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. Matthew 7:13-14
“For every snake puts off it’s signs of age by pushing through some narrow place, and gets rid of its old apparel by squeezing it off. From then on it is young again in body. So, “enter in at the straight and narrow gate,” squeeze yourself through by fasting, break yourself away from perishing, “out of the old nature with its deeds.”
Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386) in The Catechetical Lectures 3.6 (ACCS2; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005) 8.
What a great word picture of the fasting process! We squeeze off the old self like a snake removes old dead skin. What are you squeezing off this Lent? How will you be different after Lent? Talk about what you are learning with someone.
I am packing today for GTP ministry work in El Salvador, Panama, and Bolivia. God’s opened doors for training pastors and ministry administrators. I’d appreciate your prayers for safe travel for our team members and peace and protection for my wife and family back home. Thanks.