Matthew 7:13-23 — Sermon on the Mount
The King's Children Choose Wisely
Jesus calls his followers to choose the narrow gate and way of life over the broad path of destruction, warning against false prophets and emphasizing that true discipleship is evidenced by obedience and fruit.
Introduction
The holiday season typically brings increased crowds and shopping activity. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, draws masses of people seeking special deals and gifts. The thrill of the hunt and the energy of large crowds appeal to some, though others find them overwhelming. Being in a crowd of 60,000 or more—whether at a football game in Knoxville with over 100,000 people or navigating rush hour traffic in Memphis—can be either exciting or frustrating depending on one’s perspective.
Choosing the path of life is not always easy. Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” explores this reality through the experience of coming to a fork in the road where different paths diverge. Frost examined the options before him, noticing that one path appeared well worn while the other seemed less traveled. His contemplation led him to choose what appeared to be the less worn path. However, as he traveled it, he discovered that this path was also worn, though perhaps less so than he initially thought. Frost captures this moment in the opening stanza: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both.” Choices must be made, and Frost himself noted that his poem was tricky.
The final stanza offers crucial insight:
I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence: / Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.
It is with a sigh that he tells his story—somewhere in the future. The point is clear: we must all choose life’s path. By choosing, we eliminate other paths. The choice we make determines the difference in our lives, but it also means we cannot look back and wonder what might have been. The choice made results in a path taken, with no opportunity to return to the fork and take a do-over. This is life. Therefore, we need to choose wisely.
Jesus calls for a choice to be made as well. Having spent much time teaching what his kingdom looks like and how it should be in the hearts of those who follow him, he calls for a decision. Two roads. Which will you choose?
The Gate
As Jesus comes to the end of his sermon, he calls on his hearers to make a decision using a series of contrasts. The first contrast is one which is both a warning and an invitation. Jesus invites his followers to enter through the narrow gate, offering both challenge and hope to those who would follow him.
Follow Jesus
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