October 7th, 2025 Devotional

🌿 Living Water Vineyard — Tuesday Devotion

The Narrow Road: Following Jesus When It’s Hard

Matthew 7:13–14, Luke 9:23

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🕊️ Picking Up Where We Left Off

Yesterday, we talked about the two gates, two roads, two crowds, and two destinations.

Jesus makes it clear — the narrow road leads to life, but it’s not the easy road.

This road is what we call discipleship. It’s where we say “yes” to Jesus, not just once, but every single day.

It’s where we follow Him even when it’s hard, even when it costs us something, even when life doesn’t make sense.

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✝️ What the Narrow Road Really Looks Like

Jesus said in Luke 9:23,

“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

That’s not just a slogan — that’s a lifestyle.

It means we give up control, surrender pride, and keep walking when things get tough.

And let’s be honest — it’s not always easy. There are seasons where we stumble or drift.

There are days we look around and think, “Everyone else seems to have it easier… am I missing something?”

But following Jesus has always been about relationship, not perfection.

Even the greatest men and women of faith had moments where they doubted, struggled, or wanted to quit.

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🕯️ When John the Baptist Started to Wonder

Think about John the Baptist. He saw Jesus’ miracles, baptized Him, watched the heavens open, and heard the Father’s voice say, “This is My Son, whom I love.”

You’d think if anyone would never doubt, it’d be John.

But then he ends up in prison — dark, forgotten, discouraged — and he sends messengers to ask Jesus,

“Are You really the One? Or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3)

That’s honest. That’s real.

And Jesus didn’t rebuke him. He didn’t say, “John, how could you question Me after all you’ve seen?”

Instead, He sent word back: “The blind see, the lame walk, the good news is preached.”

Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said,

“Among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John.”

How good is that?

John doubted, and Jesus honored him anyway.

That’s what grace looks like on the narrow road — God doesn’t push us away when we struggle. He reminds us who we are.

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🤔 When Thomas Couldn’t Believe

Then there’s Thomas — one of Jesus’ closest friends.

After the resurrection, everyone’s talking about seeing Jesus alive again.

But Thomas says,

“Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, I won’t believe.” (John 20:25)

And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t scold him or shame him.

He shows up — just for Thomas.

He says,

“Put your finger here. See My hands. Stop doubting and believe.”

And Thomas breaks —

“My Lord and my God.”

See, Jesus didn’t disqualify him. He met him in his doubt.

And that’s the same Jesus who meets us when our faith feels thin.

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💪 For Those Who Overcome

The Book of Revelation talks about seven churches — real people, real struggles.

And every time, Jesus ends His message with the same phrase:

“To the one who overcomes…”

   •   “I will give the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

   •   “I will give them a new name.” (Revelation 2:17)

   •   “I will never blot out their name from the book of life.” (Revelation 3:5)

Overcomers aren’t perfect — they’re persistent.

They fall, but they get back up. They doubt, but they keep believing.

They stay on the narrow road even when the crowd moves in another direction.

That’s the kind of faith Jesus is building in you and me — a steady, overcoming kind of faith.

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💭 Three Questions for Us Today

1. What part of following Jesus feels hardest for me right now?

2. When I stumble or doubt, do I run from God or toward Him?

3. How can I help someone else stay on the narrow road this week?

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🙏 Let’s Pray

Jesus,

You never promised the road would be easy, but You promised You’d walk it with us.

When we stumble, lift us up.

When we doubt, remind us of who You are.

When we grow weary, breathe Your strength into us again.

Teach us to take up our cross daily — not out of duty, but out of love.

Help us keep walking the narrow way, one step at a time, until we see You face to face.

In Your name we pray,

Amen.

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🎵 Worship Song

🎶 “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” — Cody Carnes

“Rain came, wind blew,

My house was built on You.

I’m safe with You —

I’m gonna make it through.”