Animals of the Bible. 6

From: Messages of God's Love: 1899

The Camel—continued.

WE will look, this week a little, at the camel, as a burden-bearer. It is made to kneel down and enormous loads are then placed on its back. See it, as its sides stand out with great parcels! Now, it comes to a narrow gate of the city wall, called, a “needle’s eye.” Can it enter? “Impossible,” you say, and so it is with its load. But see! It kneels down, has its burden removed, and, still on its knees, passes through the gate, into the city. Many suppose this is what our Lord meant, in speaking to the rich young man, who came to Him, sang, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” Now we know that we cannot do anything to gain eternal life, for the Word says, “The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” But Jesus answered him according to his question and reminded him of the commandments. He said all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jus beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come take up the cross and follow Me. And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved; for he had great possessions.” ... . Jesus saith unto the disciples, “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. 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.” (Mark 10:17-25¹⁷And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? ¹⁸And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. ¹⁹Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. ²⁰And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. ²¹Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. ²²And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. ²³And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁴And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵It 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. (Mark 10:17‑25).)

This poor, rich man turned his back upon Jesus. He was not willing, like the camel, to lay down his burden and on his knees enter in. As long as he trusted in his riches or his goodness, to gain eternal life, it could never be his. No, if we come to Jesus, it must be as needy, repentant ones. The camel, with its load thrown off and on its knees, is the picture of one in his true place before God. Then in this way even the rich man may be saved, for with God all things are possible.

One thing more, and we are done with the camel. We have been looking at it, as a burden bearer, and its burden bonged to another. Does not this rind us of that word, “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ?” Gal. 6:2²Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2). Now I believe it is only, one who has come to Jesus and laid down his own burden, whatever it may be, who can truly bear another’s burden of trial or sorrow.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Psa. 55:22²²Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22). Then you are free to help your brother bear his burden. When Jesus was here among men, He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. I do not speak now, of His bearing our sins. We must look at that, in studying another animal. E. G. B.

ML 07/16/1899

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