“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)
The gate, the way, the means of entrance to life is narrow.
In using the word narrow in this passage Jesus meant that the way of life is “defined clearly”. When something is narrowed down it means it is defined clearly. For instance, when a person narrows down their field of operation it means that the way and area where they do their work is clearly defined. In other words, they are not mixed up in a clutter, they are not involved in so many unrelated things, they are not confused or vague.
The way of life, the way of peace, the way of a sound mind in a healthy body, the way of happy relationships, the way of fulfilment in life is clearly defined. It doesn’t involve a lot of a mixture of things you must do to find it or walk in it.
This narrow gate and way is Jesus Himself and what He has done for us in dying and rising from the dead. Entering this narrow gate and walking on this narrow way is believing or trusting in this Jesus and what He’s already done for us.
Unfortunately, so very few people find and walk on this way for one and only one reason, they are stuck onto and won’t let go of their own ways.
Like the men who came to Jesus and asked Him “what must we do to work the works (plural) of God? Jesus answered them “this is the work (singular) of God, believe in Him (Jesus) whom He sent”
They thought they had to do a whole lot of things in order to be accepted by God. Jesus corrected them that there’s one singular work of God – depending on Jesus.
The gate, the way to destruction, frustration, stress, failure, lack, disappointment, emptiness is wide. To be wide or broad also means to be vague, all over the place, involved in so many things.
When we throw and spread ourselves too thin into so many things where we strive and struggle in our own human wisdom and strength thinking that’s what will help or get us ahead, we are headed on the wide road that leads to gloom and doom.
In Luke 10:38-42, this is where Martha was, worried and troubled about many things. This is the wide gate and broad way where multitudes are stranded. The Lord pointed out to Martha that her sister Mary had chosen the best part that would not be taken away from her which was listening to and which leads to trusting Jesus. This is the narrow gate and way which few find.
Choose the narrow, clearly defined way that leads to life. Today choose to depend on Him, His wisdom, strength, and help.