Asides

February 14
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“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.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)

The verses preceding today’s citation, to which we commonly refer (in part) as “The Sermon on the Mount,” gives us an idea of the kind of behavior that comprises”the narrow gate” to which Jesus refers: Be humble. Be discreet. Don’t bear grudges. Go the extra mile. Love your enemy. . .

Such behaviors often take extra time and energy from us, and we prefer living the “highway life” because we don’t like delays and detours.  We do all that we can to avoid any kind of inconvenience.  As a result, we cruise on our own road to nowhere.

Today, look for the little gate. Eschew the crowd. Keep on the narrow road. It is there — and there only — that you will find life in all of its abundance.  – Luther

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February 13
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“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. 41 ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'” (Matthew 26:40-41, NIV)

We are full of potential!  Of all of the external influences that conspire to limit our achievement and hobble the power of the spirit within us, physical fatigue is arguably the most formidable.

Then, we are tempted to blame our failure to follow-through on our physical limitations: We are old (or young); we are ill-positioned; we are exhausted; we are handicapped. Jesus did not expect the disciples to do more than any of them were able. He never did. He expected only that they watch with Him for 60 minutes.

Our physical limitations are real, but they are not insurmountable — especially if we are willing to pray as we stand watch; and watch as we stand praying. Our physical limitations are real, but they are not insurmountable — especially if we are willing to include those nearest to us in the task.

What might have been the outcome, despite their fatigue, had the 11 disciples chosen (as Paul and Silas did some years later in prison; please see Acts 16:22-26 for the full story) to watch and pray and sing hymns to release the spirit; energize the flesh — and see the power of God come down?  The spirit is willing!  – Luther

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February 12
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“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’” (Matthew 21:23, NIV)

There are some things that God requires that confounds the watching world: Love for one’s enemies; forgiveness of those who have harmed us; rejoicing in trial; and hopefulness in adversity.

As a disciple of Jesus, be prepared to answer those who ask: “By what authority. . .?”, because the ways of God are sometimes foreign even to those who inhabit the “temple courts” as the chief priests and elders of the people did in Jesus’ day.  Our “authority” is our heavenly Father.  It is His spirit within us.  It is His word informing our decisions.  We aspire to be like Him.

As many of us were taught years ago by our parents: Resist “peer pressure”; and obey the teaching of the One who created us, and loves us — no matter what and no matter who.   – Luther

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