Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Matthew 7:13
Dear members and friends,
People seem to have a tendency to believe something is true if many others also believe it. However, Jesus gives us a strong warning in Matthew 7:13, “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction.” In other words, even if 99 percent of people believe something, that does not make it to be right or true. According to Jesus, it could be quite the opposite. Why would Jesus emphasize this? The truth, according to the Bible, is that humans are born with two innate tendencies: selfishness and materialism. The problem of these two tendencies is that they pull humans in the opposite direction from heaven or life. That is why Jesus emphasizes that the broad road leads to destruction.
The Hebrew word for destruction in Matthew 7:13 is apollumi, which could be translated as “destruction, perdition, perish, waste, or ruin.” It is both shocking and surprising to hear that humans could choose a pathway that would lead them to eternal waste or ruin. Yet, the focus of Jesus’ teaching is not that there is eternal damnation after death, but that our choices deeply influence the quality of our life in the here and now. Based on our choices, we could walk upon the path of life or the path of ruin. This is important because this determines how we feel about ourselves and our life.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take time for a reflection. For this week, I invite you to reflect on the power of choices. May the presence and wisdom of our Creator be present within and around you.
Blessings, Rev. Junchol Lee