Jesus’ Word – Gate, Door
Read – Matthew 7:13-14
A deeper significance is, however, suggested even by our Lord’s own teaching. He Himself is the “way” (John 14:6), or with a slight variation of the imagery, He is the “door,” or gate, by which His sheep enter into the fold (John 10:7). Only we must remember that His being thus the “way” and the “gate” does not mean that we can find, in union with Him, a substitute for holiness, but indicates simply how we are to attain to it.
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/7-13.htm
JOHN 14
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
JOHN 10
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
What has Jesus pointed to thus far in this sermon on the mount?
—
Matt 5
1-16 – Beatitudes
17-20 – law stays, better than Pharisees
21-22 – murder vs. fool
23-26 – reconciliation
27-30. – adultery
31-32. – divorce
33-37. – oaths / yes be yes
38-42 – extra mile, non- resistance
43-48. – love your enemies
Matt 6
1-4. – giving w/o showing off
5-15. – praying w/o showing off
16-18 – fasting w/o showing off
19-24 – treasures in heaven
25–34 – dont be anxious
Matt 7
1-5. – judge self 1st
6-12 – ask, seek, knock
Jesus’ Words – road
“Enter ye in”. Show immediate energy and determination.
Note the word “finding”. The way is so narrow or so untrodden that it may easily be missed. It has to be sought for. Luke suggests the idea of difficulty in squeezing in through the very narrow door
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/7-13.htm
Illus – Video Free Solo El Capitan – narrow path
Danger
Difficulty
Risk
Reward
“When one compares the great numbers of people today who cavalierly identify themselves as Christians yet never consider the claims of Christ, one shudders to realize how deadly such deception remains.”
“One wonders how many members in our churches today assume that they are saved when in fact they treat Jesus’ teachings lightly-people who give no thought to their temper, their mental chastity, their integrity and so forth during the week (compare 5:21-48), then pretend to be religious or even spiritually gifted in church. Do we have the courage to communicate Jesus’ message as clearly as he meant it to be conveyed, to warn ourselves and others that it is possible for people to assume they are saved and yet be damned?
Some texts in the Bible provide assurance to suffering Christians that the kingdom is theirs;
this text challenges “cultural Christians,” those following only Christian tradition rather than Christ himself, to realize that they need conversion.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Matt/Narrow-Way
The DANGER, DIFFICULTY, & RISK. of Matthew 5-7
Free solo
THE REWARD OF – entering through THE GATE