A Soft Savior

[Then Jesus said to his disciples,] “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:24-26 (NRSV) 

If you listen to socially progressive pastors talk about this scripture passage, we’re forever complaining about how people water it down. Soften its hard edges. Try to find a loophole in what is unquestionably a story about Jesus condemning the rich. 

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” It’s clear. 

And yes, probably some scribe messed up, and the word for “camel” is supposed to be the word for “rope.” But no, there wasn’t a gate in Jerusalem called The Eye of the Needle that a camel could just barely squeeze through if it dropped all its bags, or walked on its knees, or whatever. 

Jesus is saying it’s impossible for rich people to get into heaven. Case closed. That’s what it’s about. 

Except that, unfortunately, it’s not. If it were, the answer to the disciples’ question would be obvious. “Who can be saved?” The poor! If it were, then Jesus would stop after he says, “For mortals it is impossible.” 

But he just keeps going. Not simply watering it down, but dissolving it completely. Softening its edges till they’re dull as safety scissors. Opening up a loophole big enough to drive a camel through. 

Instead, yet again, Jesus takes a perfectly good story of condemnation and makes it about God’s impossible, saving love. 

Prayer
Do the impossible.