Context Matters

                                                           
The previous blog entry addressed how the Bible can sometimes be used to lead people astray from what God really wants for His people. It may be worth considering an example of how that’s done. The twisting of God’s Word isn’t always as obvious as one might think. Sometimes it just takes a slight tweak. Other times the problem isn’t as much what’s added or changed and more so what’s left out. Consider this verse:

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.” - Mark 10:25

In today’s political climate where socio-economic matters are of constant concern, this verse tends to pop up quite frequently. At times, it has been used by some to attack the rich or the concept of being rich. When read by itself, it does seem like Jesus is saying that it is impossible for rich people to go to Heaven.

Those that disagree with this interpretation sometimes go to great lengths to argue against it. You might have heard someone say that Jesus wasn’t talking about a literal eye of a needle. He was talking about a certain type or rock outcropping in the desert or a type of portal for dwellings in certain places in the Middle East, something difficult for a camel to pass through but not impossible. Such arguments are unnecessary. To understand exactly what Jesus is saying, all one needs to do is read further.

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.” - Mark 10:26-27

Jesus clearly isn’t saying that it is impossible for the rich to go to Heaven. As difficult as it might seem from Jesus' earlier statement, Jesus is making it clear that it can happen with God. This should go without saying honestly. After all, God himself gave earthly riches to several people that earned His favor in the Bible. Why would he do that if it meant barring those people from Heaven?

Let’s not give too much credit to everyone who has argued that it wasn’t impossible for the rich to get to Heaven. Many of the people who have made that argument have done so for self serving reasons. Either they themselves were rich, or they are supportive of this American system that often values wealth and the pursuit of wealth over everything else.

They may have been correct that it's not impossible for the rich to go to Heaven, but their argument didn’t really shed any light on the purpose of the lesson that Jesus was teaching. Some context is still missing. That’s usually what happens when a verse is just plucked out of the Bible and used as a trendy saying. However, the truth that the Bible is trying to deliver is usually deeper than can be delivered in a couple lines.

In this particular case, it’s important to understand what led to Jesus making the original statement in the first place.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 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! - Mark 10:17-24

Now we know what prompted Jesus to make his comment. A follower asked him what was necessary to make it to Heaven and then left forlorn when Jesus suggested that he give up all his wealth. Jesus was making a point. If you want to make it to Heaven, you have to be willing to put God first before everything else.

The rich follower in this case made a big deal about how he followed all God’s laws, but the suggestion that he give up his earthly riches was all it took to get him to abandon his desire to follow Jesus.

When we read the whole story, we understand what Jesus was teaching. It wasn’t as simple as him giving his feelings about the rich. He was telling everyone how they must prioritize God in their lives. He wasn’t saying that being rich was inherently bad. He was proving the point that the more we acquire and cling to earthly things, the harder it is for us to give those things up for God. The rich have more than most, so for them it will be especially hard to put God first.

Maybe giving up one’s earthly riches is the right thing to do for a particular person. It’s also possible that keeping those riches and using them for the benefit of God and his people is the right thing to do. It all depends on the person and God’s plan for that person. The point is that God has to be in the picture.

Overall, what we need to understand is that reading the Bible and understanding it is of paramount importance. It’s nice to be able to quote catchy lines from the Bible, but what really matters is understanding what the Bible is saying. When you truly understand the Bible’s lessons, then it will be that much harder to be led away from the path that God’s Word sets for us.

Chris Lawyer

Image courtesy of biblelovenotes.com