Matthew 7:13-23 “The Narrow Gate (Luke 13:22-30)
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way 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.”
Let’s talk about gates and doorways. Here in Ghana, as in ancient Israel, one enters a traditional compound through a narrow doorway into one room. These doorways are narrow enough that visitors can’t rush through them with weapons but must enter carefully. The door on the opposite side of the room is equally narrow, making it possible for those in the compound to defend themselves from attack. Even when there are gateways to walled compounds, there are pedestrian gates that are quite narrow while there are larger gates to allow entry to vehicles. Sometimes, those defending cities in Jesus’ day might open the city gates as a ploy to lure attackers into a narrow area just inside the gates where they might be annihilated. Those willing to enter by a narrow gate are demonstrating that they come in peace and may be safely welcomed.
Here Jesus is advising that those desiring heaven must be careful to do the will of the Heavenly Father. Behaving heedlessly will not get us into heaven.
A Tree and its Fruit (Matthew 12:33-37; Luke 6:43-45)
“Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me 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 plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”
Many of those listening to Jesus’ are farmers or shepherds and many more have gardens. When Jesus describes unscrupulous teachers who prey on their followers, he can see the crowd nodding in agreement. There have always been false prophets willing to predict wonderful futures for the gullible, particularly if they are paid enough money. There are many such men circulating through the villages draining extorting sums from those who can least afford it. It’s even possible that those listening to Jesus have fallen victim to one of these charlatans. When Jesus is talking about grapes from thornbushes and figs from thistles, everyone remembers the names of those scoundrels.
These next pronouncements are troublesome. Most people would like to prophesy or drive out demons or do miracles. Surely, anyone doing such wonders must be close to God, right?
“WRONG!” says Jesus. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Remember that God knows our hearts and God knows our motives. While God might bless our efforts out of compassion for those who need help, our actions alone will not get us into heaven. God forced Balaam, the pagan prophet who was employed to curse the Israelites, to bless them; yet, Balaam was eventually destroyed along with the Moabites. Simply speaking the words God gave did not save Balaam. The pagan priests and magicians in Pharaoh’s court were also able to imitate some of the miracles Moses did; however, there came a point where they realized that a Power greater than theirs was at work.
Looking at the list of deeds that will not get us into heaven, we might wonder how anyone can make it. Each of us is born with a sin problem; no matter what we do, we cannot earn our way into heaven. Sin must be paid for by a blood sacrifice. Jesus Christ came as a sinless man to die as a one-time sacrifice for our sins. We must trust in what Jesus has done for us and seek to do God’s will; only then will we qualify for heaven.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that we are unable to help ourselves. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for our sins. We accept what Jesus has done for us. Please help us to turn away from our sins and live only for You from now on. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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