Choosing Between Two Gates - 09/24/2023

Most people do not like having only two choices about anything. When it comes to one’s lifestyle, Jesus says there are only two options, two gates from which to choose. He encourages His listeners to choose the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13, 14).

Wanting His listeners to make an informed decision about what lifestyle they will choose, Jesus tells them the two choices and the respective consequences. The listener must decide his own lifestyle.

In describing the “wide” gate, the “broad” way, Jesus says it “leads to destruction, and there will be many who enter through it.” In describing the “small” gate, the “narrow” way, He says it “leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Again, there are only two choices; destruction and life.

One of the things to consider about these two choices is that they represent one’s eternal destination. The wide gate, the broad way, leads to destruction. When we see that the small gate, the narrow way, leads to life, we must conclude that the destruction means “death.” In other places Jesus will teach that this “destruction” is an eternal, total separation from God.

One of the disturbing things about this passage is that Jesus says “many” will travel through the “wide” gate” and along the “broad” way. He seems to be indicating that the majority of the people will suffer this destruction.

Why might this be? Why are the majority of people not going to choose the “small gate” and “narrow way” that will lead to life?

Jesus indicates that the “small gate,” the “narrow way,” is the way He wants His followers to travel. However, when one considers the things Jesus has mentioned in this sermon, and the difficulty it will be to do these things, it is understandable why most people would not want to live this type of lifestyle.

What is so sad about following the “broad way” is not only the eternal consequences but the rejection of a better lifestyle today. The things Jesus has mentioned, as difficult as they may be to do, will lead to a lifestyle that is approved by God; the lifestyle God wants for everyone.

Jesus allows the individual to choose the lifestyle they want to live. He allows the individual to choose their eternal destiny by letting them choose the gate they will enter.

As hard as it may be for us to accept, Jesus says there are only two choices. His disciples will follow His recommendation by entering into the “small gate” and having the lifestyle of walking the “narrow way.” By doing so, and by following the way that leads to life, they will be living God’s way. - cgm

Scriptural quotations from the NASB1995.