About Camels and Needles

In our passage, little children are brought to Jesus so that he might bless them, but the disciples again miss the point and turn the children away. Jesus shows us that salvation is for everyone, not limited to the rich and important. We also read of a wealthy young man approaching Jesus to find out what 'good thing' he must do to get eternal life. But the only one who is good and can bring salvation was standing right before him! The young man kept the six relational commandments, but Jesus saw his heart and knew he served money, not God. In response, Jesus tells him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, saying that he might have treasure in heaven and follow him. The Young man was sad and fled because he had great wealth. Jesus shows us what is important and what is not to both the young man and the kingdom. "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom". While Jesus' hyperbole reveals the impossibility of saving ourselves, 'with God all things are possible'.