13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Today’s reading comprises Jesus’ magnum opus on the relative balance of who and how many will ultimately be saved to eternal life. The vast majority will not—men love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). This sad assessment might seem like a prediction of failure for our Lord. However, it testifies to His love and patience that He came to die for the whole world, not just for those who would eventually believe—even if believers would be few. We disagree with those who believe He died only for the elect (see 1 John 2:2). He came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) which included every human being, for all are lost (Rom 3:23). It may be difficult for our finite minds to comprehend that most will go to hell, but that is the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, as God, is infinitely knowledgeable as well as loving. His love, compassion, fairness and justice far exceed ours, so we can trust His teachings more than we can our own thinking.
His message here is actually good news. The knowledge that the vast majority would reject Him does not deter Him from reaching those who would respond. In His earthly ministry, only the 12 plus a few others remained with Him until the cross, the multitudes abandoned Him.
The truth is narrow, by definition, and the untruth, false teaching, is vast. Look at the multiplicity of religious systems and cults in the world, the abundance of false teachers and the plethora of self-help books—all attempting to present answers to life, all paving together a wide, broad way whose destination is ultimately the destruction of the soul. This destruction is inherent in that they miss the true, narrow way that leads to life. Anything other than the life Jesus came to give is spiritual disaster.
How do you know, then, which teachings are true and which are false? One thing to look for, says Jesus, are the fruits of the propagator of what you have heard. Is there good fruit or bad fruit? Good fruit is that which comes from the teachings of Christ and bears His characteristics.
Lord, thank You for showing me the straight and narrow way that leads to life. May the fruit of my life validate the good news I share with others.
Thanks for the accurate interpretation of the doors as Truth and Error.
Thanks brother. I trust these meditations are a blessing. BTW, I haven’t heard from Maritza from your area, who lived with us for a few months a couple of years back. How is she doing? Did the (then) marriage plans come to pass as expected? Please give her our regards. Chuck Gianotti