Scripture to Read: Matthew 7:13–14
Jesus is drawing the Sermon on the Mount to a close. Jesus ends it by teaching some powerful Truths about salvation, false teachers, and making sure we choose wisely the foundation on which we stand. Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13–14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Jesus is teaching everyone how to come into a relationship with Him. Jesus says that everyone must enter by the narrow gate, but then He proceeds to describe the gate and road that leads to destruction. Jesus says the gate is wide, the way/road is broad, and many enter through it. The sad truth is that too many people want the easiest way possible in life. They don’t want tests or trials; if they do face any, they want them to be quick and painless. People want a quick fix to everything. They want their exercise program to be easy but still give them incredible results. They want their diet to consist of the foods they desire but to still look and feel great. People want to get to heaven, but they want it their way, according to their plan, and again, that it be easy. Jesus said the easy way, the way that most people are choosing, only leads to destruction. This wrong way is described in Proverbs 14:12 and always leads to death.
Challenge & Application
· Why do so many people want life to be easy with little or no work at all?
· How do you see this attitude permeating into churches and ministries today?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!