THE WAY THAT LEADS TO LIFE

“Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.“ Matthew 7: 13-16

We live on a narrow, and heavily patched side street named Ace Lane. It is well named. Potholes spring up like mushrooms. Our community has space for more than six hundred homes, yet this is the only way to reach us. A fact that we often think of when grass fires flair up regularly.
 
The street that Ace Lane leads to has six lanes, three in either direction: typical of many arterial streets in the Dallas area. Why is there this contrast? In this parable, Jesus points out the obvious reason.
 
Because the broad way is where the majority of the people are travelling; it is more attractive, and well maintained. It is the easy way, easy to find, easy to follow, and usually faster. The light at the junction of the two streets definitely favors the broad way. We often have to wait for a second round of lights, because our timing is set low. We who live on the side street have to know where we are going. We know where the potholes are the worst. We know where most of the animals are killed on the street during the night. We know where the rainwater accumulates when it rains, for we have no storm drains, and we know where the crest of a small hill obscures approaching traffic.

Jesus compared such as Ace Lane to a gate, the favored way: the attractive way that most people are following is not really the best way, for it is leading to destruction. The famous line of an immature person is, “Everyone is doing it.” That simply is not true. If it were true, it would most definitely be a “red flag” warning not to do whatever is being referred to. The narrow way, the way that people have trouble finding, is the way that leads to life, and only a few will find it.
A number of persons coming to our home have ignored our instructions saying. “I will just follow my navigator”, or “I have a map.” Good, but it probably neither is up to date. Both show Ace Lane opening onto a major highway to the south and that is the tempting way, but Ace Lane has been a dead end street for a number of years years. People find their way, when they phone. “Few there be that find it.” We have been warned. Many who think they know the way, many who trust the assumed authorities, of those, many will go astray, because they do not check or don’t know a trustworthy guide. In verse fifteen is the admonition, “beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” They are not what they appear to be. They can’t direct the way to life, if they don’t know it themselves. Jesus compared such persons as "the bin leading hte blind."

Jesus was making a Spiritual application that we might make the right choices in our lives. Don’t follow the masses, don’t be afraid to consult the Word. It is reliable, even though it may seem to be pointing to a narrow, trouble strewn lane. Leave behind the broad, easy way. Jesus knew what lay before him, but instead of taking the easy way, he always took the way that led to life, being obedient to his Father. Life is too short for us to take shortcuts. Follow the Word. Follow the Lord who said, “Where I go ye know.” And, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” The broad gate, most people are using, is the wrong gate.