Two Gates, One Way

Introduction

In the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, there is a scene where the hero and the villain of the film have to choose which of many cups is the holy grail which is said to bring eternal life to the one that drinks from it. The villain, seeing many golden goblets with many jewels and decoration, picks the most beautiful chalice and as a result dies an early death. Jones, however, scours the cups until he finds the least attractive one, the only one without jewels, gold, or the like, the only cup that is simple and does not call attention to itself. Jones is commended for his wisdom, for it was the one cup, the one least appealing to eyes trained in worldly glory, that was correct. This scene symbolizes for us the truth of following Christ: it is a narrow and unattractive way that leads to life and few find it. Leon Morris says about our text,

The Gospel according to Matthew 10. True and False Discipleship, 7:13–27

Jesus is picturing a scene where the broad road leading to a splendid gate is obvious and easy to be seen, whereas the path that brings the traveler to the unpretentious gate is inconspicuous and is perceived only by those who look for it carefully.

If we are to have the blessings that Christ won for us on the cross, we must be extremely diligent to search for it, discern it, and stay in it. Many side paths call for our attention, so how can we know the right path? If it is so narrow and easy to lose our way, what chance do we have? Thankfully, Scripture leads us in the right way and, if we are carefully laying ourselves upon Christ in faith, we can know we will reach that heavenly destination.

Two Roads and Two Destinations

It is not uncommon for Biblical writers to use the language of two roads and two destinations when talking about following God.

Psalm 1:6 ESV

for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

In the last reference, God had just been going over the promises for either keeping the covenant or breaking the covenant that God made with Israel in accordance with his promises to Abraham. If Israel kept the covenant by “loving YHWH your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him” they would receive the blessings promised to them. These promises are spiritual, pointing to the New Creation, the New Jerusalem, and the unity and immortality that we will receive at the end of following Christ in this life.

In contrast to this, the other path Israel may have taken, and indeed the one they did take, was the way of death. This leads not only to the temporary curses of being expelled from the promised land, but the eternal curse of death. This is a path that is open at all times to those called to follow God, a temptation to depart from their calling and follow all that God calls them away from.

Let us take a moment to look at these two ways, what marks them, and what is the nature of their destination.

The Road to Death

First, let us look at what characterizes the road to death. This is the road that God warned about in Deuteronomy 30 and Jesus tells us it is a broad road.

The Gate

First, let us speak of the gate itself. There are two aspects to both of these options. There is a gate, and there is a way. So what characterizes the broad gate?

First, it is broad and wide. That is, it is an easy and common gate to enter when compared with the gate to life. You will find many on the road to this gate, in fact you will find most heading for it. It is not hard to find, it does not take some gross and uncommon act of immorality to find yourself there. In fact, if you are not looking at where you are going you are sure to find yourself passing through this gate.

Second, the gate infers a decision has been made to go along this path, which we will look at in a minute. It means that the worldview and mindset of the person going on this path is conformed to the purpose and end of this gate. While many make this decision unconsciously or without thought as to where this way goes, they have heard God’s word and decided to choose a path that is contrary, despite the truth they have been told. They have a view of the world that does not conform to Christ, but to the world. They are sinful in their thinking, and their foolish minds are darkened as Paul says in Romans 1. Religious or not, churchgoer or pagan, they have a heart that tends towards this gate. They choose it, they intend to go through it. A gate is not usually passed without recognition that it is being entered. The hearts of those who pass it are hardened by sin and self and in pursuit of their own glory and rebellion against God they go through it.

Nevertheless, the wide gate is the default. When Jesus tells us to enter into the narrow gate, he is making it clear that not entering into the narrow is to enter into the broad. A decision is made, but not making a decision is making a decision. To say “well I just won’t enter by either” is a doubly foolish way of entering the wide gate. It is foolish to enter that gate at all, but certainly more foolish to enter in ignorance.

It is an often mistaken gate. Many who pass through this gate are fooled into thinking they are going through the narrow one. Jesus says later in the sermon that many will say Lord Lord thinking that they had passed through the narrow gate by doing many great and religious things, but in the end are shown to have passed through this wide gate.

It is an outwardly desirable gate. Just as Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was pleasing to the eyes, this gate is pleasing to those who aim for it. The gate is designed to look as attractive as possible, making many promises and fulfilling many lusts and appetites. It is a gate that feels right to many, seems right to most, and appears to lead right for a time. Of the two gates, this one will catch your eye first and your flesh will desire it desperately. It promises great things at a low cost and its purpose is to entice people into it and satisfy their temporary desires so that they will not reconsider it.

This is the gate for the pagan, the atheist, the false convert, the hypocrite, and the ignorant. All those who are not careful about the things concerning Christ, obedience to God, and eternal things. This is the gate for those who do not believe God, but rather trust in their own ways to get to him.

The Path

The path through this gate is wide, and so there are many sides of the path that one may walk along. Part of the path is open depravity, mockery of God, immorality, and other obviously ungodly practices. But parts of the road seem better suited for the person who wishes to live a moral and productive life. Some parts, indeed, seem to parallel the way of life, going beside it so close that one may converse with those on the strait path, but nevertheless remain on the broad road. It is broad in that it can take the shape of many lifestyles that, though seemingly different, operate on the same basic view of God: rebellion. Those who walk this path are rebellious against God. They take of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and decide for themselves the path to take. They may take on the name Christian, but do not take on Christ. They may do the good works, but not unto salvation since they have not believed. They sin, not stumbling as weak children of God but in love with this present world. They may seek Salvation, but only by their own way and means. They may appear to worship God, but not truly from their heart. They may pray, but their prayers are not heard because they pray from fleshly desires rather than with hearts set on the glory of God. They all have this one thing in common: they do not listen to Christ and follow him. His words may be applauded, and some may be put into practice in a superficial way, but they do not follow him fully and wholeheartedly.

The Destination

So where does this lead them? The answer is clear, both in our text and throughout the Scriptures that speak of the two ways. Jesus calls it destruction, God called it death in Deuteronomy, Revelation calls it the lake of fire. The dichotomy of destination is clear in this teaching, hell is the end of this road. The should bring great fear upon us, the knowledge that the wide road leads to eternal, spiritual death. The majority of people will end up on this road one way or another, and it is only a remnant that will be saved. Think to yourself carefully and realize that if you continue through life without carefully considering the words of Christ and diligently following them that this will be your road. Many Church members end up on this road, so you must stop and reason with yourself. It is in the most serious way a matter of life and death.

The Road to Life

Let us now consider the road to life, the narrow path and gate of which Jesus speaks.

A narrow gate must be sought out: it is not as easily perceived as is a broad one.

Leon Morris

This is the gate of discipleship, the way of submissive following of Christ, and the path to glory and immortality.

The Gate and the Path

The gate and the path are characterized by several traits.

They are narrow, that is few find it. This is not the obvious way, it is not attractive to people’s nature. Rather, it is obscure and difficult to follow. But why is it so narrow? Why would God make the way to life difficult and the way to death easy? Well, he doesn’t. We do. It is not God that makes this way narrow, it is a hard road because it goes against our sin and flesh. In the great war of humanity against God, this is the road of surrender. Just as Jeremiah told the king to surrender to the Babylonians in order to be spared,

Jeremiah 38:17 ESV

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live.

we must surrender to God in order to be spared the death that we deserved for our sin. And just like the rebellious king Zedekiah, people do not want to surrender because of pride, fear, or simply our of love for this world. Both roads are open before us equally, and we are not presented with a way of salvation that is too hard for us to achieve as it has already been achieved for us if we look to Christ by faith. See what God said when he gave his covenant to his people in Deut 30:11-14

Deuteronomy 30:11–14 ESV

“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

No, it is not made hard for us on purpose, but it is hard by nature because in order to enter it we must go against our sinful and prideful nature. The other gate is wide simply because it appeals to human nature, which is sinful and intent on death. God approaches rebels with a treaty of peace and acceptance, but the rebels are still rebels at heart. That is why the gate is so narrow; it is made for the few that will turn themselves in to the authority of God and receive salvation from his hand.

There is a duty on this road, and that is to follow Christ. To choose the path of life is to take everything Jesus has said in the sermon so far and apply them to their life. Jesus will make this clear in the parable of the two builders, which we will look at in a few weeks. These duties are hard for the carnal, sinful man, indeed impossible unless they surrender to Christ and are filled with his Holy Spirit. The duty of this road will be a burden too heavy to bear for the unconverted, but a willing labour for the righteous by faith.

They are unattractive to worldly sensitivities. God does not play games with our flesh. He does not fill this road with what is easy, carefree, and pleasurable in an earthly sense. He does this because he seeks to draw people whose heart is truly set on glory and immortality, not on temporary idolatrous pleasures. Those who truly desire eternal life don’t need anything else to attract them. So it is wrong for churches to try to attract people with games, fun, and gimmicks that appeal to the pleasures of earthly things and give the impression that this is what following Christ is like. To the contrary, following Christ means making war on the passions and pleasures of the flesh. It means persecution, being rejected, it means suffering which proves our faith through endurance, it means hard work in growing in grace and studying the word of God deeply and richly. It means listening every week to sermons that are not preached to entertain and make your laugh. Baxter said the tears of a congregation are a praise to the preacher.

The path is impossible to navigate without proper direction. It is often overgrown and prone to have many off-ramps to the wide road, and so discernment is needed through the study and preaching of the Word. You must be careful to listen to good preaching, study good books, and learn to read the Bible correctly and in the discernment of the Holy Spirit. The Word is like a sexton, compass, or other navigational instrument which you must be able to use in order to find your way. When I was 16 I took a hunting class where we learned to read topographical maps so that we would know where to go in the dark and wide forests of this country. So here, you must learn to use your Bible to direct you into the right path and not be sidelined by false teaching or the presumptions of your own mind and flesh.

The narrow road is a hard road.

Acts 14:22 (ESV)

through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

This road requires the discipline to continue in faith through persecutions. Practices of self-denial like fasting can help prepare you for these trials. Limiting the amount of time you spend in distractions and pleasures of this world. They are not evil, but think of it like this. An athlete may eat a cheeseburger from time to time and it will not really affect them. But if they eat unhealthy food regularly, they will not perform well and will not obtain the prize. The narrow road is a difficult one, with the enemy throwing many things to hinder us, our flesh always pulling us away from our goal, and the trials of this world tempting us to forsake faith in God for faith in our own abilities or schemes.

This path is beyond our ability, so we must be urgent in prayer, seeking the strength of our Lord lest we fall in our own strength. There is a Throne of grace from which we may recieve mercy and help in time of need. If we are to have a chance at finishing this race, we must go to that throne often and in earnest, or else we may fall by the wayside.

Others will make it hard for you. We are promised the hatred of the world. Many traps are laid by the enemy, many figures walk along the road, not to stay on it for the destination, but to lead astray, if it were possible, even the elect. The world will persecute you, your family and friends may forsake you, you may have to go long stretches feeling alone and abandoned. Thankfully, God has made the church so that you may walk with a family and be guided by under-shepherds, but be careful to make sure they are leading you in the right direction.

Because the way is hard, we must take every help we can get. Many Christians do not take seriously the difficulties, and they live off of Our Daily Bread and a few memourized Bible verses and Christian cliches instead of thoroughly preparing themselves by deeply studying and praying through the Scriptures. They are like hikers going on a long, hard trek through the mountains and bringing sandals, a few candy bars, and a light sweater. How likely is it that they will get through great blizzards, scale menacing cliffs, or survive freezing nights on that trail? So we must be made ready and equipped for every difficulty on the way. The Word is an armory for the battles ahead, make yourself ready. I’m serious, so many fall away along the way. I’ve seen people I’ve baptized seem to fail on this road. How do you know you will not be one of them? Prepare for the way ahead and do not slack on it. Does your life look like someone who is packing adequately for a long and arduous journey, or merely a stroll through the park?

The End: Life

With all this toil and difficulty in the narrow way, why would we want to go down such a path? The answer is simple: it is the path of life. Indeed, it is the very path our Saviour walked before us, the gate that he himself established which we enter through by his blood. In walking it, we unite ourselves to him in his death and are thus also united with him in his resurrection.

The beauty of the narrow road is that it is not one we walk alone, but one in which Christ walks with us. He offers us every help, takes us through every struggle, hears our every cry, and gives grace to those who seek it by faith. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He gives us his Holy Spirit, the Comforter and promises us,

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Through the Spirit we are able to endure, and through enduring we have a confident hope in glory and eternal life.

This glory is won by Christ, so we can have assurance that it is not by our works or performance that we will receive it. Even the weakest Christian can know they have had this won for them by Christ.

It is incorruptible and unfading. Any treasure which the world offers you on the broad road is fake and wears out, just as your soul will on that path. But the path to life brings you an eternal body that is incorruptible by sin or curse and unfading in glory and honour.

It is given abundantly. As we have seen, God is no cheapskate. He gives to his own abundantly in heavenly riches and glory. While the world will always take more than it gives, Christ gives more than he takes.

It is given in the context of a new world. Eternal life in this world would be miserable, but in a new and redeemed world there will be endless joy and freedom from sadness, pain, and misery. Christ is making all things new, he goes to prepare a place for us where he will surely receive us to himself.

This life is rest from all our labours and toils.

Hebrews 4:9–10 ESV

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

The labours and hardships of life will be put to rest in eternity, leaving only an eternal Sabbath day in the Lord. Our work will be done, our labours, though many now, will be over and our burdens released from our backs. To rest in Christ is to rest indeed!

This life and glory is in our dearly beloved. Ultimately, it is for the love of Christ that we walk this lonely path and enter this thorny gate. You will never get to the end if you are not completely motivated by a love for Christ. Do you see him as lovely? Have you beheld the love of Christ for you and does it spark in you a love for him? A Spirit-driven love for Christ will bring you through this hard life on this hard road to glory, and in the end you will get your hearts desire. If you do not love Christ, you won’t make it because the reward won’t seem worth it to you. But if you love Christ enough to bind yourself to him, to walk in the way in which he walked, to die a death to sin and self and surrender to his life-giving power, you have all the reason in the world to push on towards the prize, which is him.

The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ, and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return.

Charles Spurgeon

On the road we get the presence of Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, at the end we get Christ face to face an enjoy in him immortality, incorruptability, and fellowship in his divinity. There is a beauty in Christ that attracts the true seeker of God that no obstacle in the road can block.

Conclusion

As we draw to a close, let us consider the road we are on, the gate we pass through, and the glorious end of our pilgrimage. I recommend you read The Pilgrims Progress for a helpful allegory of what you will find on this road, but above all stay in the Scriptures. They will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Let us keep in mind the words of Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Only an eye firmly fixed on Christ will make it through this way. So the exhortation of our text is to look to him, his example, his suffering, his atonement, his resurrection life and hope we have in it, his glory and the glory we will experience on the last day, and let us strive with endurance. Do not let your eyes wander. Believe and will obtain the crown of life. Set your eyes on heavenly things and the difficulties of the trail will not be so difficult. Let nothing destract your, and remember you are not in this alone. Let your church, your fellow Christian, your Elders help you along the way. Stay vigilant, knowing the enemy prowls around seeking someone to devour. Pray earnestly, use the Word of God as your compass, and don’t give up. A crown of glory awaits you. Jesus himself awaits you. Eternal life and bliss awaits you. Put your hands to the plow and labour until the end of day, and you will surely be able to die as author and teacher Tim Keller did last week saying, “there is no downside for me leaving, not in the least.” Leave this world and its trinkets behind and pursue life with all your heart. Until you hear “well done good and faithful servant” do not stop, and you will surely hear those words. Amen, come Lord Jesus and receive us unto yourself.