I reflect often on a drawing called The Narrow Way. It's of a person maneuvering herself from a cross-shaped pit. As you view the picture, you can tell this is no easy task. The soul's will must contort the body to escape the angles of the cross. I haven't seen the picture in quite a while, but it's as vivid in my mind as it was the first time I saw it. It's a reminder to me of the challenge to walk faithfully a cruciform life.
In Luke's gospel, the narrow way is a door. Responding to the question "Lord, will only a few be saved," Jesus instructs those listening to strive for this door. Many commentators note that to strive can have a sense of sport to it. That is, the word used means to "enter a contest" or even contend or fight an adversary. But it also points to a contention with danger or difficulty. That helps me understand Jesus more. At this point, religious leaders are ready to be done with Jesus. Herod wants him dead. And Jesus knows where all of this is going. But he never shies away from it. He instructs his disciples in this way, both then and now.
Jesus seemed to be illustrating what The Narrow Way picture reinforces. Many who heard Jesus trusted in their heritage and tradition to save themselves. That, it seems, was easy. Is easy. Many will try that approach to faith and trust in God. But Christ calls us to strive for the narrow way. Not to work our way to salvation. Jesus accomplished that with his cross. We follow his example, then, by contending with the challenge of living in the way of the cross, the way of obedience. And what a challenge that can be.
But the Lord promises that a life that gnarls it way through the cross will find a place to sit at the banquet in the kingdom of God.
Stay blessed...john | 
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