13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 (AMP)

Broadway

My wife and I went on a short cruise a long time ago. It was not a little decadent and we wouldn’t recommend a cruise like that. We sought entertainment in a Broadway show which started out nice with old musicals like Oahlahoma but degraded to a point where the women were wearing only bathing suits. My wife leaned over and said, now I know why it’s called Broadway for “the way is broad that leads to destruction”. 

Highway to hell

The NLT translates “way to destruction” as “the highway to hell”. In the 80’s the hard rock band, AD/DC, put this to music in their song, “I’m on a highway to hell”, and surely they were – as were you and I! Certainly Jesus is warning His listeners to seek to pass through the narrow gate.

Keeping the context

At the same time, as we study these verses, we must keep the context in mind. Yesterday, Jesus gave us the “golden rule” to treat (love) others as we would want to be loved (one of the two greatest commands). That was in the context of judging others. Now He’s teaching on the other end – rather than judging, we show mercy. We seek to understand their predicament, humbly realize that we are different only by grace, then love them as we have been, and are, loved.

Stark contrast

Such a stark contrast between the two! Two roads leading opposite ways to opposite destinations with opposite eternal ramifications. Many are headed to the wide gate and pass through that leads to eternal destruction; few decide to head upstream to the narrow gate. We also notice Jesus teaches that many enter through the gate to destruction. But when He talks about the narrow gate, He says, “few find it”. No one needs to look for the broad gate, just keep swimming downstream with everyone else. Yet the narrow gate requires seeking to find it.

RЯeflection

• Give thanks that followers of Christ are no longer on the highway to hell, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:12-14)
• Ask God to give you eyes to see those around you who are still on the highway to hell, following the broad way to eternal destruction. As we do, our heart will desire their salvation. Pray they will seek the narrow way; show them the way; be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16).