What is so Important about the Narrow Gate?

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)

Jesus spoke those words near the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. What did he mean?

There is a way to live that Jesus described; he died so that we could live in that way! He described it as a narrow way and a hard way! That is a remarkable statement.

A hard way

How is it a hard way? In our age of grace, we often emphasize grace so much that we neglect to understand how important obedience is. Paul called it the ‘obedience of faith’ (Romans 1:5, 16:26). While it is simple to be obedient – just do what God wants you to do – it is hard. There are many things that battle for your attention, not the least of which is your own desires.

In his ministry, Jesus placed a strong emphasis on faith but in his teaching he also expressed the expectation that his followers would be obedient. When Jesus called, he wanted full allegiance, unquestioned obedience. That makes the way hard.

Not only is the way hard but finding it is hard. Because of our human tendencies, we resist submission or surrender, instead relying on our own intuition and determination. We convince ourselves that the resources we need to find complete peace and fulfillment are within us. Therefore, we don’t even look for another way.

Jesus walks on the narrow way even today! He leads and guides us. He is our constant help. As we read our Bibles and pray, we find the guidance we need. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes and hearts to how we should live, what we should do and say.

We miss the narrow way when we go through the motions of a Christian life without really giving ourselves wholly to God. Remember, Jesus also said:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 (ESV)

A lifestyle

We can understand the narrow gate and the narrow way this way: the analogy of marriage. When we are married, the wedding is a great event! But the marriage is just beginning. This is an intimate relationship that grows with time. It must be nurtured and encouraged. When we are saved it is like the wedding. It is the start of a relationship.

Being saved is not a ticket to a destination (heaven) as much as it is an entry into a journey (on the narrow way). Too often we have overemphasized the event to the neglect of the relationship!

It is time to embrace the narrow gate and the narrow way as a lifestyle of following Jesus every day!

Your turn

Have you entered through the narrow gate onto the narrow way? If you haven’t, I encourage you to do so now!