Matthew 7:13 - 29

If someone were to ask you to describe yourself, what would you say? What would be the first word or two?

Perhaps, as historians look back on this slice of history, they will conclude the human race was obsessed not with money, or sex, but IDENTITY.

When we examine Jesus and his teaching, his followers point out that he himself teaches he is God. The text today makes that point. His followers, (me included) highlight that as God, he has authority over all the world. We, as we should, make a big deal about it.

Perhaps, given the days that we live, we need to equally emphasize that in this text and others, he calls us to have our identity in him.

I bring this point up now because we are coming the end of one of Jesus’ greatest teaching moments: The Sermon on the Mount. In these closing remarks Jesus describes not only how he has authority over all things, but how we are to fill our ourselves, our identity with him. Let’s look at the text

In verses 13 – 14 he tells us to enter by the narrow gate. The broad gate, with its wide entrance, will lead us to a life of destruction. He says the road to life is “restricted” (WEB version), “narrow” (NIV version), and downright “hard” in the (ESV version). No matter which Bible translation you read – I think you get the idea.

Now many of us would point out that Jesus has in John’s Gospel declared himself the gate. Perhaps you don’t want to read this text that explicitly. But don’t miss the underline. He is talking about life! Let’s press on.

In verses 15 – 20 he tells us to watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. He notes we should judge teachers by the fruit of their lives. Again John’s Gospel and Jesus as the good shepherd springs to my mind. Yet here again some might say Jesus is not declaring himself God. (I would have a long discussion with you about Old Testament teaching, but again, let’s press on.)

In verses 21 – 23 you can’t escape that Jesus is saying he controls the entrance to eternal life. Note the personal dialog with people imploring him to acknowledge that he knows them, and that they have done good works in his name. He proclaims that those who did not do the will of the Father, he knows them not!

You might ask, “What is the will of the Father?” Here perhaps is a fairly succinct answer found in 1 John 3:21-24:

21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; 22 so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded. 24 He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

The will of the Father is to believe in His Son. But there is more. When we do what he directs, we are in him. He fills us with our identity.

Which leads us to the verses 24 – 27. Here again, the teaching is beautiful. The question we must ask though is what is Jesus saying? He is saying we are to not simply agree with his words, but here again, we are to do them. If we don’t—our fall will be great.

We are to be one with Jesus, just as he and father are one. 

Are you and I pursuing our identity to be found in Jesus? Are we seeking oneness? When you think of how you describe yourself, your identity, how do you describe yourself, as son or daughter of God, or some way else?