Wednesday

Psalm 105:1-15 [16-41] 42

2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Luke 13:22-31

As Jesus describes the people entering God's Kingdom on the last day here's what he says: "People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God." That is, people from all over the world will be there. This is Good News! Why? Because although the door is narrow, it's wide open. Although there's only one way to enter it, by being known by Jesus, that's the easy part. Here's what Paul says in his letter to the Colossians: "God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Jesus], ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. ²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--".

It's easy to be known by God, to be friends with God. Why? Because Jesus has brought us together. Our failings have been made up for. We can now stand before God as though we never did anything wrong. Not because we're without fault, but because Jesus has purified us, like getting out the Pine-Sol and washing down the bathroom walls or the toilet or getting the carpets steam cleaned.

To be Christian means being willing to not just wear a cross but to carry one. Christian living is not like stamp collecting or joining a civic society. We are called to participate in the sufferings of Christ. Being transformed by the Holy Spirit is not like floating on a pretty pink cloud. There is real evil in the world and none of us are immune to its siren song. “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” (John 12:24-25)

The door is narrow but all are welcome!