#18 Jesus Teaches the Two Ways

Matthew 7:13-14

1. The Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

2. The Command: “Enter through the narrow gate.”

a. The word “enter” is in the imperative mood, which is the mood of command.

b. Jesus commands us to enter by the narrow gate. If we neglect this, we will go to hell.

c. The Greek word for “narrow” in Matthew 7:13 is stenos, from which we derive the English word stenosis, which is a malady that comes from a ‘narrowing’ of nerves or other parts of the body.

d. The Greek verb for the “narrow”[1] way in Matthew 7:14 is the perfect passive participle form of thlibo. It means “having been constricted.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 translates it as “afflicted.” And 2 Corinthians 4:8 says, “We are ‘troubled’ on every side.” The word “troubled” is also the Greek thlibo. Thlibo is the word for “tribulation” in 2 Thessalonians 1:6. So, the narrow way is not only narrow, but also requires struggle to transit. This is because it is the road on which God tests Christians to prove our sincerity and faith in trusting Him.[2]

e. Jesus often warned people not to begin following Him unless they planned to continue to follow Him for the rest of their lives. Life on the narrow way is difficult but it has its joys. You must count the cost and trust Jesus to keep you on the narrow road.

f. Luke 14:28 says, “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?” The most important “resource” is to have Christ to help you persevere to the end. You must unconditionally surrender to Him, and He will see to it that you finish the trek on “The Way.”

3. Explanation of the command (Matthew 7:13-14).

a. There is a way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

b. There is a way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:14).

TABULAR VIEW OF THE TWO GATES, WAYS, AND DESTINATIONS

Wide Gate	Many on the Broad Way	Unbelievers Boulevard	Leads to Destruction
Narrow Gate	Few on the Narrow Way	This is the Pilgrim’s Pathway – and ‘Testing Arena	Leads to Eternal Life

c. A way was a road or path. Christ used it for a special manner of life. The first name for the Church was “The Way.”

1) Acts 9:2 says, “and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”

2) Acts 19:9 says, “But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.”

d. The way that leads to destruction:

a) It has a wide gate and a broad highway. Picture a 12-lane interstate highway with no cars. That is the broad way.

b) It leads to destruction. The Greek word for “destruction” is apoleian, which comes from apolumi. It means “utter or intense destruction.”

c) It is not loss of being. It is loss of well-being.

d) Matthew 10:28 says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

e) In Luke 15:24 translators render apollumi as “lost.” Luke 15:24 says, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was ‘lost’ and is found!”

f) It is the popular road. Most people are going to hell. It is the effortless way.

e. The way that leads to life: Matthew 7:14 says, “But small (stenos) is the gate and narrow (thlibo) the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

1) It has a small gate like a turnstile. The Lord Jesus is the door. To get on the “way” you must turn from sin and wholeheartedly believe in the Lord Jesus.

2) It is a narrow way. It is the perfect passive participle form of thlibo, which means “having been hemmed in.” The way is very constricted due to the many tests that the Lord gives to all Christians.

3) The narrow way leads to life

4) It is the way of the few. You must choose it and enter it by the designated gate, Christ (John 14:6). Matthew 20:16 says, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” God saves us by grace, which is favor. Do not criticize Him. Those hired last for wages of “whatever is right,” represent the most favored by God.

5) There are a chosen few in Matthew 20:16, which says, “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

6) The “narrow way” leads to eternal life. God has it and shows it to the world (1 John 1:2). Jesus has it and gives it to whom the Father tells him to give it (John 5:19-21).

7) It is abundant life and is worth living. It enriches every sphere of your being. It is the opposite of destruction. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in all its fullness.”

8) How to find this life:

a) Recognize that few will find it. This will motivate you to seek it. It is a great treasure.

b) Seek the Lord Jesus Christ, who has this eternal life. He will give it to you (John 17:2). If you submit to Christ, He will give you eternal life.

c) John 17:2 says, “For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.”

d) Jesus is so great that even His words have this eternal life in them. In John 6:63 Jesus says, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

e) So, if you want this eternal life, read the Bible. Eternal life is in its words.

f) Pray and ask God to help you find Jesus Christ.

g) Turn from your sin and obey the word of God (John 14:21).

h) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).

i) Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

9) God will reveal the narrow way to you (Matthew 11:25-26; John 6:44-45).

10) Why there are only a few saved persons:

a) From God’s viewpoint no one deserves eternal life. But God offers it to everyone free. Acts 5:20 says, ““Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

b) From the human viewpoint no one deserves eternal life. You know you are a sinner. Turn from sin to Christ by faith.

c) It is amazing grace that God saves even one of us, but He will save you. Take Him at His word and you will see.

d) God saves you by His grace. For God to strengthen you in His grace, please read, and study the following tabular view in Matthew 20:1-16. It speaks of the final judgment. (Matthew 20:1-16 with Matthew 19:28-30). It explains that last Judgment.

TABULAR VIEW OF REWARDS AT THE LAST JUDGMENT

Clock in	Early 6 am	3rd hour 9 am	6th hour 12 noon	9th hour 3 pm	11th hour 5 pm
Pay Agreement	Day’s wage	Whatever is right	Whatever is right	Whatever is right	Whatever is right
Pay rate	$10/hour	$10.91 per hour	$20.00 per hour	$40.00 per hour	$120.00 per hour

(1) All workers agreed to work for “whatever is right,” except those hired at 6 am. All the servers except the 6 am people just wanted work and payment of some amount as the owner saw fit. All except the legal workers trusted the owner, thinking he was good. So, trust God. He is good and keeps His promise of eternal life.

(2) The 6 am workers agreed to work for a day’s wage, which was a denarius. They had a verbal contract with the owner. They were the only ones who dealt with the owner on a legal basis.

(3) Remember that God will save you by His grace and mercy. Do not do works to prove to Him that you are good enough to save yourself. Just trust Him. He will change you. Come to Him bankrupt of any human good and ask for mercy.

(4) When the owner paid them at the end of the day (6 PM,) all the workers received the same pay for their work, no matter when they started working that day.

(5) The owner told his steward to pay the last ones hired hand first. So, everyone learned what the 11th hour workers earned. Never think that God has done wrong. He always has good reasons for what He does.

(6) You will do better in serving God if you simply beg for mercy rather than pacifying your pride by demanding to earn eternal life.

(7) Those hired at 6 am complained. They assumed they would receive more than any of the grace-basis people (Matthew 20:10). They murmured against the householder, saying:

(a) “Some only worked one hour.” One of the most important aspects of serving Jesus Christ is trusting Him to always do the right thing, even if it may seem wrong to you. Do not try to be God. Do not envy anyone else.

(b) “We have borne the burden and heat of the day” They did most of the work and labored through the hot hours. These people are angry because they think they deserve God’s grace. But they agreed to work for eternal life. God does not give eternal life by works. You never get eternal life if you work for it. You must trust Jesus for it. Eternal life is in Him, and it is a gift.

(c) “You paid them the same as you paid us.” They accuse the owner, who represents God, of not being fair. They represent the Jews of the Old Testament, who think they deserve grace by birth. But no one deserves the grace of God. Just believe Him and it is yours. The others represent all the Jews and Gentiles who serve God for “whatever is right” in God’s opinion.

(d) The owner gave the last ones hired preferential treatment (Matthew 19:30; 20:16). You want to be one of those who serve God for “whatever is right” in His eyes. Never make demands of God. He needs no back seat drivers. Serve God as thanks for His unspeakable gift of eternal life in His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.[1]

(e) They complained about the point of Jesus’ parable. His point was that God can do as He pleases in judging man. He always did what He said in His word, the Bible. His opinion was the only one that counted.

14)  The owner’s response (Matthew 20:13-15).

a) “Friend, I do you no wrong. You agreed with me for a day’s wage.”

b) “Take what is yours and go your way.” Their way is the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

c) “I will give to the 5 pm hires the same as I give to you. I can do what I want with what is mine.” He will hold you to your agreement unless you change your heart prior to the final judgment.

d) “Are you envious because I am good?” The key to the whole parable is that God is good. In the larger sense God is good in all His qualities. In the narrower sense, God is love, benevolence, patience, mercy, grace, and faithfulness. If you cannot see it, ask God to show it to you. But be humble with Him.

e) The goodness of the owner is grace. Grace is unmerited favor. Neither you nor I deserve this favor.

15)  Interpretation of the Parable (Matthew 20:16).

a) At God’s judgment, all the 9 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, and 5 pm workers are working on a grace basis. They are objects of God’s grace.

b) God gives them rewards as it pleases Him. He has a one-way covenant with them.

c) At God’s judgment the first workers hired are working on a legal basis. They are only working for the money. They do not consider the fact that they are working for such a good man and for such a good purpose. They are angry with the owner, who represents God in the parable. And they are malcontents. The owner’s rights mean nothing to them. They envy the others who received grace. They believe in works salvation. They envy others.

d) The last workers hired represent the objects of God’s greatest grace.

e) The last hires receive the greatest rewards per duration of service at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

f) People in God’s kingdom who believe in salvation by works, are like the 6 am hirelings.

g) The “grace basis” workers represent Christians who all receive rewards at God’s final judgment.

h) Pay time at the end of the day represents judgment day (Matthew 19:28-30).

16)  What we learn about interpreting the narrow way and the broad way:

a) We must not have a legal spirit when dealing with God (Matthew 19:27). Such a spirit is a tell-tale sign that the person is not born again.

b) We must defer to God’s right to do as He pleases, as He rewards us (Matthew 20:23).

c) We must not envy the grace bestowed on others (Matthew 19:27; 20:20-21).

d) We recipients of grace do not begrudge others the blessing of receiving grace.

e) We must not pride ourselves on our deeds, as if they give us a claim on God’s blessings (See Luke 15:25-30). Blessing us is up to God.

f) The final judgment proves that God unilaterally[4] gives rewards to saved people. He judges everyone properly. He has infinitely good judgment. No one can successfully impeach Him. God chooses few and there are few on the narrow way. This is in comparison to the many who are on the broad way.

g) In the Parable, the 9 am hires, the 12 noon hires, the 3 pm hires, and the 5 pm hires are all part of the chosen few. The 6 am hires represent the teeming multitudes of the world population who think God judges Christians and others based on their good works.

h) So, the chosen few are a great multitude. They are few in comparison to the vast numbers of the unsaved people. But they are like the number of sand grains on the seashore and the number of stars in the sky.

NOTES

[1] In Matthew 7:14 there are two words meaning “narrow.” The first one is stenos which is the same word that modifies the gate in Matthew 7:13. The translators of the Berean Study Bible, which is what I am using, render it as “small” in Matthew 7:14. The second word in Matthew 7:14 modifies the “way.” It is the perfect passive participle form of thlibo. It means “having been constricted.” So, the New American Standard Bible translates it as, “For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

[2] See the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-13 and Jesus’ explanation of it in Matthew 13:18-23.

[3] 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

[4] This means that the only Person who can do the final rewarding of His people is God. The Lord Jesus is God.