WEDNESDAY: JESUS IS THE GATE

May 24, 2023
2 min read

Matthew 7:13-14; John 10:7-10

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

There are two types of people in the world: those whose glass is half full, and those whose glass is half empty. Those who are “half empty” are always seeking more, and look for any way they can to fill it up. These people are never satisfied.

Those whose glass is half full recognize that they are not the ones who have been filling their glass. They have realized that the road through life has different exits, and they have been careful about what goes in their glass.

In this teaching, Jesus directed people not to take the easy road and go for the obvious exit. This road is broad and the gate is wide that leads to destruction.

The path less travelled is the narrow road with the small gate. This path leads to eternal life, and only a few find it.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

Which road am I on? Let me look around and determine who else is on the road with me. If I am fighting and clamoring to get ahead on this road, I may need to turn back to find the right road. Turning back is also called repenting. This is me saying “I’m sorry that I haven’t been living life for You, Lord. Can You take over from here?” Through His grace He forgives my sins and leads me to His narrow gate, and through His mercy He doesn’t give me what I deserve through the wide gate.

There is a new life on the narrow road, if I heed the Shepherd’s voice. This new life is eternal, and one of peace in the midst of trying circumstances and one of rejoicing in the midst of turmoil. It is through accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that I access this new life.

Lord, help me determine which road I am on, and guide me to the narrow road with the small gate. I desire to hear Your voice so I can enter through You into eternal life. Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman