Narrow Way with Steve Phillips Come
Passive observers are not followers. They recline on padded sofas with remote control devices, clicking whatever they fancy to come to them. But they do not move, lost as they are in their lethargy.
True Christians are not static and stagnant. They have arisen and Come, for they have realized that they are not where they ought to be. “Come,” if heeded, necessitates movement: departing from one locale to arrive at another. And there, one will see and hear things otherwise unknown while lounging in sloth.
“Come and follow Me!” –Matthew 19:21 regularly reechoes from the lips of Christ to all would-be disciples. Arise you must, for Christ is moving along a narrow way and His followers are just that: followers. They must trek upon His path and move in concert with Him if they will arrive safely at last.
But following requires sober reflection and not emotional froth. “I will follow You wherever You go!” –Luke 9:57 spills from the lips of multitudes of effervescent enthusiasts. But where is it He is going?
He is not traveling to a land of entitlement, luxury, and ease. No, His narrow way is roughhewn. No soft haven awaits the journey’s end. Foxes and birds are better suited than He. He is going to a cross.
Come! In the fervency of self-confidence the heart hastily gushes that where Christ traverses, I as well will go! Yet how far shall you walk with pierced feet? Christ must ascend Golgotha’s skull: and you?
Forsaken, scorned by foe and friend is His path: the lash and thorn, a cross, the grave. Choose His way?
“If anyone wishes to Come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me!” -Luke 9:23. Mocking, humiliation, and disdain await you if you Come. A burning pit and gnawing worm await you if you do not. Which will it be? Will you arise or recline? Christ is moving: Come!
Should you choose to abandon Self and embrace the Lord Jesus, you will not move alone; you will become linked to Christ. “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart and you shall find rest for your souls” –Matthew 11:28,29. But reflect soberly before you bend your neck to that yoke.
For that yoke is a double-yoke; you and Christ are now joined. Where He goes, you go. You do not determine that. His steps you must tread without veering to the right of left. He does only the will of His Father and now you must do the same. There is no turning back once your neck is harnessed.
But the advantage is that you will find rest for your soul. That commodity is available nowhere else. And as you walk side by side, you learn Christ. And what you learn is meekness, for that is what He is.
Meekness is that disposition of heart that takes all as from a Father’s hand without complaint or refusal: even the evils permitted to encounter you by the design of wicked men. It is the opposite of lawless self-assertion. That will be your life-long lesson should you Come. But you will not face these alone: No.
You are yoked to Christ; what assails you, assails Him. He provides the grace and power to endure the contradiction of sinners mounted against you. “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” –Matthew 11:30. Even trials are easy and light because He carries the load and bears the brunt. You simply walk.
And in the parched wasteland of this drought stricken desert-world, there is a blessed oasis awaiting all who Come. “Jesus cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him Come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “From His innermost being will flow rivers of living water:’”” –John 7:37,38.
Living water flows from Christ to everyone who Comes. He is the unfailing source of continual sustaining refreshment as the relentless rays of this world’s scorching blaze beat upon sweating brows.
And to all who long to know Him, to dwell with Him, to repose in His house, the invitation abides: “Come and see!” –John 1:39. Yes, the Lord Jesus welcomes seekers, sincere souls who long to arise and follow. He invites all such to join Him, to know Him, and to love Him. His heart and house are open.
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who is thirsty Come; let the one who wishes it, take the water of life free of charge” –Revelation 22:17.
“Come, you blessed of My Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” –Matthew 25:34. But, “you are unwilling to Come to Me so that you may have life” –John 5:40.