John 10:7, 9

Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

Matthew 7:13-14

[Jesus said], "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

John 3:5

Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."

These passages bring to mind a trail called The Narrows, in Zion National Park in Utah. If you ever get a chance to go there, I highly recommend it. One of the unique things about Zion is that you enter at the bottom of the canyon, so rather than looking down into the canyon, you are in the canyon looking up at the steep walls and mountains around you. There are lots of fantastic trails in the park. To hike The Narrows, after walking up a one-mile paved path that follows the Virgin River, the river becomes the trail – you just hike/wade up the river with the narrow canyon walls looming several thousand feet above you on both sides.

I have read about the trail. I have seen pictures and videos of the trail. I have even been to the beginning of the trail and seen the trail, but I have never actually hiked the trail. For many of us, our experience with Jesus is like that. We go to church. We have read the Bible. We know about Jesus. But we have stayed on the bank of the river. To experience this full and eternal life that Jesus promises, you have to go through Jesus - you have to get in the water.

Thank You Lord Jesus for the truth that You are the gate – the narrow way. Please help us to have the courage to get in the water with You. Amen.

Take some time to pause and listen to what God is saying about Himself to you.

How did the truths revealed about Jesus in today’s Scripture passages encourage, comfort, or challenge you?

Luke 13:24, John 3:14-15, John 14:6