To be honest, I had trouble reflecting on this passage. It's short, simple and pretty straight forward. However, I don't think anything in the Bible seems is as straight forward as it seems. There always "seems" to be something more between the lines. The more I thought about it, the more ways I saw in interpreting it. But still, I began to wonder if I was trying to dive too deep in shallow waters. Perhaps these two verses is simple as it seems.
As I thought about it over and over, I kept running into some of the themes we have already discussed. First of all, reflecting on whether I have the right kind of eyes to understand and perceive the spiritual truths in this passage. Also on seeking and asking God for the wisdom to apply these truths in my interactions with the world. The theme of righteousness came to mind as well. How much harder it is to pursue the righteousness of God than to give in to the ingrained habits of sin. I think that's one way of looking at the gates Jesus described.
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
In our passage, Jesus gives us a choice between two sets of gates and roads. He advises us to take the narrow one that leads to life. But why is it narrow? and why do only a few find it? Is it because, while there are many different ways to live- based on many different opinions, philosophies, and religion, Jesus is the only way- the only gate to life? And why do only a few find it? Is it because only a few choose to? are chosen to? or -
I'm not sure about that one but I do feel the need for vigilance, for spiritual eyes and wisdom to continue on the narrow road that leads to life.
2 comments:
This passage reminded me of what a narrow road the Christian life really is. I'm sure that this has always been the case but as we live in these times it is so obviously the "road less traveled by" as Lynn pointed out from the Frost poem. Every single day I encounter articles on my iphone from various news apps viewing Christianity whether it be a Christian leader, group or idea in a negative light. I turn on the news or talk show...same thing. I log onto facebook and my newsfeed has comments, links to youtube videos poking fun at Christians, Christianity. You walk into a book store and there are tons of books being featured that are anti-Christian. It is hard. It is definitely the narrow path but Jesus already told us it would be.
thanks, lynn, for an insightful post. this passage is deceptively simple, as you point out. could it really be that simple? two roads, one leading to eternal life, the other to destruction?
when the matter of our salvation sometimes seems complicated, Jesus sums it up so simply. i think that might be the point--the way to eternal life is so obvious that it's easy to miss.
we know what we have to do to enter into eternal life--we've heard it many times before--complete faith in Jesus Christ and the surrendering of our entire lives over to Him. that's the "narrow gate".
if we know what to do, why don't we do it? it's precisely because the gate is so "narrow". it imposes on us. the way to eternal life is there if we look; it's just that we don't want to enter the way He prescribes.
we want to enter our own way, on our own terms. Jesus has a warning for that. He calls it the "wide" gate and the "broad" road that lead to DESTRUCTION.
and many enter it, He says.
the road to eternal life is "narrow" and the gate is "small", Jesus says. negotiating this road is hazardous, because we need to walk by faith, and not trust what we see.
plus the gate is "small", close to the ground, says Jesus. we have to get down on our knees and put our face to the ground and literally crawl to enter His kingdom.
in other words, it takes genuine humility to enter into eternal life. it will cost us everything to follow that "narrow road", but may God help us to stay on it.
in the end, "only a few find it".
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