The Narrow Gate Facts for 3-8 Year Olds

Categories: Sermon on the Mount

• Jesus’ Sermon is coming to an end.
• Disciples have to decide if they are ready to follow Jesus’ teachings, or not.
• Some of his commands have been very hard.
• Some examples are exactly opposite of what they’ve been taught.
• The disciples listen while Jesus presents a whole new way of thinking and acting.
• It all seems so exciting, and they are happy.
• But, following Jesus is really about making choices, about choosing the right way.
• This is going to work best if one simply imagines a path that branches off in two different directions. (It’s called a fork in the road.)
• Imagine walking down a path and seeing two gates.
• These two gates, Jesus says, are really different in size.
• One is very “broad,” meaning big and roomy.
• Its openness suggests that entering will be easy and comfortable.
• Everyone is welcome, and many will happily go that way.
• It’s so wide because they need the room.
• That’s where most of the people are heading.
• In contrast to the really big gate, the other one is very narrow (thin).
• Everyone listening to Jesus will find him/herself at this point, and they will have to make a choice.
• Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
• Going through that big fancy gate is a choice that will lead to “destruction.”
• The word “destruction” means total and final ruin—really bad stuff.
• Going through the big gate is easy; heading off to the narrow gate is hard.
• Jesus already knows that the majority of his listeners, as well as people in general, are probably going through the wider gate.
• A true disciple, however, chooses the narrow gate that leads to a way of obedience and ethics (making good, loving choices, not bad).
• The true disciples are going to be part of a little flock, not a big herd.
• The big herd went in through the other gate.
• Walking through the narrow gate is going to be tough. But, again, this is not just a way of life; it is t-h-e way of life.
• It will mean going against what most everyone else is doing—standing up for what is right even if no one else does.
• Then Jesus adds, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
• They have already been told that this gate is very small, and the path is very narrow.
• It suggests that the disciples might have to leave things behind just to fit through it.
• We think of leaving material things behind, but Jesus also might be talking about letting go of “self” – self-righteousness (thinking that we’re right and someone else is wrong), selfishness (thinking just of ourselves), self-satisfaction (doing things that please us without thinking of others), self-sufficiency (thinking we can do everything by ourselves without God), etc.
• Leaving such qualities behind allows one to get through the little opening.
• And yes, going through the narrow gate is difficult, but it comes with a sense of freedom and purpose.
• A key phrase comes at the end: “and only a few find it.”
• “Find” is an interesting word.
• The disciples will have to do some looking.
• To “find” something requires some effort.
• But disciples have many reasons not to be discouraged or lose hope because the effort will be worth it.
• This little gate is the one that leads to “life” – eternal life.
• In a sense, these two gates represent vastly different paths; one route will be easy, the other hard.
• In other words, ignoring Jesus’ teachings is easy; following them is hard.
• For instance, music makers and good athletes have to work very hard. At the end, their hard work is rewarded, and they’re glad they worked hard.
• The disciples, therefore, can choose the narrow gate with joy, with the promise of a great future.
• Jesus says one choice leads to “life;” the other leads to “total destruction.”
• The disciples need to search their hearts and obey.
• One gate looks good and easy at first. But committed disciples know they have to look farther down the road.
• By definition, discipleship is hard.
• So talking about the narrow and wide gates paints a picture in our minds. Jesus is telling his disciples that if they want the good life, they’ll have to make some hard choices and be willing to stand up for what is good and right.
• OK, let’s assume the disciples have made the right decision.
• And soon, they will come to another fork in the road.
• All the people standing at this fork are the disciples who found and entered through the narrow gate.
• Now, there is another choice to make. What will be your choice?