Gates of Contrast
By Michael K. Farrar,
O.D.
© 2000
Matthew 7:13‑14
“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
A few months ago my son and I traveled to a nearby town to spend the night and have some fun the next day. We arrived at our motel and decided to go out and see one of the new movies that had just been released. I wasn't familiar with the town that much, but figured I could find the movie theater as long as I could locate the town's shopping mall. We found the mall but had trouble locating the movie theater.
We scrutinized the businesses surrounding the mall as well as all the side streets but could not find the theater. We finally decided to circle the mall and see if we could locate the theater that way. Sure enough we came around the rear of the mall and my son said he spotted the marquee of the theater. I maneuvered onto a side street and pulled into the theater parking lot.
My son and I knew something wasn't right as soon as we pulled in. There were only a couple of cars in the lot that seemed unusual for a movie theater. We didn't see anyone in the parking lot or around the building. It basically looked deserted. We gazed up at the marquee and surprisingly read the words, “Worship Service 9:00 Tonight!”
We drove closer to the front of the building and discovered that the theater had been converted into a church. Off we went on our quest to locate our entertainment for the night.
I decided to do the manly thing and ask for directions. I found some people in front of a supermarket who told me the proper way to the movies.
We found the theater and just as expected, the parking lot was jam‑packed with cars. Hundreds of people were making a beeline for the theater entrance. There were lines of people waiting to buy tickets streamed into the theater. A huge well‑lit marquee blazed in the sky listing all the movies for that night's entertainment.
As we waited in line I couldn't help but think about the contrast of these two buildings. One offered knowledge of eternal life, worship of the creator of the universe, and fellowship for the children of God. The other offered meaningless, short‑lived media clips appealing to our fleshly desires for entertainment. One was practically deserted. The other needed more room to accommodate the crowds of people flocking to it in droves.
How similar this contrast was to the scriptures that describe the gates to heaven and hell I thought. It was almost frightening as I considered the huge numbers of people who will probably choose the wide gate to destruction. Their choice of the wide path is sometimes due to their ignorance, their selfishness, their rebellion, their sin or the efforts of the prince of this world. Whatever their reason, their decision will have eternal consequences. I was convicted that as a child of God I needed to do more to share with those headed for the wide gate of desolation, the saving gospel of Christ. I needed to somehow warn these individuals that their choices would bring them eternal torment.
My son and I enjoyed our frivolous movie but I took away with me that night a deeper concern for the eternities of those around me. I knew my son and I have chosen to enter the narrow gate leading to eternal life. I also knew that many of my friends, coworkers, and relatives, not to mention strangers I come in contact with are very likely in the wrong line and headed for the wrong gate. Jesus' command in Matthew 28 took on a new meaning. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Luke 13:23‑28
“Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don't know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ ‘There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth,’”