"How Do I Get In?"

Everybody wants to know the answer to this question. Jesus was once asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). He responded, “…if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:17). Christ also said, “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” (Matt. 7:13-14).

Robert Frost once wrote about two roads which diverged in a yellow wood. He knew he had to make a choice to take only one. He concluded:

I shall be telling this with a sigh,
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.

The direction the Son of God gave mankind also deals with a road less traveled. It is a road of compassion, forgiveness, righteousness, selflessness, obedience, sacrifice, and truth. It is a road of kindness, gentleness, patience, temperance, fruitfulness, faithfulness and hope.

The narrow road is the road the world refuses to take. It is not as appealing to the flesh as is the broad way. There are fewer companions who will walk with you. It is a longer journey. It is filled with obstacles. It is at times dark and lonely. But notice that Jesus still says, “Enter” by this road (Matt. 7:13).

Believe it or not, the greatest consolation to the decision one makes to take the road less traveled is not discovered at the end. Frost points out in his poem that it was not the final destination, but the experience found in the journey that changed his life. Jesus, as He lived on this earth, took the narrow road. When we choose to walk in the steps of Christ, not only do we purify ourselves through His sufferings, we become more like Him with every step we take.

So maybe the greatest question is not, “How do I get in?” Perhaps the better question – “Which way am I going?”

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and not be able” – (Luke 13:24).