Missing The Exit

As we go through the Sermon on the Mount, it is interesting to see how Jesus was teaching.  In chapter 5, he a group of areas which would result in blessing, in effect laying a foundation for what he would be teaching.  He  then addressed the various areas, laying out some basic principles about them, almost like a person building a log cabin, laying one log on each wall, then coming back around and laying on another log when the other walls are ready to support it, so that every teaching is firmly connected to those around them.  In Matthew 7:7-12, He returns to the subject of prayer. 

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:7-12)

In the earlier discussion, he had stressed that prayer was not to be used to show off our spirituality, nor were we to think that God only listened if we shouted longer and louder than other people.  He said if we would just ask we would receive and that if we would make the effort, we would learn.   Just as a loving human father would see that his children had what they needed, a loving God can be expected to meet our needs.  By treating others properly and showing concern for them, we can demonstrate our faith in God to provide for us.  God wants to supply our needs, so we do not need to beg for his blessings, nor do we need to feel guilty for having what he gives us.  God gave it to us to enjoy, and we can share without giving away everything we have. 

Human nature seems always to go to the extremes, either focused on getting everything for themselves, or impoverishing themselves, being ultra-conservative, or ultra-liberal.  Neither extreme is good.  Matthew 7:13-14 tells us, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” 

Thousands of people drive down our interstate highways on vacation, going someplace like Las Vegas to have fun.  Along the way are hundreds of small exits leading to fascinating places, but most people are too focused on the traffic around them and which lane they need to be in to even notice the exits.  As a result they miss some of the most spectacular scenery and experiences, preferring to stay on the interstate.   Similarly, to experience life to the fullest is going to require turning off the path everyone else is taking and following a less popular way of life.   While we are arguing which lane we should be in, over such issues as which denomination or political party we should join, we miss the road that leads to eternal life.   We may get to Disney land or some other amusement park, but miss many things that would be far more enjoyable because we were unwilling to take the narrower and slower roads.  Sadly, many people are so focused on what they are doing they are unaware that they have missed anything and end up settling for far less than they could have enjoyed.   It really doesn’t matter whether you are in the right lane or the left lane if you miss the exit.