“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation though faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
My wife and I have read the Bible through every year for a number of years now. We have chosen to read in a variety of translations. At the present time I am also reading a guide that takes three years to complete the entire volume and we read small portions each morning at the breakfast table along with comments. You are probably asking, “Why go to all that trouble?”
After all, the Bible is a very old , some would say “out of date,” book. It starts with the creation account! Some of it is written in Hebrew and Aramaic, and another part in Greek. What we read is a translation. One English language version dates from King James and was first published in 1611. That means it was published nearly four hundred years ago. “What makes it so different? Why is it still in print?” and, “Why do you use that old version in all your blogs and in your weekly publication?, “Search the Scriptures with Bob.”
Some would say, “Oh, It is because he is an old man, and I would not deny that is so, but there are far more important reasons. In that connection, like Timothy, I was taught at the knee of my Godly mother. Timothy had the advantage of a likewise Godly grandmother, and of course, he was also taught by the apostle Paul. But then I also learned through Paul who wrote, under the inspiration of God, most of the books of the New Testament portion of the Bible. And I too, learned from likewise Godly teachers in college and seminary.
Let us consider the “out of date“ question. A study of scripture, classical writings, or history reveals one solid fact. No matter what culture, what nationality, or what era of history. People are people, and it is a fact that “All have sinned and fallen short.” An inflated ego, greed, jealousy, murder is to be found in the very first family. The same is to be found throughout history. And, the same is still to be found lurking in every family even today. God destroyed most of life on earth once already by flood, and we are told that he will do so again, this time by fire, and starting over with a new-born people in a perfect place he is even now preparing. We call that place, Heaven. These new people are those who know and follow Christ Jesus. These are a people who recognize his sovereignty as an absolute king, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:18-20. His people recognize his sovereignty and obey his commands. Those who do not obey him, are not of his kingdom. This is what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
The Bible is different because it is “God breathed” (inspired of God who directed and guided different writers to write, completely compatible documents, even though many of them never met the others, lived in different places, and wrote in different languages and historic times. It is the only book that reveals a loving God who loved his creation so much that he gave his only Son to save it, knowing that he would be killed.
The King James version is written in English as the readers understood it in 1611. The language has changed, not the message. A living language always changes, thus there are numerous different English translations, never mind all the other languages of the earth today.
I use the King James version, because it was the Bible of choice when I was young and being taught at home. The scriptures I memorized were from that translation, and today it is the only really acceptable translation that one can use without the inconvenience of gaining a copyright permission every time it is quoted. My generation is comfortable with it.
What ever version you choose; Read your Bible! It is the power of God unto salvation. And “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
IF ANY WOULD NOT WORK
A very popular television program recently dealt with physically mature men who refused to work and care for their own children. They either allowed their companions to support them and their children or moved into the home of the children’s grandparents and regarded the house as if it were a free furnished apartment with full service and board laid on. Those demands were being tolerated for the sake of the little children. In these two featured cases, it seems that there was no money for essentials, but plenty for a computer, electronic games to amuse themselves, and the phone and web to chat with others.
We think of these as isolated events, but they are as old as time itself. Paul in writing to the church in Thessalonica dealt with and answered it. We have all been acquainted with such situations, sometimes in the church, the extended family, or among acquaintances. Not all who claim to be Christians, produce the fruit of the Spirit, but in many such cases they take advantage of anyone who can be manipulated to tolerate the situation.
Paul said: “If any would not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-14. What he has said is that no man has the right to be a parasite: if he is well, he has the responsibility to work.
Scripture is very strict in the matter of how one treats his his wife, his children and his parents and the elderly.
We think of these as isolated events, but they are as old as time itself. Paul in writing to the church in Thessalonica dealt with and answered it. We have all been acquainted with such situations, sometimes in the church, the extended family, or among acquaintances. Not all who claim to be Christians, produce the fruit of the Spirit, but in many such cases they take advantage of anyone who can be manipulated to tolerate the situation.
Paul said: “If any would not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-14. What he has said is that no man has the right to be a parasite: if he is well, he has the responsibility to work.
Scripture is very strict in the matter of how one treats his his wife, his children and his parents and the elderly.
Monday, March 24, 2008
JESUS’ LIVING PARABLES, UNTIL HE COMES
Jesus filled his teachings with parables. A parable is a “word picture” that adds light to the understanding of an important lesson. The parable itself might be a simple thing. For example, he spoke of the word of God as being like seed scattered on the earth. The seed was good seed, but it falls on different kinds of soil, rocky, hardened paths, shallow soil, or good soil. It represents the scriptures being taught to mankind. Some have hardened their hearts, others have filled their lives with worldly things; only a few eagerly listen and apply what they hear to themselves. A parable has only one proper meaning. One runs into problems when he tries to change and adapt a parable to other than the author's intended illustration.
The same thing is true when men change the two living ordinances that Jesus left for us to be observed until he comes for his own. They both illustrate the lesson of the Gospel; Paul tells us this when he writes, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3. The Gospel, or "good news" is, (1) Our Lord died for our sins, (2) he was buried in the tomb, and, (3) he arose again. To change these three facts in sequence or in any other way not only ruins the illustration, but it also makes one guilty of disobeying his commands.
CHRIST LEFT US TWO ORDINANCES TO BE FOLLOWED UNTIL HE RETURNS.
Both present the "good news" of the Gospel.
The FIRST is how one becomes a Christian, a follower of Christ. Scripture says, we “put on Christ.” To make certain we understood his commandment, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19. To confirm his right to command this, he prefaced the command with, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18. He had set an example by being baptized himself by the hand of John the Baptist. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17.
The word itself, “baptize” means "to wash." In this case, it was in the river Jordon. Philip baptized the Ethiopian 1n “water” Acts 8:35-39. Clearly, the Ethiopian repented of his sin, (turned his back to his former way of life; died to sin), and asked to be baptized. Just as you bury a deceased person, the believer is buried in water, representing that burial, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, and is born again, (lifted from the water), never to die to sin again. What we call death is only our departure from our physical body, the Christian lives on for eternity with God. The illustration is repeated every time we witness a baptismal service. The Gospel is being illustrated, the death, the burial, and the resurrection.
The SECOND is repeated weekly and this will continue until he returns for His bride, the church. There, he will observe it with all the family. “And when they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins, but say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-28. This too, represents His death for our sins, our being a part of the body, partaking of the bread and the vine, and looking forward to eternity when we will partake it with him.
The wonderful good news is shown in action; his death, burial and resurrection. We may forget what we only hear, but we will remember what we hear and do regularly.
The same thing is true when men change the two living ordinances that Jesus left for us to be observed until he comes for his own. They both illustrate the lesson of the Gospel; Paul tells us this when he writes, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3. The Gospel, or "good news" is, (1) Our Lord died for our sins, (2) he was buried in the tomb, and, (3) he arose again. To change these three facts in sequence or in any other way not only ruins the illustration, but it also makes one guilty of disobeying his commands.
CHRIST LEFT US TWO ORDINANCES TO BE FOLLOWED UNTIL HE RETURNS.
Both present the "good news" of the Gospel.
The FIRST is how one becomes a Christian, a follower of Christ. Scripture says, we “put on Christ.” To make certain we understood his commandment, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19. To confirm his right to command this, he prefaced the command with, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18. He had set an example by being baptized himself by the hand of John the Baptist. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17.
The word itself, “baptize” means "to wash." In this case, it was in the river Jordon. Philip baptized the Ethiopian 1n “water” Acts 8:35-39. Clearly, the Ethiopian repented of his sin, (turned his back to his former way of life; died to sin), and asked to be baptized. Just as you bury a deceased person, the believer is buried in water, representing that burial, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, and is born again, (lifted from the water), never to die to sin again. What we call death is only our departure from our physical body, the Christian lives on for eternity with God. The illustration is repeated every time we witness a baptismal service. The Gospel is being illustrated, the death, the burial, and the resurrection.
The SECOND is repeated weekly and this will continue until he returns for His bride, the church. There, he will observe it with all the family. “And when they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins, but say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-28. This too, represents His death for our sins, our being a part of the body, partaking of the bread and the vine, and looking forward to eternity when we will partake it with him.
The wonderful good news is shown in action; his death, burial and resurrection. We may forget what we only hear, but we will remember what we hear and do regularly.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
WEIGH THE CONSEQUENCES
The prophecies Jesus related in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, written nearly 2000 years ago, could almost be composed from the news headlines of today; undisciplined youth running uncontrolled in the streets destroying other people’s private property, rape and plunder, ominous concerns about the political future of even ”Christian” nations. There is no such thing of course as a Christian nation. People become Christians, not nations. Even the Clergy and self styled ministers today often deny the deity of the Messiah, the very heart of the Gospel, they claim to represent. The headlines tell of wars, strange plagues and illnesses, starvation and nature gone wild in severity and frequency. Records are being broken from as far back as history has recorded them. Our world is building up to something disastrous, beyond our understanding. The world’s religions have no answers. Only the Creator of everything can save us, and that is His desire. “For (He) God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Yes Christ Jesus is both the Creator and the Savior of the earth. He is, He was, and He will always be so. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God, All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3
The above things being so, it is time that we studied Matthew 24, yes, the entire chapter! If two pages are too much, start with verse six. After this, turn to the final book of the Bible, Revelation and read, (The whole book would be good, but in particular don’t miss Revelation 13:8, “and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,(the Beast), whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Those that were written, were written there by the Lord. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. That is, those who had responded to Peter’s sermon through their faith, repentance of their sins, and being baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Acts 2:38 and following.
The ecconomy of the world is already under attack, This is exactly what we should expect. “And he,(the beast),causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six. (666) Revelation 13:16-18. Christians must have nothing to do with that number for it is Satan’s mark. “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11.
In American history, Patrick Henry is quoted as having said, "Give me liberty or give me death."
In the Bible, a voice from heaven said, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." Revelation 14:13. This is an eternal "life or death decision." Weigh the consequences.
The above things being so, it is time that we studied Matthew 24, yes, the entire chapter! If two pages are too much, start with verse six. After this, turn to the final book of the Bible, Revelation and read, (The whole book would be good, but in particular don’t miss Revelation 13:8, “and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,(the Beast), whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Those that were written, were written there by the Lord. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. That is, those who had responded to Peter’s sermon through their faith, repentance of their sins, and being baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Acts 2:38 and following.
The ecconomy of the world is already under attack, This is exactly what we should expect. “And he,(the beast),causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six. (666) Revelation 13:16-18. Christians must have nothing to do with that number for it is Satan’s mark. “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11.
In American history, Patrick Henry is quoted as having said, "Give me liberty or give me death."
In the Bible, a voice from heaven said, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." Revelation 14:13. This is an eternal "life or death decision." Weigh the consequences.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
THIS FOOLISH WORLD NEEDS CHRIST
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND WILL BRING TO NOTHING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRUDENT. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world knew by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-27
This is one of those wonderful scripture texts which just opens one after another thought to ponder, but we have more here than we can digest in our short time available. Before I say anything of my own, I would like to quote the first two sentences of Matthew Henry’s comments on this passage. They read: “Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning, but the plain preaching of the crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the foundation of all our joys, And by his death we live.”
Today, many universities have full courses just to search and study the ancient, Greek and Roman, philosophers. I remember that, several years ago, there was a Chinese man, we simply called “Uncle Sam”. I don’t think I know what his full name was. I doesn’t really matter. He had been obedient to the Lord Jesus in Christian baptism, but he was not able to shake off the grip that the ancient philosopher’s teachings had upon him. He was pulled by the wisdom of men on one side and of the Lord on the other. On one occasion he had to be rescued because he was standing in the middle of a dark, but very busy street. In his drunken state, he was shouting at the cars that narrowly missed him. The wisdom of men can not cope with the power of God.
On this occasion, Paul stood on Mars Hill, shared by an ancient pagan temple which we know as the Parthenon. He preached to the Greeks in Athens, a sermon which may say was a failure. I think not! He did not win the philosophers, granted, but there were others, probably bystanders, who did respond. Never discount the bystanders, for many times they do not have closed minds to the truth of the gospel. The seed of the Word scattered there may take root and grow with amazing results, not necessarily in that particular day, seed takes time to take root and grow. Sometimes the believer needs time to ponder the word, before coming to a decision. That is the way I shop. I look at several various merchant’s products, then think about it and often end up back at the first place. We are in that sort of position today. We live in a double wide manufactured home, and we love it, but increasingly it is more difficult to travel to and from the church, our doctors, the dentist, the hospital, and for Phyllis even navigate the steps to our home-deck. So, we have been looking at retirement apartments, and we have found a delightful one in Plano, just minutes from all our activities. This is where we can help one another. We need to sell our home in order to afford the exchange. Pray with us to that end, the Lord approving.
Tis morning I was led to a free on lineadvert for homes such asours. The timeing is right, perhaps thiss the answer. They placed on line a beautiful presentation complete with a picture.
As Paul asked for prayers, and so also do we. But above all else, mttay His will be done.
Jesus died for us, let’s be eager to share His message.
This is one of those wonderful scripture texts which just opens one after another thought to ponder, but we have more here than we can digest in our short time available. Before I say anything of my own, I would like to quote the first two sentences of Matthew Henry’s comments on this passage. They read: “Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning, but the plain preaching of the crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the foundation of all our joys, And by his death we live.”
Today, many universities have full courses just to search and study the ancient, Greek and Roman, philosophers. I remember that, several years ago, there was a Chinese man, we simply called “Uncle Sam”. I don’t think I know what his full name was. I doesn’t really matter. He had been obedient to the Lord Jesus in Christian baptism, but he was not able to shake off the grip that the ancient philosopher’s teachings had upon him. He was pulled by the wisdom of men on one side and of the Lord on the other. On one occasion he had to be rescued because he was standing in the middle of a dark, but very busy street. In his drunken state, he was shouting at the cars that narrowly missed him. The wisdom of men can not cope with the power of God.
On this occasion, Paul stood on Mars Hill, shared by an ancient pagan temple which we know as the Parthenon. He preached to the Greeks in Athens, a sermon which may say was a failure. I think not! He did not win the philosophers, granted, but there were others, probably bystanders, who did respond. Never discount the bystanders, for many times they do not have closed minds to the truth of the gospel. The seed of the Word scattered there may take root and grow with amazing results, not necessarily in that particular day, seed takes time to take root and grow. Sometimes the believer needs time to ponder the word, before coming to a decision. That is the way I shop. I look at several various merchant’s products, then think about it and often end up back at the first place. We are in that sort of position today. We live in a double wide manufactured home, and we love it, but increasingly it is more difficult to travel to and from the church, our doctors, the dentist, the hospital, and for Phyllis even navigate the steps to our home-deck. So, we have been looking at retirement apartments, and we have found a delightful one in Plano, just minutes from all our activities. This is where we can help one another. We need to sell our home in order to afford the exchange. Pray with us to that end, the Lord approving.
Tis morning I was led to a free on lineadvert for homes such asours. The timeing is right, perhaps thiss the answer. They placed on line a beautiful presentation complete with a picture.
As Paul asked for prayers, and so also do we. But above all else, mttay His will be done.
Jesus died for us, let’s be eager to share His message.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
THE WAY THAT LEADS TO LIFE
“Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.“ Matthew 7: 13-16
We live on a narrow, and heavily patched side street named Ace Lane. It is well named. Potholes spring up like mushrooms. Our community has space for more than six hundred homes, yet this is the only way to reach us. A fact that we often think of when grass fires flair up regularly.
The street that Ace Lane leads to has six lanes, three in either direction: typical of many arterial streets in the Dallas area. Why is there this contrast? In this parable, Jesus points out the obvious reason.
Because the broad way is where the majority of the people are travelling; it is more attractive, and well maintained. It is the easy way, easy to find, easy to follow, and usually faster. The light at the junction of the two streets definitely favors the broad way. We often have to wait for a second round of lights, because our timing is set low. We who live on the side street have to know where we are going. We know where the potholes are the worst. We know where most of the animals are killed on the street during the night. We know where the rainwater accumulates when it rains, for we have no storm drains, and we know where the crest of a small hill obscures approaching traffic.
Jesus compared such as Ace Lane to a gate, the favored way: the attractive way that most people are following is not really the best way, for it is leading to destruction. The famous line of an immature person is, “Everyone is doing it.” That simply is not true. If it were true, it would most definitely be a “red flag” warning not to do whatever is being referred to. The narrow way, the way that people have trouble finding, is the way that leads to life, and only a few will find it.
A number of persons coming to our home have ignored our instructions saying. “I will just follow my navigator”, or “I have a map.” Good, but it probably neither is up to date. Both show Ace Lane opening onto a major highway to the south and that is the tempting way, but Ace Lane has been a dead end street for a number of years years. People find their way, when they phone. “Few there be that find it.” We have been warned. Many who think they know the way, many who trust the assumed authorities, of those, many will go astray, because they do not check or don’t know a trustworthy guide. In verse fifteen is the admonition, “beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” They are not what they appear to be. They can’t direct the way to life, if they don’t know it themselves. Jesus compared such persons as "the bin leading hte blind."
Jesus was making a Spiritual application that we might make the right choices in our lives. Don’t follow the masses, don’t be afraid to consult the Word. It is reliable, even though it may seem to be pointing to a narrow, trouble strewn lane. Leave behind the broad, easy way. Jesus knew what lay before him, but instead of taking the easy way, he always took the way that led to life, being obedient to his Father. Life is too short for us to take shortcuts. Follow the Word. Follow the Lord who said, “Where I go ye know.” And, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” The broad gate, most people are using, is the wrong gate.
We live on a narrow, and heavily patched side street named Ace Lane. It is well named. Potholes spring up like mushrooms. Our community has space for more than six hundred homes, yet this is the only way to reach us. A fact that we often think of when grass fires flair up regularly.
The street that Ace Lane leads to has six lanes, three in either direction: typical of many arterial streets in the Dallas area. Why is there this contrast? In this parable, Jesus points out the obvious reason.
Because the broad way is where the majority of the people are travelling; it is more attractive, and well maintained. It is the easy way, easy to find, easy to follow, and usually faster. The light at the junction of the two streets definitely favors the broad way. We often have to wait for a second round of lights, because our timing is set low. We who live on the side street have to know where we are going. We know where the potholes are the worst. We know where most of the animals are killed on the street during the night. We know where the rainwater accumulates when it rains, for we have no storm drains, and we know where the crest of a small hill obscures approaching traffic.
Jesus compared such as Ace Lane to a gate, the favored way: the attractive way that most people are following is not really the best way, for it is leading to destruction. The famous line of an immature person is, “Everyone is doing it.” That simply is not true. If it were true, it would most definitely be a “red flag” warning not to do whatever is being referred to. The narrow way, the way that people have trouble finding, is the way that leads to life, and only a few will find it.
A number of persons coming to our home have ignored our instructions saying. “I will just follow my navigator”, or “I have a map.” Good, but it probably neither is up to date. Both show Ace Lane opening onto a major highway to the south and that is the tempting way, but Ace Lane has been a dead end street for a number of years years. People find their way, when they phone. “Few there be that find it.” We have been warned. Many who think they know the way, many who trust the assumed authorities, of those, many will go astray, because they do not check or don’t know a trustworthy guide. In verse fifteen is the admonition, “beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” They are not what they appear to be. They can’t direct the way to life, if they don’t know it themselves. Jesus compared such persons as "the bin leading hte blind."
Jesus was making a Spiritual application that we might make the right choices in our lives. Don’t follow the masses, don’t be afraid to consult the Word. It is reliable, even though it may seem to be pointing to a narrow, trouble strewn lane. Leave behind the broad, easy way. Jesus knew what lay before him, but instead of taking the easy way, he always took the way that led to life, being obedient to his Father. Life is too short for us to take shortcuts. Follow the Word. Follow the Lord who said, “Where I go ye know.” And, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” The broad gate, most people are using, is the wrong gate.
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