“Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.’ Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’ –Luke 18:24-27
Mark Twain once wrote, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts of the Bible that I do understand.” I think Jesus’ words are understandable but bothersome. And because they are so bothersome it is tempting for us to make them incomprehensible. We convince ourselves that because these words were addressed to this particular rich man and his particular sin at this particular time in history, that there is nothing to be learned. To think this would be both wrong and unwise.
Here Jesus states what many people have considered “bothersome” by saying, “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.” When we talk about Jesus saying “a camel going through the eye of the needle,” and equate it to a pathway in Israel where camels had to walk on their knees, or that this passage refers to camel rope, we are doing a disservice to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was using a hyperbole, an exaggeration to make a point. It was not meant to be taken literal, but as an amusing image to teach a lesson. The whole point of Jesus’ hyperbole about the camel and the eye of the needle reinforces the truth that those who are ruled by money cannot be ruled by God.
Who then can be saved? Who can enter the kingdom of heaven? Jesus says, “No one qualifies by themselves.” Here Jesus answers them in absolute terms in order to show them that salvation is not a human achievement, but a miracle from God. He says, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” If you rely on yourself and self-salvation, you will not see the kingdom of God. If you rely and put faith in God, then the kingdom is yours. The great won’t be let in because they are great. The good won’t be let in because they are good. The rich won’t be let in because they are rich. Our dependence, our salvation, comes from God and God alone.
Meet the Students
1. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory would probably have to be the first time I got to ride in a classic automobile. I was somewhere around 8 or 10 and one of my cousins (who was in is 20's) had just bought this 1963 Jeep Wagoneer. What made this interesting is that it had all the same safety features from when it rolled off the assembly line in 1963, so there were no seatbelts at all and I believe the rear shocks were bad (which led to a very bouncy ride). What I remember most about it is that I ended up laying across the backseat, hugging it as tightly as I possibly could just so that I wouldn't end up on the floor or hitting the roof with my head. It was terrifying but invigorating all at the same time and has led to my fondness of vintage automobiles since.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? My involvement in Cornerstone so far has been mostly of attending the Wednesday night service, a weeknight Bible study, a weekly discipleship group and participating in various weeknight events. I have also been an emcee for a Wednesday night service. In the future, I hope to become even more involved.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? So far, I am a recent transfer from the Pitt-Titusville branch campus so I just started going to Cornerstone this semester. But, while at Titusville I was active in a group called Alpha Omega in which the faculty advisors for the group (Mr. Jeff Ledebur and Nurse Kim Roser) made sure to get everyone involved with various CCO events such as Jubilee (a necessity for any college student who is a follower of Christ). Going to Alpha Omega definitely shaped me a lot by keeping me entrenched in my faith while in Titusville, and Cornerstone is continuing to do so this semester along with challenging me and causing substantial growth in my faith. So even though I haven't been involved for long, Cornerstone is an integral part of my week that I center myself around.
Financial Update
Moore News
Asher is excelling in school, and (like Ben and Josh) seems to have a knack for making friends. Every time I pick him up from school, he always takes the time to say “goodbye” to all of his classmates and friends. It has been a joy to watch him learn to read and broaden his academic abilities. He has an infectiously positive and joyful spirit about everything he does.
Emily continues to spend her time involving herself in different church activities, and doing those things that are difficult to do with 3 boys under foot. She is enjoying this time to decide where she would like to use the gifts and abilities she has been blessed with.
In Christ,
Andy Moore
