Giving Up - Popularity | Matthew 21
We've all been called names. Some stick longer than they should. But few sting quite like being called narrow-minded. It carries a weight of judgment—rigid, unyielding, out of touch. But what if there’s a kind of narrowness that isn't ignorance, but wisdom? Not close-mindedness, but courage?
The Tension of Narrow vs. Wide
Many non-Christians steer clear of Christians because of this perceived rigidity. And fair enough—history shows we sometimes get it wrong. The Pharisees, for instance, turned a relationship with God into a checklist. Jesus called us away from that kind of narrowness.
But Then... Jesus Says: Be Narrow
In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus flips the script:
"Enter through the narrow gate... For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction."
Wait—Jesus wants us to be narrow? Yes. But not in the Pharisaical way. He wants us to walk the path less traveled, the road that's unpopular, countercultural, and often uncomfortable—but also full of life.
Narrow Is the Way—And Jesus Lived It
Time and again, Jesus picked the narrow path:
He went through Samaria, speaking to a Samaritan woman (John 4).
He fasted in solitude instead of indulging in preparation (Matthew 4).
He avoided crowds to pray (Luke 5).
He chose homelessness over comfort (Matthew 8).
He came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10).
And then, in Matthew 21, Jesus chooses not a warhorse, not a grand chariot, but a borrowed baby donkey. Ridiculous, almost comical. But deeply intentional. Humble. Symbolic. Narrow.
The Temptation of the Wide Gate
Why do so few choose the narrow gate? Because the wide one is easy. It's popular. It's "poppin'," as the preacher says. But the wide path often means giving in to culture instead of clinging to conviction. It’s crowd-pleasing, but soul-draining.
What Does the Narrow Path Look Like Today?
Saying no to what everyone says yes to
Choosing purpose over profit
Leaving comfort for calling
Forgiving when revenge would feel better
Loving your enemies when it makes no sense
A Personal Story
Pastor Trey shares a story about leaving a lucrative sales job for seminary. The offer to stay came with a hefty bonus. Logic said “wait.” God said “go.” He went. Because the narrow gate doesn’t always come with a safety net—but it does come with peace.
Conclusion: The Call to Give Up the Wide Road
This Lent, people are giving up coffee or fast food. But what if we gave up popularity? What if we gave up the wide gate and embraced the unpopular, humble, Jesus way?
Don’t do what everyone else is doing just because they’re doing it.
Do what God is calling you to do—even if no one else is doing it.
Because narrow is the way... and it leads to life.
