The Camel Question
It really does sound rather absurd. Who would even think it a possibility that a camel can pass through the eye of a needle? And it is so much out of proportion you would not even think to use it as a rational example. So, why a camel?
There have been some scholars who have tried to interpret the original languages differently, but that has not been accepted. Some have suggested that a gate into Jerusalem has the name of an eye of a needle and camels would have to walk on their knees to enter. Ok, maybe, but explanations such as this sound plausible, but we just do not know.
Maybe because this comparison is so absurd it does have some merit. The fact that the only way any of us will get to heaven is through God and His grace and love for each of us. There is no possible way any human can achieve heaven by themselves. Each of us then needs to think through what our relationship with God is now.
And what about Peter’s question – what’s in it for us? This is so human. It appears that Peter is trying to negotiate a simpler way into heaven. After all, he has given up everything to follow Jesus. There should be some return on his investment.
Our human side keeps insisting that we should be able to find a human way to heaven. It is not going to happen. The way to heaven is the way of the cross. God so loved the world that He offered His Son for our salvation.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen