Pastor Frank DeFusco
Christian orthodoxy teaches that men choose one of two paths in their search for purpose and meaning. But one leads to their destruction and the other to eternal life. Matthew describes the one as a narrow gate found by the few that leads to life, and the other gate as wide and broad that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-17). The Sig Petra Pass in Jordan, protecting an incredible stone fortress there, illustrates this narrow gate concept, as its average width is 7 feet across and 3,600 feet in length, and sits between stone walls that are over 250 feet high, making it nearly impossible for invading armies and their equipment to pass through. Many biblical scholars believe that this pass is Israel’s gateway to safety during the final 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation.
Revisiting Matthew 7:14, the narrow gate/way is only traveled by the few because the majority imagine it as being the more difficult path to take. As someone once said, “It’s not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting, but difficult and left untried.” When Jesus said, “I have to leave to prepare a place in my Father’s house, so that when I return for you (the Rapture); where I am, so will you be; and that you will know the “Way “(Matthew 14:1-6). Thomas asked Him, “How can we know the way?” Then Jesus says with authority, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; and no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” Jesus’ statement has proponents of other faiths complaining that Christianity is bigoted, and narrow-minded. Not true! But we are “narrow road” minded, because, like our Heavenly Father we pray that none should perish but all would be saved.
In his classic book, The Pilgrims Progress, author John Bunyan uses the analogy of a narrow and difficult road that his main character, Christian, must travel to reach the “Celestial City.” And in the foreword of his book it was written, “A similar journey to that has been experienced by others for over 2,000 years. Jesus foretold how difficult this journey would be, and His disciples, like Paul and other Christians have found that the journey is one of sacrifices and hardships.
Romes’s road builders used stones to pave their roads. But the road to salvation is paved with the blood of Jesus, as Paul reveals in Romans 3:23, where he states that “all men have sinned”; in Romans 5:8, saying “God’s love is revealed by Christ’s dying for us while we were yet sinners”; in Romans 6:23, where “the wages of sin is death, but eternal life is through Jesus Christ”; in Romans 10:9, where if we “confess Jesus is Lord and with our heart believe in His resurrection by God from the dead, so shall we be saved”; lastly, in Romans 10:13, Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”
Two gates, two roads, but only one “Way.”
Pastor Frank teaches Bible Study on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Pima/Toltec rooms in the Sports Club building. Call Ellen at 610-428-7244 with any questions.