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
Jesus has been preaching a sermon to the people about living differently – counter-culturally. In His sermon, he has said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. But being these things, living that way is hard and many won’t do it.
- It’s hard to show forgiveness if a spouse has been unfaithful or you’ve gone through a nasty divorce.
- It’s hard to not be angry when a family member has dented your new car.
- It’s hard to turn the other cheek when someone has betrayed you and posted horrible things about you on social media.
The narrow way is difficult because it’s unnatural. It doesn’t seem right to love our enemies.
But God’s Kingdom is not this world’s kingdom. His Kingdom is a kingdom of grace and mercy. In fact, Jesus IS THE NARROW GATE.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
The gate isn’t the end of the journey. A new life begins when you put your faith in Jesus. Jesus offers us a warning AND an invitation, to enter through the narrow gate and to submit our lives to live as Christ followers.