The Narrow Gate
Today I am contemplating how specific the way of Jesus is. In Matthew 7:14 NLT, Jesus says, “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
A High Standard
Jesus raises the bar for what it means to follow him over and over throughout the gospels. I know that many churches like to make it seem like following Jesus is a simple and obviously good choice, but the truth is that it is the costliest decision you will ever make. Jesus is asking us to set aside everything we thought we needed to have him alone.
Whenever I see this extreme standard, I remember that it is not about losing everything we need to be happy, but about gaining the one thing that can satisfy our deepest desires. Jesus is more valuable and worthy than all the things that the world can offer, so when he says we have to lose our life to follow him, it is only because that life we had before him was nothing compared to the glory we will experience with him.
God is good, and he gives more than he takes.
Wandering On The Narrow Path
As we discussed in the previous prompt, abiding in Christ is easy enough when we are in a comfortable or religious environment. Getting into the real world and continuing to abide requires discipline and maturity. Satan’s goal is to knock us out of abiding. He has no power to remove us from God’s presence, but, being the father of lies, he does his very best to distract us.
When we take our eyes off Jesus, we might start wondering if this narrow path was worth it after all. Walking down the narrow and difficult road without our eyes fixed on Jesus teaches us that the sacrifice is not worth the reward. How miserable it is to embark on the journey with the Good Shepherd as your guide only to abandon his leading partway down!
This is the story for many believers. They saw Jesus and received his grace with joy. They saw the cost of following him and enthusiastically ran toward the challenges of the narrow road, anxious to suffer for the sake of Christ. Down the road, distractions, lies, and heavy baggage made the journey unbearable. Their focus drifted away from the Good Shepherd and turned to the callouses on their feet and the aches in their back.
Soon they only faintly heard the guidance and encouragement of the Good Shepherd, and they stopped letting him mend their wounds or strengthen their spirit.
Yet, despite situations like these, the Good Shepherd never leaves us. Could it be that this morning you feel exactly like the character in this tale? What if God has been divinely drawing you back into his presence, connecting you with this devotional, and speaking to your heart.? I want you to be one of the few who find the narrow path.
