Verse of the Day 6/26

Through the Bible - Job 10-12, Acts 8:26-40

 

Good morning,

In my morning devotions this morning I read the following verses in Matthew 7:

 

Matt 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.   NKJV

It starts by a decision to enter.  You can stay on the outside or enter in.  But to do so you have to drop the excess baggage that you are carrying.  Most likely you will have to drop many things that you may have felt were important on the other side of the door or gate.  We enter into business contracts, mortgage contracts, and we enter into relationships, into marriages.   All of these require committments and breaking these off can bring pain and hurt.

 

As I read other passages I was amazed at how often that principle, that concept is repeated in scripture.

 

I also read the passage in Mark about Jesus healing Jairus' daughter.  Sometimes events, even tragedies in our lives will cause us to change course, to drop the "baggage" and seek Christ.  To enter into that relationship with him.  That is what Jairus did.  He was a ruler, a leader in the synagogue, where  Jesus was looked upon as a blasphemer, a sabbath violator, a liberal, use whatever terms you can think of.  By turning to Jesus, to follow Him, to believe in and trust in Him would cause him to face the same treatment which they were giving to Jesus.

 

The news came to Jairus that his daughter had died.  This was the moment.  Would Jairus enter, would he open the gate, the door?  Would he believe the unbelieveable?

 

Jesus said that his daughter was not dead but sleeping.  Who would Jairus believe?

 

Mark 5:40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  42 Immediately the girl arose and walked,   NKJV

 

Jairus decided to follow Jesus.  The ridicule didn't matter.  Life, the life of his daughter was at stake.  I'm reminded of Romans 4:18  "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed". NIV  Jesus is
As you read other passages, read of other people in the Bible in the next few days, read them in the light of Matthew 7:13-14.

 

Think of Esther, Mordecai, Nehemiah whom we recently considered.  How about the apostle Paul whose story begins in Acts chapter 8.  How about your life, have you entered the "narrow gate" the "narrow door".

 

Matt 7:13 "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.  NLT

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  He is also the hope.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Mark 5:36-6:1

 

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."

 

40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.   NKJV