Jesus tells us in our passage this week in Matthew 7:13-14:
“‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.’”
We understood coming into this series on the Sermon on the Mount that the discipleship relationship it would put before us was not one of “cheap grace”, meaning that there’s more to Jesus than simply that he has saved us from sin. But that his call to us moves daily through forgiveness to obedience to his Lordship and imitation of his example.
Just like with last week’s passage, we need to remember that he is speaking here to those listening to this call to his discipleship. These are not simply words of advice to the world, but the call to follow him to the cross. And while we might expect that this call might weed out the unwilling, Jesus goes ahead and tells us that this is the case in this passage.
We know that in life, often good things come with difficulty. Cute babies take nine months of stretching, growth, and then a painful delivery process. The warm spring comes after hard winters. Harvest, fruit, and produce come after the hard work of cultivation, farming, and toil in the sun. While we understand that the grace of God is available to all, we know that not all will accept the path that’s offered.
May the Lord meet you as you seek the Word this week. Pray for the Lord to lead and guide you as you read and as you work and live your day.
Monday, January 23 - Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Tuesday, January 24 - Matthew 7:13-14, Psalm 3
Wednesday, January 25 - Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:22-30
Thursday, January 26 - Matthew 7:13-14, 1 John 3:1-13
Friday, January 27 - Matthew 7:13-14, John 6:35-60
Saturday, January 28 - Matthew 7:13-14, Revelation 3:14-22
Sunday, January 29 - Come to worship with your church family!
