Scripture: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, having encouraged his disciples to seek the good gifts of the Father that bring flourishing of life, Jesus transitions to an overarching principle of kingdom living that ensures the well-being of others: treat them in the same manner you desire for yourself.
Today’s reading initiates the final segment of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Here, he presents a familiar rabbinical didactic mandate for “two ways” of living. Having laid out a radically demanding way of kingdom living, Jesus now warns his audience that they must choose their life path:
- The wide, easy course that facilitates a high volume of traffic but leads to ruin
- The narrow, demanding course available to all that leads to true life, but few will take
The implication? There is no middle ground.
Takeaway: The Greek word apōleia (translated as “destruction” above) conveys “definitive destruction, not merely in the sense of the extinction of physical existence, but rather of an eternal plunge into Hades and a hopeless destiny of death” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Volume 1, p.396). This outcome may seem offensive to our sensibilities, but as theologian D.A. Carson rightly contends, we do not derive truth from a democratic process (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, p.189). Such an ill-fated approach to supposed truth leads to a society that does what is right in its own eyes (Proverbs 14:12; Judges 21:25). But, as Paul contends, only God incarnates truth. Humankind manifests lies (Romans 3:4) that, left unchecked, lead to utter destruction.
Our takeaway? Our godless society offers a tantalizing option to Jesus’ path, which promises freedom to pursue happiness as we deem right. The fallacy of this mindset is that if everyone were to abide by it, our decisions would inevitably infringe on others’ rights and privileges. Furthermore, because we live in a fallen world marred by sin and pain, suffering is unavoidable.
So, the question remains: Do we want to take the wider path that seemingly offers more freedom but just as much suffering of a different sort? Or do we want to take the path of suffering that ensures divine redemption? For when we fellowship in Christ’s suffering, we experience:
- His resurrection power (Philippians 3:8-10), which helps us persevere and overcome temptations and trials
- His abundant life (John 10:10), which gives meaning and purpose to our inevitable suffering
- Closer communion with him, our only “Gate” (John 10:7), who is our way, truth, and life (John 14:6)
Our part? It seems like a no-brainer to take the narrow path. Yet, as history proves the veracity of Jesus’ words, the vast majority of humanity has and will continue to choose what seems like the easier path, including you and me, outside of the Holy Spirit, who woos us to:
- Confess our sins
- Surrender our right to choose our way
- Submit to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work that transforms our minds and hearts to align with God’s good and pleasing will (Romans 12:2)
It’s an ongoing sanctification process of dying to our rights and rising to God’s will that keeps us steady-footed on the narrow path that leads to the only Gate that accesses the beautiful, eternal home he has prepared for us (John 14:2). Indeed, it is a glorious kingdom where there is no more sin and suffering (Revelation 21:4) and where the Father and Son are our light and joy (Revelation 21:23-26).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, who took your narrow path to Calvary, where he laid down his life to raise our lives from the path of destruction, no longer fettered by the weight of our unatoned sin. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who strengthens and guides us on our narrow path of suffering and resurrection power to the place your Son has prepared for us. So, please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit to confess our sins, surrender our rights, and align with your will over our carnal desires. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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