The Path

 
Matthew 7:13-14  Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Shepherds use gates to protect their sheep.  They protect the sheep from those who would steal them and for protection in the wild.  The gate itself is low and narrow which leads to a secure corral or area where the shepherd can watch over the sheep and there is only one way through.  If a gate is wide, the sheep will tend to meander around and it becomes easy for them to lose their way.  Often the shepherd was the gate.

In a similar way, Jesus is our gate.  He tells us this in John 10:7  Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

In ancient times there were different types of roads leading into the city.  Cities were surrounded by high walls ad gates located at different places.  The wide gates allowed a multitude of people to enter in.  The narrow gates were more private and allowed few to enter in to.

The Golden or East Gate now sealed.
A gate it is said Jesus will return to.

The Sheep Gate.

To arrive at the narrow gate, one must travel on the narrow path.  The narrow path is found only through Jesus. John 14:6 It is harder to find and harder to stay on.  It is not paved with good intentions or living a "good" life.  If it were, everyone would be able to go through.

The wide path leads only to destruction.  It is paved with fleshly desires.  This road is filled with many traps and detours.  It all looks and feels great while in the midst of it, but ultimately  it leads to death and destruction.

Which road will you choose?