By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

No Easy Path

“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.”
Matthew 7:13-14 English Standard Version

Our natural desire is to take the path of least resistance, the least painful way to do anything.  Jesus tells us that if we follow him we must choose not the easy path, but the hard way.  What does Jesus mean by that?

To choose the hard way is to choose the way of suffering, the way of the cross.  The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem is followed by many pilgrims who wish to follow in the footsteps of our Savior on his way to the cross.  Jesus chose the hard path, the way of suffering, that he might die for our sins upon the cross, that we might be set free from the condemnation of sin and made righteous before God.  He purposely chose the hard way because he loved us and obeyed the will of the Father.

And if we are to follow him, we must choose the hard path also.  A path of repentance and humbling of our pride.  A path of denying ourselves the easy way and taking up the cross of persecution.  Many will reject that hard path.  But for those who choose it, it is the path that leads to eternal life and peace with God.

Lord, I choose the hard path, the way of the cross today.  Grant me strength to do your will. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado