Jump Start # 286

Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Today, we look at yet another of Jesus’ radical statements. This one comes from the sermon on the mount. Our verse is linked to the verse before where the Lord describes two ways, two gates, two crowds and two destinations. One is wide, easy and full of people. The other, narrow, difficult and few people. The broad way leads to destruction. The narrow road leads to life.

These simple verses are profound. Jesus is saying that most won’t make it. Most won’t find life. Most are headed for destruction. Most have taken the easy way in life. It is wide or broad. It isn’t difficult. There are many companions going this way. One can imagine someone saying, “they all can’t be wrong.” Jesus said otherwise.

We tend to crisscross these two paths. Many would like to travel through life on the wide and easy path that is crowded with people but end up at the narrow gate and slide into eternal life. Live like a sinner and die like a saint! That won’t work. That doesn’t happen in Jesus’ story. The wide open way has many people to associate with and to encourage you. They are oblivious to the fact that they are heading straight into disaster. The broad way allows one to take their eyes off the road. Life can be neglected when on the wide road.

The narrow path is different. It is tight and confining. I envision passing through “Fat man’s squeeze” at Tennessee’s Rock City. No one would run through that section. The rocks stick out so close that you have to turn side ways, watch your head and advance slowly. It demands a careful walk. Look out, look up, be careful are the thoughts on the narrow journey. Why do it? It’s hard. There are few on this path. It can be lonely and discouraging. Why put up with the effort that it demands? First, this is where Jesus wants us to be. This section of verses begins with Jesus saying, “Enter through the narrow gate…” That is where He wants us to be.

The other reason a person would put up with the narrow way is because of where it ends up—life. Life, not death. Life, not existence. Life, wonderful, wonderful, life. The impression is life eternal—Heaven. The path to Heaven takes effort, concentration and diligence. It can be done’ But one must be careful. One must know what they are doing. Most don’t want to go this way. That’s what Jesus said. He ought to know. How does that make you feel? Most of the people you see today, will not make it. Most don’t know it. Many do not care.

This leads us to two simple thoughts.

First, there is a need to tell others. They need to know the way of the Lord. It is His way not our way. It is narrow. Truth is like that. We understand that in spelling and in simple math. There is one answer that is right but dozens of ways to get the answer wrong. That’s the way truth is. People need to know. Follow Jesus is the answer. He leads through the narrow path. It’s not about just going to church on Sunday, it’s about which path of life am I on. It’s about following Jesus. Most won’t make it. That is something as you look at all the people in an office, a school or on the roadway. Most won’t make it. It’s really sad. Something ought to be done. Tell them is the answer.

We know what happens if they don’t follow Jesus and His way. He has told us. They are heading toward destruction. They are racing toward the cliff. What should we do? What would you want them to do if it was you? Show them. Teach them. Invite them. Not all will hear. That’s the parable of the sower. But there are those who will. You did.

A second thought here is about being narrow. That is a definite negative in religious circles. Being inclusive, accepting, tolerant and open, now that’s the theme of the month. But that doesn’t describe the way that Jesus wants you to be on. It’s the narrow path, the narrow gate that He wants us to be on. The narrow way is often called legalism—and those that say that don’t understand that word. It’s not. It’s following Jesus. The narrow way is called prejudice by some. It’s not. It’s following Jesus. He’s not prejudice. Even the religious community has accepted the broad and wide road as the best road to take in life. How sad.

Following Jesus can be lonely because there are not a lot of people who want to do that. Jesus is there. Righteous people are there. What else do you need?

Two roads, two gates, two crowds, and two destinations…but you get to make one choice. Go with the flow or go with Jesus? Do what your heart says or do what the Bible says? Do what worked for your parents or do what the Lord wants? It’s a choice and not to choose becomes a choice.

Follow Jesus.

Roger

Jump Start # 285

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter.”

  We continue with our look at the radical statements of Jesus. We notice from this series that there were many statements, not just one or two. Jesus wasn’t just going along with the status quo, but defining something that the first century world had not seen and that was a complete dedication to the will of God. No more pretending. No more hypocrisy. No more double standards. And no more taking advantage of people. That is what the religious landscape looked like when Jesus came. His radical statements made the disciples develop a true and genuine faith in God that would affect all areas of their life.

  Our verse today comes near the end of the sermon on the mount. It emphasizes doing what God wills as opposed to what man wants to do. Our way verses God’s way, that has long been a battle. God’s way wins, every time.

  The scene is the judgment. The following verse Jesus says, “Many will say to Me on that day…” What day? Most likely, the final day, the day of judgment. There is a sense of shock and surprise by these people. They can’t believe that they are not going to be in Heaven.  It is not that they did not know God. They acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Twice, showing their astonishment, they cry, “Lord, Lord.” They are amazed that they haven’t pleased God. They plead their case by declaring, “In your name” we prophesied, cast out demons and did many miracles. That’s their proof. Because of these things they felt that they should be in Heaven. Look what we have done. We did it for you.

  Twice Jesus declares the problem. In verse 21, it is apparent that they did not do the will of the Father. In verse 23, Jesus declared that they practiced lawlessness. Not doing what God wants is lawlessness. That word means without law. God is the law. His word is the law. They were flying through life as if God had no law, doing what they wanted to do.

  All of this presents to us a couple of powerful lessons to consider.

  First, not everyone who thinks they ought to be in Heaven will be. This passage shows that. Have you ever noticed that everyone wants to go to Heaven, but so few seem to be doing anything about that. You’d think that they would want to learn about Heaven by reading the Bible, or set about trying to find out how to get there, but they don’t. They just busy themselves living today as if that will never end. In Jesus’ story, the people there were not “bad people.” They were religious. They seemed to be doing good things. From this passage we see the importance of doing God’s will. Paul told the Ephesians to not be ignorant but “understand the will of God.” God has a plan for you. God has designed and described what He wants. Just being nice, neighborly isn’t the same as being righteous. It’s hard for us to image that the sweet grandma who lives down the street may not go to Heaven. That just doesn’t fit in our thinking. Why should she go? Because she is old? Because she makes cookies for the grandkids? Because she is nice? We have accepted the idea that everyone who is nice and good, will be in Heaven. It seems to me that these people in Jesus’ story were nice. They were definitely busy doing good things. Prophesying is a good thing, if God’s will directs it. Casting out demons is awesome, if God’s will leads to that. Doing many miracles is wonderful, if that’s God’s will. The apostles did all of these things. They did it because it was God’s will. These people were not following God’s will. There will be no one in Heaven who made it their own way. Sinatra’s “My way,” may have sold many records, but it doesn’t move God. Heaven is for those who follow God, God’s way.

  The second lesson here is that not all religious activity impresses God. These people were busy doing religious things. That did nothing for God. So it’s not a matter of you finding a way to serve God in the way you like, NO. It’s a matter of you following the will of God. These religious activities in Jesus’ story were considered “lawlessness.” They were wrong. They were breaking the law of God. Today, the modern church has found that if you put the word “ministry” behind something, they think it makes it right, proper and a function of the church. So a guy could have a Tree “ministry,” or a bicycle “ministry,” or a computer “ministry,” or a Prophecy “ministry,” or a demon removing “ministry,” or a miracle “ministry.” This has a religious sound to it. The church can fund it and you get to do what your talents and heart feel like. What a wonderful world. Until “THAT DAY,” when you stand before Christ and He throws all that “ministry” stuff away and asks you, “why didn’t you do the will of My Father?” Where do all of those “ministries” come from? Not the Bible. They are not in there. They are made up by people. Now, where is God’s will found? The Bible. So, here we are at the major crossroads, are you going to do what the Bible says, or are you going to strike out on your own religiously and do what is your will? God’s will or your will? God’s way or your way? Who do you think will win? We know. God.

  What we learn is that God doesn’t want you to be original, different, unique, progressive, or cutting edge. Not that way. He wants you to be faithful, dedicated, obedient, following and doing what He wants. I was in a golf shop once. A man was returning a golf club. I asked him why he didn’t like it? Thought I’d get some tips. He gave me a big one. He bought the club for his wife’s birthday. I said, ‘She didn’t like it?’ He said, ‘She doesn’t golf.’ Wow. I’m amazed she didn’t use it on him. Do you see the parallel with God? We do things for God thinking He will like it and He doesn’t. He has told us what He likes, it’s in the New Testament. Do His will.

  Radical, yes. Doable—certainly!

Roger

Jump Start # 284

Matthew 19:9 “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

  We are looking at the radical statements of Jesus. Our Lord didn’t take a poll of his audience and find out what they would like for Him to speak on. On one occasion His disciples even said, “You offend the people.” Truth can do that. It has a way of making us upset because we don’t want to change or admit that what is true.

  Our passage today is about divorce. Many have no idea that Jesus even said anything about divorce. Our society has given up on what Jesus said. Current statistics show that people change mates more often than they change cars. The reasons for divorce are numerous such as, money problems, in-law issues, unfaithfulness, jealously, he changed, we married too young, she doesn’t make me happy any more and just about everything else. This isn’t new.

  Our passage is found in a context in which the Pharisees were trying to prove that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah. He didn’t fit their image and more so, He was saying things that they didn’t like. So they set a trap for Jesus. Get Him into a theological jungle where He will trip Himself over the Law of Moses and they will have Him. I expect the Pharisee hierarchy met in secret corners tossing around questions and situations until they landed on this one. They are not so much concerned about divorce as they are disproving Jesus.

  Our section begins, “Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?’” Can I get a divorce for any reason? That’s the question. Jesus answers. He doesn’t say, “Here’s how I see it.” Nor did He say, “I think…” He went to the Bible. He went before the Law of Moses to the book of Genesis where God first made man and woman and marriage. Jesus went to the beginning, the intent of God. In verse six Jesus says, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” That’s the answer. Do not divide what God has joined. The answer is NO. No, you cannot get a divorce for any reason. NO, it is not lawful. NO is what God says. NO is what the Bible says.

  Before we go on with this section of Scripture, let me take a detour and explain something. We are talking about lawful with God. Society will allow things that God does not. A person can get drunk in the privacy of their home. That is not against the law. It is with God. Our society will allow (lawful) a woman to get an abortion. That’s not God’s law. So a couple CAN get a divorce for any reason. It happens every day. The law of the land allows it. The law of God does not. When a person violates the law of God, they sin. The law of God comes before the law of the land. The law of the land is weak and follows the whims of people who want to do what they want to do. The law of God honors God and it is that law that will judge us on the last day. This is important to understand.

  The discussion continues. The Pharisees didn’t get the answer from Jesus they anticipated. So, they pressed Him more. Moses, they said commanded a divorce. Now, they put Moses, who was instructed by God vs. God Himself. Which one are you going to defend, Jesus? Our Lord, reminded them that Moses ALLOWED (not commanded) a divorce and the reason was because of the hardness of the nation’s heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. Jesus returns to the beginning. Then comes our verse. To divorce and marry another is to commit the sin of adultery. The only exception is if the divorce is for fornication, all others are wrong.

  What about, “I don’t love him anymore?” Nope. What about she spends all the money? Nope. Gambling? Nope. Doing drugs? Nope. He’s a bum? Nope. Won’t cook? Nope. Won’t take care of the kids? Nope. What if I find someone better? Nope. What if he doesn’t talk? Nope. Snores. Nope. Bad breath? Nope. Control freak? Nope. Drunk? Nope. Is an IU fan (I just threw that in to see if you’re staying with me)? Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.

  One exception…unfaithfulness. This is radical. This is narrow. This is hard. So hard, the disciples say in the next verse, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” They understood what Jesus was saying. We may have the opposite response…I just can’t accept that. That can’t be right. Not today. No way. Are you sure?

  Marriage is serious. It should not be entered on a whim or in a moment of drunkenness or on a challenge. Your marriage will affect your relationship with God. I encourage you to read Matthew 19:1-10. A couple needs to have God as the foundation of their marriage. Divorce shouldn’t be used as a threat or even spoken in the home. It’s not an option. To get a divorce means someone has been unfaithful—that is sinful. What if I get a divorce for another reason? I have done wrong. That’s what Jesus is saying. This is serious. Couples that do not share a love and commitment to God’s word have nothing holding them together other than their fragile love. Promises are cheaply spoken and cheaply kept.

  So, what’s a person to do? First, follow Jesus. That has been the theme of these Jump Starts from day one. Follow Jesus completely and totally. Not from a distance. Not just on Sundays. Learn to think like Jesus. Act like Jesus. Compassion, grace, forgiveness and a love for God’s truth dominates those who follow Jesus. Stick to what God says. When your marriage starts to head toward the rocks, do something. Many wait too late. When your are going over the waterfalls, it’s too late to pray for oars. Get into a church that is serious about God’s word and following the N.T. example. Get counseling. Talk. Pray. Work at it. It’s not easy, but neither are the things that chip away at a marriage. But divorce is not a choice, unless one has been unfaithful.

  Jesus is radical. Most churches have given up on what Jesus said about divorce. They have thrown in the towel. Few preachers even talk about this any more. But there it remains in our Bible—unchanged and just as true as anything else. If we throw this passage out, we no longer are disciples, we have assumed the role of being the Lord. That’s a scary thought!

  Jesus is the Lord in all things, including our marriage. Putting God first, includes our marriages. Young people need to be taught the truth. Old people need to follow the truth.

Roger