The Strait and Narrow Gate
DAY NINE
PONDER THIS ENGRAVING
MEDITATE ON THESE VERSES
Matthew 6:24 | James 4:4 | Matthew 19:24 | Isaiah 64:6 | Proverbs 26:1 | Psalms 49:12 | John 5:44 | Matthew 19:17
Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14
POETIC REFLECTION
The gate contracted, here is brought to view,
And narrow path that runs directly through.
One there is seen, who strives with all his might
To pass the gate that leads to heavenly light;
Strong drink, the deadly dram, is cast away,
And on his knees, devout, begins to pray.
Self-righteousness to enter next proceeds,
Alas for him! how heavily he treads!
His wary back a monstrous burden bears
Of legal deeds, and unavailing prayers.
He can not enter, for the gate is small;
He must unload him, or not pass at all.
Dives has fallen, gone quite off the track,
And on the wicket gate has turned his back.
Another h, heedless of Jehovah’s laws,
Dreams he can enter with the world’s applause
Honor and glory, pomp of things below, Can never through the straitened passage go.
Thus sinners all–to sensual pleasures given–
Remain excluded from the gate of Heaven.
DEVOTION OF INTERPRETATION
The first object presented in the group is a reformed drunkard. See! he has thrown away strong drinks; he is determined to agonize–to enter in at the strait gate. Many tipplers seek to gain admission, but it will not do; over the gate is written, in characters of living light. “No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
The next figure shows a man professedly in the strait and narrow way, but he has such a large mass, or bundle of self-righteousness on his back, it will be seen at the first glance that it is impossible for him to get through the gate of passage. “all our righteousness,” which we may bring with us when seeking salvation, “are as filthy rags;” and the more we have of them, the more impossible it will be for us to enter the strait gate. Man, in order to be saved, must feel himself to be a sinner; he must feel his poverty, and like the man seen in the engraving, must get down on his knees, in order to enter into the gate of life.
St. Paul, when a Pharisee, had a large load of self-righteousness, but when he became a Christian he discarded it; he desired to be found in Christ, saying, “not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Partly in the background is one who has fallen from the narrow way. This represents a lover of money; one who has committed ‘guilts, great blunder,” and who is now a laughing stock for devils. They that will be rich fall into temptations and a snare, which drown men in perdition. O, that men were wise! O, that they would attend the to words of Christ: : Ye can not serve God and mammon; verily it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
The last depicted is one who is carrying worldly honor and glory; who foolishly thinks he can love God and the world together. No man can serve tow masters of opposite interest. : How,,” said Jesus, “can ye be saved who seek honor one of another and not the honor which cometh from God only.”
Perhaps it was on one of those beautiful evenings of surpassing loveliness, seen only in the Holy Land, that the Blessed Redeemer delivered his unexampled lessons of benevolence and wisdom from the mount made sacred by his presence. Then Jesus opened his mouth and taught them, saying, “Enter ye in at the strait gate; strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” By which words the Savior would have us to understand the nature and requirements of Religion. Its nature–that is consists in a change of heart. Its requirements– that we do justly , love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord,.
Hence, by the “strait gate”we may learn that compliance with the first table of the Law is intended, viz.: Though shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, with all they soul, with all they mind, and with all they strength. By the :narrow way,” obedience to the demands of the second table is enjoined, viz.: Though shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; or, as it is expressed by the Savior, more copiously, “Therefore, all things whosoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.” As no man can love God, as required, without a change of heart, so neither can any one do unto others as he would they should do unto him unless he first love God; for “he that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885. Bible Looking Glass: Reflector, Companion and Guide to the Great Truths of the Sacred Scriptures, and Illustrating the Diversities of Human Character, and the Qualities of the Human Heart.
Philadelphia, Bradley, Garretson & Co., 1861