Foolish Majority
Just because the majority thinks or does something does not make that wise or correct. Jesus had a different perspective. The majority rules, but they may be fools.
Today’s reading:
My selection:
And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:23-24
There is an assumption among some people that if “everyone is doing it” it is permissible, even advisable” to conform to popular behavior or thought. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and “Go with the flow,” it is said. The news media presents us on a regular basis with what the majority thinks about things like: consumer confidence, fashion trends, social issues, and political matters.
How dare we go against the tide of popular opinion? Only a fool would disagree when the majority holds firmly to some opinion or other. That is not true. Besides, those opinions do swing wildly over time and from place to place. The majority rules, but they may be fools.
Matthew quotes Jesus saying this: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Take the narrow door
The point of both gospel writers is this: there is a narrow door or gate that leads to salvation and life. Many will not find it or will not be able to enter it. Most, it seems, will go the easy way through a wide gate oblivious that destruction is their end. Do not say, “this many people can’t be wrong.” Take the narrow door, the door of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who said “no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
For more reflections on today’s reading, see the corresponding reading in my book Cover to Cover: Through the Bible in 365 days.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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