Expert: Dean Gade - 12/7/2011

Question
Jesus spoke about the strait gate.  Was there in His time an actual gate called "Strait"?  I understand the meaning of the scripture but it would benefit so much more if I knew more about the gate itself. Thank you!

Answer
Denise,

No, at this time Jesus was not talking about a named gate.  He was talking about a choice in our lives when we decide to walk with Him.

The King James Version of the Bible uses the word "strait" to describe what the way before us is when we walk with Him.  "Strait", in old English doesn't mean "straight" even though it is spelled nearly the same.  It means "narrow" in the sense of "compressed" or "tight". For instance: At the west end of the Mediterranean Sea ships need to go through the "Straits of Gibraltar" where the sea narrows between cliffs and is sometimes a difficult journey.  We also still speak about going through "dire straits" when we go through some hard times.

Even though our walk with Jesus in this life does have some tough times because of the enemies of our Lord, yet knowing that He loves us all the time and will even make "ALL things work for good" for us makes the difficulties seem small and the path more pleasant than if we had taken the path of the devil, the world and our own flesh.

Rom 8:28
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.RSV

2 Cor 4:16-18
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. RSV

Sometimes we even doubt that we are taking the right path.  As did King David:

Ps 73
73 Truly God is good to the upright,to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant,when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pangs;their bodies are sound and sleek. 5 They are not in trouble as other men are;they are not stricken like other men. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace;violence covers them as a garment. 7 Their eyes swell out with fatness,their hearts overflow with follies. 8 They scoff and speak with malice;loftily they threaten oppression. 9 They set their mouths against the heavens,and their tongue struts through the earth.
10 Therefore the people turn and praise them;and find no fault in them. 11 And they say, "How can God know?Is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12 Behold, these are the wicked;always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 All in vain have I kept my heart cleanand washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all the day long I have been stricken,and chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"I would have been untrue to the generation of thy children. 16 But when I thought how to understand this,it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;then I perceived their end. 18 Truly thou dost set them in slippery places;thou dost make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment,swept away utterly by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakes,on awaking you despise their phantoms.
21 When my soul was embittered,when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was stupid and ignorant,I was like a beast toward thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee;thou dost hold my right hand. 24 Thou dost guide me with thy counsel,and afterward thou wilt receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee?And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
27 For lo, those who are far from thee shall perish;thou dost put an end to those who are false to thee. 28 But for me it is good to be near God;I have made the Lord God my refuge,that I may tell of all thy works. RSV

Dean