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Health & Fitness

Camels in Heaven

Mark 10:25 (NLT) - In fact, 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!

Jesus’ message in this conversation must have made an impact because Matthew, Mark and Luke all include this teaching in their writing.  It probably ruffled some feathers in a culture that believed wealth indicated God’s blessing.

A few explanations are needed.  First, the Kingdom of God is not simply what we describe as heaven or the afterlife.  It can also mean living a life on earth that embodies God’s values – heaven on earth, so to speak.  Jesus often said of himself, the Kingdom of God is near, meaning He was the perfect example of living God’s kingdom on earth. 

Second, different translations expand the idea of a rich person to someone who ‘has it all’ or one who places their sense of safety in riches.  We could probably say the rich person leads a comfortable life.

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So I asked my confirmation students ‘Why?’  Why is it hard for a person who ‘has it all’ to live the life God desires?  Why are those who hit rock bottom more easily transformed by Jesus?

Don’t lose hope or be discouraged by this devotion.  It’s good food for thought.  In the very next sentence Jesus says the words you have certainly heard many times – “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

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