13 Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NRSV)
STORY
The Didache, which in Greek means “Teaching,” is also called the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. It is the oldest surviving document that we have that outlines the theology and organizational structure of the church. It was composed by the Apostolic Fathers, who were the core Christian theologians of the early church. These second-generation scholars lived in the first and second centuries. Some of these men had personally known some of the Twelve Apostles, while the others had been significantly influenced by them. Their writings, though widely circulated in early church, were not included in the canon of the New Testament.
The Didache is a relatively short text with only some 2,300 words. The contents may be divided into four parts: the first provided ethical instruction for daily living as outlined with the Two Ways, the Way of Life and the Way of Death (chapters 1–6); the second part are instructions dealing with baptism, fasting, prayer, and the Eucharist (chapters 7–10); the third speaks of the church’s ministry and the authority of church leaders, which is comprised of apostles, prophets, bishops, and deacons (chapters 11–15); and the final section (chapter 16) is eschatological in nature containing exhortations on perseverance, warnings of the end times and the tribulation, and exhortations regarding the Antichrist and the Second Coming.
The primary purpose of the Didache was to prepare catechumens for baptism, which would allow the new converts to be brought into the membership of the church.
To underscore the Apostolic Fathers understanding of the obedience that Christ followers must have to the teaching of Jesus, read chapters one and five on the Two Ways of living that one must choose between:
Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment
There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, love your neighbor as yourself, and do not do to another what you would not want done to you. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there for loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect. If someone impresses you for one mile, go with him two. If someone takes your cloak, give him also your coat. If someone takes from you what is yours, ask it not back, for indeed you are not able. Give to everyone who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him who receives; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who receives not having need shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what. And coming into confinement, he shall be examined concerning the things which he has done, and he shall not escape from there until he pays back the last penny. And also concerning this, it has been said, let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give.
Chapter 5. The Way of Death
And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and accursed: murders, adultery, lust, fornication, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, rape, false witness, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing a reward for righteousness, not cleaving to good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for that which is good, but for that which is evil; from whom meekness and endurance are far, loving vanities, pursuing revenge, not pitying a poor man, not laboring for the afflicted, not knowing Him Who made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away from him who is in want, afflicting him who is distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utter sinners. Be delivered, children, from all these.
DEVOTION
“and there are few who find it” is the only pessimistic statement spoken by Jesus. Jesus only judged hypocrites. Jesus always forgave sinners, with the admonition not to repeat their behavior. Jesus offered truth to the confused. And Jesus offered the lost an abundant life. Though, when it came to being obedient to his teachings, he expressed concern. Jesus was doubtful if his followers could adhere to the high standards of living that he presented during his Sermon on the Mount.
There are Two Ways of living as the I instructs, “There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways.” There is a significant difference between the two ways. The wide path, the easy path, leads to a life of self-destruction. The narrow path, the path that requires self-discipline, allows for a journey of self-fulfillment.
Two ways, two paths, is a common theme throughout the scriptures. Psalm One opens with these words, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm Sixteen reads, “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Jeremiah wrote, “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.’” Paul wrote in Romans, “So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” In Galatians we have these words to live by, “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Reflecting on this, following the wide path is to live an unchallenging and undisciplined life. To travel the narrow path challenges us to live a very disciplined life in accordance to the scriptures. One path is very inviting for it offers immediate gratification and pleasure; looking down the other path is very daunting as it requires self-sacrifice and deferred pleasure.
In order to enter by the narrow gate, we will have to walk many narrow paths for each moment of our lives is a moment of decision. Each moment of our lives we will have to ask ourselves is my decision one that is going to satisfy the flesh, or is my decision going to be guided by the Holy Spirit. And every moment of every day we cannot not evade that decision because life always requires that we keep moving forward.
There are two ways in life, two paths to follow in life. Which one will you choose for we know, “There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways.”