Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

“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.

For Meditation

The drive to our village outreach church is a very interesting one. From the main highway, the road is paved until Ndaiganio, the commune center. From that point on, the road is dusty and winding, and that’s when the problem begins; for one could easily get lost. About three alternate paths present themselves to the traveler, and many have badly lost their way. The right pathway forks at many points, and that could be confusing. Because it’s like a desert drive, the horse wagons, their main means of transportation, marks the path it takes, and one could easily follow the freshly marked path and get lost. It took several trips for me to master and pick my way safely to the village. Now, I can travel in the night and still find my way there.

In Mathew 7:13-14, Jesus talks about two gates and two roads. It mirrors a traveler who sees these two gates from afar. One is wide and the road that leads to it is broad (13), but the other gate is small, and the only road that leads to it is narrow (14). The broad road has a shine and glitter, and many enticing and interesting prospects that many people like. There are sound philosophies and arguments to convince, and entertainment to make it fun to travel on. That is the Broadway of life that many are traveling on. Unfortunately, it leads to death.

The narrow road, however, presents a difficult terrain and many handicaps to overcome. Consequently, few people have chosen to travel on it (Matt. 7:14). The call to the narrow road is the message of the cross, which is “foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). Jesus emphatically made this clear when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6). There is no argument about that.

1. Which of the two gates seems enticing to you?
2. Have you considered what is behind each gate?
3. Which of the two roads is attractive to you, and which one are you traveling on?
4. Have you considered your destination? Are you sure about it, or you want to get there before finding out?
5. Don’t you think it will be too late for you then? Why then don’t you choose the firm road and its assured destination (Jn. 3:16; 1:12-13; 14:6)?

I pray you will know that Jesus is the narrow gate that opens into heaven (10:9), but that the broad gate is the gate of hell (Matt. 7:13).

So: May you put aside every argument and worldly philosophy, and come to Jesus; and may you find His Presence on the narrow road, comforting and assuring, as His Spirit guides and strengthens you along the way.

The Broadway of life leads directly to Hell. You are wise to avoid it.

Shalom