The Fight Through The Gate

Sometimes popular and well known Bible verses carry either a different or a weightier and more significant message than the passage seems to present. There are many reasons for this, one being the message getting lost or watered down through the translation process. Another reason is that with Jesus we are dealing with a message on two levels. One level, the superficial level is where the passage is taken at face value. What is said is what is meant. The other level is tucked inside the words. You see, we have words that define meanings and convey ideas. It’s pretty cut and dry. But those words are also filled with spirit, which could possibly alter the entire dialogue.

God’s word is spirit filled and those spirit filled words reach out and touch our inner spirit and not necessarily the brain. Therefore, both the highly educated and the uneducated can be affected equally by God’s word, because it is the Spirit of God communicating to the spirit inside of us.

We have a good example of a superficial meaning and a deeper spiritual meaning in the adage about the strait gate. Let’s break this passage down to its bare bones and peek at some of the deeper, spiritual realities.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew (7:13-14)

“and narrow is the way” The Greek word for narrow is “Thlibo”. It means compress or press. It can also mean trouble or afflict.

A good example of “thlibo” used to mean afflict is in 2 Corinthians 1:6.  “And whether we be afflicted (thlibo), it is for your consolation and salvation….”

So, if we re-read the passage in Matthew with the understanding that “narrow” not only means limited or restricted, but also has the element of pressure, affliction and turmoil added to it, we see a more accurate presentation of the over-all message.

“Strait and narrow is the gate, with troubles and affliction along the way. It leads unto life, but few there be that find it.”

Some may not like this more literal translation, for not only does it describe the gate spatially, but adds adversity and circumstance to it. This idea of a small gate that we have to fight to get to runs counter to the image of the great, white pearly gates of heaven. But the fact of the matter is that Jesus’s life was full of pressures, conflict, and turmoil all the way to the cross. Every Christian’s walk of faith will be also. Sin revolts when discovered. It’ll pitch a hissy fit to be left alone, pacified, and coddled. The closer to that narrow gate we get, the more the devil and sin will make its presence known.

Look at the warnings Jesus gives immediately after this passage. Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets” and “ravening wolves” (Matt 7:15), and “a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Matt 7:17)

Jesus continues, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 7:21) and He warns about , “the rain descended, and the floods came” (Matt 7:25) and of the “foolish man, which built his house upon the sand” (Matt 7:26)

All of the things Jesus talks about immediately after his message about the gate are warnings of the devil making his presence known.

Life as a Christian here on earth is not easy. Jesus told us this.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Luke speaks of the strait gate too. What he says supports our understanding of Matthew above.

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:24)

The word strive comes from the Greek, “agonizomai”. You can see in the Greek the word that we have derived as agonize. This is a good definition of what strive means.

Agonizomai means “to contend with adversaries, fight” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon) and “to put forth every effort, involving toil” (Vines Expository Dictionary).

From the outset Luke is making sure we know that our walk with Jesus is going to be a fight. Luke then says many people will “seek” to enter. To seek from the Greek, “Zeteo” means to desire, think, meditate, reason, and to enquire into. Does this not describe so many “Christians” of today?

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20).

I meant to, I was going to, I feel, I thought, my intention was……! As the expression goes, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions”.

And finally, when Luke says, “and shall not be able”. Able comes from the Greek, “ischyo” and means to be strong. So, the end of the passage Luke is saying that the “many” will not be strong enough.

Here’s the message of Luke, rewritten using the original Greek for meaning and context.

You’re going to have to fight and contend to enter in through the narrow gate. Most folks will think and contemplate about Jesus and salvation, but most people won’t have it in them to commit to Christ and to obey and follow Him and His word.

Both the passage from Matthew and from Luke when read on a superficial level, seem to be talking about a small gate that leads to heaven and salvation and a big ol’ easy gate that leads to Hell. The underlying message stresses that there is a fight we’re going to have to contend with, we will struggle to make it to and through the gate. Most folks will not make it. They’ll think about it, discuss and argue over it, but in the end, it’ll be little more than lip service. Few will commit to Jesus Christ and live the life of one who is saved.

How about you? Are you prepared for the struggle ahead?

Bill Hitchcock