Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-14)

Matthew 7:13–14 KJV 1900

13 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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Introduction

A closing series of contrasts.

Over the next few weeks, as we wrap up this incredible portion of scripture, we are going to see the contrast between those who heed Jesus’ words and those who do not.

Two gates

Two ways

Two teachers

Two responses

Two houses

How are we supposed to understand the meaning behind the strait and wide gates?

Is this, as it is often presented, exclusively in reference to salvation?

I don’t think it is.

It certainly can apply to salvation, but there are some things that make me think there is more that we are supposed to see here.

There are few that travel the strait way.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there will not be just a few people in heaven.

Heaven has room for everyone.

A vast multitude of people will be there.

Every one of them washed by the blood of Jesus.

Revelation 7:9-10 “9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Yes, the way of salvation is exclusive.

Sure, you might argue percentages.

But heaven is not going to be a little get together, it’s going to be a massive gathering.

The context of the sermon on the mount deals more with the matter of discipleship than it does with salvation.

Salvation and discipleship should go hand in hand.

But, often they do not.

There are many whose sins have been forgiven and yet they have never set forth on this different way of living.

When you look at the great commission, they’ve been taught the gospel and received it.

They have even been baptized, which is the first step in following Jesus.

But then, they have never been taught, or they refuse, to observe all the things that Jesus has commanded of His disciples.

Things like we have been examining throughout this series.

Avoiding hypocrisy...

Purity...

Reconciling with one another...

Properly motivated service...

Even if you aren’t ready to accept that discipleship is the primary focus of this statement, could you at least accept that it is part of the message that Jesus is sharing with His listeners?

With this in mind, Jesus invites His listeners to enter in to a discipleship relationship with Him.

This has always been a unique part of Jesus’ ministry.

In rabbinic culture, the students picked the rabbi they wanted to learn from.

In Jesus’ ministry, it is He who does the picking of His students.

In this passage, Jesus is basically saying, I choose you to be my students, if you will enter in to this path.

The problem is that the strait gate is not the only gate.

There is another way and it found through the broad gate.

Why is this an issue?

Can’t somebody just go through the strait gate?

I would assume that most of the people in Jesus’ audience (as well as most of the people here) have heard the sermon on the mount and thought, “you know, He’s right, this is the way I’m supposed to live.

So, why don’t we just enter the strait gate and embark on a life-journey of disciple?

Well, there is a battle of perception that we have to fight.

Jesus acknowledges that there aren’t a whole lot of people choosing the strait gate.

He says many are choosing the broad gate.

Jesus knows the struggle that we face when it comes to making a decision that is contrary to what everyone else is doing.

Psychologist Robert Cialdini said this, ““Whether the question is what to do with an empty popcorn box in a movie theater, how fast to drive on a certain stretch of highway, or how to eat the chicken at a dinner party, the actions of those around us will be important in defining the answer.” Social proof is a shortcut to decide how to act.”

When it comes to our spiritual decisions, how often do we base them on what everyone else is doing???

How dangerous is this, when the majority of people in society are not seeking to live as disciples of Jesus?

Do I want to follow the crowd when it comes to matters of morality?

Do I want to follow the crowd when it comes to religion?

…parenting?

…marriage?

No, I don’t.

But the pull is so strong.

If everyone else is going that way, can it really be so bad?

If I’m the only one choosing the strait gate, won’t everyone think I’m weird?

Jesus motivates His audience by helping them to see the end of the two paths.

The broad path is more appealing as evidenced by it’s popularity.

The final destination, however, is not desirable.

Jesus says the broad path ends in destruction.

The narrow way, though, is different.

There may be few people on this path.

Those that are traveling down the narrow path are headed for life.

You look at this and you say, “see, this is talking about heaven and hell, life and destruction.”

What have we been saying for the last several years?

The gospel, the message of Jesus, is about more than just keeping us out of hell.

The gospel, the message of Jesus, when applied through discipleship, opens a path for us to have a life more abundant here and now.

Destruction and life are not simply far off matters that we will face in the after life.

They are real and present prospects that should influence our daily decision making.

The paths that we choose to traverse will effect the outcomes we experience.

Which would you rather experience?

Life?

Destruction?

A lot of this will boil down to who do you trust enough to follow?

The crowds streaming through the broad gate?

Jesus who invites you to the strait gate?

There are two gates, two paths, and two ends that are before every would be disciple, only you can decide which path you will follow.

Over the next few weeks the duality of this choice will be repeated in a number of ways.

We aren’t going to rush through it.

We all need regular reminders of the fact that we have to choose whether to engage in discipleship or not.

Jesus wants to teach you and change you.

He invites you to enter the narrow path.

If you are going to make this decision, then you will have to overcome your inclination to follow the crowd into the broad way.

According to Jesus, choosing the strait gate and the narrow way is worth it.

Do you believe Him?

What does choosing the strait gate look like in your life?