The text opens in these words:  “Enter ye in at the narrow gate.”  This is impossible for any one to do without his knowing what the narrow gate is, and where it is.  Whilst we have no direct and positive information upon this point in connection with the text, we still may learn something by noticing into what it opens.  The narrow gate opens into the narrow way, and this leads to LIFE.  The narrow gate and the narrow way are one.  I mean by this that entering the narrow gate means making a start in the direction of a good life, and walking in the narrow way is progress in a good life.  But where is the gate, and where is the way?  I answer: 

  “The Gate is before you, and so is the Way;
  The Gate is wide open, and no toll to pay.”

and this gate is our Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in his Word.

  “Where’er we seek Him, He is found;
  And every place is holy ground!”

But, my dear hearers, do not for a moment imagine that it is a small thing to make the change here implied.  First, it means a change of the heart or will.  Of course no one ever leaves a road that leads in one direction, to turn right around and enter upon another that leads in the very opposite direction, without a great change of mind.  Second, it implies that there has been new light imparted, new truth received into the mind.  This new truth teaches the understanding that it is neither wise nor safe to keep the broad road, because it leads to destruction.  Fear of destruction, then, on the one hand, and the love of life on the other are involved in this change.

I am just now reminded of what we are told in history that a great man, many years ago, left his home in Europe and came across the Atlantic ocean in his own ship to hunt for the fountain of youth that was confidently believed to exist somewhere in the wilds of America.  This fountain, it was said, possessed the virtue of imparting youth to the aged, and life and health to the sick and dying.  To the dying it was, Drink and live; to the aged it was, Bathe in its waters and return to the vigor and beauty of youth.  As this great man was far advanced in age he thought it would be WISE to make an effort to find this fountain, which never has existed but in the imaginations of silly men; and never will exist in any other way in this world.  Of course he failed to find it; and, worst of all, he died in the vain effort.

But not so with any that have ever entered into the narrow way through the narrow gate.  It surely leads to life, as thousands now living in this world can testify.  It does appear to me that this change is quite as rational, quite as harmonious with man’s common sense, as anything that he does in the daily course of his life’s experiences and operations.  The intelligent, rational man acts from reason in all the affairs of life.  What he loves he calls good, and what he fears or hates he calls evil.  This he shuns and that he covets, and puts forth every effort of mind and body to gain it.