fortytworc
Member
I did a study last year On the Narrow Way. I would like to post an article I wrote pertaining to this.
Is Jesus the Narrow Way?
The following passages are usually taken as Jesus speaking of Himself being the narrow door or narrow gate. But Consider that the narrow gate and door is Judaism.
Matt 7:12 All those things, then, which you would have men do to you, even so do you to them: because this is the law and the prophets.
V. 13 Go in by the narrow door; for wide is the door and open is the way which goes to destruction and great numbers go in by it.
V. 14 for narrow is the door and hard the road to life and only a small number
make discovery of it.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Neither Jesus nor the Scripture call Jesus ‘the narrow gate or difficult way.’
1.) Many times in Scripture Jesus describes Himself with the words "I AM…”
John 6:51:"I AM the living bread."
John 8:12: I AM the light of the world."
John 10:9: "I AM the door."
John 10:11: "I AM the good shepherd."
John 15:1: "I AM the true vine."
But Jesus never says "I AM the narrow gate." Or "I AM the difficult way.” He could’ve called himself any of these but He did not. He says He Is The Only Way, but never the Narrow, Difficult, Hidden Way.
2.) Would any doctrine change had He clearly stated He was the door, gate, or way we should work to enter?
If we read these verses as though He spoke of Himself that would mean He taught that salvation is a result of working hard yet still not making it. They could read something like this:
Luke 13:24 "I AM the narrow gate. Strive to enter in by me, the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in by me and shall not be able.
Matt 7:14 "Narrow is the door and hard the road to life. I AM the narrow door and only a small number find Me."
This is salvation by keeping the Law.
3.) Might something change if one believes Jesus isn't the narrow way, but that Judaism is?
Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi speaking to Jews. In Matt.7:12 He is talking to Jews. He came for the Jews.
Matthew 10:5-6; Matthew 15:24.
So, if Jesus is not the narrow, difficult gate and path and we can put these terms within the religious timeframe in which they were spoken a great shift in our view of His work on the cross will occur. The relentless pursuit of God for us and His constant desire for relationship with us can finally make sense. Luke 14: 16-23 can take on a new light as His servants compel many to come. Not just a few. This change of perspective can help us see that we can easily become His children and run into His wide open arms.
The gate has been made easily accessible by Jesus. He made the gate and the path open to everyone when, at His death the VEIL, which separated everyone from God, WAS TORN DOWN from top to bottom.
2Cor 3:14 but (the Jews) minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that It Is Done Away In Christ.!
2Cor 3:15 “but unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.” There is no veil. The barrier between God and man is gone! We can now see God as the Prodigal Son's Father. He watches for all to come to Him. When we do He runs toward us.
The url (below) presents an ancient Jewish view of the gates which I believe pre-dates Jesus use of it.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/364-abraham-testament-of
Bob Collins
©2012
Is Jesus the Narrow Way?
The following passages are usually taken as Jesus speaking of Himself being the narrow door or narrow gate. But Consider that the narrow gate and door is Judaism.
Matt 7:12 All those things, then, which you would have men do to you, even so do you to them: because this is the law and the prophets.
V. 13 Go in by the narrow door; for wide is the door and open is the way which goes to destruction and great numbers go in by it.
V. 14 for narrow is the door and hard the road to life and only a small number
make discovery of it.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Neither Jesus nor the Scripture call Jesus ‘the narrow gate or difficult way.’
1.) Many times in Scripture Jesus describes Himself with the words "I AM…”
John 6:51:"I AM the living bread."
John 8:12: I AM the light of the world."
John 10:9: "I AM the door."
John 10:11: "I AM the good shepherd."
John 15:1: "I AM the true vine."
But Jesus never says "I AM the narrow gate." Or "I AM the difficult way.” He could’ve called himself any of these but He did not. He says He Is The Only Way, but never the Narrow, Difficult, Hidden Way.
2.) Would any doctrine change had He clearly stated He was the door, gate, or way we should work to enter?
If we read these verses as though He spoke of Himself that would mean He taught that salvation is a result of working hard yet still not making it. They could read something like this:
Luke 13:24 "I AM the narrow gate. Strive to enter in by me, the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in by me and shall not be able.
Matt 7:14 "Narrow is the door and hard the road to life. I AM the narrow door and only a small number find Me."
This is salvation by keeping the Law.
3.) Might something change if one believes Jesus isn't the narrow way, but that Judaism is?
Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi speaking to Jews. In Matt.7:12 He is talking to Jews. He came for the Jews.
Matthew 10:5-6; Matthew 15:24.
So, if Jesus is not the narrow, difficult gate and path and we can put these terms within the religious timeframe in which they were spoken a great shift in our view of His work on the cross will occur. The relentless pursuit of God for us and His constant desire for relationship with us can finally make sense. Luke 14: 16-23 can take on a new light as His servants compel many to come. Not just a few. This change of perspective can help us see that we can easily become His children and run into His wide open arms.
The gate has been made easily accessible by Jesus. He made the gate and the path open to everyone when, at His death the VEIL, which separated everyone from God, WAS TORN DOWN from top to bottom.
2Cor 3:14 but (the Jews) minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that It Is Done Away In Christ.!
2Cor 3:15 “but unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.” There is no veil. The barrier between God and man is gone! We can now see God as the Prodigal Son's Father. He watches for all to come to Him. When we do He runs toward us.
The url (below) presents an ancient Jewish view of the gates which I believe pre-dates Jesus use of it.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/364-abraham-testament-of
Bob Collins
©2012
