How do you picture it? The narrow path…
Perhaps, like us, you’ve long seen it as set apart from the broad way, separate somehow; maybe, actually above it and leading still further up a steep hill, or winding through twist after turn of hidden corner and next stretch; uneven, difficult ground; deep, shadowy valleys with just enough light and water to keep going; difficult weather… hard circumstances that hone; sacrificial choices that refine; self-denial that prunes and grows more fruit to bless others.
But what if the narrow path isn’t so much like this at all? What if it’s less of a completely different, (by implication, higher and harder) course and more accurately Jesus’ Way through the broad expanse of joys and challenges that everyone – those looking for his way, and those not – will face in this world.
The narrow path image is one created by Jesus himself, and recorded by Matthew in 7:13-14 of his gospel:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.“
Here (and in John 10:9) Jesus describes himself as ‘the gate’, and elsewhere as ‘the door’ (John 10:7) and ‘the way’ (John 14:6).
There can be no confusion that entering the right way is restoring relationship with God through Christ, that walking the right way is staying in step with him; following him closely, listening to his voice intently, enjoying his company and seeking to obey him no matter what the road ahead holds.
But does his narrow road towards life really look like the description at the start of this reflection?
Does this group of secondary images that much of Christian culture has gradually developed around the original Jesus picture add to, or actually distort, his symbol of discipleship?
Would the God who loved his world so much he came in person to walk his light among the people dwelling in darkness lead his followers along such a separate path?
Could the path that leads to life and the techni-colour purity of the one who created it really, every single time and in every single moment, always lead to the hardest choice or the most difficult terrain?
Just for a moment, let’s imagine re-charting the narrow path ahead. Picture this…
The main way people take is so broad it barely feels like a way – it is more like field upon field stretching out in parallel, and all across it people are moving forward towards the horizon. Some on their own; some in groups.
To the left, some meander or even give up, confused and overwhelmed by their surroundings and unsure of the point of their travels.
To the right, others stride ahead with single-minded, even competitive, purpose having decided their own route ahead, acting as if it is a race to win rather than a destination to reach.
But right through the middle of it all is the thinnest of paths – for the walkers among us, probably something that looks a bit like a sheep path…
It is discernable perhaps only by its flattened grass, gently yellowed from the steps of those who have found it over the centuries and by the light that surrounds each one on it at present.
And if it does have a fence – in parts or in whole – to differentiate it more clearly, every panel of that is a cross-barred access gate rather than a barrier.
It will of course experience the same weather and seasonal fluctuation as the fields around it; it’s walkers are not immune from blisters or sprains or fatigue. Dark nights still fall around them as often as bright dawns rise and shine on them.
But it is the way through because it walks with Life and towards Life.
It is a way that is supernaturally transformational because paying attention to the one who is Life can’t help but make you more alive today than you were yesterday.
It is a way that is beautiful, because it is paced slow enough to notice the rich details of the landscape and people around you.
It is a way that is merciful, because it is visible to those in the fields to the left and right of it, and all who are on it are lovingly conscious of those around them too, ready to stop and encourage others to join them… or to offer first aid, water, or a word of encouragement; eager to chat and laugh with one to the left or come alongside one who is crying on the right.
It is a way that is hopeful because even when its ramblers go through awful weather and reach dread-full obstacles, they remind each other where they are going. And they persevere in going there because they have the very best of company on the way; a Presence and a people to get them through the worst of times.
It is a way that is scandalously grace-filled, for it is always there for everyone to join, at any point in their journey.
It is a way that is contested, opposed and even persecuted because those not on it can easily be persuaded that it is restrictive, laughable or even dangerously misleading. And there are powers that seek to trip up and disable its followers.
But it is the only way that overcomes because it is wise and care-full to avoid potentially treacherous short-cuts or isolated stretches and there is ever present help from Life and his limitless strength and power. And so all those who remain on it to the end reach their long-anticipated destination.
But before they do, while they are still on this narrow path… those who choose to walk through everything with Jesus find – even sometimes by veering a little off to the left or really quite a long way to the right of him – that they learn to tread this almost tight rope course more and more accurately, and that it brings them more and more life and joy on route.
They discover life is full whether they’re looking out from hill-top’s vista or up from valley ditch’s black mire and muck.
They begin to see they are loved more than they could ever love, so they love as much as they can in response. But they love wisely too, for they know they are worth more than many sparrows so they flee any attachment that tells them they are not.
They learn to tread well to the right of hopeful expectancy but resist straying into entitlement.
They start to embrace selflessness without losing their unique self’s flourishing and growth as God purposed.
They have extraordinary faith that their leader will do everything he says he will, but they start to get better at discerning when they are hoping in their own dreams rather than his promises; understand that they aren’t always rightly interpreting his how or when; and most of all, they more and more fully embrace that they are following him not his works.
They become quicker to serve wholeheartedly, give generously and sacrifice astonishingly for others. But they revel too in taking their turn to receive lavish help or gifts. And they cease to be frightened to rest a bit longer than they feel they “should” when they know it is absolutely what they need.
They evolve into reckless forgivers but they are never careless enough with their hearts to not guard them from the enemy, or any who would partner with him, in unrepentingly or unrelentingly damaging what they know is their well-spring and the greatest treasure they have to give their God.
They seek to be so much more than intentional but to stop just short of striving; to be principled but never so ruled by law that they become their own definition of a Pharisee.
They look to build healthy disciplines, but flee from following these whatever comes, rather than adapting to whatever and wherever the one who inspired them needs them to do – or not do – next.
They are prepared to suffer, and to suffer well as a witness to their first Pioneer’s footsteps (Colossians 1:24), but they do not celebrate or seek privation because they are beginning to understand that whilst Life conquers even the very worst with resurrection, it is not in anyway dependent on death to thrive!
Miraculously, they grow more stunningly obedient and strangely free at the same time. Less themselves and more themselves all at once.
Because this is the Jesus Way.
The way of the one who fasted and went to the cross, but who also laughed and feasted with his friends.
The way of the one who spoke gently saving grace to the adulteress (John 8:1-11) and consistently angry judgement to the exclusionary religious elite.
The way of the one who gave a hillside full of people with good food, leaving abundant leftovers spare, without means testing their need (e.g. Matthew 14:13-21), but who also told the rich young man he must give everything he had to the poor if he truly wanted to follow this way (Matthew 19:16-22).
The way of the one who healed every one of the sick who came to him in one place (Matthew 8:16), but left a village where everyone was looking for him to minister to them, because his calling to preach led him elsewhere (Mark 1:35-39).
The way of the one whose Spirit led Paul to radically tailor his letters to the different churches he was writing to… for some were straying to the left, and others to the right, and all needed to come back to the narrow path – to re-enter the gate and follow the Jesus Way.
The way of the one who has walked with us every step of the way so far, and whose Spirit is saying again to us today:
“Dear heart, just a little more to the left now; no, that’s a bit too much, come back towards me now because you’ve gone too far… stay close, stay here.
“That’s it, yes that person, but no not that invitation; yes that work, but no, not that one… rest dear heart, rest.
“Yes, you’re right, I am saying that, yes, give that up, sacrifice it for me; but no, not that, dear heart, that is so much more part of how I made you to be and to reach others for me than you realise quite yet. And that, no not that, I love watching how much joy that brings you – enjoy it with me now.
“Well done good and faithful, that’s it, yes, that’s absolutely it… bang on… now just stay with me, don’t keep doing that longer than I’m in it, and don’t start that next thing before I say.
“Just stay close. Just listen… and, yes, almost, but wait for it with me for a while, it’s not quite the perfect time for that yet…”
And then, with joyful, loving laughter in his voice:
“Yes now, absolutely, NOW! Let’s go, go go!”
If you’d like to respond to what you’ve just read…
Here are some questions, one or more of which might be helpful to ask God and yourself as you pray, and in anticipation of your year ahead together:
1. Where might I need to move a little more to the left, or a little more to the right, in my heart-posture, beliefs or actions?
2. What excites me about thinking a bit more about the narrow path ahead of me/ my church/ my organisation?
3. How might holding this slightly different view of the narrow path help me/ us in our personal and missional walk(s) with Jesus in the days, months and years ahead?
