“Again I tell you, 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.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:24–26 (NIV)
I love this passage because it offers me hope for a wealthy unsaved friend. My husband used to do her yardwork. Two years ago, disappointed by the poor condition of her massive iris garden, she requested David remove it. I had to agree with her. The area was sloppy and never bloomed. But my spouse asked her to give the flowers one last chance. He dug them up, split and trimmed every rhizome, then replanted them.
Soon after, he accepted a different job and quit gardening. We stayed in touch with our friend, but life kept us too busy for visits.
Last week, she called, her voice tinged with excitement. There was something she wanted us to see. We hurried over, wondering what was going on. Upon rounding her corner, we couldn’t believe the scene before us. At least a hundred irises blossomed in colors so vibrant they almost hurt our eyes. The flowers I’d given up on were now a delicate sea of purples, yellows, whites, and burgundies.
If I’d had my way, they’d have been thrown away. But my husband saw the possibilities and saved them.
Like those irises, sin once kept me from blooming. But Jesus saw my potential and instead of discarding me, He redeemed me. Salvation is possible for everyone, including my well-to-do, unbelieving friend. God’s needle, threaded by Jesus, is big enough for anyone to pass through.
Faith Step: Seek opportunities to help thread God’s needle this week. Don’t regard anyone’s salvation as impossible—God doesn’t.
