The book of Zechariah prophesied how the King of the Jews would come as the triumphant, victorious leader, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV).
That prophetic Word was fulfilled when they brought a colt to Jesus. They threw their cloaks over it for Him to sit. Many spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna! (“Lord save us!”). Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark 11:7-10 NIV).
Many witnessed Jesus’ miracles and believed He was their Jewish king who would deliver them from under the heavy and oppressive yoke of Rome. Unfortunately, they had a worldly perspective and not a heavenly understanding that Jesus was indeed their deliverer, but not from Rome. He wanted to deliver them from the yoke of sin, death, and eternal separation from God (John 1:29).
Five days following Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He stood before the Roman official, Pontius Pilate, who asked the people to choose whether to free Barabbas, a sinner and murderer, or, to free the innocent and sinless Christ whom they had welcomed into Jerusalem as their king. They would reject Jesus and chose the thief and a murderer.
Barabbas represents the sinful and unrepentant who reject Jesus in a world that is governed by Satan—a thief and a murderer (John 8:44). Jesus represents forgiveness given to those who accept His offer of salvation and rebirth into His kingdom. Unfortunately, like the crowd that chose the world and death, many in today’s world are making that same choice. Some even try to live a conflicted life of worldliness with a pseudo godliness.
Jesus cautioned us to, “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). The wide road is the easy road lined with enticing worldly distractions to lure us into living lives separate from God who created us.
You may be asking, “If God is so good, why is the pathway to Him so narrow, that “few find it?” However, if we read His statement made previous to this one, we have our answer. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:77-8). Jesus made it clear: the narrow path leads to eternal life and is open to all who ask, because He alone is the door to eternal life.
Eternal life is open to all, so why is the path to salvation narrow? Because there is only one way and not multiple ways to God. The world confuses us with conflicting messages, shouting that there are many different paths to God.
The Pew Research Center found that 52% of American Christians believe that non-Christian faiths such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism can lead to eternal life. Unfortunately, there are also several “Christian” churches preaching heresy and leading astray well-meaning people who are searching for truth.
Jesus said, “I am the way (the narrow way) and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”(John 14:6). Those who choose the narrow way have crucified the flesh with Christ. They focus on the Lord and live life by faith in the Son of God, who loves us and gave His life for us (Galatians 2:20). When Christ becomes the main focus of a person’s affection, then earthly desires give way to a godly perspective. The things of this world no longer take precedence over the things of God.
When traveling, have you ever left the shorter more direct route of the Interstate to take the longer, less traveled and narrow, back-country roads? Most winding backroads force us to slow down. It is only then that we can see and enjoy the beauty that was missed when we traveled the faster, wider road.
God calls us to take the narrow road that requires us to slow down and take in all the beauty that comes from seeing a different kind of spiritual landscape and truth that can only come through His eyes. Conversely, Satan has paved a very wide and appealing highway with every fleshly temptation, worldly attraction, and compromise in morality and beliefs to capture our attention.
The world has come to a standstill. God is allowing this interruption in our daily lives for you and for me to re-evaluate where we are spiritually. Are we casual Christians who give more attention to the things and concerns of this world? Maybe some give little thought to their eternal destination and assume that all people go to heaven. Perhaps at one time there was a passion for Christ but now only a small ember of faith burns. Or possibly an event precipitated a running from God instead of running to Him. Lastly, is our spiritual temperature hot, cold, or indifferent for the things of God?
God is calling the world to Him, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The caveat to this invitation is repentance.
Why is repentance important? Repentance is a daily act that shows sincere remorse and regret for sin that we knowingly or unknowingly commit daily with our thoughts, words, and actions. We also repent for being apathetic towards the things of God.
Repentance is a surrendering of the will, mind, and emotions to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Repentance allows God to restore, forgive, and purify us. Repentance opens our heart to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, whom from the beginning was with God, who sent His Son to save us and call us to a holy life. Jesus came to destroy death and bring life and immortality through His Word (John 1:1-14; 2 Timothy 1:10). Therefore, we must ask ourselves, “On what road am I traveling in this brief journey called life?
PRAYER: FATHER, I repent for any disobedience or unbelief. It is by grace that I am saved through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Salvation is Your gift to me and not by my own efforts, that I might boast. I am Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared beforehand. Forgive me for any intentional or unintentional sins and reveal what You would have me do and help me accomplish them while on this earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo courtesy of dennis-buchner-WqM9gDS6XqY-unsplash.jpg