October 6th, 2025 Devotional

 Living Water Vineyard — Monday Devotion

“Two Gates, Two Roads, Two Crowds, Two Destinations”

Matthew 7:13–14

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 Where We’ve Been

Since the start of the year, we’ve been walking through the Sermon on the Mount together — slowly, verse by verse — letting Jesus show us what it really means to live as citizens of His Kingdom.

In Matthew 5, Jesus began with the heart — the Beatitudes — showing what kind of people the Kingdom belongs to: the humble, the merciful, the pure in heart.

In chapter 6, He turned to our motives: giving, praying, fasting — doing good not to impress others, but to please our Father in heaven.

Now, in chapter 7, Jesus brings it all to the apex — a moment of choice.

He’s saying, “You’ve heard what Kingdom life looks like… now choose it.”

And that’s where we come to His words about two gates, two roads, two crowds, and two destinations.

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 Matthew 7:13–14

“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.”

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 The Historical Picture

When Jesus said this, His listeners would have immediately pictured the gates of a city like Jerusalem.

The wide gate was the main entrance — large and busy, full of noise and movement. You could bring everything: your cart, your animals, your baggage. It was the easy way in.

The narrow gate was small, usually off to the side — made for one person at a time. You couldn’t go through with your load or your friends. You had to stoop down and enter alone.

That’s the picture Jesus painted: the broad road of the world — easy, crowded, comfortable — and the narrow road of discipleship — humble, intentional, personal.

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 The Thread of “Doors and Gates” in the Bible

This imagery of gates and doors runs all through Scripture.

It’s one of the ways God shows the line between life and death, obedience and rebellion, salvation and judgment.

Let’s trace a few of them together:

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 Genesis 4 — Cain and the Door of Sin

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;

it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” — Genesis 4:7

Cain was jealous of his brother Abel, and God warned him that sin was waiting “at the door.”

Historically, that meant a choice — a threshold moment.

Spiritually, it’s a picture of temptation standing just outside our hearts, waiting to enter if we open the door.

Cain didn’t master it — he let sin in — and it destroyed him.

Every time we face temptation, we stand at that same door.

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 Genesis 6 — Noah and the Door of the Ark

“Then the Lord shut him in.” — Genesis 7:16

Before the flood, God told Noah to build an ark and bring his family inside. When everyone who would listen had entered, God Himself closed the door.

That wasn’t just a historical detail — it was a spiritual picture of salvation and judgment.

Inside the door was safety and life; outside was destruction.

That door represented the dividing line between those who believed and obeyed, and those who refused.

It reminds us that there comes a time when the door of opportunity closes — and only those inside, through faith, are saved.

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 Exodus 12 — The Passover Door

“They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.” — Exodus 12:7

“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” — Exodus 12:13

In Egypt, God told His people to mark their doors with the blood of a spotless lamb.

That night, the destroyer passed through the land, but every home covered by the blood was spared.

The door became a boundary of redemption — death could not cross it.

Spiritually, it points to the blood of Jesus — our perfect Lamb — whose sacrifice marks our hearts and saves us from eternal death.

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 John 10 — Jesus, the Door

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” — John 10:9

Now Jesus brings it all together and says, “I am the door.”

He’s not pointing to a religion or ritual — He’s pointing to Himself.

The same door that was closed in Noah’s day, the same door marked by blood in Egypt — that door has now been opened in Christ.

He is the entrance into safety, freedom, and eternal life.

Spiritually, this means there’s no other way in. The world will tell us there are many doors — success, pleasure, good works — but only one door leads home.

And Jesus is standing at that door, still inviting us in.

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 Our Modern Moment

In today’s world, the “broad road” is alive and well.

You’ll hear phrases like:

   •   “All paths lead to the same place.”

   •   “Just follow your heart.”

   •   “You don’t need Jesus — just be spiritual.”

   •   “Everyone’s truth is valid.”

It sounds inclusive, but it leads to emptiness.

Jesus’ way is different — it’s personal, it’s transforming, and it’s real.

He doesn’t say, “Find your truth.” He says, “Follow Me.”

And here’s the beauty: when we humble ourselves and walk through that narrow gate, we don’t lose freedom — we find it.

We don’t lose life — we finally begin to live.

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 Reflection Questions

1. What “door” am I standing in front of right now — obedience or compromise?

2. What baggage am I still trying to drag through the narrow gate?

3. Who around me is still standing outside, and how can I gently invite them to come in?

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 Prayer

Jesus, You are the Door.

You are the way into the Father’s heart, the place of safety, peace, and life.

Help me to lay down my pride and step fully through.

Forgive me for the times I’ve stood halfway in — trying to hold onto both gates.

Give me courage today to walk Your narrow way with joy.

And use my life to point others to You — the only Door that leads to life.

In Your name I pray,

Amen.

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 Worship Song

 “The King of Glory” — Passion / Kristian Stanfill

“Lift up your heads,

You ancient gates.

Be lifted up,

You ancient doors,

That the King of glory may come in.” (Psalm 24:7–8)