It's Just Impossible

"Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children,  how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle..." (Mark 10:24,25). 

Picture an effort to force an angry, kicking, struggling, thousand pound  camel through the eye of a needle. It’s not hard to do. It’s impossible.[1]

Jesus makes the unexpected and largely unremarked point that it’s not just hard for wealthy people to follow Jesus; it’s hard for everyone. Indeed, it is impossible! 

Who then can be saved? "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible" (10:27). He is our righteousness and our sanctification. We must ask him every day for the grace to do what he has asked us to do.

 "Let us resign the conflict wholly to Him. We have sought in vain for victory by resolutions and endeavors; by close attention to religious duties; by occupying our mind with various interests, so that we had no leisure to be tempted... Now, hand the conflict absolutely over to Jesus: do not even try to help Him: just let Him do all: be quite still, and when temptation comes, let Him meet it." —FB Meyer

"The One who called us is faithful. He will do it" (1Thessalonians 5:23,24).

David Roper

2.9.19

[1] Those who insist there must have been a narrow gate in Jerusalem called "The Eye of the Needle" miss the point. It's not just difficult to squeeze a camel through the (literal) eye of a needle. It can't be done!