The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, Verses 13-19: 'The Overlooked Gate'
The sermon on August 2nd by Rev. Kunihiko Hirose of Ogu Christian Church was on the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, Verses 13-19, 'The Overlooked Gate'.
When you hear the words 'narrow gate,' what comes to mind? In the latter part of the Showa era, it was extremely difficult to get into a prestigious university right out of high school. Recently, due to the declining birthrate and aging population, it might be easier than before, but the ultra-competitive schools probably haven't changed much. However, the 'narrow gate' that Jesus speaks of is not about competition with others, but a gate that no one looks at or even notices.
The 'wide gate' is the gate that leads to destruction. Many people pass through it. People feel secure when they act the same as everyone else. There was a comedy sketch that said, 'If we all cross on a red light, there's nothing to be afraid of,' but in reality, it is a frightening thing. This tendency is very strong among the Japanese. People pray for success. However, when they succeed, they become arrogant. Failure teaches us our own limits. Through that, we become humble and can care for others. And then we seek God. There is no need to fail on purpose, but the gate that leads to life is narrow. Attachment to the glory of this world becomes the path to destruction.
There was a poet named Genzo Mizuno. He contracted dysentery as a child, became afflicted with cerebral palsy, and lived in seclusion deep in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. However, he was called the 'Poet of Blinking,' and he sang of joy in the midst of suffering and gratitude to God in the midst of illness.
◆ 'Oh, Sorrow'
Oh, sorrow, oh, sorrow
Thank you so much
If you had not come
If I had not been strong
What would have become of me now
Oh, sorrow, oh, sorrow
You have brought me
To a great joy
That does not exist in this world
There is an unchanging peace
At the feet of the Lord Jesus
You have brought me there
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, Verse 9, it says, 'I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.' In the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, Verse 6, it says, 'Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”' In other words, Jesus is the gate and the way. And He is the life that leads to God the Father. Yes, Jesus is indeed the 'narrow gate.' Jesus is by no means the way of life that everyone wants to have. He did not succeed in business like Bill Gates. He did not excel in sports like Shohei Ohtani. On the contrary, He was crucified and executed. In a sense, He was a loser in life, a member of the losing team. However, through His resurrection, Jesus triumphed over death. And we have been forgiven our sins and granted eternal life.
Up to verse 13, the mini-theme of the 'narrow gate' is given. From verse 15, the nuance changes to the theme of 'false prophets.' False prophets pretend to speak for God and teach falsehoods. Greedy wolves in sheep's clothing lead us to the wide gate of destruction. From verse 20, the theme is 'knowing the tree by its fruit,' but it could just as well continue as 'beware of false prophets.' Regarding the false prophets of the 21st century, there was a program on NHK that explained the habits of the human brain. According to it, when certain information is repeated, what is said begins to feel true. Television, newspapers, magazines, the internet. Various information comes in from social media and the like. There, the voices of society, the voices of celebrities, and the voices of fortune-tellers persuade us. Generally, we are led into the illusion that 'things and money are everything.' We need to think about what we are told with our own heads. You can tell by looking at the fruit of the tree. The fruit of the tree is that person's character, way of life, and the results of their teachings. Jesus is the true tree and fruit, and we should repent before Him.
