Recently the assistant pastor of my church posted this image on his page and I wanted to expound on it a little.
There are actually three photos here. The one on the far left is an opening left when an archway was modified to more modern dimensions. Old archways like this were common in walled cities and the larger arch could be closed off by large gates like you see in movies with a historic setting. What the movies rarely show is the "eye of the needle." The guards would only allow outsiders in after dark and then only pedestrians. People with caravans of goods to be sold in the market were told to return the next day when the city re-opened for business. The other option the caravans would have would be to unload the camels and coax them through the eye -- then re-load them once they were inside the city walls. This was extremely hard to do-- camels are not the easiest animals to get to obey their handlers. They often balk at needing to kneel on the rocky soil of the entrance rather than the sand with which they were more accustomed. Sometimes the handlers would lay out blankets on the ground to make it easier to get the camels to obey. This is where the custom originated about laying down blankets or garments as was done when Jesus entered Jerusalem on what has become known today as Palm Sunday. It was a familiar custom and its familiarity enabled Jesus to use it as an example in his teaching.
Basically, Jesus was NOT saying that it was impossible for a wealthy person to enter heaven - it would just be more difficult -- like unloading and re-loading a camel. However, this figure of speech needs more explanation in the modern world where we do not live in walled cities and the only needles we know are the sewing type - and the eyes barely accommodate the thread --much less a camel. So may people thought Jesus was saying the rich could not enter heaven -- not so.
The picture on the far right illustrates another problem with getting the camel through the eye of the needle. Immediately as one passes through the eye is a set of stairs. Stairs are tricky for most animals to navigate, especially large animals like the camel. Below is a picture of camel trainer Tara Russell with her camel to let people who might not know first-hand just how tall camels are. Imagine trying to get something that size through a standard door opening like the doors in your home. Not easy but not impossible. Keep in mind that the camel would first have to kneel down, then scooch.
I hope to clarify other tricky verses in the future. Suggestions are always welcome.
