The wide and narrow roads

The wide and narrow roads

Scripture:

“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

Observation:

In this beautiful, picturesque lesson, the Lord gives us two images, a narrow gate leading to a narrow road, and a wide gate leading to a wide road. And the choice is given to us, to follow the wide road, or the narrow road. Most choose to follow the wide road, while only a few follow the narrow road. The wide road, though large, leads to destruction, while the narrow road, though small, leads to life. The Lord says that only a few find it, indicating that it is not easily perceived by the majority.

In today’s world population, one third profess to be Christian in some form or other, but it is difficult to estimate how many of these are regular churchgoers or simply Christians only in name rather than in practice. Even in church, majority would tend to be merely Sunday Christians, and Monday to Friday, one could hardly discern any notable difference between Christians and the rest. But just how few are the few who find the narrow gate?

In another portion of Scripture, Jesus says “I am the gate.” Therefore, the road to salvation is already narrowed to one way, through faith in Jesus Christ. Many seek alternative ways to get the Heaven, but the Scripture says that there is no other way under Heaven by which men can be saved.

In the original language, the Greek word used by Jesus indicates “strive” to enter the narrow gate, indicating that it is not easy. It is one thing to say we follow Jesus, but another to actually do it. Following Jesus means denying ourselves and taking up our cross. In the parable of the seeds, we see how easily those who hear the Word of God can be easily waylaid by the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things.

We are saved by grace, through faith, not by any works, but in following Jesus, in living by the Spirit, there is that important process of letting go of our old desires, and letting the Spirit take control. It is a struggle, an internal battle between our old man and new man, and that is why our Lord used the word “strive”.

In the book of Revelation, we see a great multitude of those who are saved. Therefore, we can see that though a few find the narrow road compared to the wide road, it is still a very large, uncountable number. As taught to us, in Hebrews, we have a great many heroes of faith who have gone on before as examples for us and they are an encouragement that we too can finish the race and join them. Therefore, we need not be discouraged.

Application:

Praise God first of all, that we have found the narrow gate, which is found by faith in Jesus Christ. Then, remember that we are to follow the narrow gate. The ways of the world and its pleasures seduce the masses but we are called to live different lives, following our Lord Jesus as our Shepherd, seeking to know His ways. We need to remember that following Jesus can be a struggle, especially within ourselves, but we have a great many witnesses who have gone before us, and they are our encouragement for us to likewise press on and finish the race set before us.

Prayer:

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for revealing the narrow gate to me, the source of my salvation which is through You. Lead me O Lord I pray, even as I walk along the narrow road. Keep me safe from harm and from temptation. Let me never wander to the wide road of destruction, no matter how tempting and attractive it may be. Praise You, Father, for the great many witnesses which have gone before, through this narrow gate and found life in You. Help me each step of the way as I walk this road of life O Lord, till I find my eternal Home in You one day. Praise You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.