Gates and Roads

Gates serve a definitive purpose. They give us access to areas we desire and at the same time they can also keep us safe from items that could do us harm. Jesus uses these symbols to teach. I'm thankful due to its relatability. We see an immediate instruction to enter through the narrow gate and as you think about this simple command, think about how the smaller the gate, the harder it can be to find it at times.

The language then shifts to a massive gate that opens to the widest of roads. As I began to reflect on this I envisioned the largest interstate system I've traveled -- 10 lanes each way – which allowed for tons of room to move around and make my own decisions. The tricky part with a road that wide there is ample opportunity to make choices, and with that freedom comes the ultimate reality that not all the decisions made are wise – as you may have experienced on the road recently, mistakes can occur.

I found it interesting that Jesus is warning about the wide road and His guidance in regards to that scenario is to shift to the narrow way – the first time I read this I had an immediate reflection as to how that is 180 degrees against how I like to travel. I wondered why Jesus chose to use the word "narrow" here and found it interesting when I discovered it actually means "to press hard against" which leads down this train of thought: the best path is through a narrow gate (Jesus nodding His head), and not only that but we need to ignore the wide open gate and the road that is obviously easier (He is smiling at this point with a "go on" look on His face) and to cap it off the path You want me to take is going to press hard against me all the way --- BINGO He exclaims. To help make sense I had the realization after sitting in these verses for some time --- it's not about easier – it's about better!

The better, it appears, is revealed to us when He says the narrow way "Leads to Life" and by flying by that too quickly it is easy to miss. He is beginning to show us a few critical salient truths regarding the path to heaven and we are just getting started.

Questions to Consider

1. Are you on the wide road or the narrow way?
2. What would choosing the narrow path look like in your life?