When you are traveling down the highway you are consistently looking at the highway signs to determine your destination. In Jesus' teaching, He speaks of a broad road that many are on, that leads to destruction. The amazing thing about this highway is that it is marked with the highway signs of "heaven," "blessings," "all roads lead to God," "Whatever is truth for you is truth," etc. But Jesus says, that the true road, the true gate, the true passage way is narrow and must be searched for and sought after to be found. "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way (passage) which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that FIND it" (the words of Jesus found in Mt. 7:14). The word "narrow" in this passage means so narrow that you must enter alone. You will bring no baggage, you will not go in groups, you must enter alone, for this is a decision that must be made by only one individual at a time.
Jesus says, "ENTER ye in at the STRAIT GATE: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat" (Mt. 7:13). In the language that the New Testament was originally written in this word ENTER is in the aorist imperative tense. This means that Jesus is asking for a definite and specific action upon those that are hearing His words. It is a COMMAND, ENTER the strait gate. Jesus is not asking them to admire the gate, or ponder and think about the gate, but to ENTER IT.
In these two verses (Mt. 7:13-14), Jesus is stating that there are 2 gates (the strait gate & the wide gate), 2 ways (the broad way & the narrow way), 2 groups (many & few), and 2 destinations (destruction & eternal life). Is it not a sobering thought that Jesus said, "Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and MANY there be which go in thereat"? The word "many" means "a large indefinite number of persons; the masses," while "few" indicates "a very small number." Have you ever considered what road you may be on? Jesus' command is to ENTER the STRAIT GATE. This is a metaphor that symbolizes Jesus as the only way to God the Father and the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus uses the same kind of speech when He says that "I am the Way" (Jn. 14:6), and "I am the door" (Jn. 10:9). This is Jesus' claim. Have you ever considered it seriously? Scripture states that there is no other person, no other name except JESUS CHRIST by which a person can be saved (Acts 4:12). To be "saved" means to make whole, to be whole, to heal, and rescue from the penalties of Divine Judgment caused by your sins. Aren't you really tired of all the heartache, pain, loneliness, fear and despair that sin and its effects have dealt you? Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, and set at liberty them that are bruised" (Lk. 4:18).
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Tract No. 3 by Don Krow
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