Matthew 7:14

Sunday, 9 February 2025

 

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:14

 

“For narrow the gate and having been compressed the way, the ‘leading to the life,’ and few, they are, those finding it” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus said, “You enter through the narrow gate. Because wide the gate and spacious the way, the ‘leading to the destruction,’ and many, they are, those entering through it.” He now continues that thought beginning with, “For narrow the gate and having been compressed the way.”

 

The word thlibó, is introduced here. It signifies to crowd, as if one is in a throng or in a narrow place. HELPS Word Studies says, “properly, rub together, constrict (compress), i.e. pressed together; (figuratively) oppressively afflict (distress), i.e. like when circumstances ‘rub us the wrong way’ that make us feel confined (hemmed in); restricted to a ‘narrow’ place.”

 

These various instances all indicate some sort of crowding is taking place. As this is a path that one must pass through, the word compressed is suitable. However, in this verse, the verb is a perfect participle. Therefore, “having been compressed” gives the right sense. It was compressed in the past and the effects are ongoing.

 

Of this narrow gate and compressed path, Jesus says it is “the ‘leading to the life.’” The path and the gate are both referred to in the singular. It is one avenue alone that marks the way to “the life.” Though only Young’s elsewhere includes the article in the translation, its inclusion is appropriate. It isn’t just life, as if you can keep living in this earthly body, but “the life.”

 

It is the thought explained in Leviticus 18:5 –

 

“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.”

 

In Genesis 3, because of man’s disobedience to the Lord’s law, access to the tree of life by which man could live forever was denied. Death entered the world. In Leviticus, a promise was made that through obedience to the law, the man shall live. Many scholars pass this off as meaning “live happily,” have a “higher life,” possess “true life,” etc. Their thoughts speak of a content and prosperous life under the law.

 

This is not at all what is being relayed here. It is a promise that if a man keeps the requirements of the law, he will live and not die. On the flip side, if one does not keep the requirements of the law, he will die and not live.

 

The Lord was dwelling in their presence. Access to Him was restricted because of the sin nature of man, but also because of the law itself. But in fulfillment of the law, access would naturally be granted once again. It could not be otherwise. The law is given to give life. If life is promised, then it must be granted.

 

If one doesn’t die, then he continues to live. If he lives forever, then he has eternal life. This is the implication of the words. This verse is looking forward to Christ – The Man who, in fact, did keep the ordinances and judgments of Yehovah, and He thus possesses eternal life.

 

This is exactingly explained in the book of Romans, but elsewhere in the New Testament as well. Christ fulfilled the law, and thus the law is fulfilled. In Him, life is granted. If you are looking for access to restored paradise and to the Tree of Life, you need look no further than Jesus Christ. He is “The Man who did.” As for what He did and the benefits of His work, He next says, “and few, they are, those finding it.”

 

The words seem contradictory to the church age which has spanned two thousand years and which has seen innumerable multitudes come to Him through faith in the gospel. However, there are two considerations that should be addressed.

 

The first is that the number of those in the church is actually small in relation to the total number of people that have been born over the centuries. But more to the point is that Jesus is specifically addressing His disciples and Israel through them. It is true that few of Israel would find Jesus and enter through Him. Paul says as much in Romans 9-11, such as –

 

“Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
‘Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant will be saved.
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.’” Romans 9:27, 28

 

Life application: There is life, and then there is life. People can go to the hospital, get healed, and return to life as usual. However, there is a life that transcends this life. It is life that must be appropriated in a specific way.

 

The use of the perfect participle concerning the way to “the life” shows that it was made that way and it will not change. God is not fickle. He would not send Jesus to die on the cross just to say, “Good job, Son, Your shed blood now provides another way to be reconciled to Me.” Rather, the Bible teaches that He is the only way to be reconciled to God –

 

“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’
29 Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” John 6:28, 29

 

Lord God, give us the stamina when facing the crowd that comes against us to stand and acknowledge that Jesus alone can restore man to God. May we never give false hope in any other path to reconciliation. We know there is none. But we thank You that You have given us one. Yes, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.