text:_ Matthew 7:1-23 Reflections

MATTHEW 7:1-23
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

This week, we end where we began.

The week started with reading the end of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus calls us to actually apply His words to oour lives. Then all week we read and studied the Sermon on the Mount--all to be reminded again that these are words to apply and live by, not simply to pontificate about.

This morning I am struck by the simple contrast of Jesus' challenge to "ask, seek, and knock" with his warning that "the way is narrow."

This juxtaposition strikes me as one of the basic tensions of being a disciples--a follower!--of Jesus.

On the one had, following Jesus--being His disciple--is easily accessible. It is not mysterious or super spiritual. You do not need to have a guru or become a monk. You need to simply "ask, seek and knock."

Yet...

"Narrow is the way that leads to life... and wide is the path that leads to destruction."

It is not, then, that the "right path" is hard to find or distinguish... nor that it is hard to traverse once you are on it. It is simply hard to choose, especially when contrasted with the wide, easier path.

So...

It is not that following Jesus is so dificult,
but rather that it seems more dificult than the wide and easy path.

It is not that following Jesus is so mysterious,
but rather we must choose the less tread-upon path.

And when we choose the less-tread-upon path, we begin to wonder:
"why is everyone over there?

is that the better path?

surely it must be since so many take it, and it is wide and easy?"

It is not that following Jesus lacks adventure,
for the narrower, harder, less-tread-upon path is always more interesting
than the main, wide, safe path.

So the tension for the disicple
is not knowing which path -- we do!
or knowing which way -- it is clear!
nor having the wherewithal to continue -- His burden is light!
but rather choosing the less obvious and less populated way.

And maybe in our day
that is the greatest challenge of all.

Thoughts?