Covenant Presbyterian Church

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."

-- Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:13-14

Why does Jesus say that the way to life is narrow, and found only by a few people, while the path to destruction is broad and traveled by many? Why don't more people seek the way to life? And why is the way so narrow to begin with?

As we consider these words, remember that here Jesus gives a clear command: enter the narrow gate. He does not express it as a wish or as an option, something you can take or leave as you please. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who rebuked a raging storm into quiet submission and who called the dead to return to life, this mighty Jesus demands that all listen to Him and enter the narrow gate.

If you do not call yourself a Christian, do you dare to defy Jesus' command? You think that all paths lead to God because a loving God does not turn anyone away. Realize that you and Jesus are in complete disagreement, for He has declared that only one way will lead to the joy of eternal life.

The first question we must answer is:

"Why don't more people seek the way to life?"

Life is obviously the better alternative. Jesus is speaking of eternal life, being in the kingdom of heaven where there is no fear, no disease, no crying, no pain, no evil. Why would anyone—let alone the majority of people—reject this awesome gift?

1.  Many Are Blinded By Pride. To enter the kingdom of heaven, Jesus says we must become like little children. Children are not innocent, but they are dependent, unable to take care of themselves. Because of pride, many refuse to admit their need for help, refuse to be dependent on anyone—even God—and stay on the road to destruction.

2. Many Are Overcome By Worldly Worry. In the parable of the sower, Jesus compares the worries of life and wealth to thorns which choke a young plant before it can grow and bear fruit. There are all sorts of things to take care of in life, from putting food on the table to paying the mortgage, and many worry about their daily lives but never think about eternity.

3. Many Are Content With Religion. Jesus calls the religious experts of His day hypocrites for being saintly in their actions while their hearts were far from God. A prayer, a few dollars in the plate, showing up at church; many think that God is pleased by religious activities like these, but they miss the fact that He desires humble and worshipful hearts.

4. Many Are Happy With Their Goodness. Jesus spoke with a rich young man who sincerely claimed to follow God's commands, but who walked away when given an opportunity to put that claim into practice by helping the poor. Many think they please God by the goodness of their lives, but have never considered the true demands of God's laws and the penalty for breaking them.

5. Many Are Fooled By Lies. Jesus warns against false prophets, those who claim to be His messengers but who instead tell falsehoods that lead people into darkness. Many groups pervert the Bible's teaching, and Jesus says to them and their followers "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers."

6. Many Are Afraid Of The Costs. Jesus says that anyone who follows Him will be laughed at, spat upon, roughed up, and may even be killed. For many, a quiet life of getting along with everyone sounds like a better deal, and they turn down unending glory for a few fleeting moments of comfort.

Are any of these reasons keeping you from the narrow road? Follow Christ's command, and enter the narrow gate!

The second question we must answer is:

"Why is the way narrow?"

The way is narrow because faith in Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life. The world is filled with religions of various kinds, and many thousands, even millions, of people sincerely practice them. Some of these religions seem outlandish, others have a certain pale glow of truth; none of them leads to God.

Furthermore, in our day, many people claim that no truth is absolute, no single belief applies to every person in every culture in every time of history. Today every person is free to make up a god out of his or her imagination, and who can say this is wrong?

But the Bible refuses to play this game! Jesus declares in John's Gospel that He is "The way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me." And Paul tells us that righteousness comes through faith in Christ; not simply a generic faith in 'the man upstairs', but specific faith in the work of Jesus.

A Roman soldier wanted Jesus to heal a servant, and when Jesus offered to go and fulfill this request, the man humbly refused. He knew that Jesus, as one with supreme authority, needed only to speak a word and the servant would be healed. Jesus said that the soldier showed great faith, because he knew who Jesus was, and trusted Jesus to have the love and power to show kindness. This is what God requires of you, to know Jesus and trust that He shows kindness to sinners.

This small gate and narrow road is not unloving or unfair of God. Because of human rebellion, it would be fair of God to send all of us to destruction. It is the free and undeserved gift of God to offer any way, any road at all. So, be glad for God's grace, seek God only by the narrow way of faith in Christ, unite yourself with others in a biblical church who are also on this road, and daily invite others to join you in obeying Christ's command.