Perplexed

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Mt 7:13-14 ESV).

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Mt 11:29-30 ESV).

Now the Lord is funny as a began to write this entry he showed me the answer to some questions I had about the above scripture references. The first reference is about our ability to enter heaven, and that the gate being Jesus is narrow because he is the only way. (John 14:6) So many people nowadays want to say that there are mulitple ways to heaven. But Jesus himself says he is the only way.C. H. Spurgeon once said " I will have no complicity in that atrocious treason against God's Word which leads men to believe that they may perhaps seek and find him in another state. I believe that of all falsehood that ever were preached, this is the most dangerous, and likely to do the most hurt to men's souls."

And it amazes me in our country today so many people are screaming tolerance, yet when we talk of Christ we are hated on and treated with intolerance. Then again I should not be surprised because the Lord told us that we would be hated and despised on his account.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. (Jn 15:18-21 ESV)

And sometime through this intolerance we can feel stressed out and not even realize it. By this stress we often forget all that Jesus went through in his life. When we have obligations we dont want to fulfill we get stressed out, when our kids keep on going with the yelling and playing, when we just cant get along with our spouse. Jesus had the weight of the world thrust upon him because of an ungreatful people. US.

Then he tells us to take his yoke upon ourselves because he is humble and lowly of heart. If that comment came from anyone else it would be considered as pride. Have you ever felt burdened to love Jesus. after you took up that yoke. I know anytime I have struggled to follow him was due to my own sin, I am not going to sugar coat it. There have been times in my life where I have chosen to flat out rebel against God even after confessing Jesus is Lord. But also the times where I have chosen to serve Jesus over myself have been the most joyful, but also rather difficult due to the opposition. We were never told the road would not have challanges, but we would beable to bear it due to Christ.

If you do not know this Jesus, confess your sins and your need of a savior. Believe that he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and was buried, resurrected on the third day, and asscended to the right hand of the father.