Building On The RockSample

  

The Narrow Gate 

Jesus had a way of using the things around Him to illustrate the points He wanted to make. He would point to a flock of sheep or a grapevine or a loaf of bread and make them images of eternal truth. As He was beginning to wrap up His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, He possibly spied a narrow gate in a wall, and it became one of His most vivid images.

With His words He painted the image like this: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus did not hesitate to make radical claims—for example, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The whole gospel hangs on statements like this, and here is the issue: Jesus is the unique Son of the only true God and came to earth to save us from our sin, or He is only an imposter who made absurd claims. But every part of His life points in only one direction: He is really who He says He is.

The gate and the road that lead to life are both narrow. A wide gate and a broad road lead in the opposite direction. Jesus’ point seems simple and clear, as He explains: The narrow way represents the fact that few people find it, and the broad way stands open to the many who don’t find the narrow way. His point is not that the narrow way is difficult (although it may be); it is that the narrow way is the way taken by a few. Many may try (Luke 13:24), but few actually enter.

Don’t be frustrated by a lack of response when you are spreading the Word. It will meet with different responses, but some will accept it and enter the narrow gate. Some will join you on the narrow way. Trust the Lord for that.

Prayer: Lord, make me a faithful witness to Your truth whether I am trying to lead people to the gate or encouraging them along the way. Let me be faithful and trust You for the results.