He (Jesus) said to them: Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Luke 13:24
Growing up, I used to think that the narrow way meant poverty, and poverty was a prerequisite for heaven. Which means, unless I’m on a tight budget, I’m not qualified for heaven. This text can be misinterpreted at either extreme. Some may think of it the way I did, meaning I have to make every effort to be poor because that’s the narrow way. While others may think that everything in a believer’s life must be flourishing at all times because God is a God of prosperity and abundance. This is true; however, we must not forget that in John 16:33, Jesus also made it clear to His disciples by saying, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Also, when John the Baptist thought that serving the Lord meant everything except being in prison, Jesus had to remind him that blessed is the one who is not offended by Him, based on the trials and sorrows of life (Matthew 11:6).
So, what is considered the narrow way, then? Do I have to be poor to enter that door, or not? Does it involve suffering or not?
I have realized that the narrow door/way is an invitation to a new lifestyle Jesus offers, which I will discuss in the next blog. When Jesus said in verse 24, “Many I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to,” He made it clear that the invitation is not accessible to everyone, even though it is available to everyone.
Jesus also emphasized that the door will not remain open indefinitely. He told His disciples that once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, someone will be standing outside knocking and pleading for the door to reopen, but access will be denied. That is why Jesus urges everyone to receive the invitation to the new lifestyle now by entering the narrow gate.
It is hard to believe that someone must be struggling financially to enter the narrow road. In that case, the Bible would have had to specify what was considered poor. For instance, if we were to compare physical poverty in our days, we could say that someone who has a roof over their head, food on the table, clothes to wear, but has no money in their bank account, is poor compared to someone who has everything plus several other properties, and lots of money in the bank. And a person who is homeless is considered poor compared to one who has a roof over their head, food on the table, clothes to wear, and a full-time job. So, if the narrow way meant being poor, then Jesus would have had to specify who is considered poor. Is it the ones who live below the poverty threshold? Is it middle-income or lower-income? Can those who are blessed like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob enter the narrow way, or is it just for the homeless and the beggar? Therefore, it is clear that we cannot use physical poverty as the prerequisite for heaven because Jesus never said that.
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus talks about the poor in spirit. He said that they are blessed because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. It is almost as if Jesus said, ‘The poor in spirit are those who recognize that I am their God. They must totally depend on Me. And because I’m their everything, they are blessed because I will give them My kingdom.’ However, Jesus did not say, ‘They are those who live a miserable life or a life of poverty; such people are qualified for My kingdom.’
So, does that mean the narrow way is easy and pain-free?
I can tell you that it isn’t easy and pain-free, but I can also tell you that not entering it will cause life to be even more difficult and painful.
When Jesus told His disciples to make every effort to enter through the narrow door, we have to understand how confusing this was for them. Here they were hanging out with their Teacher, the ultimate miracle worker who can do whatever He wants. Yet He is telling them about the need to enter a narrow way, which doesn’t seem like a door of miracles at all.
And since Jesus gave them a hint of what will happen to those who do not walk that path, we already know it will be costly if we don’t. Jesus said, “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, I don’t know you or where you come from. Then you’ll say, we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. But he will reply, I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers! There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.” Luke 13: 25-28
I don’t know about you, but just the thought of it makes me want to get my life together and be about my Father’s business. So, if Jesus says the narrow way is the entryway, my response is ‘Sir, Yes, Sir!’ no matter how uncomfortable it might be. The beauty of it all is that God is not asking us to enter the narrow way on our own. He wants us to be willing to take the first step to enter it, and He will help us along the way!
When we are tempted to think of the narrow way as a difficult invitation, we should think of it this way: For example, if I have a best friend and that friend died in my stead. Let’s say I was part of a gang, and my opponents mistakenly shot my friend instead of me. Now, what could I possibly say or give to my friend’s parents for their loss? At this point, not even my death could change anything because my death cannot bring their child back nor erase the pain from their memories. Now, let’s flip the scenario. What can we repay God for His Son’s sacrifice? What can we exchange? Even if we were to die voluntarily, it still wouldn’t be a fair fight. We will never know what it feels like to carry the weight of everyone’s sins on our shoulders and bear a shameful death on the cross innocently. And God is so merciful and loving that He doesn’t even allow us to go through what Jesus went through. In that case, what suffering can someone encounter on that narrow way that can ever be as painful as Christ’s suffering on our behalf? Therefore, this implies that the narrow way will always be a bargain compared to what God could have asked us.
Also, let’s not forget that Jesus walked the narrow road even when He knew He couldn’t rely on His closest friends for support because they did not even understand His journey. However, we have Jesus, who has promised and has proven that He is with us every step of the way. How wonderful is that?
This should have been the best opportunity for Jesus to feel some type of way. Jesus could have said to His Father: “Father, this is not fair. How come they get to have Me and My Spirit and the whole heaven backing them up on their journey when I had to endure the shame of the cross on my own over something that I’m completely innocent about?”
Thus, when considering these things, we have no choice but to change our perspectives on the narrow way. We can examine for ourselves whether Jesus is in our best interest or tries to make life more difficult for us than it already is.
I believe each time the enemy tries to make us doubt the love of Jesus for us, we must remember His painful death and the purpose of His death. This will give us clear evidence that He isn’t the bad guy. He is indeed for us and not against us.
SCRIPTURES
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7: 21-23
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