As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so shall you be,
Remember this and follow me.
To which, someone replied in writing on the tombstone:
To follow you I’ll not consent,
Until I know which way you went.
It has been pointed out many times that the only certainty in life are death and taxes.
This is true and there is no disputing the fact that everyone would like to do away with both.
When a person is young, the last thing in their mind is the thought of death and dying.
There is so far to go before death concerns this person.
Yet, for those who are entering their later years of life, this topic becomes a dreary reality.
However, this does not have to be the case.
We have a rich treasure of historical data about Jesus Christ: His life, teachings and His death and resurrection.
What He has done for all people has opened the door for real reconciliation with God and for the gift of everlasting life.
Jesus has not made this automatic, for reconciliation must be accepted on His terms.
Jesus warns: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)
That “only a few find it” certainly rings true if today’s attitude toward Christ is anything to go by.
Instead of “religion” being something of the heart, it can easily become a fad, a crutch, even a delusion.
I don’t say that last word lightly because a person can be opening a wide gate and be walking on a broad path and not know it.
Or, they may know it, but have chosen that way despite reading Jesus’ saying otherwise.
People often choose their own way and own path regardless of what Jesus says.
This saying of Jesus is meant for us to realise one important thing: “You can’t have your cake and eat it to”.
Reconciliation and indeed eternal life are on God’s terms.
We may complain all we like, but the message of Christ is indisputable.
If we want to know God and the gift He offers, then we either accept His conditions or we don’t.
With these hard sayings, many people left Jesus.
He asked His disciples if they wanted to leave too.
To which Peter replied: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
These people realised that the only source of life was in Jesus and despite the difficulty of accepting God’s way, they chose to walk it via the small gate and narrow road.
They had seen enough of what Jesus could do to realise that eternal life could only be possible through Him.
Yes, you’ll have to pay your taxes, but you don’t have to remain dead.
Be sure you know “which way you went”.
— Pastor David McAllan
Echuca Community Church
9°C