Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13 These words from the Sermon on the Mount are addressed by Jesus to His disciples, His followers. It is as if He wants to rob them (and thus also us today) of an illusion. Jesus is challenging them to make a decision. He speaks of two gates, two ways or paths, two destinations and two groups. He directly calls for a decision: “Enter by the narrow gate”. Only then does He describe the image, naming the beginning, the way and the goal. Everything fits through the wide gate: art and culture, sport, pleasure and entertainment. This gate is inviting, comfortable and easy to find. Everyone passes through it from birth. You can even find the respectable, the successful and the religious here, but also those who have stumbled and fallen. There are those who are proud of themselves as well as those who have given up. No one is rejected – there is room for everyone in the wide gate. But obviously it is a dangerous passage, because the gate leads “to destruction”. Is everyone who passes through it aware of this? The narrow gate is quite different. It is narrow, small and more difficult to find. Moreover, it isn’t very inviting. Those who enter have to give up their own ideas. “Good works” that are supposed to secure someone a place in heaven cannot pass through here. Going through the narrow gate has to do with the recognition and confession of sins, with rebirth and conversion and “repentance toward God” (Acts 20:21). I have entered the wide gate by birth; to enter the narrow gate, on the other hand, I have to consciously decide. Jesus Christ invites me: “I am the door; if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). (to be continued tomorrow) Today’s reading: Genesis 42:9-26 · Psalms 28:1-9

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13 These words from the Sermon on the Mount are addressed by Jesus to His disciples, His followers. It is as if He wants to rob them (and thus also us today) of an illusion. Jesus is challenging them to make a decision. He speaks of two gates, two ways or paths, two destinations and two groups. He directly calls for a decision: “Enter by the narrow gate”. Only then does He describe the image, naming the beginning, the way and the goal. Everything fits through the wide gate: art and culture, sport, pleasure and entertainment. This gate is inviting, comfortable and easy to find. Everyone passes through it from birth. You can even find the respectable, the successful and the religious here, but also those who have stumbled and fallen. There are those who are proud of themselves as well as those who have given up. No one is rejected – there is room for everyone in the wide gate. But obviously it is a dangerous passage, because the gate leads “to destruction”. Is everyone who passes through it aware of this? The narrow gate is quite different. It is narrow, small and more difficult to find. Moreover, it isn’t very inviting. Those who enter have to give up their own ideas. “Good works” that are supposed to secure someone a place in heaven cannot pass through here. Going through the narrow gate has to do with the recognition and confession of sins, with rebirth and conversion and “repentance toward God” (Acts 20:21). I have entered the wide gate by birth; to enter the narrow gate, on the other hand, I have to consciously decide. Jesus Christ invites me: “I am the door; if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). (to be continued tomorrow) Today’s reading: Genesis 42:9-26 · Psalms 28:1-9