Jesus now turns to the matter of obeying what he has been teaching. Our beliefs are not things which we display on the mantlepiece, they are demonstrated in how we live our daily lives. Jesus uses four illustrations to explain the importance of belief put in action. The first of which is the narrow and wide gate.

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Every generation since the first century has had voices which claimed that all roads lead to God. In essence, they have said, the broad way leads to life eternal. Jesus states exactly the opposite. Small is the gate, narrow the road which leads to life. Of course he was speaking of himself. Life is found in the son. He or she who has the son has life. In John 14:6 Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus was stating plainly, there is one way to life eternal, through faith in Gods one and only son.

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Pertinent to our study of the Sermon on the Mount is the place of obedience as a fruit of salvation. The New Testament teaches that it is by grace we have been saved and this not from works. Yet, Jesus says a little further on in John 14:23-24, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

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There is a connection between faith and works, belief and behaviour, Saviour-ship and Lord-ship. The old adage, Jesus can’t be your saviour without being your Lord is categorically true. The two identities of Christ are inseparable. Jesus teaches towards the end of his great sermon that discipleship is apprenticeship to the master. Not any old master, the one true Lord - Jesus Christ.