Last updated on October 23, 2024
Today’s readings focus on the ethical teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 5-7, and I will say at the start that these teachings are very challenging. I’m reminded that God’s Kingdom is an upside down one. It’s not the way of the world. In so many areas it’s a 180 degree shift from the world. When Jesus first stepped onto the scene he announced that the Kingdom was near, and the call was to repent and believe the good news of the Kingdom. Repent here doesn’t simply mean to repent of individual sins. I’ve always loved how Dallas Willard paraphrased it.
“All the preliminaries have been taken care of, and the rule of God is now accessible to everyone. Review your plans for living and base your life on this remarkable new opportunity.”
The Greek word for repent is metanoia, and it means “to change one’s mind.” I love the call to review and rethink. Every day we need to think critically about what we are basing our life on and what truly brings us happiness and fulfillment. The ways of Jesus (the Kingdom of God) are easily missed when we are unconsciously walking through life breathing the cultural air.
That’s why the words uttered by Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14 are so important.
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 a few find it.
These two verses have greatly shaped my thinking and living over the last couple of decades. Here’s my take on them.
There’s one path (a broad one) that a lot of people take. People aren’t normally stupid, so there’s a good reason they’re on it. They, along with everyone else on that path, believe that it’s the path to the good life. What does that path look like? It’s all about money, sex and power. Every commercial we see preaches this message. But Jesus says that it doesn’t deliver on its promises. He says that it actually leads to destruction. That’s a pretty strong word. Another word is waste. We waste the lives we were created to live when we take this path.
But there’s another path, and it’s a path that’s often missed because fewer have taken it. And it’s not hyped by advertising. It’s a narrow path, but it’s a path that leads to life.
A person on this path is learning that the upside down Kingdom of God can be trusted, even when it goes against so much that we see and hear. Those on this path don’t feel like they have to cling to money and stuff because they trust that God will take care of them. They can live their lives with their hands open, giving to those in need. They can be present today rather than worrying about tomorrow. They can even love their enemies.
Is any of this easy? That’s a trick question. Jesus said that his yoke was easy and his burden light. There is a freedom and simplicity that comes when we place our trust in him. But it’s also awfully complex and challenging to continue daily this act of repentance. It’s not easy to go on the narrow path when so many others are on the wide one. But it’s the way to Life, and Life is what our hearts long for more than anything else.