THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 7:12-14
“Enter through the narrow gate.” (Matthew 7:13)
Jesus summarizes His teaching, and the Jewish Bible with the ‘golden rule’.
Love others how you would want them to love you.
Treat others with the respect, patience, fairness or compassion you want.
This is not the easy path, it does not come naturally to love this way.
But as difficult as Jesus’ teachings are, they lead to life, not destruction.
The Jesus way is the only way to make things better in the world.
Hate breeds hate, unforgiveness and revenge imprisons everyone, greed shipwrecks the soul.
Everyday we face situations where we must choose Jesus’ way of responding.
Satan lures us daily to respond in self-interest or self-protection.
In most situations, we can usually predict the Jesus’ way… its the more difficult option.
Why is it that so few find this narrow road… because so few want to find it.
This path is always there as an option for us, but we avoid it as much as possible.
Jesus is inviting us – urging us – to take the better way, the way of love.
But this is all general, it becomes specific in the details of my life.
What happens at work today, what happens at home, with my family or friends or co-workers?
In the moment of response, I have to pause and consider the options.
What is the ‘narrow way’, the harder path, the loving response… and will I choose it?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, the narrow way is not hidden from us. We prefer not to see it, we avoid it if we can. Your way is not easiest, but it is best. Help me to find it, to want it, to choose it in the daily details of my life.
One of my favourite Bible passages is –
as far as it depends upon you, live at peace with all mankind.
That is a possibility only if we apply the summary of the Gospel in one word in our lives – LOVE. Love God. Love neighbour.
And in order to do this I must regard my neighbour higher than myself. I am always in last place. The JOY principle is this – Jesus first – Others second – Yourself last.
This is the way to live – to live for Jesus.
Help me daily to live this way.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.