Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
In Matthew chapter seven, Jesus makes a statement that succinctly describes what genuine Christian discipleship is all about. His words are simple and to the point, using a common analogy anyone can understand. Every thought, utterance, and action that Christ displayed while among us stemmed from this fundamental truth: “…narrow the way that leads to life.”
Though relatively familiar in Christian vocabulary, it’s safe to deduce the vast majority of us are incapable of properly describing what this “narrow way” entails. Even fewer, I suspect, could point to specifics in their own faith where this narrow way has brought them under its submission. Yet, most pastors and churchgoers agree the narrow calling Jesus refers to, as a concept described in the Bible, should be and is an essential part of Christian dogma. Of course, just how “narrow” the application of this concept seems to depend entirely on denominational creeds and/or church culture. In other words, a great deal turns on how much conviction or repentance a congregation or individual will tolerate. By the same token, much relies on how willing a preacher may choose to practice and declare such demanding requirements for discipleship.
This all begs the question, “Just how narrow are we talking here?” What does Jesus require of us that makes this holy calling so focused and demanding? If, as Scripture declares, only a few will find it, then what does that say for the enormous number of churchgoers and so-called believers in our modern society? Are you personally walking such a narrow road, or have you wandered onto a wide path destined for destruction? These are all good questions, which deserve competent answers. Let us endeavor to do so now.
Consider one of the most famous dialogs ever recorded in the New Testament. As Jesus and His disciples made their way to Caesarea, our Savior inquired of his young followers, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13) Without hesitation, they all began to musingly answer what they had heard. “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (14) You can almost hear the humor in their voice as they recounted the comical suppositions of the crowds. However, their smiles suddenly turned to serious contemplation as Jesus pressed further: “But who do you say that I am?” (15) It’s likely an awkward silence, hushed for what must have seemed an eternity. Then one Simon Peter shattered the stillness by humbly declaring the most beautiful statement spoken by a human man since the dawn of time: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (16)
It’s quite commonplace, for us twenty-first-century believers, to glibly repeat this same revelation. Ever since we learned “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” the idea that Jesus is indeed the Son of God remains a fundamental Christian understanding. Yet, when Simon boldly made the statement, it was the very voice of God the Father speaking through him. All the angels must have rejoiced as the gates of heaven burst wide open, making way for the children of men to enter glory. Christ Himself declared, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (17-18)
What might seem common to us in our day was earth-shattering the moment this disciple spoke those legendary words. It forever changed the world. Unlike most of us today, who were well taught in Sunday school by “flesh and blood,” Peter received his conviction from God himself. Jesus then continued, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (18-19)
It’s tragically humorous to think that there are denominations which believe this commission by Jesus means that Peter is now standing at the door of heaven with a set of house keys. That the Christian church, as an organization, is built on one disciple named Simon and that a Pope is now his spiritual successor. This, of course, is ludicrous and not at all what is meant in scripture. Rather, the fact that divine faith in the risen Jesus is the only way by which we are saved and that this faith must come from God Himself, remains the key to the gate of heaven. This confession and the narrow calling of the cross is the rock on which Christ has chosen to build His kingdom. Notice how Jesus states, “I will give you the keys…” It was not given in that moment, but, as we will learn, the keys to the kingdom of God require much more than an inspired statement of profound faith.
So what does this all have to do with walking a narrow way, as Matthew tells us? Well, right after Peter made this divine declaration, Jesus immediately segued into a detailed prophecy concerning His imminent crucifixion. “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (21) Following this beautiful conversation between Jesus and Peter, our Savior begins to lay everything on the line. He outlines in vivid detail what is required to follow Him. It is here that the narrow road is established. The cross of complete transformation, which is the same for you and me and all servants of Jesus, was plainly preached to the first disciples. These young believers instantly understood not only that the Messiah they had come to adore would soon cruelly be tormented to death but that their fate was also sealed should they choose to follow Him.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (22) In one oblique moment, Simon Peter who had just received an amazing blessing directly from the Son of God, vehemently rejects the narrow way to heaven. He instantly grasped what Jesus was demanding of him. Though he had publicly announced that he believed that Jesus was the Son of the living God, it was in secret that he rejected the narrow road of salvation. “…took him (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him,..” Likewise, it’s in the secret dark places of our hearts that we reject the suffering of the narrow road Christ bids us traverse. We openly declare that we believe that Jesus is our savior but secretly we “rebuke” the cross, rejecting it as legalism or condemnation. Simply stated, we prefer the wide road of easy blessings and a warm fuzzy feeling that tells us we’re forgiven and somehow saved in our sin.
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Matthew 16:23 (ESV)
In one instant, Jesus goes from profoundly praising Simon Peter for his divine inspiration to calling him Satan to his face. In that moment, the disciple who was promised the very keys of heaven was dubbed the ruler of hell. The answer to our question is therefore revealed; the narrow road is so extremely narrow that it only takes one sliver of fundamental compromise to send us spiraling into utter darkness. It’s not enough to claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior if we in turn reject His cross. No matter how well you know your doctrine, pretend to live it, and even demand that others walk the straight path, if you refuse to move beyond your talk and, in so doing, reject the cross which changes a man, you are in fact a liar, and your father is Satan himself.
Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.
John 8:43-44 (ESV)
In that most honest of moments, Peter could not bear to hear the words of Jesus declaring the truth of the narrow way. This is why he became a “hindrance” to Christ and the full message of the gospel He came to declare. Likewise, when we reject the indisputable high cost of following Jesus for the sake of our pride, selfishness, cowardice, pleasures, and carnal pursuits, we become a “stumbling block” to everything the Holy Spirit is yearning to accomplish in us.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)
Following hard on the heels of this entire saga, Jesus continues in Matthew sixteen verse twenty-four to explain, in detail, what this narrow road means. He speaks very clearly, so there is no room for conjecture, interpretation, or need for context. “If anyone…” that is to say, you and me and everyone who says they are a follower of Jesus “…must deny himself and take up his cross and follow…” This is not a suggestion or up for discussion and debate. It is the narrow road encapsulated in one short conversation. He begins first with self-denial. Simply put, you are not allowed to be you and call yourself a disciple. We are, as scripture declares, to be transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). This means everything we desire, do, think and believe is to be brought under His submission (1 Corinthians 15:27, Acts 17:28). That’s a gargantuan task and what makes this narrow way so narrow. The process begins from the moment we were conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5), until the day we return to dust. It is what is meant by “…take every thought captive to obey Christ”(2 Corinthians 10:5). It’s what is referred to when we read that “…you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
The good news is we don’t have to have all this figured out to begin walking the narrow road. Simply start to obey what you’ve already been taught. The Counselor is given to the obedient (Acts 5:32). If you’ve been warned to deny yourself, then begin to do so (James 1:22). This means all your fun, future, and fantasies must be completely surrendered and put to death at the feet of Jesus. It means you must go into your prayer closet, close the door, and plead with God to drive the nails into your flesh so that He might begin the crucifixion process in your life (Matthew 6:6).
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
Isaiah 35:8 (ESV)
Dear friends, it’s time to change! No longer will Christ tolerate our whiny, selfish Christianity. He has made a narrow road before us. This road even has a name, “Way of Holiness,” and only those who have been crucified and purified with Christ are allowed to walk upon it. As Isaiah tells us, “even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.” Peter was no spiritual giant when he professed Jesus as Lord and did many foolish things in his life. Yet Christ was able to place him on the narrow way until the day of his perfection. You don’t need any special gifts or deep theological training to keep on the straight and narrow. The grace of God which teaches us to say no to ungodliness will suffice (Titus 2:11-14). This is what is meant when Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). We cannot even remotely claim the same while we’ve yet to begin to pick up that beam of righteousness. Stop pretending that you know what this means and let Jesus reveal it to your heart. Until we do, we remain only bystanders on the side of the narrow way to heaven.