THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 7:13-14

Our lives are filled with decisions: what to eat or wear, where to go, what to do, whom to marry, where to live or what to buy. Many are trivial and insignificant; some are essential and life changing. But the most critical is the one marking our destiny.

The British poet, John Oxenham, put it this way:
To every man there openeth - a way, and ways, and a way
And the high soul, climbs the High Way - and the low soul gropes the Low
And in between, on the misty flats - the rest drift to and fro
But to every man there openeth - A High Way and a Low
And every man decideth - the way his soul shall go.

Jesus concludes His Sermon by pressing His audience to personally and volitionally obey His mandates. Tragically, man thinks his way is best but Proverbs 16:25 warns, "there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death." In our text, Jesus talks about two gates, two paths and two destinies. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and 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." This word "enter" is an aorist imperative demanding a definite and specific act. Many admire and try to emulate the principles of the Sermon on the Mount but never obey it. Many go to church, love to be with Christians and even think their good deeds will outweigh their evil deeds. But Scripture is emphatic: "salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Jesus states that the most popular gate man goes through is the "broad road ." It allows all religions, no restrictions, few requirements and no repentance or commitment. But He warns that ultimately it leads to hell and "destruction." By contrast, the "smaller gate" leads down a "narrow road." It is the way of the Cross! The Calvary road! It calls for repentance, self-denial, discipline and commitment and few enter that road. Jesus states, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). However, this road "leads to life:" to a purpose-filled life, an abundant life, a productive life with heaven thrown in as a His bonus. Sure, the wide gate and broad road is the most popular but is it worth spending eternity in hell when the offer Jesus gives transcends all other offers? I chose the later! Now the choice is up to you! Choose Jesus!