ESOCS Devotional 13 March 2022
TEXT: LUKE 13:18-35
MEMORY VERSE: “Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved?” Luke 13:23 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Just like the prophets of the Old Testament, Jesus walked through the cities and villages teaching the gospel of the kingdom; that is, the gospel of salvation. Apparently touched by His teaching, one of the listeners wanted to know from Him how many people would be saved. This question stimulated Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate. In response, Jesus told him to strive to enter through the narrow gate (Luke 13:24).
The gate is narrow, not because it is very small; but because of the unwillingness of man to submit to the will of God. He defines and makes his own gate – love of the world, love of self, deception of own devised religion, life style to suit what he wants, pride, he does not want persecution, suffering and castigation because of Christ; his own new found way of worshipping God is indifferent. It is wide (sin) and pleasurable; it leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).
Today, so many religious people have made their own gate. Some are making, and many will still make theirs in different forms; or how else can we describe the kind of life styles and modified mode of worship and conducts that we have in the society and churches today? But the Bible warned that such gate may seem good to man, but it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12).
The work we must do to “enter in at the strait gate” is earnestly desiring to know Jesus. To know Him is to follow His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21). Following His footsteps is to keep God’s commandment (John 14:15). This is the narrow gate. Strive to enter through it.
- There are so many life styles so appealing to man today. What is your reaction?
- Earnestly desire to walk the right way before God.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 12:15; 16:25; Matthew 7:13, 14; 2 John 2:15-17
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ESOCS Devotional 13 March 2022
