Are We There Yet?

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14)

Any parent who has ever taken a trip of any length with a child in the car has no doubt heard the famous question: "Are we there yet?" I know that we heard it many times from our kids and I admit reluctantly that my sisters and I asked it of our parents years before that. It seems that we have an amazing fascination, then, with getting to our destination as human beings! What is less certain, however, is what the exact destination may turn out to be.

As we return once again to Jesus' parable about the broad and narrow roads entered by the wide and small gates, we turn our attention this week to the issue of the final destination to which each road leads. Jesus said that the broad way leads to "destruction." The Greek word apoleia refers to a "loss of well-being" and not to a loss of personal being. Simply the one on this road is separated eternally from the love and mercy of God. So if the "broad" way leads to such everlasting destruction, why is it that so many people go there? One reason I believe that this path is so well-traveled is because it hides its true end from all who choose it. No traveler on the broad way, beloved, will ever see a road sign reading "Hell - 25 miles"! Not one person will know what awaits him until he arrives there and it is too late.

By contrast Jesus said that the narrow way leads to "life" and that few people ever find that road. And why would a path in life leading to such a glorious destination be so infrequently traveled? I believe that one reason is that sin wants nothing to do with God in this life. No one who is presently enjoying the passing pleasures of sin even wants to know that such a path as this one exists! They would rather choose to believe that a "God of love" would never judge anyone or consign them to eternal perdition. Yet on this "narrow" way is the sweetest fellowship with Jesus to be found! We can actually enjoy His company in the here and now, beloved. Thus, eternal life is a destination which we may know and a lifestyle which we may choose to experience every moment of every day right now.

Are we there yet? Not yet. But our arrival at this eternal destination is assured, beloved, as long as we have chosen to enter by the "small" gate and are walking the "narrow" way. As we travel this road daily, Jesus Himself desires to walk with us and to guide us every step of the way. We have His promise of that!

Ron