One Direction

Some time ago a scientific magazine published an article concerning a certain species of alligator. Being lazy beasts, they seldom hunt for their dinner, but just wait for their unwary victims to come to them. They lie near the bank with open mouths, acting as if they are dead. Soon flies begin to sit on their moist tongues, and several other insects gather. This crowd attracts bigger game. A lizard will crawl up to the alligator to feed on the bugs; then a frog joins the party. Soon a whole menagerie is there; then there is a sudden "earthquake" -- WHAM -- the giant jaws come together and the party is over! Here's the lesson: don't be lured by large groups of people. And that lesson is as much for Christians as those who are not.

Remember, the crowd is always found on the "broad way." The "narrow way" of life admits only individuals, one by one. Most people take the easy, downward path to destruction. You as a Christian must follow Jesus on the upward road; it is the only safe way.

Why is the way narrow? Because at the entrance to the narrow gate you have to leave all your baggage behind. Only you yourself can get through. No crowd. You can only enter one at a time. The baggage you leave consists of your sin, the things you put before God, your opinions, your own moral choices, the religious rituals you perform, your riches. All the things Jesus mentions in this sermon. All these things have to be left at the narrow gate when entering. So many of us try to drag them through with us into the Kingdom.

Jesus said "I tell you the truth. I am the gate for the sheep." All that we hold dear has to be left with Jesus. In the words of Jesus himself "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

This way is narrow because it is about one set of beliefs and ideas not a pick and mix set of beliefs chosen from every other faith and belief. These are set out in The Word – Scripture and Jesus himself. In both is revealed all the truth we need to understand. In both is revealed the goodness of God which leads us to behave as saints and his children. Funnily enough Jesus called this set of beliefs and behaviour an “easy yolk” to bear. Why? Because once his they come naturally and your search for truth is over. Jesus called it a “light burden”. Why? Because we leave all our baggage behind and we are new creations. But only when you go in through Jesus.

Conclusion

Which way are you going - be honest?! Are you going to prosper or perish? Life and goodness or death and evil? The goodness and mercy of God wants us to see and share his glorious life, his perfection, his love and his selflessness.

And one last thing. Why is this important to us who are on the right road? Because we should be loving people who are not enough to help them find the life we have, otherwise it’s just religious clap-trap and selfishness and hypocrisy. This sermon is a reminder to us who have chosen the narrow way which leads to life to bring as many with us as we can. What are we doing to ensure that?