One ought to look at the context of the verses. The gospel went over like a lead balloon among the Jews. That could possibly be “the few” being referred to. The gospel later got a much heartier reception among the gentiles, who didn’t have a long religious tradition to be proud of and be a stumbling block. At any rate it is the Shepherd who can (and will, if believed upon) get you through the narrow gate. And no matter what other things you also mistakenly believe, if you’ve come to the Shepherd and the Shepherd has you, you’ll get through the gate — maybe it will be a painful journey as he yanks you out of the waters, but you’ll get through it. That has nothing to do with a sign over a worship building. (Sometimes I have to chide Protestants that they aren’t being Protestant enough, that they dip into Catholic beliefs that the doctrine saves you... nope it’s the Person of Christ. Protestant doesn’t mean being a better flavor of Catholic.)
“Protestant doesn’t mean being a better flavor of Catholic”
Agreed, HTR!
Incidental to the point I was making. Arthur McGowan declared:
Jesus was so stupid, He didn't make provision to protect billions and billions of people from getting His message ALL WRONG and therefore going to HELL!
No provision was made for those being led to hell by the scribes and Pharisees, who were certainly 'getting his message all wrong'... What makes one think it is any different today?
And btw, I think that passage is prophetic - the Pharisees did not 'compass land and sea'... It applies as an exaggeration in the statement, but I think every word has value... So one has to look for those who DID 'compass land and sea'...
The gospel later got a much heartier reception among the gentiles, who didn’t have a long religious tradition to be proud of and be a stumbling block.
But already in Paul's time, the message was being threatened. It fared no better among the Gentiles, especially after the bastardization created by the Roman church.
At any rate it is the Shepherd who can (and will, if believed upon) get you through the narrow gate. And no matter what other things you also mistakenly believe, if you’ve come to the Shepherd and the Shepherd has you, you’ll get through the gate — maybe it will be a painful journey as he yanks you out of the waters, but you’ll get through it.
I would hope you are right, but this is a very serious and somber point - Many will say "Lord, Lord"... And these will have healed and cast out demons in His Name... not your average Joe-Christian... yet, "I never knew thee..." It seems to me that the criteria is a bit more stringent than many would expect.
That has nothing to do with a sign over a worship building. (Sometimes I have to chide Protestants that they aren’t being Protestant enough, that they dip into Catholic beliefs that the doctrine saves you... nope it’s the Person of Christ. Protestant doesn’t mean being a better flavor of Catholic.)
You're preaching to the choir on that one : )