At most of our nation’s toll roads, rather than stopping at a toll-booth to toss some change in a hopper, you can now purchase a transponder, sometimes called an EZ-Pass, and zip through without even slowing down to the acceptable speed limit. 

Instead of cash, tickets and paper receipts, it’s a microchip tag placed on your windshield containing pertinent data which eases your way. Your data is quickly read by a tollbooth electronic antenna as your car zooms on through. It automatically deducts your appropriate toll tax. 

This computerized collection system then sends a monthly statement to your home with tallies of times and places for your records. EZ-Pass is like a debit card for your car, only quicker. No more stopping at the tollgate, the narrow gate.

Jesus says, “I am the narrow gate.” There’s no quick way in. There’s no shortcut. 

Sometimes it seems that everybody wants the easy way to the front of the line, a quick way to glory and fast track to success. Including James and John, the brothers Zebedee, who want front-row seats numbering two and three. 

Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and see if you can identify with their self-centeredness. These guys gave up everything to follow Jesus. They followed Jesus when nobody knew him. They followed Jesus before his miracles. 

Now that he was popular, James and John were feeling the swell of fame. After all, they were Jesus’ best friends, his disciples! So we can understand why the two of them came to Jesus with their request (Mark 10:35-45).

Thanks to David Beckett for sharing this.

Could YOU identify YOURSELF with the self-centeredness of James and John since they gave up everything to follow Jesus? 

BE SO BUSY LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS AND LOVING YOUR LIFE, THAT YOU WILL HAVE NO TIME FOR REGRET, WORRY, FEAR OR DRAMA!

Please share today’s Message with those who are under 30. Share my Podcast as well.