A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WIDE AND NARROW GATES – Part 1      

Matthew 7:13 “ . . . For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” 

Today’s devotion is one of two that discuss gates. No matter what your background you have some familiarity with gates. Farms have many different shapes and sizes of gates. There are narrow ones so that only the farmer and his family can go through. They prevent the livestock from entering into the yard and garden that are next to the farmer’s home. There are others that are wider. These permit many cows, sheep, goats, and other livestock to pass through at one time. There are still others that are extra wide to allow the huge farm equipment to pass from one field to the next. 

Jesus, in today’s devotional verse speaks of two gates. One is narrow, which tomorrow’s devotion will speak about. Then, there is the other that is wide, which is what today’s devotion is about. Regardless of the size of a gate, their purpose is to provide passage ways from where you currently are to new places to go. 

At the time of Jesus speaking these words most every city was walled. To get into the city you had to enter through the gate to the city. Often these gates were built and adorned in such a way as to “lure” or give “special welcome” to travelers approaching the city. This is the setting Jesus presents in today’s teaching.   

Satan and the World have erected huge, appealing, attractive gates to lure you in . . . To lure you into a sinful life style that is in direct opposition to the one your heavenly Father desires you to live. The city lights are bright, the neon signs are inviting, and the sounds that come from within entice you to want to enter to enjoy the pleasures of life. 

Jesus adds then a warning regarding these “wide” gates. He says, “they lead to destruction.” Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:4 “ . . . the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.” In the houses of pleasure, the idols of the world are worshipped. Only in the house of the Lord is God Almighty worshipped and praised.  

Prayer: Give me eyes to see and a mind to understand what lies beyond the gates that stand before me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure  
When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure?  
You only, dearest Lord, My soul’s delight shall be;  
You are my peace, my rest. What is the world to me! 

The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty  
Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty.  
But what I truly prize Above all things is He,  
My Jesus, He alone. What is the world to me! 

The world seeks after wealth And all that mammon offers  
Yet never is content Though gold should fill its coffers.  
I have a higher good, Content with it I’ll be;  
My Jesus is my wealth. What is the world to me! 

What is the world to me! My Jesus is my treasure.  
My life, my health, my wealth, My friend, my love, my pleasure,  
My joy, my crown, my all, My bliss eternal.  
Once more, then, I declare: What is the world to me!  

What Is the World to Me - LSB 730