My special questions

[JohnD]

Mike,
Can you please tell me about the Eye of a needle Camel thing. Id just like to know if its the gate idea or if the word is interpreted as "rope" or is it just stuffing camels in non-realistic ways. I know you probably get this one waaaayy to many times lol.

Also Kim and I want to know what Matt 18:16 and Matt 16:19 are talking about. So much binding and loosing.

[Mike Miller]

First, the reference to a camel going through the eye of a needle is simply hyperbole--an exaggeration to make a point. Jesus says this right after his encounter with the rich ruler who is not willing to part with his riches (Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18). He says that it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. The point? A camel can't get through the eye of a needle, but that would be easier than a rich man getting into heaven. Rich people in the first century were considered blessed by God. They obviously had right standing with God since they were rich. For them to be saved, they would have to admit that they are in fact the objects of God's wrath and in need of a savior. This, Jesus says, is impossible. Now, some have tried to say that the needle is a gate that is hard for camels to get through and that it's just hard for a rich man to get into heaven. False. The disciples wonder just who can be saved, if not a rich man (who sure seems to have God's favor). Jesus responds that it is impossible with men. In other words, rich men think their riches are the grounds for their salvation, but it is impossible for them to get into heaven. However, this is quite possible with God. In other words, as impossible as it is for a rich man to see his need of salvation, God can change his heart. But here's the thing--it takes a miracle. While it's true that God has to change every heart for a person to be saved, the rich man will require the greatest miracle.

As for the keys and the binding and loosing, context is the determining factor. In Matthew 16, Peter has confessed Jesus as the Christ, so Jesus gives him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What? Compare that to what Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:13. He told them that they "shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces." They don't go in, and they prevent people from going in. Peter, however, has the Gospel, and He will open the kingdom for people by preaching the Gospel. He was the first to preach the Gospel to the Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2), in Samaria (Acts 8), and to the Gentiles (Acts 10). This is something we can all do now. We as Christians hold the keys, as when we share the Gospel, we open the door to the kingdom for people.

The binding and loosing, however, has to do with his authority as well as the authority of all those in leadership in the church. Matthew 16:19 must be read in concert with Matthew 18:18, which is about church discipline. Essentially, the decisions made with unity by spiritual leaders will have spiritually binding effects. When they make those decisions rightly, they have the full endorsement of Jesus Christ. The decisions are binding and authoritative.