Narrow vs. Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)

There is a house in the neighborhood where I grew up that has a fence around it. There are 3 ways to access the property. A large main gate that leads to the driveway and front door, a small gate that leads through the side of the house, and an area where one one would have to cross a small stream, walk through messy and muddy dirt where chicken and ducks were raised.

My favorite point of access was the messy and muddy soil simply because it was more adventurous and fun to watch the animals scatter with fear.

The point of my story is, even though Jesus described the 2 gates, most fail to even go near either gates. They remain on the "road that leads to destruction". I had chicken and ducks droppings and dirty mud stuck to my shoes and my neighbor would not welcome me into their home. But if I choose to walk through the narrow gates of redemption, no matter how filthy of a past I bring, Jesus welcomes me with open arms, cleanse me with His mercy, and clothe me with His love.

And it's not all about gates, but the WAY we live our lives. Lives that experience true joy are lives satisfied with the Lord Himself, "as with the riches of foods" (Psalm 63:5). For we know no matter how gourmet or exquisite the meal of this world offers, we will go hungry and thirsty. Nothing can satisfy and having God (not just knowing Him), is much more than enough.

John 15:5-8 NIV

 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

A beautiful rendition of an invitation to fellowship with Jesus the Son, and God the Father. 

It begins with Christ Himself as the Host, and “you” (v.5. irregular plural – Greek “humeis”). The metaphor of branches is referred to His disciples. Disciples exist because of the presence of a teacher. Similarly, branches grow out from a vine (singular). Christ is depicting Himself as a living tree, hence, branches that have life will extend out of Him. 

Immediately, Jesus switched from a metaphoric imagery to a relational dependency to the source, and punctuate the inevitability of producing much fruit. The consequences of not remaining in Him is dire. In earlier verses, Jesus introduced His Father as the gardener. Detached branches will be discarded and die. Dead wood will be disposed and destroyed. That’s what gardeners do.

Here, a personal choice must be made by the personal follower, referred in v.7 as “you” with a slightly different origin (irregular dative – Greek “humin”). Jesus now spelled out the benefits of an unbroken relationship with Him. If we pursue Him, so will His word be treasured in us. This personal commitment pleases God the Father who will in turn manifest in us much fruit. Fruit that is not hidden, but in full visible bloom, symbolizing an evidence of a good tree, giving glory to God, our Living Tree.

Wisdom - Practical & Theological

Wisdom is practical for survivability, and theological to serve as compass for purposeful living. Wisdom is given to us to pursue an understanding of God's intentionality for us. Surrounded by the relentless spiritual turmoil in this world, Christians must pursue God's timeless and relevant instructions to light our paths. Like the Israelites, we can be enslaved by the world's snare. God's ultimate intention for us is Christ and through His Spirit, wisdom will unfold in Scripture to teach those who seek His ways.

On Creation ...

Creation speaks of the creativity and creatability of its Creator. We know this when we discover and examine the amazing work of His hands. Why then do we, also His creation, do just the opposite? Is it because no other created thing or being was anointed with the level of intelligence, elegance and eloquence to judge us? Is it because authority was given to us to rule instead of being subject to? Is it because He breathed life into us, personally named us, planted gardens, raised animals, and dug springs to nourish us, and even kept us company and when we fell, incarnate himself exclusively and specifically to redeem us? Why then do we question, doubt and devote a lifetime of study and research to discount, distort and even dismiss His sovereignty? Yes, may we not hover endlessly but be led into the rest of the Book.

Literary or Chronological

The message that is clearly conveyed here is one that expresses human resolve that mere mortals can never reach the level of complete understanding of creation but must lean towards impartial submission to a super naturalistic Creator. In essence, books that we read today and articles either by traditional or contemporary writers, no matter the sincerity, truth remains un-mined in Scripture. Divine truth is too immense for human minds to fathom but humans ought to grasp truth as it is and confront it with faith. Pure faith. Resting faith. Empowering faith. No, we are not being denied knowledge but we are given permission to be inconclusive in our attempts to scrutinize creation scientifically. “Knowledge is power” says the world, but what is knowledge other than foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:19). Neither are we left with a void and to concede that our pursuit of knowing God is vanity. Origins is designed with continuum in mind. God’s plan which is of absolute order is for us to be in that order and live by his complete Word which is to be our spiritual oxygen to simply appreciate, yes, appreciate and adore the glory of his provision. Literary or chronological, the debate may linger. Yet let us not stagnate over which has dominance but may we look ahead to see more of what God has in store for us which is his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. That’s our origin. That’s our destiny. Here and now.

Creation, Land, and Inheritance

The issue is not with land or inheritance but the heart of the people. Based on that scheme, there is no issue. Nations that have not God may prosper in the land they occupy and become greater and stronger but only in their own demise. 

Land to creation is like spirit to man. It is more than a component of. It is purpose to an idea and that purpose though subordinate, becomes chief when materializes in accordance to that idea. 

Man was to rule over the land along with all its inhabitants and resources. The fall though decayed man’s imperfect condition did not destroy God’s perfect creation. Inheritance on the other hand, is grace. Grace was the beat of the Lord’s heart for His chosen people. Although power finds its chosen and privilege fits its prince, precepts was policy to everlasting possibilities. 

The law and decrees were given to the chosen so they could remain choice for God and for all nations. From there comes the promised King. What God promises, God delivers. Beyond our time and of those in the wilderness, God had already orchestrated His promise during the time of the patriarchs and it was then He revealed His covenant as Father to all generations.  Blessings are from God’s hands, curses are in the very palm of ours. As chosen people with an inheritance, our choices matter.

The Day After

Everywhere you go, christmas (lower case by intention) is now 50% off its full value a little less than 24 hours later. Tomorrow and thereafter, christmas will be reduced even more. Then the lights will dim and trees wither and wait on the curb. Our recycle bins now overflow. It will be a while until someone asks where the Scotch tape is. Good riddance to the monotony of holiday cheer (ka-ching) and merry melodies (repeats and remixes). Even churches take a break from christmas while the cones lose its scents, poinsettias shrivel, and choristers sigh with relief. 364 more days before the next reflection on that 2,000 plus years ago event. For now, goodbye Bing. So long Nat. Farewell senor Feliciano. Ta-ta Santa and Rudolph. Oh yes, and back into the storage manger babe together with your extras. As sure as the Clapper and Chia-pets will return, so will we seek you out again next time around.

Hopefully by then, we'll learn to realize there's a relationship in Christmas between sinner and Savior. And, what Christmas really means and why Christmas is a lot more of what's missing and a lot less of what keeps getting added.