A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WIDE AND NARROW GATES – Part 2      

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. . . But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”   

There is another gate other than the wide one which was the subject of yesterday’s devotional. Jesus, in today’s devotional verses says there is a “small and narrow gate.” This gate is very special. “It leads to life,” Jesus says. 

On another occasion Jesus said, “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture." (John 10:9) Yes, Jesus, your Good Shepherd has literally sacrificed His life on Calvary’s cross for you to enter through faith in Him into heaven itself. He alone is “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) Only through faith in Jesus can you or anyone else enter into heaven.  

Satan and the world deceitfully say there are many ways, many gates through which you can enter into heaven. This is one of the biggest lies Satan speaks. “Jesus is . . . ‘the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12) 

Your Father in heaven loved you so much He sent His Son Jesus to conquer the Devil, the World, and all sin. Jesus did that through His perfect life and sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross. With His Easter resurrection He sealed His promise to you to give you eternal life. He is the only one who can give you this precious gift. 

There are wide gates and there is one narrow gate. The wide gates are inviting and easy to pass through. However, they lead to death and eternal separation from God. The narrow gate is just that because it alone is the only entry point into eternal life with your Heavenly Father. By God’s grace, through the gift of faith He has given you, He leads you by His Spirit to and through this gate to life everlasting.   

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for becoming the narrow gate and for sending Your Spirit to lead me through this gate into heaven itself. In your holy name. Amen. 

Jesus refuge of the weary, Blest Redeemer, whom we love,  
Fountain in life’s desert dreary, Savior from the world above;  
Often have Your eyes offended, Gazed upon the sinner’s fall;  
Yet upon the cross extended, You have borne the pain of all. 

Do we pass that cross unheeding, Breathing no repentant vow,  
Though we see You wounded, bleeding, Your thorn-encircled brow?  
Yet Your sinless death has brought us Life eternal, peace, and rest;  
Only what Your grace has taught us   Calms the sinner’s deep distress. 

Jesus, may our hearts be burning With more fervent love for You;  
May our eyes be ever turning To behold Your cross anew  
Till in glory, parted never From the blessed Savior’s side;  
Graven in our hearts forever, Dwell the cross, the Crucified.  

Jesus Refuge of the Weary - LSB 423