Two Gates and Two Paths

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13–14).

Towards the end of His Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives his listeners two gates (or doors), and two ways that they can enter. The choice is laid out before his audience, and they are to choose which gate to walk through.

The two gates lead to two ways. The gate that is wide leads to the way that is broad. The gate that is narrow, which is small, leads to the way that is narrow.

The Wide Gate

“For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (v. 13)

Jesus gives the details of the wide gate:

  • The wide gate is wide
  • The wide gate is easy
  • The wide gate is found by many
  • The wide gate leads to destruction

The Wide Gate is Wide

Unlike the narrow gate, this is a wide gate. Jesus said “many” enter into it. The masses fit through the wide gate. The many include pagans, atheists, humanists, the unrighteous, the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. Paul would say, “such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

The wide gate and the broad way are filled with peer pressured friends, and the easily influenced. It is filled with those who bow to social coercion, who would rather fold under pressure than stand out for righteousness. The wide gate is filled with “shouldas,” “couldas,” and “wouldas.” The gate is packed with the procrastinators, youthful loafers, excuse givers and finger pointers.

The Wide Gate is Easy

The wide gate is easy too. It is the attractive route. The wide gate is inclusive, tolerant, and permissive. It loved by the self-oriented and the self-indulgent. The lovers of self more than lovers of God enter through the wide gate. Those who love to have their ears tickled with the false doctrine of man’s goodness will have full access to the wide gate.

The wide gate has no laws, rules, principles, precepts or commandments. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes (Jud. 21:25). It is the way that seems right unto man but its end leads to death (Pro. 14:12). It’s the gate where sin is tolerated and righteousness is repudiated.

The Wide Gate is Found by Many

Where are the crowds, and the masses found? At the wide gate. Where are the popular, fashionable, celebrated, and the mainstream located? On the wide path. Those who enter in the wide gate go in by the mobs. The easy route is always more desirable to the hordes. Jesus said “many” find the wide gate. What a sad reality that many will be led astray by self-deception, seduction, feelings, and sin.

The Wide Gate Leads to Destruction

Unfortunately the wide gate leads to the broad path that ends in destruction. This does not just mean extinction or annihilation. Rather is means total ruin and loss in this life as well. It is not just the complete loss of being, but the destruction of well-being. The literal definition of the Greek word for destruction means the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists.

It is the destination of the evil, wicked, ungodly and all sinners. Its the destination of perdition, hell and everlasting torment. Jesus did not mince His words when describing the wide gate and broad path.

The Narrow Gate

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Jesus contrasts the wide gate and broad path with the narrow gate and the narrow path.

The narrow way is not so much a what as it is a who: Jesus Christ. It’s not so much a path as much as it is a person: Jesus Christ. Jesus said that he was the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one could come unto the Father except through Him (Jn. 14:6). It was also the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the Door” (Jn. 10:9-16). And it was Jesus who said that we should “enter by the narrow gate” (Mt. 7:13a). In essence Jesus was pointing to Himself as the way to eternal life.

  • The narrow gate is narrow
  • The narrow gate is hard
  • The narrow gate is only found by a few
  • The narrow gate leads to life

The Narrow Gate is Narrow

The narrow gate is small, restricted, compressed and cramped. The root word in the Greek means “to groan.” The narrow gate can only be entered individually and not by groups. You must make the decision on your own. You cannot enter in through by hanging onto the coattails of someone else, you cannot sneak in, or follow the leading of the crowd.

The Jews believed they would be saved as a nation because they were racially and genetically connected to Abraham (Jn. 8:39). But Jesus told of a salvation that each individual must be born again of the water and the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-15). You will not be saved because someone else in your family was saved. Just because your parents and grandparents came to faith in Jesus Christ, that does not make you an heir of salvation. God does not have grandchildren, He only has children who have been adopted by Christ and born again.

The Narrow Gate is Hard

The narrow gate is hard because:

  • Its not popular, fashionable, or trendy.
  • Its the path of self-denial and the cross.
  • Its the path of sacrifice.
  • Its the path of the cross.
  • Its the path of separation.
  • Its the path of holiness, godliness and righteousness.
  • Its the path of repentance.
  • Its the path of walking in the spirit and not in the flesh.
  • Its the path of loving God, your neighbor, and enemies.

The Narrow Gate is Only Found by a Few

Believers are not few in number because the gate is too narrow, or too small to accommodate more. There is no limit to God’s love and mercy. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes may have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). It’s not God’s will that any should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Pt. 3:9). The renowned American evangelist, DL Moody, wrote, “The elect are the whosoever wills and the non-elect are the whosoever won’t.”

The Narrow Gate Leads to Life

Jesus emphasized that He was the Life (Jn. 14:6). This narrow way through Jesus Christ you will find everlasting life. The narrow gate and the narrow path promises hope, joy, peace, happiness and satisfaction. It is a quality of life that is only found in Jesus Christ.

  • Its peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7)
  • Its joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pt. 1:8)
  • Its rejoicing in the midst of sorrow (Phil. 2:28)
  • Its love within a community of believers (1 Jn. 3:16)
  • Its hope beyond tomorrow (1 Cor. 15:19)
  • Its gladness (Ps. 45:7)

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, which gate and which path will you choose? This is not a guessing game wondering what lies behind each door. Jesus made it clear: one gate leads to destruction, the other leads to life. Which will you choose?

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