Scripture: Matthew 7:13-29 (NIV & The Message)
It’s not like what came before was easy, but I find the last words of the sermon on the mount the most startling:
knowing the correct password–saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance–isn’t’ going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience–doing what my Father wills. I can see it now–at the Final Judgment, thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ (Mt. 7:21-23, The Message)
Just a few verses ago, Jesus told us to ask, seek, knock and the door would fling wide open–but now he seems to be saying that some people (a lot of people!) think they are on the way, but they aren’t at all. How can this be? And could it be us?
Sometimes the words of Jesus aren’t meant to reassure us. Sometimes they are meant to startle us awake. People responded to Jesus in wildly different ways. Some loved him, some were offended. Some followed, some persecuted. Some were amazed, some were offended. But all were surprised. Jesus is not who we expect God to be. We have to worship who Jesus is, not who we’d prefer him to be. Jesus says wide is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life and only a few find it.’ (Mt. 7:13-14, NIV). Only a few find it…But Jesus is the way…and the truth…and the life.
And when we are lost in sin, The Way finds us.
I hope you will join me as we worship the one who has found us, has called us, and is teaching us the way to live free and full in him.
Peace,
Pastor Kate
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