Remember that Jesus is sharing His vision of the gospel of the
kingdom in these last three chapters we have been examining in Matthew known collectively as the Sermon on the
Mount. He has identified the
characteristics of citizens of the kingdom.
He has pointed out that the kind of righteousness needed to enter the
kingdom must exceed that of the Pharisees and scribes. Their righteousness was entirely external
outward behavior. But righteousness of
the heart is also required. This
lifestyle requires a change in focus. It
is focused first of all on God and His program and secondly on others. It also begins now in this evil world in
which the kingdom is not yet arrived.
This earthly sojourn is going to involve pain and suffering and we will
experience the effects of evil but God will supply our needs if we remain focused
and invested in His program to be lights in this evil world until the kingdom
comes. We must trust Him not only for
our daily bread but also to be able to overcome evil because His kingdom really
is coming on earth as it is in heaven.
Last time we saw that we are to take this longing for the
goodness of the kingdom that is planted in our hearts and treat others with that
same goodness we expect from others. But how can we tell others how
to enter the kingdom unless we know the way?
Jesus has already said to ask, seek, and knock and we will receive,
find, and open. How much do you want the
kingdom? How much do you want others to
find it also? So you see it begins with
a prayer of faith and asking God our Father in heaven who always gives us good
things. And now in verses 13 and 14 of
chapter 7, Jesus talks about the seeking of this entrance into the kingdom.
Jesus talks about this path of life we are all journeying
on. As we begin to seek the way to the
kingdom, we will notice that there is a fork in the road. One road is a major highway—an interstate! It is well-traveled and there is a lot of
traffic. But even though it looks
promising based on the high volume of traffic, it is evil! Remember how Jesus tells us we need to
carefully consider our options between good and evil. Evil is frequently the easier road. We can’t evaluate good and evil based on
popularity, or polls, or how well-travelled the road may be. Proverbs 16:25 says there is a way that seems
right to a man but it leads to destruction.
So, if human reasoning and evaluating will frequently lead us to
destruction how will we actually find the path to life?
It is because we are in relationship to our Father in heaven
we can ask him and seek the answer and receive a good reply. Notice that these three words: ask, seek, and
knock are exactly the words we would use in getting directions!
God is the One we should ask! We need to seek Him and we will find the
path. When we knock it will open. Later in John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father but by Me.” In John 10 He
also said, “I am the door.”
Now back to the fork in the road. There is another road there that is just a
narrow path. Few people seem to go that
way. But it is actually the right path!
This is opposed to today’s popular message that there are
many roads to heaven. Yes, if heaven
were strictly a human construct invented by imaginative primitive peoples, then
there would be many roads because many minds dreamed up the goal. Such an evaluation of heaven makes Jesus’
“way” just another path. But as Peter says
in Acts 4:12 “There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we
must be saved.”
There are many well-worn paths that multitudes are following.
It seems to be an easy way and there is lots of company. But, following Jesus is NOT easy. And those who follow Him alone are called
“narrow-minded” or even “hateful.” But remember Jesus said that the way to life
is narrow and to expect evil people to hate you. What path are you placing your trust in?
Look. If the bank
says my checking account is overdrawn and I need to make a deposit before
writing any more checks, is that “narrow-minded” and “hateful” of them? How is your account at the Bank of Heaven?
The really scary part is found in this next section about
false prophets. We will look at that in
our next installment.
© 2018 Eric Thimell
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