Not Everyone Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven

This meditation is based on a passage for May 15, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Matthew 7:15-29

Reflection and Question: My wise friend, Rev. Jean Southard, reminds us “Not every Christian is a follower of Jesus.” Here at the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is expressing a very similar idea when he warns that not everyone who cries to Him, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Applied to our selves, this is a powerful impetus to follow Jesus, but what about our applying it to other people? If we must judge others then Jesus gives us the clue on how — by their fruits you will know them. How do you know you are a follower of Jesus?

Prayer: Jesus, our Teacher and Redeemer, remind us always that our place is not to judge — that belongs to you. Our place is to live so that we enter through the narrow gate that leads to life, to build our house on the rock and then to invite others in. Amen.