Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:13 (HCSB)
Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.
Today’s Question: Isn’t it insensitive to say that trusting Jesus is the only way to be saved from sin?
Today’s Commentary:
Most people I have met are fine with the statements Jesus made about morality and justice. Non-Christians are quick to recite some of the maxims that He proclaimed. Yet, to mention the exclusive claims of Jesus about being the only way to Heaven is like running at full sprint into a concrete wall. This concept is so repulsive to our postmodern world that some even deny that Jesus made such claims.
The irony of this position is that the mission of Jesus was all about a narrow-minded teaching. Indeed, Jesus said that “no one comes to the Father, but by Me.” The words He spoke immediately preceding this statement show the ultimate exclusivity: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” For all the positive humanitarian statements that non-Christians love, these cannot be separated from the Person and narrow-minded claims of our Lord. There is only one way to heaven. If there are more, then the death of Christ on the cross was completely in vain.
Therefore, Jesus began His teaching ministry with this truth. There are only two roads in life. Every person is either on one road or the other. There are no other options and it is impossible to straddle both. A decision must be made. Those who follow Christ are being led to Heaven. Those who live for themselves are on the road to hell. Nothing could be more narrow-minded. Nothing could be more true. No truth could be more life-changing.
To leave a town or city in Jesus’ day, one would exit through a gate. The most popular roads required the widest gates. Gates were unique, making it difficult to confuse which gate led to which road or destination outside of the city. A quick visual survey of the gates of just one city, Jerusalem, shows the diversity in architecture, construction materials, and size. The unique characteristics made identification possible.
When Jesus described two gates, He left no room for confusion. Alan Carr observes, “It is impossible to take the wrong road and go to Heaven; and it is impossible to take the Heavenly road and go to Hell.”
There is one last observation I want to examine in this verse. Jesus commands the audience to “Enter…” The verb tense conveys a strong sense of urgency. This is not a decision to be delayed. No one is guaranteed one more moment on earth. You do not know what the rest of the day holds for you. The invitation of the Lord is to join Him- enter through the narrow gate. Watch your head because the opening is narrow; and get ready for the greatest of all adventures as you begin to walk with Christ.
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #51: Those who have trusted Christ for salvation have entered through the “narrow gate” and are unashamed to tell others that there is only one way to salvation- the way of following Christ.
Today’s Prayer Point: Pray for loved ones today who have chose to enter through the wide gate. Pray that these friends and family members would turn from sin and trust in Christ.
Shepherding Well 