Have you ever noticed how difficult it is for a person who is overweight to pass through barriers? What about the discomfort when sharing a seat on a plane, train or bus? It’s obviously an embarrassing situation for both. The one who is overweight squeezes himself in as far as he can, in order not to disturb the person sitting next to him—who in turn, can’t do anything but grin and bear it until the end of the journey. Either way, it’s sad to see people in trouble.

It makes me think of the narrow gate to heaven. It’s wide enough to let just one person in. You won’t go through if you’re carrying your son in your arms. The door is extremely narrow, blocking people who are spiritually overweight to get in. Although there are no barriers, the ones overweight with pride will be left outside. They won’t be able to complain or be upset about it, after all, they had plenty of time to exercise their faith and burn off that pride and hypocrisy. But they didn’t want to. Instead, they preferred to keep up appearances. Deep inside, they were aware of the risks of eternal death if they were not humble like a child.

Pride is the deadliest disease that can affect our spiritual body. To believe that we are better or more spiritual than others is a clear sign that our faith is bankrupt.

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said,

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-3)