The Collect

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings:

Psalm 97; 99
Numbers 16:20–35

Gospel: Matthew 19:23–30

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first

Commentary:

I don’t have to remind those of you—who have studied the scriptures for some time—that this passage begins just after a young rich man came to Jesus asking “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ” (v. 16) This conversation, also reported in Mark 10:23-31 and Luke 18:24-30, ends with the young man—whose wealth and possessions meant more to him than his soul—going away disappointed and Jesus delivering this discourse, we are examining today, to his disciples.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (vs. 23-24)

This metaphor, used by Jesus to illustrate the difficulty of obtaining eternal life for those who valued material wealth over all else, has become a point of contention among historians and scholars.

Some claim that at Jerusalem (others say Damascus) there was a small and narrow gate in the protective wall built around the city. The Gate was designed so that pedestrians could pass through, but a heavily laden camel could not. Supposedly this design allowed ingress and egress to the city in peace time but prevented the camels of adversaries, loaded with war making material and supplies, from entering the city.

Some say that the gate was so low and narrow that a camel could enter, with difficulty, but only after being unloaded of its burdens. This concept gave rise ot the theory that Jesus was saying that a rich man could enter heaven, but only after unloading his attachment to materialism.

Others—thoughout the centuries—have offered other suggestions as to the translation of these words of our Lord.

Cyril of Alexandria (fragment 219) claimed that “camel” was a Greek scribal typo where Biblical Greek: κάμηλος, romanized: kámēlos, lit. ’camel’ was written in place of Biblical Greek: κάμιλος, romanized: kámilos, lit. ’rope’ or ‘cable’. More recently, George Lamsa, in his 1933 translation of the Bible into English from the Syriac, claimed the same.

Arthur Schopenhauer, in The World as Will and Representation, Volume 1, § 68, quoted Matthew 19:24: “It is easier for an anchor cable to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich person to come to God’s kingdom.”

Regardless of whether the “eye of a Needle” that Jesus was referring to was an actually needle used for sewing, or a gate in a city’s protective wall designed to keep out aggressors in times of war, the point Jesus was making is that the love and obsession with the material is a danger to one’s spiritual health and hygene.

As you might imagine, this aphorism used by Jesus was surprising, enough so the disciples aske him; “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?” (v. 25)

“Many surprising truths Christ told them, which they ere astonished at, and knew not what to make of; this was one, but their weakness was the cause of their wonder. It was not in contradiction to Christ, but for awakening to themselves, that they said, Who then can be saved? Note, Considering the many difficulties that are in the way of salvation, it is really strange that any are saved. When we think how good God is, it may seem a wonder that so few are his; but when we think how bad man is, it is more a wonder that so many are, and Christ will be eternally admired in them. Who then can be saved? Since so many are rich, and have great possessions, and so many more would be rich, and are well affected to great possessions; who can be saved? If riches are a hindrance to rich people, are not price and luxury incident to those that are not rich, and as dangerous to them? and who then can get to heaven?” (Henry)

“We should not diminish the strength of Jesus’ words, nor fail to see their application in our own affluent society. Who among us would not be considered richer than this rich young ruler was? It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven: Riches are a problem because they tend to make us satisfied with this life, instead of longing for the age to come. As well, sometimes riches are sought at the expense of seeking God.” (Guzik)

“They were exceedingly amazed” The great amazement of the disciples was based on the assumption that riches were always a sign of God’s blessing and favor. They had probably hoped that their following of Jesus would make them rich and influential, and prominent leaders in His Messianic government.

“In a culture where wealth was regarded as a sign of God’s blessing and where a religious teacher was therefore expected to be at least moderately wealthy, the lifestyle of Jesus and his disciples was conspicuously different.” (France)

The religious leaders of the first century—those the Gospel writers often refer to as Pharisees and Scribes—were usually well off if not wealthy, by the standards of the day. As France noted, “the lifestyle of Jesus and his disciples was conspicuously different,” Jesus and the disciples often benefited from the wealthy who donated to their ministry. Jesus touched the hearts of these people, allowing them to used their wealth to further the ministry. Jesus and God know what is in the hearts of everyone, especially the rich.

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (v. 26 )

“This is a great truth in general, that God is able to do that which quite exceeds all created power; that nothing is too hard for God, Gen. 18:14; Num. 11:23. When men are at a loss, God is not, for his power is infinite and irresistible; but this truth is here applied, To the salvation of any. Who can be saved? say the disciples. None, saith Christ, by any created power. With men this is impossible: the wisdom of man would soon be nonplussed in contriving, and the power of man baffled in effecting, the salvation of a soul. No creature can work the change that is necessary to the salvation of a soul, either in itself or in any one else. With men it is impossible that so strong a stream should be turned, so hard a heart softened, so stubborn a will bowed. It is a creation, it is a resurrection, and with men this is impossible; it can never be done by philosophy, medicine, or politics; but with God all things are possible” (Henry)

“with God all things are possible.” “It is possible for the rich man to be saved. God’s grace is enough to save the rich man; we have the examples of people like Zaccheus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Barnabas. These all were rich men still able to put God first, not their riches.” (Guzik)

“Jesus is not saying that all poor people and none of the wealthy enter the kingdom of heaven. That would exclude Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to say nothing of David, Solomon, and Joseph of Arimathea.” (Carson)

Who will, and who will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, is not a determination to be made by mankind. God knows, and as Jesus says here, God will make the determination of who does and who does not place their material possessions over God.

“Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (v. 27)

In contrast to the rich young ruler, the disciples did leave all to follow Jesus – so what would be their reward?

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” (vs. )

Jesus tells of special honor for the disciples: you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The disciples will have a special role in the future judgment, probably in the sense of administration in the millennial Kingdom.

“But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” (v. 30) Jesus frequently instructed the disciples that the lowly, the servants, those cast out on Earth, would enjoy positions of leadership in heaven. Here we see an analogy saying that, the first, the most powerful and privileged on Earth, will be the lowest in Heaven.

Jesus promised that those who sacrificed for His sake and the sake of His kingdom would be rewarded. Then He said that though they would be rewarded, it would be different than man usually expects; because we usually believe that the first will be first and the last will be last.

“Jesus lays it down that there will be surprises in the final assessment… it may be that those who were humble on earth will be great in heaven, and that those who were great in this world will be humbled in the world to come.” (Barclay)

“Our Saviour, in the last verse, obviates a mistake of some, as if pre-eminence in glory went by precedence in time, rather than the measure and degree of grace. No; Many that are first, shall be last, and the last, first, v. 30. God will cross his hands; will reveal that to babes, which he hid from the wise and prudent; will reject unbelieving Jews and receive believing Gentiles. The heavenly inheritance is not given as earthly inheritances commonly are, by seniority of age, and priority of birth, but according to God’s pleasure.” (Henry)

Benediction

Jesus called us to be the salt and light of the world, so as to make his kingdom a reality among us and to bring it to those around us by our words and deeds. The way to do this is to live as he lived: for others, in love and service. Almighty God, we ask you to continue to bless us and prepare us for this task. We ask these things in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.

C. S. Lewis

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Bible Studies From The Daily Office, is an outreach ministry designed to encourage the viewer to read one Old Testament or Epistle, a Psalm, and a Gospel selection everyday. Following each Gospel reading is a commentary designed to help the reader understand the traditional meaning of God’s Holy Word.

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