Matthew 7:13,14–The Journey of our Soul Enter ye in at the strait 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 is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. We are listening here to the greatest sermon ever preached. Greatest because of the Person who preached it, the weightiness of the matters covered and the beauty of the illustrations employed. Never were the great issues of life, death and eternity set before men with such clarity and conviction. In the words above our Lord Jesus Christ is, like all faithful preachers, applying His teaching. If He has been telling His hearers that they were shut out of heaven because of their sins then He is now telling them to enter into the kingdom. In picture language Jesus sets before us two contrasting beginnings and endings for our consideration. Firstly we have the two gates. One is spacious and the other is constricted. The gates are important for they will determine the ways that are followed. What do these two gates represent? A gate marks the beginning of a journey. The wide gate is the one which all men pass through when they are born into this world. It is the gate of original sin and corruption. Though men may rebel against this truth in their minds yet Scripture is clear. “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psa.58:3). And is not our experience clear too? No-one needs to be taught to sin: it is native to us all. The strait gate is the one which men pass through when they are born again. Regeneration and conversion to Christ are absolutely necessary for salvation. Our whole nature must be renewed and our outlook and habits changed. The strait gate indicates this. To enter heaven requires us to leave aside the baggage of our sins and our worldly possessions and ambitions. We must stoop in faith and repentance to enter through this gate, becoming like a little child in our attitude. People are always trying to make the gate of salvation wider than it actually is. Many believe that as long as a man is sincere, whatever religion he follows, that is enough. Preachers may be guilty of this too. They give the impression that any man can choose Christ by a simple exercise of his own will-power. No! “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jon.2:9). Secondly we have the two ways. One is easy and the other is difficult. The ways are important for they lead to destinations. What do these two ways represent? A way marks the course of a journey. The broad way is the one we are all on as sinners. The Bible says, “There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecc.7:20). It is easy for us to travel this way. Many religious men and women have never left it. Cain, Balaam, Saul, Judas and Demas are warnings to us. The narrow way is the way of trusting in Christ alone for righteousness. The way of salvation is not narrow in the sense that there is room on it only for a few, but in that the Lord Jesus Christ makes certain demands upon His followers. He says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt.16:24). We must reject the idea that a man can love Christ and at the same time love the world which crucified Christ. Salvation is not to be had irrespective of the lifestyle that is followed. Thirdly we have the two destinations. One is disturbing and the other is attractive. The destinations are important for they indicate our home. What do these two destinations represent? A destination marks the end of a journey. Destruction is the ruination of our body and soul and is the destination we deserve on account of our sins. Unrepentant sinners shall be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2Thess.1:9). It really shall be the final end of some, for there can be no escape from hell once we arrive there at the moment of our death. Life is the perfect blessedness of our body and soul and is the free gift of God’s grace to sinners who repent. Jesus said: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Think of it. Heaven is a life of sinless, unbroken communion with God through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, bringing full contentment to those who are there. What a priceless blessing! And yet it is not desired by us until God opens our eyes. Finally we have the two companies. One is great and the other is small. The companies are important for they show us what gate we have passed through, what way we are on and what destination we are bound for. What do these two companies represent? A company marks the gathering after a journey. Many shall make up the company in hell because having passed through the wide gate of natural birth and travelled on the broad way of sin they never heeded the gospel call to come to Christ. They were careless and saw no need of a change of direction. Few shall be heaven, Jesus says. We cannot tell how many, but He is the Shepherd of “a little flock” (Luke 12:32). The way is certainly open. All are invited to “enter in.” But the key is in the words of our Saviour to Nicodemus: “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). Then you will desire heaven! Then you will be willing to walk the narrow way! Then you will be found among the few who shall receive the kingdom! Where is your soul going?