The narrow way

The Standard February 15, 2025

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:12-14

So. why do some of us live as if the Christian life were easy? Could it be that we’re doing it wrong? I have to ask myself this question. If it seems like almost everyone is doing something, it might be a good indication that the thing might not be the best thing.  

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship writes, “To be called to a life of extraordinary quality, to live up to it, and yet to be unconscious of it is indeed a narrow way. To confess and testify to the truth as it is in Jesus, and at the same time to love the enemies of that truth, his enemies and ours, and to love them with the infinite love of Jesus Christ, is indeed a narrow way. To believe the promise of Jesus that his followers shall possess the earth, and at the same time to face our enemies unarmed and defenseless, preferring to incur injustice rather than to do wrong ourselves, is indeed a narrow way.”

“The way which the Son of God trod on earth, and the way which we too must tread as citizens of two worlds on the razor edge between this world and the kingdom of heaven, could hardly be a broad way. The narrow way is bound to be right.”

According to Jesus, we are not going to look around and see hoards of people intent to stay on the narrow path. The ones who are could very well seem a bit odd. Many of their priorities might not make them look like they’re on the road to the American idea of success. They likely have given up a certain amount of comfort and popularity.

How might I need to deny myself and take up my cross this month? Are my habits regarding the way I spend time and money honoring to God? Are my words and actions aligning with the narrow way that Christ modeled? We certainly do not earn God’s love by staying on the narrow way. His grace is free and undeserved, but the way to abundant life is by following the path of Jesus.