MEMORY VERSE: ‘Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.’ Luke 13:24.
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7:13-14.
STUDY HELP: Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pages 130-133.
LESSON AIM: To study what Christ meant by “the strait gate”.
‘The belated traveller, hurrying to reach the city gate by the going down of the sun, could not turn aside for any attractions by the way. His whole mind was bent on the one purpose of entering the gate. The same intensity of purpose, said Jesus, is required in the Christian life. I have opened to you the glory of character, which is the true glory of My kingdom. It offers you no promise of earthly dominion; yet it is worthy of your supreme desire and effort. I do not call you to battle for the supremacy of the world’s great empire, but do not therefore conclude that there is no battle to be fought nor victories to be won. I bid you strive, agonise, to enter into My spiritual kingdom.’ Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, page 141.
1. How does Jesus describe the way into His heavenly kingdom? Matthew 7:13, first part.
COMPILER’S NOTE: The word “strait” means narrow, hard to get through. The narrow passage between France and England is called the Straits of Dover. The word “strait” is used figuratively in 1 Samuel 13:6, 2 Samuel 24:14 and in Philippians 1:23 to mean a dilemma, a perplexity, a situation where every possible option seems hard to resolve.
NOTE: ‘A strait gate means a gate difficult to enter. By this illustration Christ showed how hard it is for men and women to leave the world and the attractions it holds, and heartily and lovingly obey the commandments of God.’ That I May Know Him, page 304.
‘The way to life is narrow and the entrance strait. If you cling to any besetting sin you will find the way too narrow for you to enter. Your own ways, your own will, your evil habits and practices, must be given up if you would keep the way of the Lord. He who would serve Christ cannot follow the world’s opinions or meet the world’s standard. Heaven’s path is too narrow for rank and riches to ride in state, too narrow for the play of self-centred ambition, too steep and rugged for lovers of ease to climb. Toil, patience, self-sacrifice, reproach, poverty, the contradiction of sinners against Himself, was the portion of Christ, and it must be our portion, if we ever enter the Paradise of God.’ Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, page 138.
2. What kind of way does the strait gate open on to? Matthew 7:14.
NOTE: ‘Remember that the path which leads to eternal life, is a narrow one. We cannot walk in it, and carry with us the pride of our hearts, and our love of ease and worldly pleasures. Ah no! these must be crucified and cast from us, or we shall never be among the number that “shall enter in at the strait gate.” God will have the whole heart. He requires all. If you will not give up everything for His sake, and place yourself unreservedly upon His altar, you cannot be His disciple. Do you say the sacrifice is too great, the cross too heavy? Then go with me to the lone garden of Gethsemane, and there, amid the dews of night, see thy Saviour bowed to the earth with anguish. Hear Him in low mournful accents pleading, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.” So bitter was that cup, that even the Saviour shrank from drinking it. Can you think of the great anguish He endured, and feel that your heart, your all, is too much to give in return?’ Uriah Smith: Review & Herald, November 8, 1864.