Build your relationship with the Lord now. The narrow gate is for the few. Matt 7:13 Luke 13:24
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells people to enter through the ‘narrow gate’. He’s telling His listeners not to be taking things for granted but they need to pursue this as a matter of the greatest importance. He contrasts two gates or two ways;
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. Matthew 7:13, 14
The broad road and wide gate will suit the many but only a few will FIND the small gate along the narrow road that leads to LIFE.
Further in the same chapter after Jesus’ warning to examine the fruit in people’s lives, He says not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter the Kingdom (narrow gate). In particular He refers to those who claim to have ministered in His Name.
Many will say to Me (broad gate) on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles”? Then I will tell them clearly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Matthew 7:22, 23
Ministry, even in the Lord’s Name, is not the same as, nor any substitute, for personal relationship. The earlier verses on ‘knowing a tree by it’s fruit’, show clearly that ministry may not be done with true motives.
A similar passage in Luke 13 begins with Jesus passing through towns and villages, teaching on His way to Jerusalem (Jesus is passing through and teaching as He goes). Someone asked Him if only a few would be saved?
He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to”. Luke 13:24
He told them people would try to get in after the door had been closed but the owner wouldn’t open. Those outside would give a different reason why they should be let in;
Then you will say, “We ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets”. Luke 13:26
To me this speaks of a passing interest in Jesus, we may have heard something (perhaps preaching) or even seen a miracle but then the time for Jesus had passed. Even the ‘eating and drinking’ was only a brief affair. Jesus must be more than a passing interest in our lives, competing with other attractions.
In both instances those outside could only speak of PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS, there was no mention of personal, private times with the Lord! This is so important.
Consider Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, who sat at Jesus’ feet, drinking in His Words. Martha was busy and upset with her sister for not helping, but Jesus said, ‘Mary has chosen what is better and it won’t be taken from her’. The Lord commended Mary for ‘sitting at His feet’. Luke 10:42
There are huge pressures on many lives today and many demands on our time but Jesus is calling us to come apart to Himself and be restored. To get new vision for our future, just like Barnabas and Paul in Acts 13:1, called out by the Holy Spirit as the believers worshipped and fasted. We need personal time before God, public meetings won’t advance our relationship with Him, it’s time to sit at His feet. We may well need to hear from Heaven in the days ahead.
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