Inspiration
“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24 KJV
Right now might not be the best time to admit it, but I am a lifetime Washington Redskin fan. When I was young, they might not have been winning much, but, boy, were they fun to watch. And my boyhood hero was old number 9, Sonny Jurgensen. Some say he could throw the football fifty yards underhanded.
Like most people, I have those people, like Sonny Jurgensen, who I stand in awe of. There is just something really special when you finally get to meet someone you look up to. One day, in another job, I was working a trade show at the DC Convention Center. When it came my turn for a break, I decided to check out the other booths by walking down the aisle. After a couple of turns I looked down the aisle and who did I see? You guessed it, Sonny Jurgensen. He was smoking a cigar (which, at the time, wasn’t a criminal act) and walking by himself. I walked up to him and I said, “Mr. Jurgensen, I’m one of your biggest fans!” He raised his giant hand and let me shake it and then he continued his walk down the aisle. I don’t think I washed that hand for a week.
A few Sundays ago, my wife and I were on vacation in Nashville. We attended a church service in which one of my music heroes was playing the piano. It was a small church and we were only a few rows back and I was in awe. I couldn’t believe I was so close to him while he played. After the service, he was all alone and I went up to him to tell him how much he has inspired me. He shook my hand and made a little small talk and I headed back to meet my wife who was talking to one of the members. My wife said, “Do you want to have your picture taken with him?” The gentleman said, “He really doesn’t mind.” So we headed back to Michael W. Smith and the gentleman asked if he would mind if I could be in a picture with him. The gentleman took my picture with Michael W. Smith. Then Smitty, that’s what those of us close to him call him, said to me, “Have a safe trip.” It was one of the highlights of my vacation.
I’m not really good at music, but there is just something I like about Michael W. Smith’s music. I believe his music is so uplifting. Even when you’re in church and you are singing it, there is just something that makes you feel better. As I left the church service I think I might have realized what it was. It just made me feel good and excited about being a Christian. Even someone like me, who totally lacks any musical talent, can be influenced by someone who is very talented in that field.
Many times in our history we have had the battle of the haves and the have nots. It started early on with our deep English roots. Royalty is what we fought against, but for some reason we keep drifting to different classes of people. It usually was based on the difference of power or financial status. More often than not, the “common man” is considered “lower” class.
He was a common man if there ever was one. Every common man who ever associated with him loved him for that, too. When he was commanding an army he was very tough, but his men loved him anyway. They even claimed he was tougher than on old tree. Once he even took 5000 of his soldiers to battle against 7500 of the enemy soldiers. In the end there were 291 enemy soldiers killed, yet he only lost 13. Yes, if there ever was a hero for the little guy it was him.
When he finally won the presidency, all the “common” people celebrated. The rich and mighty were probably a little scared of what might happen to them. He invited everyone to celebrate with him at the White House after his election. They ended up trashing the White House.
A camel is an amazing creature. It was probably the largest land animal in Israel in Bible times. At the shoulders they stand about six foot one inch. The hump reaches and average height of seven foot one inch. At maturity they can weigh between 660 and 2200 pounds. In short distances they can travel about 40 mph. A camel can keep the pace of 25 mph over longer distances. They can travel 80-120 miles a day. They live to be between 40-50 years old. The camel only has knees in its hind legs. The joint in the front legs is more like the joint in our wrist than the one in our knees.
One day a man came up to Jesus and asked what he had to “do” to gain eternal life. Jesus gave him a list of four don’ts: Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal or lie. He also gave him two dos: Honor your Mom and Dad, and love your neighbor as yourself. “Great! I’ve done those,” said the man, “but is there anything else?” Then Jesus hit him where it hurt. Jesus told him, “Sell everything you have and give the money to the poor.” The guy was very sad, because he is very rich and he left. Jesus then turns to His disciples and makes the famous statement that “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Much debate has taken place about this phrase. Some believe the “eye of the needle” was a very small gate that either the camel would have a hard time squeezing through or it was very low and he would have to kneel down to get through. As we saw above, kneeling is hard enough for a camel, walking on its knees is almost impossible. Those who would argue against this would state that this “eye gate” is only mentioned in one old text from a long time ago. They also point out that there were other gates the camel could have gone through, so why would you put a camel through all that.
Others would say that the word camel is very close to a word meaning rope. With my bad eyes it’s hard enough for me to get a thread through the eye of a needle. I can’t imagine getting a rope through one.
Whatever the true meaning, Jesus is definitely stating it is very hard for anyone to get into heaven if there is something more important to them than God. Although the man was very inspired by Jesus, he was not inspired enough to give up everything for him.
One of my biggest gripes about presidential biographies is that they tend to water down their lives to make them politically correct. You can read that this man had 1000 slaves, but he really didn’t believe in slavery. What? Can you not like candy and then go out and buy a pound of it and eat it and then claim you don’t like it? I really appreciated the honest summary of a President on a visit to one of their homes.
When Old Hickory, Andrew Jackson, the “common man,” stood up for his fellow “common man,” it meant a white male. He never thought the process should include African Americans or women. Early in our history you had to be a land owner in order to vote. Jackson didn’t believe this should be a requirement. In a true democracy, he believed everyone (white males) should have the right to vote. With him that became a reality.
Although Jackson would not extend that same enthusiasm for other groups, over time those other groups would use his example to promote their rights, too. Through Jackson’s inspiration they soon realized they too had the right to participate in this thing we call democracy.
I may not be able to sing a note, but I can be inspired by someone who does it well. A camel’s difficulty with a needle should inspire us not to put anything before God. We can find inspiration even in those who may not directly be looking out for us.
Prayer: Dear Mighty Father, You have placed inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it is even hidden in the strangest places. Sometimes it arrives in packages I don’t expect. Sometimes it doesn’t look like inspiration at all. However You send it, please open my eyes so I may see it for what it is. Amen.
