Disciples Enter the Narrow Gate
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
~ Jesus
While pondering this teaching over a prayer-walk, I happened across a lost key and made a connection to Luke’s version of this narrow gate text: Make every attempt to enter through the narrow door (Luke 13:24). I found myself asking “what is the key to entering through that door (or “gate” as Jesus says in Sermon on the Mount)? That key is what we are digging into this week.
In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the gate. So, in one sense the key is to know Jesus. But it also seems that calling Jesus “Lord” is not the same as knowing Jesus as Lord. Let’s be clear that in following Jesus as Lord, we want to walk through the door – not merely approach Him or learn about Him or read about Him.
Prayer For the Week
Father God, someone once said all roads lead to Rome. I doubt that was true, but You made it clear that not all roads lead to You. You have let it be known that there is a wide road that leads to destruction but only a narrow gate that to enter that leads to life – and that only a few find it. I come in the name of Jesus, the gate and thank You that I have access to You through Him. May Your Spirit continue to lead me in this journey of life to and through the gate – and may I serve You in all ways You desire, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:9-16 2nd letter: Beth (בּ)
- How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word. - I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands. - I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. - Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees. - With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth. - I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches. - I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways. - I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Pondering Point
The traditional sense of the letter Beth is house or vessel (e.g. Beth-lehem means House of Bread and Beth-el House of God). You can see in v. 11 where the heart houses God’s Word. We too are houses – for God’s Spirit.