Look for the Narrow Gate

Toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount, after teaching the crowds what a godly life looks like, Jesus told them “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” The narrow gate he spoke of is Jesus Himself. He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

Being a disciple of Jesus doesn’t mean we merely walk through the gate, stop, and wait until He calls us home. We also must follow Him down the road that leads to life, and it’s a difficult road. Take a few minutes to re-read Matthew chapters 5-7. This is how Jesus is calling us to live. It feels impossible! And apart from Jesus, it is.

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit because you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:4-5.) As we abide in Jesus, and live by His Spirit, our Father will cut off every branch in our lives that doesn’t produce fruit. Even the fruitful branches He will prune for a greater harvest.

In your life do you see the fruit of the Spirit in ever-increasing measure?

For the one who is in Christ, these words bring comfort. He’s sanctifying us and conforming us to His image. While the road is hard, and the pruning painful, it leads to spiritual abundance.

For the one who is masquerading, Jesus’ words should bring sorrow leading to repentance, and serve as a warning to the rest of us. “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit…a bad tree produces bad fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

A false prophet will tell you what you want to hear and give you a way off the hard path of obedience by presuming upon God’s love and grace. They will lead you right through the wide gate and straight to the broad road that leads to destruction. We must be on our guard against them by knowing the Word of God, letting it dwell richly within us, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, submitting ourselves to it.

Jesus told the crowd that had gathered to hear him that day, “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Have you found the gate? Will you follow Jesus on even the hardest road? Who will you invite to join you on the path to eternal life? The road isn't easy, but the journey is worth it. 

Natalie