Week 27: The Strait Gate

“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:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

My Summary & Reflection

In this metaphor, Jesus says to enter at the narrow passage, because the passage to destruction is wide.  He notes that there are few that find the narrow passage that leads to life.  A strait is a narrow passage.  Jesus is comparing the path to eternal life to the strait gate. 

 To provide context, this metaphor was given after Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”Matthew 7:7:12 Jesus is telling us the way to the path.  If we treat others as we would like to be treated, we are following the strait path toward eternal life.  If we treat others unkindly, disrespectfully, and unmercifully, then we are not on the path toward eternal life; we are instead on the path to destruction.

Jesus notes that not many people find their way to the strait path.  It may be because it is a difficult path.  Although clear and direct, the requirement to treat others as we, ourselves, would be treated, can be a difficult one if we are led by our egos and not by the spirit of love.  It is far easier to mistreat others as they have mistreated us or to take advantage of others before they can take advantage of us.  That is a much easier, much wider path.  But as Jesus notes in this metaphor, it is a path to destruction, and not to life.

 In other teachings, Jesus tells us that the path to life, although narrow, can be found by all of us even if we have been astray for a long time.  Similarly, even if you start out on the path, it is easy to lose your way when you lose focus.  We just have to find our way back, and we will be among the few that enter the strait gate that leads to life.   

Your Reflection

• Are you on the path to life?  If not, how do you find your way back?
• What keeps you from treating others as you would like to be treated?
• How would you like to be treated?