Several summers ago our cousins came for a visit. There were four big boys in their family and several children in our family as well, so it was lots of fun to be together.
The weather was hot for June, and we were making good use of our above-ground swimming pool! Almost everyone was in their swimming suits except our dads and moms. Kurt was standing on the deck of the pool, deciding if he should plunge in or get wet slowly. Daddy came up on the deck behind him and gave him a little push. In went Kurt with a yell and a big splash!
Even though it felt rather good to cool off, Kurt wanted to get back at Daddy. He turned and quickly swam back to the deck. Not wanting to get pushed in since he was fully dressed, Daddy leaped over the railing to reach the steps leading down from the deck, rather than taking the extra few seconds to open the gate to escape.
Boys and girls, are you hoping for a shortcut to heaven? There isn’t any. There is only one way to heaven — God’s way. The Bible says, “Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7:13,1413Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14). The Lord Jesus said, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).
As Daddy landed on the wet steps, his foot slipped and down he fell, shoulder first, right into the backyard fence.
Daddy was hurt! The bigger boys helped him into the house. He had knocked his shoulder out of joint and lay on the floor in terrible pain. It was hard for us children to see him in such pain and groaning.
Thinking later of how much pain Daddy felt with one shoulder out of joint made us think more about how much pain the Lord Jesus Christ must have suffered while on the cross before He died. The 22nd Psalm tells of some of His sufferings at that time. In vs. 14 it says, “All My bones are out of joint.” Yes, the Lord Jesus went to Calvary’s cross and suffered so much, and all because He loves us. He suffered first from the hand of man. Then during those last three dark hours he suffered God’s punishment against sin —your sin if you will accept Him as your Saviour. He loves you very, very much to have suffered so much.
Soon Daddy was on his way to the doctor who put his shoulder back into place. The doctor also put Daddy’s arm into a sling, which he had to use for several days. This resulted in the family vacation, that had been planned for the following week, having to be canceled. It was a disappointment not only for Daddy, but for the whole family.
But you know, the loss of a vacation can in no way compare with the loss that will be yours for all eternity if you try to take a shortcut to heaven. Shortcuts don’t work! There is only one way to heaven: “Jesus saith... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
Daddy thought his shortcut was the fastest way to escape from Kurt, but it only ended in pain and disappointment. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12).
ML-08/28/1988