The Great Crossroad

The entire audience is hushed, waiting for the bride to respond. The groom can see she is overcome with emotion and can’t possibly say a thing. However, all will wait until she finally chokes down the tears and mumbles some semblance of those two words that will change her life forever. When “I do” is finally uttered, the ceremony continues, and thus life goes on. Eternal life, like marriage, requires a firm and definite decision.

Jesus poses a profound choice to us at this point in the Great Sermon. Will you reach for heaven on God’s terms or by your own efforts? Will you follow the way of Cain or Abel? Will you be the man that builds his house on the sand or on the rock? Will you rely on the tenets of religious customs, or will you come humbly before God seeking forgiveness?

The Master Teacher always explains things in the simplest of terms and in just a few words. He makes the choice clear. The super-highway has big on-ramps, lots of lanes, exciting billboards, and plenty of other travelers that collectively convince each other they are headed in the right direction. The footpath is narrow, often lonely, and at times treacherous. Christ makes it clear: the super-highway is a road that dead-ends, and it is only the footpath that leads to higher ground. The narrow way has one Gatekeeper, and He alone determines who is allowed to travel.

I once got the wrong set of directions (don’t trust computers). The scenery was great, the driving was easy, and I made good time. However, instead of being at the university’s main campus, I arrived at a branch facility in another town. The wrong destination was determined hours before because I got on the wrong road. Jesus challenges us here with one very important question: what road are you on?

Reflective Questions

1. Jesus identified Himself as “the Way” in John 14:6. Why do most ignore Christ and choose to follow the wide road that leads to destruction?
2. It’s haunting to think that some read, believe, and repeat the wrong directions to others. What can we do to convince a skeptical world that there is only one true road to heaven?
3. In these verses, it’s easy to see us as “living signs” pointing to Jesus, the Gatekeeper. Consider ways that you can enhance or illuminate your “sign” to others.

Memory Verse

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:13 (NKJV)

Prayer

Dear God, thank You that I can trust that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am thankful that Your way is always the right way, even if it is not the easiest way. Help me to always stay on the narrow path, even when it gets difficult.

Related Scriptures

John 14:6; Luke 13:24–25; Proverbs 16:25; John 10:9; Galatians 5:24; Matthew 22:14; Romans 12:2; Mark 8:34