Two Ways
“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
Moving towards the conclusion of His sermon, Jesus lays a series of stark choices before His listeners. They have heard Him explain the way of the Lord, how the Law has to be written on their hearts, and how their obedience has to be a conscious act of will, a decision to put God first. But they have also heard about another way, in which self comes before the Savior, and where the Kingdom is mocked by crowing cant or vainglorious hypocrisy. Given these two alternatives, Christ’s listeners must decide.
The first choice is between a small gate and a narrow way that leads to life, and a wide gate and a broad way that leads to destruction. Jesus makes it clear that the two ways do not lead to the same destination. The narrow way, which few choose, is marked by the values of the Kingdom. Those who walk in it are not consumed by the passions and temptations of the earth, though they feel them; instead, they are serious about accepting God’s authority in every part of their life.[1] They know what it means to be able to call God “Father,” and they live in obedience as His children.[2] They do not have an inflated opinion of themselves; they know that they are sinners saved by grace. But they do have a large vision of the God who has called them and made them His own.
On the other hand, the broad way is chosen by many. Some deliberately reject the Gospel, choosing to trust in some other way, or simply in themselves. Many others follow the wider path simply because so many have gone that way. They never take the trouble to examine the claims of Christ; they prefer to remain in an ignorant state that demands little of them, not realizing that this is the way that leads to destruction.
This is a choice that many people, even some Christians, prefer not to have to acknowledge. We tell ourselves that we must not judge, or that God loves everyone so much that He would not let anyone fall. But Jesus tells us otherwise.[3]
God of the narrow way,
Do not let me be narrow in my care for others.
Do not let me be judgmental or aloof.
Instead, let my love be expansive and welcoming,
just like Yours.
Yet, do not let me ignore the cutting edge of Your Word,
or the challenge to decide.
Then, let me choose the narrow way.
Amen.
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