The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-18

Needles Eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God''
 The illustration used by our Lord was unintentionally spoiled by our translators How many have noticed the smallness of the eye Of an ordinary cambric needle, and then have felt perplexed to under- stand our Lords statement
 The Needles Eye was small gate or opening in large gate in the city wall. The gates of Jerusalem were closed at night for protection against robbers: and watchmen were on duty. An arrange ment was made, however. for travellers 1 who failed to reach the gate before 1t was closed. The smaller gate. the Needle s Eye, was just large enough to permit a camel to go through after it had been un- burdened. Thus understood, Jesus taught that as camel could go through the Needles Eye, or smaller gate, only by having it's load removed so rich man could enter the Kingdom of God only by giving up all to the Lord
 All this caused amazement to Jesus dis c1ples. They inquired, "Who then can be saVedY' The rich seemingly had all the opportunities of time, influence and money to enable them to give better service to the Lord than could others; and if they would have such difficulty in getting into the Kingdom, how would it be with oth- CTS, less favored apparently? Jesus an- swered that 'all things are possible with God That Is to say. if the rich man be honest-hearted and humble and his riches alone stand in the way, the Lord would snow him His will in respect to their use: i: or if this did not avail, the Lord would know how to strip him of his wealth. even as the master of the camel would unload his beast to permit him to pass through the Needles Eye.
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 St. Peter seemed to get the thought that joint-heirship with the Master in the kingdom would mean full surrender to Coda leaving of all and yielding up or all-in order to a full acceptance by God. St. Peter said, 'rLo, we have left all. and have followed Thee"
 Jesus did not fully indorse this state nent He knew about Judas, who had not nearly left all. He knew about St Peter himself-that some self-will stil re- mained. and that self-preservation would lead him to deny his Master But Jesus answer fully covered the question for all His followers from that day until now He said: Verify say unto you, There is no man that hath left houses or breth- ren. or sisters or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands. for My sake and the gospels, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time-with perse- cutions; and in the world (Age) to come eternal life.'
 What broad promise. and how abun- dantly fulfilled in it's earthly respects to many! The prosecutions they are sure to get; but everything sacrificed for the Lords cause is compensated a hundred fold in the present life. How gracious the Divine arrangement! And then, beyond. the everlasting life, and if faithful, a share with the Master in the kingdomi
 But many that are first shall be last: and the last first" In other words, many who possess great privilege and oppor- tunity for Divine favor and exaltation to the Kingdom of Heaven will fail to en- brace the opportunity: while others, nat urally less favored will gain the great prize Of glory, honor and immortality. Again we might say that those who first had the opportunity of becoming disciples of Jesus at His First Advent will not on that account (except the apostles) have any preeminence or advantage over oth- CTS of the Lords followers, either now or in the future.