The Narrow Road

      In his famous sermon on the mount Jesus said, “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.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)  In the context of the rest of Jesus’ sermon, the small gate and the narrow road are clearly referring to his standards of righteous living which not many are willing to follow.  If the gate in this parable refers to the beginning of the road, then as a symbol this gate marks the lifestyle boundaries which a disciple or a “follower of God’s path” will conform to as they walk with the Lord.  If Jesus spent time defining what the lifestyle of believer was all about, shouldn’t we do the same for those who are considering which gate to enter? 
      Remember that Jesus told us that he is the gate.  We don’t begin a relationship with him through our own actions but because of his action on the cross.  However, if we don’t talk about the cost and the change in values and lifestyle which is required of everyone who decides to follow Jesus, then later on when the cost of staying on the path goes up, they may decide they don’t want to stay on the path.  The Lord told his disciples, “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:33) Are we willing to go there?  Since we are called to make disciples and not just those who give lip service to God, we should give those who are seeking God respect and allow them to count the cost.  Jesus did, and his disciples turned the world upside down.