A Highway Instead Of a Crooked and Narrow Path By: Åge M. Åleskjær Found in: The Gospel of Grace For years we have preached about the “small gate” and the “narrow path” that leads to heaven. However, this is not the message of the Gospel! The narrow path is exchanged for a new and living road! For years we have preached of “the narrow path” and “the small gate” and that “few will find it” from the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:12-14 and Luke 13:23-40. If we read a little closer, we will see that this describes the Law’s way to salvation. This way was not only difficult but actually completely impossible. But the message is still: “The person who does these things shall live by them.” The way of the Law was actually narrow and salvation by works was such a small gate that few were able to get through. There were so few that there were actually NONE! Luke 13:24 says: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Why not? Because they met the stumbling block, Jesus Christ. HE is an open door and a new and living way, so by going through Him the way would have been easy. But because the Jews didn’t want to bend down under the justice of God, they sought to build their own justice. You see, it was the Jews that Jesus was talking to in these messages! (See Matt. 15:24) If you take a closer look at Luke 13, you will find in this chapter that He speaks of the hardened hearts of the Jews and the salvation of the Gentiles. The way of works was so difficult that those who tried to achieve salvation by it were not able to. “For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the Law.” (Gal. 3:20) Salvation by works was completely impossible. It was a small gate and narrow path, full of statutes and laws containing both great and minor details. Not one detail could be forgotten! Therefore, Jesus had to open a NEW AND LIVING WAY when He died on the cross! By the blood of Jesus we have received a completely new way to enter into the presence of God. (Heb.10:19-20). Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) Paul said: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom.10:13) This is not a difficult path or a small gate. The Crooked Path is Now Straightened Out! Jesus came to straighten out the crooked paths that were so difficult to walk on. Luke 3:5-6 says: “Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.” Under the Law “no flesh could be justified,” while now, “all flesh will see the Lord’s salvation.” Talk about a big difference! The way of the Law was crooked and impassable. The way of the Law was crooked and impassable. Jesus has now, through His salvation, made the crooked places straight and the uneven roads smooth. Now all flesh can see the salvation of God! It’s not difficult anymore. Now there is no one seeking to enter in without being able to. Salvation is finished and whoever wants to receive it will receive it for free. Whoever receives Him will be born again. “He justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Rom 3:26) The real tragedy in many Christian settings is that God’s Word has not been studied in this most important area. Therefore, the message of a narrow path and a small gate is still being preached. This makes the Christian walk difficult even though Jesus has said it’s easy! Jesus said: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:30) The Apostolic gathering in Jerusalem passed a resolution to not make it difficult for the Gentiles who turned to God! (Acts: 15:19) Still there are those who want to make it difficult, so that it only becomes a message for those especially interested. But the Word said that ALL FLESH will see the salvation of God. The angel in the fields of Bethlehem said: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” A Highway, Not a Small and Crooked Path “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’ ” (Luke 3:4-6) This is a prophecy referring to John the Baptist, but even deeper down, it’s a prophecy referring to Jesus. Look at this picture being drawn: The road was impassable and had to be cleared. The paths were crooked and had to be straightened. The roads were uneven and had to be smoothed out. A bulldozer had to fill in every valley and lower every high point for the roads to be smooth. Jesus himself cleared the way, straightened out what was crooked and made the roads smooth. Now the job is finished, Jesus himself cleared the way, straightened out what was crooked and made the roads smooth. The result is a tidy, easy, passable, and smooth way. The Way Therefore, it was natural that the first Christians were called ‘The Way’. For the way was now cleared and all flesh could see the salvation of God. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” The message is: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.” It is about Him and not about a lot of religious acts. The Prophet Isaiah prophesized of this way: “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. This is a highway, a main road, not a narrow and crooked path. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Is. 35:8-10) This road applies now! This is a highway, a main road, not a narrow and crooked path. A Highway For the People of God I grew up in the countryside and knew everything about narrow paths, those used by both men and animals in the forest and the fields. It was easy to get lost if you weren’t familiar with the surroundings. Many have surely missed some of the posts out in the woods during an orienteering run. If it’s foggy or dark, you’re pretty much lost. But there are also roads for cars that run through the woods, like the ones used by the rally drivers during a rally-cross. A main road runs from my hometown to the city. During the spring, that road could be both uneven and partly difficult to drive, so it feels liberating to get onto the E-6, a genuine highway. But a few Swedes will probably debate that the E-6 in Norway is not a real highway and the Germans will most likely just smile at what we call a highway. Therefore, it’s a joy to present what the Word calls “A Highway for the Lord!” The highway the Lord has opened is straight with no turns, corners or defects! No travelers will get lost, and the way has already taken us all the way into the Holy of Holies. (Heb.10:19-20) By the blood on His cross, He has now joined what’s on Earth and what’s in Heaven. And in His body by death, He has presented us holy and irreproachable and perfect to Himself. This message is totally different from the traditional message. We have almost preached the opposite of the perfect work of Jesus. We have almost preached the opposite of the perfect work of Jesus. We’ve preached of a narrow way and a small gate, crooked paths and uneven roads. We’ve obviously forgotten that now the way is cleared, the valleys filled, the peaks lowered, and the crooked places straightened out. Now we have a smooth main road - A HIGHWAY FOR THE LORD’S PEOPLE. It’s easy to find and it’s easy to travel on. Even the fool will not get lost. A highway that’s cleared, straight and even, that’s the salvation for all flesh. Not a Few, But Many This is not just for a few chosen anymore. Now it’s for all flesh. The starting point is that He has reconciled the world with Himself and removed all the world’s sins. The sin problem was solved by Him atoning for our sins, not just for ours but for the whole world’s sins. Jesus didn’t come to judge the world, but for the world to be saved by Him. People must hear about this reconciliation; therefore, we have the gift of reconciliation. Because of the reconciliation, people can now receive and make use of His favor and benevolence and be restored to have His benevolence and grace. But God has given man a free will; therefore the message is: The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” Whoever hears it say, “Come! Whoever is willing can come and have the water of life for free!” This is our great mission - this is our missionary command in the light of the revelation of Paul. no longer will few find the way and the gate; the Gentiles will arrive “in full number.” Therefore, no longer will few find the way and the gate; the Gentiles will arrive “in full number.” (Rom. 11:25) God has a number He’s working towards and we know He wants all men to be saved. Therefore, Jesus has not yet returned. God wants the door of salvation still to stay open. (2.Pet. 3:9 and 15) HIS house will be FULL of guests. (Luke.22:10) There will be a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language… (Revelations 7:9) All generations, families, languages and dialects will be represented. God wants all men to be saved…. THANK JESUS THAT HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO OPEN A HIGHWAY. A NEW AND LIVING WAY HAS TAKEN OVER THE NARROW PATH THAT WAS BOTH CROOKED AND UNEVEN….
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 18:29:00 +0000
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