Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

If I believe, as I wrote in the last devotional, that Jesus was not just calling the rich young ruler to leave his idols of riches, pride, and position, but he was calling all of us to leave whatever keeps us from God, then I must apply this filter to this passage as well.

It may be easier for a camel to go through the “eye of a needle” than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. It may also be easier for someone who has been in pursuit of acceptance, accomplishment, and praise from others … to stop a locomotive with their bare hands, than to enter the kingdom of heaven as well.

Jesus’ main point here is wealth can be a consuming passion and take our hearts away from the things of God. The overall analogy is that any sin that consumes us is a barrier to entry to heaven because it keeps us from a true and righteous relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and God our Father.

What potential consuming passions are competing for my allegiance and first place in my life? How will I call these out (like Jesus called out the love of money for the rich young ruler) and cast them aside? I must cast aside everything and follow my Lord and Savior!

Jesus, thank you for this simple truth that you revealed to me today. You care about me and love me in my sin, like you loved the rich young ruler. But you love me enough to call me out of it into greater life with you. I am yours. Teach me to humbly ask for your help to believe and follow each day!