The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of May 17
“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)
As we read in one of our Lenten devotions a few weeks ago, Jesus is the gate to eternal life. The gate is always open; the invitation always stands. We are invited to walk through the gate and into life everlasting.
It sounds pretty simple and straightforward, doesn’t it? But the reality is that walking through the gate and following the path Jesus sets before us is fraught with challenges, temptations and obstacles all along the way. Jesus Himself tells us this truth; he reminds us that His gate and His road to salvation are narrow. He acknowledges that our journey will be one of missteps and detours. We will take wrong turns. We will reach dead ends. Sometimes we will stumble off the path or find ourselves on the wrong road entirely.
At the same time, however, Jesus also gives us grace – as much and as often as we need it. Though the road to salvation is narrow, grace exponentially widens the way. When we are tempted by sin, when we misstep, when we go our own way instead of following Jesus’ lead, He does not abandon us. Instead, Jesus offers us the gift of His grace. We are offered the opportunity to repent – literally, to “turn around” – to right ourselves and then set out again on the righteous path.
God’s grace is our spiritual compass, always reorienting us, always pointing us in the direction of Jesus.
Gracious God, I don’t always follow Your lead very well. I’m prone to wandering and veering off Your path. Thank You for the grace You so generously offer as You continue to guide me in Your ways. Amen.