The Narrow Way

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matthew 7:13-14

When I read these words, it's as if Jesus were speaking them today in our hometowns. His response to those who claim all religions lead to God is, "That is the wide gate. Don't go there." To those who say they don't need Christ, that they can get to heaven through their own goodness, Jesus says, "That is the broad way that leads to destruction." Unfortunately, many have chosen that wide gate and wide path, and many more will choose it. The wide gate is attractive. It leaves ample room for pride and self-indulgence, for gods of all sorts, for belief in anything, or belief in nothing at all. Everything that keeps one from receiving Christ can be taken along on the broad road. But entering through the small gate and taking the narrow path -- the way of the cross -- is another matter. We've got to drop our bag of self pride, and forget about taking along our basket of good deeds. They won't fit through the opening. In fact, metaphorically speaking, we've got to strip down to nothing to enter the narrow gate. Take off our own righteousness and put on the righteousness of Christ.  Jesus stands at the narrow gate and calls us to come. He says,"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

"It bothers a lot of people that Jesus is the only way. If you're trapped in a burning building and a firefighter risks his life to bring you out, you probably won't say, 'Hey, wait, you mean there's only one way out of here?' No, you grab that rescuer and you say, 'Thank God there is a way out.'" -- Ron Hutchcraft