(Day 35)
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| narrow gate |
The world teaches us to
look for an easy way out and a quick fix for everything. This frame of mind has
been encouraged mainly in the modern age. It promotes seeking for the benefits
without paying the price. It encourages taking “shortcuts” in life that end up
being paths to destruction.
(Proverbs 5:21-23) For
a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. The
iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his
sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led
astray.
The Bible teaches us that in order to obtain
benefits we must first pay the price. If we want to reap, we must first sow and
plow. This is the way life works, and also the way the Kingdom of God
(Matthew 7:13-14) Enter
by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to
destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the
way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
When we read that the
gate that leads to life is narrow, we must not only think of how Jesus is the gate
to the Kingdom, but also about the lifestyle of the Kingdom. The means to enter
the Kingdom is by faith, but after that we must learn to live according to the
rules of the Kingdom
of God
The truth is that, at
the beginning, we all have trouble adjusting to the lifestyle of the Kingdom of God
(Proverbs 10:8-9) The wise of heart will receive
commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity
walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
(Proverbs 2:6-15) For
the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he
stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in
integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your
soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering
you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths
of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and
delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are
devious in their ways.
EASY YOKE AND LIGHT BURDEN
In Jewish culture, the Law (the Torah) was
considered a yoke that every Jew had to bear. Jesus explained that this burden
was in fact light.
(Matthew 11:29-30) Take
my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light."
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| my yoke is easy |
The yoke is the wooden frame that an ox or other draft
animal carries on its shoulder. Usually, a yoke is carried by two animals.
Harnessed together, they have the capability of pulling the plough with greater
ease. Jesus tells us to join ourselves to him, under his yoke. He already put
it on, by being obedient, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-9). Now
we can put it on too, with his help.
(Matthew 16:24-27) Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come
after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever
would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will
find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits
his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man
is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will
repay each person according to what he has done.
(1 John 2:1-6) My
little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But
if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also
for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know
him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does
not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever
keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know
that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way
in which he walked.
Tomorrow we will continue learning about the narrow
gate…
PRAYER
Lord, make me to know your ways,
teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, for you are the God of my
salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Blessed are those whose way is
blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his
testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart!
Lord, I am willing to take your yoke
upon me. I do not want to continue to sin, but to walk in your ways. You have commanded
your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in
keeping your statutes!
I will praise you with an upright
heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will show my love for you by
keeping your commandments, because I want you to love me and manifest yourself
to me. I will enter by the narrow gate.
[Psalms 25:4-5; Psalms 119:1-8; John 14:21]
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