Today’s verse comes from Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV), and reads- This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls”.
I had a picture in my mind this morning of coming to a Y in the road, and there was a sign at the entrance to each of the two paths that explicitly spelled out what it would be like to travel each path, and what was instore for each person at the Journey’s end. The sign at the first path noted a wide and well-traveled road where there were many people and comforts, but that at the end of the journey one would experience pain, suffering and death. However, along the way each person was assured of an overriding sense of happiness and pleasure, unless the individual fell into some of the path’s hazards.
The sign at the entrance to the second path noted that this was a lonely and seldom traveled path full of hardships and difficult choices, but at the end of the journey there were heavenly treasures and great rest for the soul. Additionally, the sign warned that if you chose this path, you would always be able see and hear the people on the other path mocking you for choosing such a dangerous and difficult path. Also, those on the other road would constantly tempt you to join them on their path and to partake in their happiness and pleasures. Therefore, you begin to understand that to take the narrow path means that you will ultimately be faced with a daily decision on which path to choose during the journey. Although the second sign does not assure predominant happiness and pleasure, it promises a level of joy, comfort, and peace in the midst of difficulties and hardships to those who chose this path.
Which path would you choose? The reality is that we are faced with the choice of these two paths every day, and the overwhelming number of people chose the path of life that ultimately leads to death and destruction. But why would people choose ultimate death and destruction over eternal joy and peace?
I believe that Jeremiah 6:16 can provide some insight into why the vast majority of people take the first path. Most people tend to follow the crowd and do not take time to really ponder about the path they are on or the consequences of the choices that they make along life’s journey. Or, if they do stop long enough to read the signs, they are deceived by the words of the first sign and the sights and sounds of the first path that are visible from the crossroad. Additionally, even if they want to choose the second path, the temptations of the first path are too overwhelming to hold to their original desires or convictions. And people want to assume that happiness and pleasure leads to more happiness and pleasure, but in most circumstances that is not the case. Because many times there is a significant cost to those things that are associated with worldly happiness and pleasure, the result is often disappointment and despair. Additionally, although the first sign made note of possible hazards that would take away the happiness and pleasures of following this path, those warnings are just ignored or often go unnoticed. And I think that there is also a bit of rationalization that occurs with those who choose the first path. “We all will die at some point so why not enjoy life while we can, right?”
But the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look”. In other words, study both signs. The second sign provides the truth about the narrowness of the pathway and the difficulties of the journey. The reality is that both paths are full of difficulties and challenges in their own way. However, the first sign is intended to deceive you into thinking that it is a better path, because if it was clear that the ultimate choice in life was between eternal hell and punishment, or eternal life in heaven, of course you would not choose the path that leads to eternal punishment in hell. And we tend to lose focus on the ultimate goal of our life journey because we face difficult and challenging decisions every day that cloud how those decisions impact our path and our destiny. And while the first path is intended to deceive you into thinking how wonderful the walk down that road will be, the second path provides the truths of life and what will be at the end of that journey for those who are faithful. Additionally, the hazards on the second path are clearly articulated so you can take notice of and be best prepared for such difficulties. For God says, “ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it”. This path provides instruction on how to navigate the narrow way that leads to “rest for your souls”, and it is right before us in the words of God written in the Bible. And if you are still not convinced of the consequences of your choices you make and which path you choose, read the book of Jeremiah, and see the path the people chose, and the consequences they received for their decisions…
Conclusion:
Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Know that no matter where you are in life you are always faced with the choice of which path to follow, so “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”. Therefore, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.