“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)

In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, he quotes Psalm 16:8-11, “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” (Acts 2:25-28) The Psalmist had hope for life in God beyond this life. In this hope, he saw one who would lead him to the paths of life. He did not see clearly how God would open the way for man to come to the path; he did, however, know the promise of God.

In Peter’s sermon, he would point the people to the way. “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36) Jesus, Himself, would tell us that He is the gate through which you must come to the pathway of life. “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9-10) Jesus would later tell His disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus would teach of a wide and a narrow gate, which would lead to a wide or a narrow road. “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) There are many ways which lead to destruction, but there is only one way to life. The way to life is through the death and resurrection of Jesus, who is the gate that provides us the pathway of life.

We are able to walk this pathway by following Jesus. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) The pathway of life is not an easy road. However, through all of it Jesus will provide what we need as we follow Him. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) Paul would say, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength. . .. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13,19)

When we have come to the path opened for us through Jesus Christ, we find that as we walk with Him daily there is His light to show us the way. This is the hope of the psalmist, the promise of the New Testament and the reality of the light, Jesus Christ. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block