The Eye of the Needle: Part Three
So could it be that we are so rich in self-sufficiency—whether it be monetary or spiritual—that we no longer feel we need God?
Jude 3 says that “ye should earnestly contend for the faith.”
We are to strive for more of God.
It is this propensity to approve of ourselves, to “settle on our leas” that may sometimes bring the necessity of trial into our lives!
There’s a song I sing: How Would I Know
It simply states:
“How would I know He could deliver if I was never bound?
How would I know Him as victory if I never had a battle?
How would I know Him as peace if I never had a storm?”
You see, if it were up to us, we would reach a spiritual plateau where we could trust in our own righteousness and ability. It is by the mercy of God that trials come so that we are not high-minded and lose our souls due to our richness!
Scripture says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven.
Now, now there are several ways you could interpret that scripture. There is the obvious: a real, live, walking camel trying to fit through the eye of a sewing needle.
There is also a type of rope, however, that is called camel rope. It is thick and coarse. Could the scripture be talking about threading this heavy rope through the eye of a sewing needle?
I would argue not.
Jude 3 says that “ye should earnestly contend for the faith.”
We are to strive for more of God.
It is this propensity to approve of ourselves, to “settle on our leas” that may sometimes bring the necessity of trial into our lives!
There’s a song I sing: How Would I Know
It simply states:
“How would I know He could deliver if I was never bound?
How would I know Him as victory if I never had a battle?
How would I know Him as peace if I never had a storm?”
You see, if it were up to us, we would reach a spiritual plateau where we could trust in our own righteousness and ability. It is by the mercy of God that trials come so that we are not high-minded and lose our souls due to our richness!
Scripture says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven.
Now, now there are several ways you could interpret that scripture. There is the obvious: a real, live, walking camel trying to fit through the eye of a sewing needle.
There is also a type of rope, however, that is called camel rope. It is thick and coarse. Could the scripture be talking about threading this heavy rope through the eye of a sewing needle?
I would argue not.
In Biblical times around the time of the reign of the Roman Empire, the Romans liked to use one gate of entry into Jerusalem. This allowed them to control who entered and exited so all other gates were closed during the early years of their rule. Not only did they choose to use one gate but at particular times in their reign, they would only allow travelers to Jerusalem to enter through the smaller entrance of the gate, called…the eye of the needle!
It had an extremely small and narrow opening so that only a man and his pack could walk through. If a man were wealthy enough to have camels laden with goods, the camels could not fit into the opening to walk through. This allowed the Romans to inspect the goods as they had to be unpacked for transport into the city.
The only way to then get the camel through was to train the camel to kneel on its knees and drag its knees across the ground beneath the gate’s archway.
This required much discipline and humility for the animal so, Biblical historians tell us, that not many camels were able to enter. Not being able to enter the gate meant that the camel was left unattended with the Roman enemies—not a pleasant plight.
In a spiritual sense, we as a blessed people must not only be disciplined and humbled but must also go through some pretty tight spots to keep our souls right with God!
Every man has his “eye of the needle” experience.
Paul, the Apostle
Paul complained of a thorn in the flesh, from which he asked the Lord for deliverance. He was told that God’s grace was sufficient. Such a hardship—whatever it could have been—may have assisted him in his daily repentance for he said in I Corinthians 15:31 that “I die daily.” Daily, he surrendered his pride and will to God to endure the strain. Many would have given up on working in the ministry had they faced the beatings, illnesses, and solidarity that Paul did!
Job, the perfect and upright servant
Job, as we know well, suffered illness, hardship, and loss of his family and earthly fortune. The trials tested his faith and he won in the end, having kept his eyes on the giver of all good things…rather than on the things themselves! I have heard so many who have turned away from God, claiming themselves unable to endure the loss of a loved one, the devastation of some natural disaster, or the betrayals of man. Job not only lost his possessions but he lost his children, his wife’s respect, and even learned that his friends were not true friends at all. He truly lost all—even his confidence in the goodness of people.
The Children of Israel
The Israelites were forced in their flight from Egypt to cross the Red Sea. Notice that the dry ground provided miraculously through the sea bed was narrow and the line was long. The crossing took an entire night. In the end, the uncertainty of having a forty foot high wall of water was realized as it crashed down upon the Egyptians. Imagine the turmoil and uncertainty as the Israelites were faced with a choice of slaughter at the hands of Pharoah or the uncertain promise of safety through the troubled sea by following Moses.
Be advised, the eye of the needle will be the toughest storm you’ve ever faced…but it is also your defining moment!
Revelation 3:8 says, “Behold, I have set before you an open door…”
Just because it is open does not mean we will not have to humble ourselves, get on our knees, and squeeze through at times!
Believe me, the eye of the needle will reveal who you really are.
That’s why doorway symbolism is so strong in faiths across the world. It is not the destination that defines you but the crossing over. To see our spiritual doorway in a global perspective, don’t miss our next segment!
