The Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13-23)

The Narrow way leads to life (7:13-14)

Jesus starts with a plea to enter through the narrow gate. His heart is that none shall perish. (13a)

He acknowledges that this is not an easy option and that the easier option to follow is the way that leads to death. (13b).

He also acknowledges that the way he is pleading us to go is not the popular option. Many will not make it. Following the crowd leads to death by comfort and ease. (13c)

The road to life is small and hard to find but that road leads to life. Reflection on what he says elsewhere what does it matter if you gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul. (14a)

Only a few will survive. How often pastors or church leaders are obsessed with mega churches and numbers in congregations. Yet with Jesus it is about quality over quantity. The Gideons army so to speak. The genuine article. (14b)

Fruit as a sign of those who follow the narrow way

Jesus warns his followers that not everyone who claims to be a follower of the way is. To follow one must be prophetic.

Here however he warns about the office of a prophet. A prophetic leader who claims to be God’s representative to his people. Not everyone who claims to be a prophet is a prophet.

Could Jesus be highlighting here those who claim to know the way to God which contradicts the ways which Jesus is proclaiming.

Could these broad paths that decieve point to other ways to the father