Devotion #2: What Are Your Orders?

Lesson Five: The Gate and The Path 
Joe Wilson

As we continue the Sermon on the Mount series, Matthew 7:13-14 records, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

When I read and study this specific set of verses, I cannot help but think of the word “intentionality” or lack thereof. I would like to look at these two gates being presented to us:

The wide gate – It is what I refer to as the “easy button” course of action, following the crowd without any thought or intentionality. However, it leads to “destruction” or eternal separation.
The narrow gate – This gate (or pathway) is not always easy, and you will definitely not find it following the crowd. To locate and enter through this gate, you must be intentional in your choices. God’s Word tells us if we choose to be intentional and enter through this gate, it “leads to life” or eternal life.
Did you make the connection?

Jesus confirms He is “the narrow gate” when speaking to Thomas in the Gospel according to John. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Now, as a military veteran and history buff, there was a conversation that took place in one of my all-time favorite movies, “Saving Private Ryan.” It was between Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and Technical Sergeant Horvath (Tom Sizemore) when they were in discussions regarding a particularly difficult mission.

Sergeant Horvath: What are your orders?

Captain Miller: Sergeant, we have crossed some strange boundary here. The world has taken a turn for the surreal.

Sergeant Horvath: Clearly, but the question still stands.

Now, bear with me. What if the conversation actually went like this?

The Holy Spirit: What are your orders?

Us: But, they won’t like me. I will be laughed at. I don’t understand.

The Holy Spirit: Clearly, but the question still stands.

Jesus: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

So, I challenge each of us today, “What are your orders?”