Matthew 19:24
Jesus uses a figure of speech in this verse that has led to some confusion. This confusion has arisen because many want the passage to say one thing, while it really says another. Jesus is using an expression evidently fairly common among Jewish teachers. This reference to the needle’s eye was used to express an impossibility. It is impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. Although some needles do have larger eyes, this is still the meaning.
Many, however, trying to get it to be that Jesus is just saying that it is really hard, have come up with another way to interpret the whole thing. The most common way of going about this is to say, as many have said, that the eye of the needle was actually a small opening in the wall of a city. This needle’s eye was, supposedly, so small that a camel could only enter by it with great difficulty. There is, however, no real proof that such an entrance ever existed. And, even if it did, its name may have come from the expression, and not the other way around.
But, this interpretation is simply not necessary. That Jesus is describing an impossibility is quite evident from the following verses. With God it is not impossible. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, and Jesus very specifically declared his salvation. All that Jesus is saying here is that God gets the glory when people are saved. Without his work to bring us to him, we would be like the camel trying to enter through the needle’s eye.
Bible Reading: John 12:1-13:38
Scripture Memory: 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day to serve You. I love You Father. You have saved me and I am so glad that You sent Your Son to save us poor sinners. We did all the wrong, and yet You put it all on Your Son on Calvary. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman who may be having mini strokes. Pray for a man recovering from surgery. Pray for a man making a decision about a job.
Journal Entry #14046