The Narrow Road

 I don't know about you but I have enjoyed watching some of the Olympic Games taking place in Paris. I was especially interested in women's gymnastics and cheering on team USA! One of my favorite athletes on the team is none other than the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) Simone Biles. It seems like she can accomplish some of the most amazing gymnastic moves with what appears to be a sense of ease, when in reality the degree of difficulty is very high. She has even created a few gymnastics moves that have been named after her. One of the intriguing and somewhat nail biting events is the balance beam. The beam itself is only 4 inches wide, so there is little margin for error when the gymnasts perform their routines. If the beam were a bit wider, it would be much easier to walk on without falling off on either side. It takes time, patience, and practice to stay on that 4 inch wide beam but in the end as Simone Biles has demonstrated the effort is worth it if it results in an Olympic Medal. 

TWO GATES, TWO ROADS

In Matthew 7:13-14 we read, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it." (NIV) Matthew chapter 7 is part of what is referred to as Jesus's Sermon on the Mount in which He criticizes the Pharisees and religious leaders for their self-righteousness. Jesus' criticism comes in the form of Him raising the bar on the requirements of the law in such a way, that what is expected becomes nearly impossible to achieve thus demonstrating that human efforts will not gain entrance to heaven. In verses 13-14, Jesus focuses on the fact that not everyone will choose the path of faith and righteousness, but instead, many will follow the easier and more popular path that leads to destruction. In the context of ancient kingdom imagery, the wider gate is where commerce took place, and would represent in our day what most people chase after, such as power and wealth. The wide gate is also where religious elders would sit, symbolizing the pursuit of honor and societal approval. On the other hand, the narrow gate symbolizes a life represented by the upside-down values of Jesus's kingdom.The wide gate represents the easy, popular way that many choose, while the narrow gate is the challenging, less traveled path that leads to true fulfillment aligned with the values of God's kingdom. It seems like in our culture and in our world, we prefer not to struggle or be challenged but rather feel entitled to what we desire. Manual labor? "No thank you that requires too much effort. I'd rather sit in an office or at home and work on a computer." Wait for our food to cook? "Nope, I'll just pop it in the microwave." Please don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the convenience in utilizing technology to help improve quality of life. However, it's the accompanying attitude of pride, arrogance and entitlement wherein the challenge lies. 

DESTRUCTION OR LIFE?

The essential idea that Jesus is conveying is the wide road is broad and easy. It is the way of self-centeredness, and the majority travel that road. The other way is narrow and hard to find. Only a few travel the road of personal commitment and discipline. One road leads to destruction and the other to eternal life. These verses are primarily focused on our future destiny but also speak as well of life here and now. It describes two ways to live:two ways that separate and lead to two distinct destinies. Jesus's words call for mindful decision-making regarding one's life direction. He urges His followers to make a conscious decision in choosing their path while at the same time being fully aware of the implications of their choices, both in this life and for eternity. Jesus calls His followers to align themselves more closely with Him and the way of His kingdom. The choice is clear: follow the crowd with it's leaning towards taking the path of least resistance, or join the few who accept the limiting demands of loyalty to Christ. The easy way will turn out hard, it ends in destruction, whereas the hard way will lead to eternal joy, or in other words life. Christianity never promises an easy journey but just like those Olympic gymnast's hard work, perseverance, and keeping their "eyes on the prize" achieves a great reward so the Bible tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:2-4;12 NIV) What gate will you enter through and what road will you choose to follow?

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Sheree

"Poetry in Motion"

There was a time in my life when I used to write poetry. It was my way of expressing my feelings especially during times of struggle. Perhaps many of you remember having to examine poems as part of your English class curriculum in school. For some, studying poetry was a torturous exercise as the poet at times used words that made no sense and the struggle was to figure out the meaning behind the poet's intent. It's been a long time since I have written a poem but were you aware that God writes poetry everyday? Paul states in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)  The word "handiwork" has been translated in some Bibles as "work of art" but in the Greek the word is "poiema" from which we get our word "poetry." In Christ, God is writing a beautiful story in our lives. What is God's purpose in doing so? Paul states, "to do good works," but not in some haphazard way that figuratively speaking has no rhyme or reason. No, these good works are prepared by the Master Poet in advance for us to do. The Creator of the universe knows us and gives us gifts and talents through His Holy Spirit to accomplish His will. It's amazing that God would take the time to prepare good works in advance for us to do like the poet who carefully puts together each line of the poem. 

We Are A Living Expression Of God In Christ

The poem is an expression of who the poet is, their thoughts, hopes, and dreams. Thus, in Christ, we are a living expression of who God is when we commit to following Christ and obey His word. We don't have to scratch our heads trying to figure out what God's intent is when the Bible is our guide. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:18-20, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) Furthermore, in Matthew chapter 5, Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" and states, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NIV) The same "good deeds" that God prepared in advance for us to do with the end result in bringing glory to God. We come to recognize a poet by the type of poetry they write in their own unique creative style. We are God's poetry in motion that others may come to recognize who He is in the way we live out our love and commitment to Him as well as our love and care for others in Jesus name. 

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Sheree

"Shame on you!"

 I remember growing up hearing the expression, "shame on you!" when I had engaged in some behavior that did not meet parental expectations. Maybe you can relate? When I think about those words, covering someone in shame, figuratively speaking can inflict emotional wounds that an individual can struggle with for years. In today's culture there is no shortage of shame. Social media has made shame an everyday occurrence with total disregard for the negative consequences. I was recently meditating on a verse from the book of Romans. Paul in chapter 9 is lamenting over the unbelief of Israel and as a result God opens up the gospel to the Gentiles. In verse 9:33b Paul states, "..the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame." (NIV) 

THE SHAME OF THE CROSS

Jesus understood shame well. The act of crucifixion was meant to impart shame and totally degrade the crucified person. To add insult to injury, some people mocked Him, spit at Him, and challenged Him to prove His deity by coming down off the cross. (Matthew 27:40-43) The irony is that Jesus could have covered His accusers with shame by coming down from the cross but He endured the shame to save us from our sins and for the glory yet to come after His resurrection. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, "For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2b NIV) One of the thieves who hung on a cross next to Jesus had a different take on the situation. In Luke 23:40-41 the thief acknowledged that he deserved to be punished for his crimes but Jesus had done nothing deserving of death. Then looking to Jesus he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (v.42 NIV) "Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (v.43 NIV) 

FREE FROM CONDEMNATION

The thief who made the request of Jesus demonstrated the reality of Romans 9:33b. He believed in Jesus and in essence scorned the shame for a glory that Jesus promised him. What a gift! I wonder what that thief felt hearing those words from Jesus. The good news is that we like that thief are all guilty of engaging in sinful behaviors that evoke a wagging finger and a verbal condemnation, "shame on you!" However, because Jesus came and lived among us, was crucified, died, was buried, and resurrected, we no longer have to live condemned or be covered with shame. Paul states in Romans 8, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2 NIV) What shameful things have you done in the past that you are still carrying today? Jesus wants you to scorn that shame and commit your life to following Him so that like the thief on the cross you can experience hope, receive eternal life, and one day enter into the kingdom of God. 

Glory to His name! 

Pastor Sheree