Season 4 Podcast 75 “The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 7: The Sermon on the Mount Pt VII “The Strait and Narrow Path.”

Season 4 Podcast 75 “The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 7: The Sermon on the Mount Pt VII “The Strait and Narrow Path.”We offer a weekly podcast, Monday thru Friday. Each Friday we discuss the New Testament, King James’ Version. We are now on Matthew Chapter 7, the end of the Sermon on the Mount.  The final chapter contains the following concepts.1.     Judging Others (Matthew 7:1-5)2.     Prayer (Matthew 7:7-11)3.     The Golden Rule (Mathew 7:12)4.     The Strait and Narrow Path (Matthew 7: 13-14)5.     False Prophets (Matthew 7: 15-29)In previous podcasts we discussed Judging Others, Prayer, and the Golden Rule.  In this podcast, we shall analyze Matthew 7: 13-14, “The Strait and Narrow Path.”“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.”Clearly we have our agency.  We must of our own freewill enter at the strait gate. The scriptures tell us.·      And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.·       I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:·       How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.·       Choose you this day whom ye will serve; …as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.In the scriptures there are two forms: S-T-R-A-I-T and S-T-RA-I-G-H-T. First let’s examine S-T-R-A-I-T.Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.Matthew 7:13Enter 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:Matthew 7:1414 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.A S-T-R-A-I-T is a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two other large areas of water. Metaphorically the word is sometimes used to indicate heavy onerous restrictions as in the following scriptures.·      “place where we dwell with thee is too strait,” 2 Kgs. 6:1.·      “removed thee out of the strait into a broad place,” Job 36:16.·      “place is too strait for me,” Isa. 49:20 Traditionally Christians have interpreted S-T-R-A-I-T to mean baptism because of the image of a narrow body of water. Baptism is the gate way into the kingdom of Heaven. Remember that the Beatitudes contain conditions for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. ·      Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.·      Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.·      Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.·      Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.·      Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.