Treasure in a Field painting by Bertram Poole published on Cover of Roots Christian Magazine

This painting was used by Roots Christian Magazine for its cover recently.

It is Easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a Needle than for a Rich Man to Enter the Kingdom of God Christian Art Painting by Bertram Poole

 
 

It is Easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a Needle than for a Rich Man to Enter the Kingdom of God:

The camel has to be unloaded completely then coaxed onto its knees so that it can crawl through the small gate which is called "The Eye of the Needle."

Apparently the large gate was closed at night. Anyone wishing to enter afterwards would have to use the "Eye".  There is some controversy:  Some say Jesus meant a literal 'eye' of a sewing needle - this may be so, because in the Peshitta translation the word "gamla" can apparently mean rope or camel!  Either way, the degree of difficulty seems to be the same!

Personally, I lean towards the 'small gate' interpretation as it is clear that riches can hinder a wealthy individual from growing spiritually - he does not have the desperation of knowing he has nothing else to "fall back" on and to marvel at the daily grace and provision of The Lord.  I believe it is almost impossible for a wealthy person to imagine what it is like to be stripped of everything!  One's identity and status are gone.  So is any pride.  When the spirit of pride is subdued, it is easy to put one's head between one's knees and find comfort in God's presence - sensing one is in the right place at the right time!

The main baggage may be the spirit of pride.  It is easy to put one's trust in wealth as it is visible and tangible.  Even a 'righteous' man like Job found out that the proud Leviathan spirit he had was offensive to God.  This gave Satan a foothold in his life.  As The Word states, with God anything is possible - there is a cost, and the cost may be everything - but, the good news is that one can also gain everything!  The disciples were astonished and wondered who could possibly be saved.  God works it out in His way.

Christ our Passover Lamb Christian Art painting by Bertram Poole

"For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."—1 Corinthians 5:7.

(Adapted excerpt from Spurgeon Sermon #54, 1855, New Park Street Chapel, Southwark.)

The more you read the Bible, and the more you meditate upon it, the more you will be astonished with it. He who is but a casual reader of the Bible, does not know the height, the depth, the length and breadth of the mighty meanings contained in its pages. There are certain times when I discover a new vein of thought, and I put my hand to my head and say in astonishment, "Oh, it is wonderful I never saw this before in the Scriptures."

One of the most interesting points of the Scriptures is their constant tendency to display Christ; and perhaps one of the most beautiful figures under which Jesus Christ is ever exhibited in sacred writ, is the Passover Paschal Lamb.
Israel was in Egypt, in extreme bondage; the severity of their slavery had continually increased till it was so oppressive that their incessant groans went up to heaven. God who avenges his own elect, though they cry day and night unto him, at last, determined that he would direct a fearful blow against Egypt's king and Egypt's nation, and deliver his own people.

We can picture the anxieties and the anticipations of Israel, but we can scarcely sympathize with them, unless we as Christians have had the same deliverance from spiritual Egypt. Let us go back to the day in our experience, when we abode in the land of Egypt, working in the brick-kilns of sin, toiling to make ourselves better, and finding it to be of no avail; let us recall that memorable commencement of a new life in our spirit, and the beginning of a new era in our soul.

The Word of God struck the blow at our sin; he gave us Jesus Christ our sacrifice; and in that night we went out of Egypt. Though we have passed through the wilderness since then, and have fought the Amalekites, have trodden on the fiery serpent, have been scorched by the heat and frozen by the snows, yet we have never since that time gone back to Egypt; although our hearts may sometimes have desired the leeks, the onions, and the flesh-pots of Egypt, yet we have never been brought into slavery since then.Let us keep the Passover and think of the night when the Lord delivered us out of Egypt. Let us behold our Saviour Jesus as the Paschal Lamb on which we feed.

 Let our hearts approach that ancient supper; let us go back to Egypt's darkness, and by holy contemplation behold, instead of the destroying angel, the angel of the covenant, at the head of the feast,—"the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world."
The Lord Jesus Christ, corresponds with the Paschal Lamb: having his blood sprinkled on you, and you having fed on him.

From: www.spurgeon.org

Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet and a Light unto My Path Christian Art Painting by Bertram Poole

The path is narrow and the Light is essential to keep from slipping off into the hands of the ememy which is crouching, waiting and hoping to distract.  The Crimson covered pilgrim has his focus in front of him, taking one step at a time, trusting the One who went before that the path leads to the Celestial City where there is rest and peace on every side