Jesus taught a terrifying truth in one of his parables. He said that most people, (please note, most people), are lazily following the mainstream of society through a wide gate that is leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). If true, this is a deeply disturbing thought.

How much would you like to bet on this teaching of Jesus not being true? Would you bet your life on it? Would you bet eternity on it? Would you tell Jesus at the end of time that he was wrong and that in reality, everything will end up all right for everyone? You might insist that your idea is right because it’s a nice, cuddly, inclusivist thought.

Except that Jesus actually said something very different… and he deliberately aimed what he said at those mindlessly following society’s opinion leaders, who slavishly follow the “norm” in living a life of functional atheism.

Jesus said that those who truly discover life are those who actively turn against the tide of popularism and have the conviction to walk away from the broad gate where most people are headed, and push towards the narrow gate that most people ignore. This narrow gate to eternal life is, of course, Jesus. He likened himself to a gate in his famous teaching in John 10:7-10.

Here’s the thing: You won’t find that gate (Jesus), if you don’t look for him (Matthew 7:7). To find him, you must turn away from where the mainstream is taking you, search for him… and when you see him, head resolutely towards him.

It is perhaps pertinent at this point to ponder the reasons people have for not investigating Jesus. There are many of them. But in my experience, when I dig a little deeper, the most common reason people have for not investigating Jesus is wilful ignorance fuelled by a desire to live autonomously from God.

I suggest that in the light of all God has sacrificed to win our love, to engage in such wilful ignorance is culpable behaviour worthy of God’s judgement. God came to us in history to rescue us back to himself by dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins which would otherwise keep us from God. This is not an act worthy of indifference. 

So, you must make your choice: Go with the flow, the majority, who are heading towards a destiny of destruction; or seek out Jesus and find life. 

Your call.