Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version

“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 king of this tiny terrestrial ball invited his citizens to a wedding feast, a once-in-a-lifetime event. He made sure that everyone who wanted to attend had the opportunity. He, therefore, sent out a general invitation and ensured that everyone received the good news (Luke 14:16:17). The venue for the wedding was quite far, so people set out early to get there. Dan and Susie also began their journeys. From a distance, they saw the road forked ahead of them.

The road to the left was broad, with neon lights and beautiful skyscrapers touching the blue skies. Lining the street were bazaars, decorated windows of Department stores, bars, and casinos. Bentleys, Mercedes Benz cars, BMWs, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis, displayed the wealth of their occupants. Their elegance was unmatched. The sound of music filled the air. The best of the best of all categories of music accompanied the delighted traveler—and millions of them crowded the road. Surrounded by such glitter and shine, who cared for what was beyond the wide gate ahead?

But the road that branched to the right became narrower, extremely curved at many points, and was rocky. Few people traveled this quiet and lonesome road. The traveler has to descend into many valleys, cross many rivers, and other handicaps towards the small gate that is set on the hill far ahead of them. With cloudy skies and wild animals to frighten the traveler, many people disregard it. Some turn around and go back onto the broad road, but they miss the joy along the way—the constant presence of the eternal Son of the King by His Spirit. His warmth on the frosty nights, His protection and provision in times of need, and direction when lost are more than anybody could ask for. And O—the periodic fellowship with other travelers to encourage each other (Hebrews 10:25).

Dan and Susie reached the forked point in the way. Dan hurried towards the broad road and called Susie to come after him. She smiled and told Dan that it was the wrong road.

“The wedding is behind that narrow gate on this minor road, Dan,” Susie said.

“Listen to the music, Susie. Look at the people, all dressed up for the wedding. Look ahead and see the fireworks beyond the wide gate. I tell you, Susie, this is the right way to the banquet. Where will that narrow, bushy road lead you, but to somebody’s barn?”

“It is a personal decision, Dan,” Susie said and walked away on the narrow way. Dan shook his head and, turning onto the wide road, disappeared in the crowd on the broad road. Each of them got to the gate at the end of the road they traveled on.

To Dan’s horror, he heard a loud noise behind the wide gate – people screaming for their lives. He tried to turn back, but it was too late. He was on an escalator that moved too fast for him to run back. The gate opened, and the escalator swept Dan into a raging fireball, deep in a pit called hell (Luke 16:23).

Susie reached the narrow gate, exhausted. Before she could knock on the gate, it swung open. Angels hurried her into a beautiful dressing room. Attendants in glimmering white robes helped her into a glamorous wedding dress fit for the Lamb’s Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:11-12). Another angel ushered her onto a golden street and into an enormous banquet hall. Human words cannot describe. She was home—the Father’s mansion with a prepared suite for her for eternity (Luke 16:22; John 14:1-4).

“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Which of the two roads are you traveling on today? Is it the road that leads to life through Christ Jesus (John 14:6) or that which leads to hell, the ultimate destination for all who die without Christ?

The wise King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 10:2:

The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
    but the heart of the fool to the left.

Kate’s counsel to Dan rings true today for you. “It is a personal decision…”