Slices
Prepare
Pray: ‘Lord, help me to walk your way today.’
Bible passage
The narrow and wide gates
13 ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and false prophets
15 ‘Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them.
True and false disciples
21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” 23 Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Explore
God’s upside-down kingdom presents us with choices every day: the narrow or wide gate; true or false teaching; recognising what is true or false discipleship. Jesus gives some warnings (and encouragement) about how we can be sure of walking in his path.
If Jesus’ listeners were looking for easy options, following him wasn’t the way (v 13)! An ‘anything goes’ style of living – the wide gate – leads to destruction, but the ‘narrow gate’ leads to life (vs 13,14). Jesus warned his disciples to be careful about who they believed. Often a ‘false prophet’s’ words sound attractive and gentle, but watch out! Take time to look and see what kind of ‘fruit’ is resulting in their lives (v 20; Luke 6:43–45). ‘False disciples’ deceive others and themselves. They might look convincing, even prophesying and doing miracles (v 22), but is the life of Jesus at the heart of their living?
There is only one way to enter God’s kingdom (v 21): to live according to his will (v 21). Jesus’ words remind us that he is one with the Father: ‘I will tell them plainly’ (v 23). He is the One who stands at the entrance to heaven. Only those who follow him, in obedience to the Father, will be welcomed. Our choice is simple. Will we choose to live in Jesus’ way?
*M Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled, Simon & Schuster, 1978
Respond
Thank God that now, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is living in you. Trust and obey as you walk in his way.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 47,48; Matthew 17
Pray for Scripture Union
With SU holidays now open for booking, please pray that we’ll see many more children and young people coming on them and having unforgettable encounters with Jesus.
