The Eye of the Needle (Mark 10:17–27)

A rich man ran to Jesus. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said, “Follow the commandments.”

“I have, from youth,” he replied.

Jesus looked at him with love. “One thing you lack. Go, sell all you have, give to the poor, and follow me.”

The man turned away, sorrowful — for he had many possessions.

Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom.”

Commentary:

This story challenges our attachments. The ‘eye of the needle’ is the narrow gate of awakening — too small for ego, wealth, pride to pass through. Only the empty, the surrendered, may enter.

Jesus’s gaze of love shows that this is not rejection — it is invitation.

Psychological Reflection:

The man’s sorrow reveals our dilemma: we want transformation without sacrifice. But awakening asks for letting go — of control, image, security.

The ‘riches’ are not wrong — but clinging is. Freedom lives on the other side of release.

Closing Reflection:

• What am I unwilling to let go of?
• What might open if I stepped through the narrow gate?

Pause & Reflect:

🎧 (10 seconds of silence)