Matthew 7:13

SOLEMN WARNINGS. -- Matthew 7:13-29.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. -- Matthew 7:19. TIME AND PLACE. -As in several preceding lessons. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 6:43-49; Matthew 25:41-46; Luke 13:24-30. LESSON ANALYSIS. --1. The Strait Gate; 2. The Way into the Kingdom; 3. The Wise and Foolish Builders.

INTRODUCTION.

In the preceding lesson the Lord has give some lessons in morality and righteousness which were far in advance of the forms and ceremonies and precepts of the Scribes and Pharisees. He had summed up the whole Old Testament system in the Golden Rule, and presented it as the law for conduct towards other men. This was so different from the selfish, self-seeking conduct of men that some would be tempted to turn away from so strait. way and to seek some easier and broader way of salvation. The Lord therefore concludes his discourse with some solemn warnings. He warns all to avoid the broad way, to refuse to listen to false teachers whose lives are unholy, and shows that nothing whatever can take the place of obeying his words.

I. THE STRAIT GATE.

13. Enter ye in at the strait gate.

It must be kept in mind that the leading thought of the whole discourse is the kingdom of heaven and its conditions. Hence, when the Lord says, "Enter ye in," he means into the kingdom of heaven. The figure of the straight gate would strike his hearers forcibly. Nearly every town in Palestine is surrounded by walls and is entered by gates. The principal ones are wide, with double doors, closed with locks and fastened with iron bars. The "strait gates" are in retired corners, are narrow, and are only opened to those who knock. "These small gates, not much wider than. window pane, are common in all oriental walled cities. They are found also in the gates that lead into the courts of houses and into walled gardens."-- Jewell. We like to look at these curious little doors, and imagine that when our Lord uttered these memorable words, he had in mind these two gates--the one wide, easy and traversed by the multitude in broad daylight; and the other narrow, high in the step, to be found in the dark, and Bought amid dangers by. few anxious travelers.-- Van Lennep.