The Eye of the Needle

An Urgent Word for Today's Church

Matt 19:24-26

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of heaven.

25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly puzzled (astonished, bewildered), saying, Who then can be saved [from eternal death]?

26 But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.  [Gen 18:14; Job 42:2.] Amp

Jesus speaks a shocking Word.

In order for us to understand its weight and truth today we must look a little deeper. In the Old Testament times a person who had wealth was seen as blessed and favored of God. This adds to the shock value of the passage. Jesus is saying that even those who are seen as favored and blessed of God will not be able to make it into the kingdom unless they lay down their status, wealth, power and humble themselves or literally strip themselves of these.

A prophetic Word from the Lord for His Church Today

The Lord brought this passage to me in prayer recently. As I studied and sought the Lord about this He spoke clearly that we have entered a season as His people in which this passage applies to us all. Specifically this is referring to those in ministry and their ministries. Our gifts, anointing, influence, education and titles or position are not enough to take us into this new season. It is required of us that we lay down all of these things and that like the camel pictured in the illustration lower or humble (get on our knees) ourselves so that we might make it by the Lord’s power as He pulls us through the narrow opening into the Kingdom work He is calling us into in this hour.

What God will do as we move forward will be impossible for man or woman to accomplish but as the passage states all things are possible with God. The Blessings, favor, fame and status which you and your ministry now enjoy are like a vapor or mist in the coming storm. They will not survive outside the gate. The only way in is the Eye of the Needle. Those who humble themselves before the Lord and not just posture humility for others to see will prosper in the fulfilling of the Lord’s purposes.

Phrases like ‘new levels new devils’ will pale in comparison to the opposition we will face and the miraculous level of provision we will experience in fulfillment of the purposes of the Lord. We can rest and be at peace in God as we see the measure of His overcoming which will be manifested as it will be far greater than the enemies’ fierce and fiery storm.

Background study

How can a camel pass through the eye of a needle? There have been scholars who have refused the validity of the explanation that has been given; but whether or not the detail is true in the field of architecture, it is true in the field of theology. The city gates were closed at sunset, and beside the great gates there were small gates which, it is said by some, were called the needle's eyes. If at the close of day the great gates were closed, and a shepherd and his flock came shortly afterwards, he could turn

aside from the main way and easily enter the city by the small gate nearby, the gate called needle's eye. But if a caravan of a rich merchant came after the gate was closed, the camel upon which he rode had to be maneuvered through the gate also. To think of the man's riding through the gate in stately pride is out of the question. If he had come earlier, he would have ridden his beast with high disdain, and flipped a coin to a cringing beggar. But now the camel must be brought to its knees. The rider must dismount and walk through the gate like any lowly peasant. The camel, kneeling on a carpet, will be dragged through the gate, the frightened animal barely squeezing through.

This is the position of every man before God. The way of entry by works has been closed. The righteousness of God has barred the gates of pride. No man will enter into Heaven with the rich doings of his own life, and with the disdain and hauteur that accompany human pride. There will be no pride in Heaven except the proper pride of God, who alone is perfect, and who can alone rejoice in His own being because there is no lack in Him whatsoever.

(From Romans: Expositions of Bible Doctrines © 1966 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

God says you are able.

God Calls your name today and He says, “You are able to lay down all things that would allow pride and self-righteousness to hinder you from entering into the fulfillment of His Kingdom purposes for the days ahead. Notice in the background study how the camel is even provided a carpet for his knees, even so God will provide provision and comfort even as we are taken through the Eye of the Needle!

The Time is Now!

So, I encourage you to seek the Lord with fasting and prayer to discover what you must do to get ready for Him to pull you through  ‘The Eye of The Needle’ that You will be useful in fulfilling His plans in the days which are upon us. Do not get stuck outside of the blessings and wondrous unfolding of His purposes that lay ahead of us.

Copy write © 2011 Wayne Newcomb

Artwork from http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/Bible