Narrow Yet Wide Open

“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

 

Our flesh craves popularity.

We certainly don’t want to be the odd man out.

We search for ways to fit in and not be the outcast.

Our verses today set up a struggle for us.

Most people take the wide gate and the broad way.

It’s easy for large crowds to pass through a wide gate.

Have you ever been to a stadium or amusement park that has turnstiles?

Why are they there?

Because the turnstiles funnel the paying visitors into the event.

The turnstile gives control to better facilitate the paying customers access while keeping out the ones who might try to get in without paying.

The price for eternal life was paid through Jesus Christ.

He is the ‘gate’ through which we must pass.

It’s a narrow way that most will not take.

While it is available to all – it is far less attractive than the wide gate and broad way.

Many prefer their ‘religion’ to have mass appeal.

They reject the ‘narrow’ way as non-inclusive.

Some might even call it ‘narrow-minded’.

There’s some irony for you!

They reject a God who, even though He provided the Way, narrows down the entry point.

In doing so, they are essentially making their own way and turning away from the Truth.

The next time someone expresses frustration at your ‘narrow’ interpretation of scripture, share today’s verses with them and then challenge them with Jesus wide open invitation to “…whosoever will…”!