A Community of the Narrow Way
For Meditation (Corey Widmer)
In our culture, being “narrow” is not a favorable trait. Narrow is a word used to describe close-minded, self-righteous, holier-than-thou people. But as Jesus winds down the Sermon on the Mount, he calls us to enter the narrow gate and walk on the narrow road. This does not feel like a very appealing invitation!
In Jesus’ three concluding paragraphs to his great sermon (7:13–27), Jesus is not introducing new content- he is bringing his message to a close by emphasizing the importance of applying his words to the way we live. He also emphasizes how difficult it will be to hold fast to his teaching, given the amount of pressures to go a different way. The easy way, the broad way, is the way that comes most natural to us and that most people walk on- the way that puts self above others, that chooses resentment over forgiveness, acquistiviness over generosity, hate over love. This is the path that leads to ruin. Jesus invites us to put into practice everything he has taught us, and he now warns us just how hard it will be.
But it is the way to life. It is very hard. It requires daily intentionality and effort. And it may look narrow, but in the end it is broad and beautiful, because the way of Jesus leads to life. Jesus invites us on that path every day.
As you prepare for worship, consider the following:
Sometimes these verses are framed as an invitation to eternal salvation, a choice between heaven and hell. But in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, we see that Jesus is talking about a choice between the way of wisdom and the way of foolishness, to live daily in his Kingdom or to live in the kingdom of the world. How does that change the meaning for you?
As you think back on the topics that Jesus covered in the Sermon, what are some ways that the “broad and easy road” might be a significant temptation for us in our society?
In the context of the Sermon, Jesus seems to suggest that it is the religious Pharisees who are on the broad and easy path. What does that suggest to you about the danger of religion and moralism? What is "easy and broad" about performative religion?
What are some ways we could walk the narrow way of Jesus together?
Matthew 7:13–14
“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.”