Devotional: Bargain Shopping Matthew 7:13-14

My uncle, Raymond, my mom’s brother gave me some advice while shopping. He noticed that I made the choice to buy the first pair of shoes and other clothing items that I saw and liked. Uncle Raymond tells me that I should not buy the first item that I see and like. He says, “Shop around.” He further explains, you might find something you like better somewhere else. You may be able to find what you like at a cheaper price in another store.

Now there is a difference between window shopping and bargain shopping. Window shopping is simply walking past stores looking into the displays in the stores window just to see what they have. After looking at the displays you continue on your journey. Bargain shopping is going inside the store to investigate the items more closely. You also take notice of the price. You move on the next store and repeat the procedure. You are comparing what you find in one store with what you find in other stores. Finally, you decide what you will purchase. You determine that you are getting the best buy for your dollars.

In our scripture passage Jesus is preaching His Sermon on the Mountain. In this sermon Jesus is giving the people various reasons that they should choose to live in the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells them that He is offering them a better life than the life that the religious leaders have approved. Jesus says that His store, the kingdom of heaven, has a better bargain. When Matthew writes his gospel the people have been exposed to the Law of Moses, the teaching of the scribes and elders of the people. The Pharisees have rules for every area of a person’s life. The Sadducees are in charge of the temple and the worship services. Jesus says that He has a better bargain. In the Sermon on the Mountain Jesus describes the life in the Kingdom of God to the life that the people know.

When Matthew writes his Gospel he writes so that people of every ethnic group, tribe, and tongue can compare the life that they are living to life in the Kingdom of God. The people can now compare all the religions and philosophies to the religion of Jesus Christ. Everyone can decide for themselves which is the best bargain.

Jesus tells us that people are searching for the best bargain. He says that most people are like me. They hear and see something that they like in a religion and they buy into that life. The life that they choose is like a wide gate that is easily seen. Those that enter through the wide gate travel the broad road that leads to destruction. On the other hand, only a few people discover the narrow gate and choose to enter through it. The narrow gate allows entrance to a narrow road. Those that enter the narrow gate come to know the teaching of Jesus and His offer of salvation that includes forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. Therefore enter into the narrow gate because although if we judge by outward appearance it is a good buy. Instead of purchasing the wide gate and broad road we should continue bargain shopping until we find the narrow gate and narrow way that leads to life in the presence of God.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you that through Your Son Jesus we have been given access to the narrow gate that leads to eternal life with You. Amen.