The Right Path

(22)He went on His way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward
Jerusalem.
• This is one of the multiple times Jesus traveled to Jerusalem.
(23)And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”
1. The Tough Question
• (Literally, “If the saved be few? Master I’ve heard thou shouldest say so. Is it
true?”
• As Jesus was journeying and teaching, many people were following him. One
brave soul asked him if there are few who are saved. He most likely asks this to
find out if he is one of the saved or if someone he knows is one of the saved, a
very common unasked question of the time. At this time the Disciples of Christ
were few, John 6 states that many had left him due to his teachings. Jesus looked
to weed out those who were merely following him because they thought he would
take care of them (such as many followers after the feeding of the five thousand.
(24)”strive to enter the kingdom of heaven through the narrow door, for many, I tell you,
will seek to enter and not be able.
2. The Tough Answer
• What does it mean to “strive”? The Greek word agōnizomai means literally to
struggle. Christ does not mean in any way that one can work their way into
heaven, but that the path to heaven will require struggles. We must strive and
struggle against sin and Satan.
(25)when once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand
outside and to knock at the door saying, ’Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer to you,’ I
do not know you’.
3. The Tough Rejection
(26)then you will begin to say, “we ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our
streets.
4. Gospel By Sight (False)
(27)But he will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Depart from
me, all you workers of evil’
I’ll come back to this.
• Matthew 7 speaks of the same narrow door (or gate). (Matthew 7:13-14)
• Further down in Matthew it states (Matthew 7:22-27)
• The day the children of God all called home, there will be many of those who will
be locked out. They will say that they went to the church, did some charity, and
occasionally did a good deed in with the congregation, but God will say that he
never knew him. Therefore those who are outside of the gate never had a
relationship with Christ. They may have grown up in church, taught Sunday
school for 50 years, but unless they have a true relationship with Christ they will
be cast away.
(28) In that place that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom and of God, but you
yourselves cast out.
5. Gospel By Association (False)
 • Those who haven’t come through the door will fight and cry as they see many of
their friends, family, and even people who they made fun of for living the
Christian life, but due to their rejection of Christ, they will be cast out.
(29)and people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at the
table in the kingdom of God.
(30)and behold, some are last who will be first , and some who are first will be last.
6. Gospel Of All Nations
• I believe this specifically illustrates the separation of Jews and Gentiles and how
Gentiles who come through the door will be with God while Jews who walk the
broad path will be cast away.
• In modern day times, the poor, dirty, nerdy, etc. person who has Christ will be in
heaven while the person who built up their treasure in this life with money,
popularity, and many other unmentionable things who doesn’t know Jesus will be
cast away. (even “religious people”)

So what is this door, gate, path, way?

In the psalms it says this. (Psalm 16:11)
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The verse uses the term “right hand”

Jesus is the right hand of God.

A more assuring way to know what the way is is to listen to what Jesus says himself.
He says in John 14:6, a familiar verse as an “I Am” statement.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.
Jesus also says in John 10:9, another “I Am statement.
I am the gate (door); whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go
out, and find pasture.

How does one follow this path?

Accept Jesus as Lord and savior and BECAUSE OF THAT you will live your life to
please him.