Matthew 7:13-14
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. – Matthew 7:13
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Matthew 7 is the concluding section of the Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, the Lord Jesus uses a series of contrasts, two gates, two trees, two foundations, to call people to make a decision. In today’s passage, let us revisit the invitation the Lord Jesus once gave His disciples. In your daily life, will you choose the wide gate or the narrow gate?
The Narrow Gate, the Way to Life The “narrow gate” represents the only way into the kingdom of heaven, and that is the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus states clearly in John’s Gospel that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). To enter the narrow gate, then, is to choose to follow Jesus, to walk the road He walked, the road of the cross, the road of giving up ourselves (Luke 9:23). This means that those who walk the narrow road must walk in complete submission to Christ. Through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within us, disciples are called to continually lay down themselves, to keep repenting and turning back, until Christ fully reigns in our lives.
The Wide Gate, the Way to Destruction The “wide gate” represents the road that seems easy, the road where we can do as we please. It caters to human nature. It asks for no repentance and no submission. Many choose this road because it looks freer and more enjoyable, never realising that it ends in destruction.
The journey of life is a constant choosing between these two gates, and every choice we make shapes our eternal destination.
The writer of Psalm 73 reminds us that the journey of life should not be judged by appearances alone. We must look to the end. It was only when the psalmist entered the sanctuary of God and considered their final end that he understood. Those who choose the wide gate and walk the wide road are, in fact, walking on slippery ground, and their end is destruction (Psalm 73:15-20).
Though the road to the kingdom of heaven is a narrow gate, a narrow road, and few find it, it is the road that leads to eternal life. It is the road that truly brings blessing to our lives. Today, the Lord Jesus has already walked that road to its end. He came into the world to show us the way to life. Perhaps you feel the road is hard to walk, perhaps the going feels heavy, but the Lord Jesus has promised that He will not place on you a burden you cannot carry. He has already walked this road ahead of us. If we are willing to take that step of faith, we can, by the strength He gives us, walk on the road that pleases Him, the road that leads to life and eternal life.
Reflection:
“Choosing” does not happen only at life’s major turning points. It happens every day. What kind of “gate” is set before me today? And how will I choose?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing to become flesh and dwell among us, teaching us and giving us an example, so that we would know that though the road to the kingdom of heaven is narrow, it is the road that leads to eternal life. Lord, help us, when we make our choices, not to look only at the blessing before our eyes, but to consider our eternal end. Let us hold fast to our direction and our goal, never straying from Your way throughout our lives. Keep us walking steadily on that road which leads to life. In the precious name of the Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
Matthew 7 is the concluding section of the Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, the Lord Jesus uses a series of contrasts, two gates, two trees, two foundations, to call people to make a decision. In today’s passage, let us revisit the invitation the Lord Jesus once gave His disciples. In your daily life, will you choose the wide gate or the narrow gate?
The Narrow Gate, the Way to Life The “narrow gate” represents the only way into the kingdom of heaven, and that is the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus states clearly in John’s Gospel that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). To enter the narrow gate, then, is to choose to follow Jesus, to walk the road He walked, the road of the cross, the road of giving up ourselves (Luke 9:23). This means that those who walk the narrow road must walk in complete submission to Christ. Through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within us, disciples are called to continually lay down themselves, to keep repenting and turning back, until Christ fully reigns in our lives.
The Wide Gate, the Way to Destruction The “wide gate” represents the road that seems easy, the road where we can do as we please. It caters to human nature. It asks for no repentance and no submission. Many choose this road because it looks freer and more enjoyable, never realising that it ends in destruction.
The journey of life is a constant choosing between these two gates, and every choice we make shapes our eternal destination.
The writer of Psalm 73 reminds us that the journey of life should not be judged by appearances alone. We must look to the end. It was only when the psalmist entered the sanctuary of God and considered their final end that he understood. Those who choose the wide gate and walk the wide road are, in fact, walking on slippery ground, and their end is destruction (Psalm 73:15-20).
Though the road to the kingdom of heaven is a narrow gate, a narrow road, and few find it, it is the road that leads to eternal life. It is the road that truly brings blessing to our lives. Today, the Lord Jesus has already walked that road to its end. He came into the world to show us the way to life. Perhaps you feel the road is hard to walk, perhaps the going feels heavy, but the Lord Jesus has promised that He will not place on you a burden you cannot carry. He has already walked this road ahead of us. If we are willing to take that step of faith, we can, by the strength He gives us, walk on the road that pleases Him, the road that leads to life and eternal life.
Reflection:
“Choosing” does not happen only at life’s major turning points. It happens every day. What kind of “gate” is set before me today? And how will I choose?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing to become flesh and dwell among us, teaching us and giving us an example, so that we would know that though the road to the kingdom of heaven is narrow, it is the road that leads to eternal life. Lord, help us, when we make our choices, not to look only at the blessing before our eyes, but to consider our eternal end. Let us hold fast to our direction and our goal, never straying from Your way throughout our lives. Keep us walking steadily on that road which leads to life. In the precious name of the Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.