Corona Devo 1724

There's a store in our city that I sometimes go to, and once you enter the store, there is a customer service desk, and some grocery items to peruse, but to begin actually shopping, and to access all of the store aisles, you have to go through a little gate.  

I am not sure if they are counting customers or if it is a security measure, but they make your (shopping) path very clear: if you want to shop in that store, you have to go through their gate.

I can only think of one thing every time I read that sign and walk through: Jesus.

Did you know that Jesus calls out to us in the same way?  Just like the store, He has posted His direction and command for us: it is all in His Word, the Bible.

The store has just one little gated entrance for any and all shoppers to pass through, and it's not very big.  

The gate to following Jesus is the same.  It is accessible by all people, but the way is narrow, and the Bible says that "few find it".

And yet, Jesus calls us to His gate, lovingly, patiently, mercifully and Fatherly.  He invites us...He warns us...He welcomes us---to enter through His gate.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  ~Matthew 7:13-14  

Friends, it will change our life if we will find the narrow gate of Jesus.  It will change our attitude if we will find the narrow gate of Jesus.  It will change our relationships, goals, and eternity if we will find the narrow gate of Jesus.

The way of Jesus is simple, but it is not easy...simply because we must die to ourselves with each step we take towards and through His gate.  He makes it easy, but our pride/sin/self make it hard.

And Jesus tells us about His gate and the entry into it.  He is the entry.  Only by accepting Jesus into our hearts and lives can we enter His gate.  There are no short cuts to eternal life with our Savior.  there are no "other routes" or other gods that will lead us into Eternal peace with God.  

It's only Jesus, but because we so badly want to live life on our own terms, His gate (seemingly) becomes smaller and  His road more narrow.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  ~Matthew 7:14

I'm trying to explain it in my words, but Jesus (of course) says it so much better:

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. (2) The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. (3) The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (4) When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (5) But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (6) Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.  

(7) Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. (8) All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. (9) I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. (10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  

(11) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  ~John 10:1-11

Jesus Christ is our good shepherd.  And He is our gate.  

Life has many options, pleasures, placebos and distractions, but there is only one way to Eternal life, and to access it, we have to enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13).  

Here's a tip: it's worth it and He is worth it.  Let's find it today.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com