Broad or Narrow?

“Enter through the narrow gate. 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.” Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus loved to speak in couplets. He loved to speak in twos. Jesus always talked about two kingdoms – the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. He talked about two roads. He said there is a broad road that leads to destruction and a narrow road that leads to eternal life. Every time Jesus spoke in these couplets they demanded a choice.

The choice is that you are either part of God’s Kingdom or part of the world’s kingdom. You cannot be a devoted member of both. Broad road or narrow road? Pick one. And not making a choice is a choice. There is no neutral. James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Perhaps the most shocking part of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14 is His use of the words “many” and “few.” Most of us like to believe that most people have a relationship with Christ and therefore have found the narrow road. But that is not true according to Jesus. “Many” are on the wide road to destruction, while only a few have chosen the narrow road to eternal life. This truth should not evoke judgment, but rather deep sorrow and compassion. This truth should ignite a burden in those who are walking the narrow road to lovingly pursue those headed for destruction with the Gospel. This is our mission.

What road have you chosen? Are you following the crowds down the broad road to destruction, or have you responded in faith to God’s invitation to join Him on the narrow road leading to eternal life? If you have followed Jesus through the Narrow Gate, what are you doing to reach those on the other road?

Jesus, Thank You for making a way for me by Your blood to enter the narrow gate to eternal life. Please forgive me for sometimes trying to be part of the world and of Your Kingdom. I know I cannot do both. Today, I confess that I choose You, Jesus…Your Word, Your ways, Your will. Please deepen my burden for those traveling the broad road to destruction so that I will boldly reach out to them with the Gospel. In Your name I pray, Amen.