Enter through the narrow gate (East Gate)
Exodus (80) Enter through the narrow gate (East Gate)
(Ex 27:16-19)
< The blessing of life entering through the narrow gate >
There is only one entrance to the tabernacle on the east side. That's why they are called siblings. At that time, the Israelites were killed if they crossed the fence and entered the tabernacle without going through the east gate. If the fence symbolizes the law, the east gate symbolizes Jesus as the gate. Jesus said. “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and many go in by it, and the gate is narrow and stray that leads to life, and few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Why do so many people hate narrow doors? Because if you go through the narrow door, you will be locked up in a narrow place until you die, and you will live unhappily. However, the gate to believe in Jesus is only the first narrow gate. And it expands over time. The worldly door, on the other hand, seems wide at first, but narrows over time.
At a fancy bar in Gangnam, Seoul, I see beautiful women in their twenties hanging out with the elderly presidents. From the outside, they live an extravagant life that is incomparable to ordinary people. But only the present is splendid and only the present is wide. In 5 years their path will be narrow, and in 10 years it will be even narrower. On the other hand, the path of the faithful saint is narrow only at the beginning. And as time goes by, the road widens, and then the road disappears. In particular, there is no need to say, “This is a road, this is a field,” and everything becomes a road.
Some people think, “I have nothing!” However, there is not a single saint in this world who does not have gifts. Even bears have a knack for rolling around. Just as God does not send even nameless wild grass to this earth, there is no way God does not send a person to this earth without giving him some talent. Everyone has their own talents that are only given to them. When that talent shines for the glory of God, it becomes a gift.
< Don't be biased >
What does the alumni look like? The east gate was not made of wood, brass, or other hard metal, but was made of four colors of yarn: blue, purple, scarlet, and finely woven linen (white thread) (verse 16). There were also four pillars supporting the door. These four pillars and four colors are often considered symbols of the four Gospels.
The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus, who came as King like a purple thread. The Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus, who came as a servant like a scarlet thread. The Gospel of Luke emphasizes Jesus, who came as a sinless man like a white thread. The Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus, who came as the God of life like a blue thread. After all, it can be said that the East Gate is a door that well symbolizes Jesus, the King of kings, humble servant, true human being, and true God.
Why did God use the four Gospels to introduce Jesus as the door? It is because they acknowledged and considered the diversity of people. Each of the four Gospels is aimed at different audiences. The Gospel of Matthew is for the Jews, the Gospel of Mark is for the Romans, the Gospel of Luke is for the world, and the Gospel of John is for all mankind in the past, present and future. As the target audience is so different, each Gospel has slightly different core content and characteristics.
In the Gospel of Matthew for the Jews, as the genealogy came out, the Old Testament was quoted a lot and there were many teachings. The Gospel of Mark for the Romans is more about actual events and ministry than teaching. The Gospel of Luke for all people around the world is full of warm love for people from the underprivileged and marginalized areas. The Gospel of John for all mankind, transcending time and space, has been systematically reorganized so that it can be well accepted as the universal value and universal reason of mankind.
The four colors and the four pillars that make up the East Gate symbolically show that there is only one way of salvation, but the way of life is diverse. When such diversity is acknowledged, the most desirable ministry will be accomplished and the most desirable human relationships will be formed. The most important thing in church life is to recognize diversity. Each person has a different prayer style and a different service style. Anything else is not wrong. So, no matter what community you are in or what your thoughts are, be extremely careful of the extreme left or the far right. The blessing of Canaan draws closer when you take steps that do not lean to the left or to the right.