You have
promised us where we will live with You, and the Father and the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever. Amen.
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