The Narrow Way

Gates like turnstiles and the one shown in this photo allow only one person at a time to pass through. I don’t know what kind of gate Jesus was talking about when He said this, but it could have been such a gate.

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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

This narrow gate represents the entrance to eternal life through faith in Christ. It is called narrow for it is not easily entered, but also entered one at a time. New life and faith do not happen in batches or to entire groups. God works with individuals.

The gate is narrow because it is a difficult gate that goes against natural inclination. It seems more logical that to please God we must do something, even many somethings that are good. Many also follow the path of ease and self-indulgence which ends in destruction. Few are concerned with eternal matters and willing to take the way that leads to it at whatever cost.

This one way, the narrow way, offends many people, but the King lays down the law of the kingdom; we do not. One of my commentaries says that “its very first step involves a revolution in all our purposes and plans for life, and a surrender of all that is dear to natural inclination” and then “all that follows is but a repetition of the first great act of self-sacrifice.”

No wonder that few find and few are found in it, yet where else would I want to be? This choice, this narrow way leads to life and is life itself. It is here that I want to walk.