Psalms 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 * 119:121-144; 2 Kings 18:9-25; 1 Corinthians 8:1-23; Matthew 7:13-21Today Jesus talks about: a hard road, a narrow gate, grapes and thorns, figs and thistles. He says not to listen to folks who point us toward an easy road or a wide gate into this kingdom he is announcing. Today is a wake up call. One that tells us we need to always be re-thinking what we are doing, how we are doing it, what our goals are and how those things align with Jesus' instructions.
Jesus is pointing us to a different way of thinking, a new way of interacting with each other and with the world. And he is saying that it is not easy. He is saying, as he often does, that there is a cost, a price, to being a part of this kingdom. But the taste of the fruit is worth the prick of the thistle, the stab of the thorn. The sore back from bending through the narrow gate and the callused feet from trodding the hard road are worth it for what waits on the other side of the gate, what is at the end of the road. We are different people when we are followers of Jesus, when we are intentional members of a community of believers. We are reminded of this fact by Jesus today.
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Copyright 2009, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
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