“The Narrow Gate”

The “narrow gate” stands for a challenging path to salvation, while the “wide gate” represents an easier, more indulgent way.

 Matthew 7: 13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, 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.”

Wide Gate is Destruction (Many enter through), and the Narrow Gate leads to Life (Only a few find it)

What is the true meaning of this verse?

The gate symbolizes the shepherd. In John 10:7-9, Jesus says, “I am the gate,” and “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus represents the narrow gate, and many people chose not to follow him. The Jewish religious leaders acted like a wide gate; they blocked the path (to the kingdom of heaven) for others.

Matthew 23:13 says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

 This is why the way to Jesus is a narrow gate. The narrow gate to salvation is Jesus, while the wide gate leads to destruction, represented by the scribes and Pharisees.

Why was it difficult to go to Jesus, the narrow gate?

In John 9:21-22, the narrative reveals a profound moment of fear and uncertainty among the parents of a man who had been healed of blindness. They stated, “But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” Their hesitance to fully acknowledge the miracle is deeply rooted in fear of societal repercussions. The text states that they were afraid of the Jews because a decree had been established among the Jewish authorities: “anyone who confessed that Jesus was the Christ would be cast out of the synagogue.” This exclusion from their religious community was a severe consequence, leading to social ostracism that many were unwilling to endure, ultimately prioritizing their safety over their faith. Many people were deeply drawn to Jesus and his transformative teachings, recognizing the love and hope he offered. However, a pervasive fear of the Pharisees and scribes loomed over them, creating a barrier that prevented them from fully committing to Christ, the very gate and shepherd they had long prayed for. Caught in this tension, they ultimately chose to follow the wider, more familiar path, forsaking the narrow gate that leads to spiritual fulfillment and true discipleship.

 Similarly, in Acts 4:13-21, we observe the apostles facing substantial opposition after healing the sick and proclaiming the message of Jesus. The Jewish religious leaders, concerned about the rapid spread of the gospel, warned the disciples to refrain from preaching about Jesus. This intimidation served to stifle the movement of early Christianity, as the authorities sought to maintain control and suppress any challenge to their power.

The conflict intensifies in Matthew 21:23, where we find Jesus teaching in the temple courts. The chief priests and elders confront Him, demanding, “By what authority are you doing these things?” Their question reflects their anxiety over Jesus’s growing influence and the challenge He posed to their established religious order. They were troubled by His actions and sought to undermine His authority to regain control over the people.

Furthermore, in Acts 24:5, Jesus is branded as a “sect” or a cult by His opponents, a deliberate attempt to delegitimize Him and discourage followers from aligning with His message and His disciples. This labelling served not only to create a negative perception but also to instill a sense of danger in following Jesus.

Galatians 4:29 points to a historical pattern of persecution, emphasizing that those who are ‘born of the flesh’ have continually targeted those born of the Spirit. This dynamic further illustrates the ongoing struggle between spiritual truth and societal norms, a conflict that persists throughout history.

Nevertheless, the essence of Jesus as the embodiment of the narrow gate – the path to salvation and life – is passionately expressed in John 14:6. He states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In contrast, the religious leaders, represented by the wide gate, are portrayed as spiritually blind. This blindness not only affects them but also leads their followers into a similar state of ignorance, as highlighted in Matthew 15:14, where both the blind leaders and their followers fall into a pit, illustrating the dangers of leading others away from the truth.

Through these accounts, we see the tension between the emerging Christian faith and existing religious authority, underscoring the courage required to follow Jesus amidst systemic opposition and profound societal fear.

 Why did the people of that time not follow Jesus Christ?

Jesus was often labelled a cult leader, particularly within the framework of the Nazarene sect, because He was distinctly separated from the traditional, mainstream Jewish denominations that were tightly controlled by the Pharisees and Scribes. This separation is highlighted in biblical references such as Acts 24:5, Acts 28:22, and Matthew 21:23.

His ministry was characterized by teachings that emphasized prophecy and its fulfillment, likening Himself to “New Wine”—a symbol of transformation and renewal that contrasted sharply with the ancient, established customs of Judaism. The impact of His teachings was profound, leaving the people astonished and asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even commands unclean spirits, and they obey him” (Mark 1:27; also mentioned in John 7:14-17 and John 7:45-49).

Furthermore, initiating His ministry in Galilee, Jesus fulfilled the prophetic words of Isaiah, particularly Isaiah 9:1-2, a pivotal moment noted in the New Testament in Matthew 4:12-17. The Pharisees were acutely aware that Galilee belonged to the Tribe of Naphtali, which they believed disqualified it from producing a true prophet according to Mosaic law. Their contempt was evident when they scornfully retorted, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee” (John 7:52). This dismissal led them to reject Jesus, branding Him a false prophet and actively working to deter others from following Him.

Moreover, the larger public’s reaction to Jesus’ messages was profoundly unsettling. They acted on instinct without any critical analysis, similar to the unthinking creatures mentioned by Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 2:12: “These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed.” Rather than reflecting on the prophecies discussed each Sabbath, they let their basic impulses steer their actions, overlooking the deeper truths revealed by Jesus.

Similarly, Jesus was not the Messiah they had envisioned. He embodied the suffering servant described in Isaiah 53:1-12: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem” (also referenced in John 1:45-46 and Mark 6:3-4).

 Finally, with courage, He unmasked the deception propagated by the religious establishment of His era, asserting, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44-45; Matthew 23:27-28).

Historically, the number of individuals who attained salvation during Jesus’ earthly ministry was alarmingly minimal, reinforcing the idea of the “narrow gate.”

 In the days of Noah, only eight souls—Noah and his immediate family—were saved from the devastating flood (Matthew 23:29-32). Similarly, during Lot’s time, the sole survivors were Lot and his two daughters (Genesis 19:14-16). Though Lot’s wife departed with them, her fateful decision to look back, against God’s explicit command, resulted in her transformation into a pillar of salt, symbolizing the consequences of disobedience.

The prophet Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 3:14, foretold that the saving remnant would be small— “one from a town and two from a clan.” This prophecy underscores the reality that only a handful of Jesus’ disciples would grasp the essential truth leading to salvation.

In Matthew 23:37-38, the depth of Jesus’ sorrow is poignantly articulated as He laments over Jerusalem, expressing an intense desire to gather its inhabitants, much like a mother hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings. Tragically, they rejected His overtures, and He departed from them.

It is essential to approach the story of Jesus with nuance and understanding. While prophecies indicated that a mere fraction would be saved, we must also comprehend the profound and enduring heart of God, as well as the deep longing of Jesus, who patiently waited for an astonishing 6,000 years, yearning to save even one more soul from despair.

 What about the second coming of Jesus?
In Luke 17:26-30, it is stated that the time of the Lord’s return will be likened to the days of Noah and Lot. Jesus poses the question, “Will there be any who have faith when the Son of Man comes again?” (Luke 18:8). Thus, while all nations will ultimately be healed at the end of time, it seems that not many will believe at the beginning of this period.

What should we follow to enter the narrow gate of salvation?
It is wise to depend on the teachings of the Bible, and we should be careful of the opinions and looks of others when it comes to the word of God.

Jesus mentioned that He foretold events so that people would have faith when those prophecies came to pass (John 14:29). 

Even during Noah’s time, He warned of an impending flood, yet only a few trusted his words. 

Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament, but again, only a small number chose to believe. 

We should familiarize ourselves with the Bible, grasp the prophecies, and become individuals who have faith in and uphold God’s promises. 

Today, modern religious leaders and groups continue to behave like the Pharisees of the past. They lower spiritual standards for reaching heaven and use various political tricks that distort the truth of the scripture; thereby undermining the light and guidance that these teachings are meant to provide.

Narrow is still the way today, regardless. God bless you!