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. Matthew 7:13–14 Two gates mean two paths and two destinations, but therefore also two groups of people. One group is large and the other small. The one goes in and reaches the goal as if by itself while the other finds it, thus obviously having searched for it. In the large group are all those who tolerate sin – but also all those who live honourably and still sin. It includes those who consistently and diligently follow laws and rules – and others who travel the way as widely as they like, hoping that they can still “get through” to God. Here, people rely on their own abilities and their own experiences. But this way leads only to destruction. The other group is smaller. This isn’t because God doesn’t accept everyone or because God’s grace isn’t sufficient for everyone – no! The group is smaller because only a few accept the whole Word of God as the truth, and because only a few personally receive Jesus Christ, the way to God, for themselves. Those on the way here have asked, “What must I do to be saved?”, and have heard, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. And this is what they have done (Acts 16:30–31). They have sought and found, knocked and it was opened to them. Now they no longer want to live “for the lusts of men” (go the broad way) but “for the will of God” (go the narrow way). And that is still possible today (v. 7; 1 Peter 4:2)! (concluded) Today’s reading: Genesis 43:1-15 · Psalms 30:1-12 https://gbv-online.org/calendar/262/date/2025-06-12

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. Matthew 7:13–14 Two gates mean two paths and two destinations, but therefore also two groups of people. One group is large and the other small. The one goes in and reaches the goal as if by itself while the other finds it, thus obviously having searched for it. In the large group are all those who tolerate sin – but also all those who live honourably and still sin. It includes those who consistently and diligently follow laws and rules – and others who travel the way as widely as they like, hoping that they can still “get through” to God. Here, people rely on their own abilities and their own experiences. But this way leads only to destruction. The other group is smaller. This isn’t because God doesn’t accept everyone or because God’s grace isn’t sufficient for everyone – no! The group is smaller because only a few accept the whole Word of God as the truth, and because only a few personally receive Jesus Christ, the way to God, for themselves. Those on the way here have asked, “What must I do to be saved?”, and have heard, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. And this is what they have done (Acts 16:30–31). They have sought and found, knocked and it was opened to them. Now they no longer want to live “for the lusts of men” (go the broad way) but “for the will of God” (go the narrow way). And that is still possible today (v. 7; 1 Peter 4:2)! (concluded) Today’s reading: Genesis 43:1-15 · Psalms 30:1-12 https://gbv-online.org/calendar/262/date/2025-06-12