In what is arguably His most remembered public speech, Jesus made a statement that is very shocking and very informative. Toward the end of His remarks, He says to those there that day and to us:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. But how narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and FEW find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The “life” Jesus speaks of here is “eternal life.” No one intelligently disputes this. Jesus said:

“I am the way (?????? in Greek, meaning “road”) and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

So the “road” that leads to eternal life with the Father is NOT the “easy” path of life, but the more challenging path. More disturbing is the plain truth that only “a few find it.” This truth leads to my question for this article: Will I be among the FEW who find it… who will actually receive eternal life?

Consider with me a couple of other Bible scenes that I believe are quite revealing about this shocking and informative statement made by Jesus. The first scene unfolds in the sixth chapter of John: “There are some of you who do not believe (??????? in Greek, meaning “trust in Me”).” (John 6:64) The result of Him saying this is that “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66) Jesus turns to the “twelve” and said: “Do you no also wish to go away?” The contrast is clear and unmissable. Countless verses, like Matthew 15:30, tell us that “great crowds” were following Jesus. What left is just “the twelve,” (the FEW) and one of them will later walk away. Remember that Jesus said, “only a few find it” (eternal life).

The second scene unfolds at the foot of the Cross, with Jesus suffering above. This scene is heartbreakingly sad to picture. John tells us that “standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (John 19:25) This adds up to just four ladies and John still with Jesus when things have become very difficult and even dangerous. Of the many people who had followed Him, heard Him, benefited from Him and seen His miracles, only five people are standing with Him in this His toughest time. Again, we see the FEW truth lived out.

So now consider with me the application for us. Is my trust in Jesus, my love for Him, my full-hearted dedication to Him enough to seal me to Him as one of the FEW… the FEW who will NOT “forsake” Him, the FEW who will NOT let the “things of the world” cause me to turn away from Him, the FEW who will NOT take the broad and easy way that does NOT lead to eternal life? Let’s decide we will be AMONG THE FEW.