I've been thinking about the context of the following famous bible verse:
It is easier for a camel to enter a needle's eye than a rich man into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:24
Most priests will interpret this passage as it is difficult for rich people to enter the kingdom of God because if you are rich, it means you have not given to those in need as you should have.
I have a few problems with this interpretation:
1) It is a stereotype that a rich person does not give or is not generous.
2) The writers of Matthew were likely very poor scribes who took issue with those around them who were wealthy as the caste system was much more stringent in those days. This would have been a very good channel to "stick it to the man".
3) It does not say it is "impossible" for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.
4) It neglects to note that with God all things are possible (a superior passage to this one, in my humble opinion.)
5) It does not qualify that only poor people can enter the Kingdom of God
6) The Bible is chock full of vague verses, obscurities, and passages so thick that you need a large comb to weed out the possible messages. In saying this, the black and white interpretations of the Bible are to be scrutinized as largely dependent on the perspective and character of the interpeter.
Here's another possible interpretation I have been thinking about.
This life is difficult. We often think we are "in hell" when going through difficult life situations. I think that we are made vulnerable on this earth to purposely experience the whole spectrum of pain and suffering. We are here to know what love is, too. It is necessary for us to experience these contrasts in order to gain an appreciation of what true relief lies ahead of us. I think that when we can know hardship, peace and days of plenty are all the more sweet. That's why I think this life is MADE for the education of our sorrows. So that we can fully embrace happiness in the grace we receive in the next life.
So, when God inspired the writers of Matthew to refer to the "rich man" I think that perhaps it is possible that the reference is to those who are catered to and have no worries, stresses or pains in this life. The plush life that is nothing more than a one-shade even keel for someone. Sure, lots of times a "rich person" is one who is financially wealthy, which aids to this lifestyle, but not necessarily always. I can see the context of the "rich man" as someone who never knows the extremes of falling onto their knees sobbing because of hardship that is out of their control. I think it would be an injustice for someone of this "rich lifestyle" to enter into the Kingdom of God without having experienced "the lows"...because their appreciation of grace would be stunted and dulled without it. I think that perhaps any suffering put onto the "rich man" after death is purely to their advantage - purely medicinal - and purely necessary for their eventual happiness in the fullness of grace. So, while I feel and know in my heart that ALL will eventually enter the Kingdom of God, I do believe that we will all relish in the highs of grace only after knowing what rock bottom is. And if one has not reached those depths in this human life, I think they would be put through it in the next prior to joining in the fullness of grace. Of course, it would be only a temporary experience - nothing eternal in that respect - but purely of God's usage to reveal His grace. And once they come out of the other side, they will be eternally grateful for it.
Perhaps Mother Theresa, who advocated as well as served the suffering, knew this to be so. Perhaps the verse "happy are the meek for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs" are those who currently experience hellish suffering each and every day (Darfur comes to mind) - perhaps they will get "a pass" directly to the Kingdom of Heaven as they surely will be able to immediately celebrate being rich with happiness in the presence of God, for their suffering was so very heavy in this life.
2 comments:
I have heard several times as well that this passage is often the victim of poor historical interpretation. Like so much literature (shakespeare, the greeks, all religious texts) the use of allusion to current trends and places is commonplace. Two thousand or even a few generations later, the same passages seem to read and feel very differently. Below is an alternative explanation of the same passage, as interpreted within the context of the area. This reads to me somewhat differently than is often used to browbeat those with means.
Another common explanation of the figure, is that Jesus was referring to a certain gate in Jerusalem called Needle's Eye. This entry-point was built like the eye of a needle and so low that a camel could pass only if it entered kneeling and unencumbered with baggage. The lesson would then be that an eternal inheritance awaits those who unburden themselves of sin, and in particular, the things of this world. Also, kneeling represents submission and humility, which are required by most religions to enter into heaven.
"Zondervan's Pictorial Bible Dictionary" has a picture of a large city gate with a small door in it about four feet high and makes the following claim in the caption: "The Jaffa Gate in the wall of Jerusalem, showing the 'Needle's Eye.' Small doors such as this were common features of the gates of ancient cities; humans could pass through fairly easily, but large animals, such as camels, had to be unloaded and then had to kneel to get through, even then with difficulty."[citation needed]
I have also heard of this particular reference, though it has been years. I think it is rather cool that so many inferences can be made about the mystery of a single saying. Lots of people have issues with not fully knowing what the Bible is telling us, but I find that the mystery of such sayings keeps us thinking and talking about it, even thousands of years later. To me, that's a brilliant work.
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