THERE are but two roads, dear reader, the broad and the narrow—on which are you traveling? You may, according to your age, have been either few or many years on the road; but the all-important question is, Which of those two roads are you now treading? It was at “a place where two ways met,” that the colt was loosed, on which Jesus the Saviour rode into Jerusalem amidst the Hosannahs of the crowd; while a few days after, amidst its cruel jeers, He was crucified and slain outside that city’s gate.
As regards your future, the cross of Jesus stands, in a spiritual sense, at the parting of the ways, and divides, for all eternity, the broad road that leads to hell from the narrow way that leads to heaven; and again I ask, Which are you traveling on today? Many years ago, in the course of a long country walk, the writer found himself in a great difficulty, for he came to a place where two roads met, and there being no one to guide him, and no sign-post to direct his steps, he knew not what to do. A choice had to be quickly made, for he wished to reach his destination that night, and the afternoon was already far advanced. Instead of asking for guidance from above, as might have been his happy privilege, he judged by the sight of his eyes, and foolishly took the way he thought was best, with the sad result that, after walking some five miles down the left-hand road, he became aware (on inquiry at a lonely wayside cottage) that he had chosen the wrong turning, and that every step he had taken had only been leading him farther and farther away from the place he wished to reach. There being no short cut to that destination, and, moreover, a wide stream separating those two roads, there was no other way out of the difficulty but to return to the point of departure. Yes, with weary feet, those five long miles had again to be traversed ere he could reach the right road, and the darkness was gathering quickly all around.
Truly thankful, and glad, was he, therefore, after long exertion, and through God’s mercy, to finally reach his destination in safety. Is there not, dear reader, a simple but a solemn lesson to be learned from this incident? In your own journey through this dark and evil world have you yet troubled yourself to think which way you are going; and whether destruction or glory lies at the end of the journey?
Like Jonah of old, you may in self-will and disobedience have run away from God, and are now going to your “Tarshish” (i.e., destruction), through another “Joppa” (i.e., a beautiful place), for there is much in this world to attract both eyes and heart. If so, it is high time to return ere the storm of coming judgment bursts and overwhelms you. Or, like the prodigal of old, you may perchance have come to the end of all your resources, and are now lonely, sad, and heart-broken, far away from God and home. If so it be, let me beseech you to return, and quickly, to the parting of the ways; where, rising up before your soul’s vision, there stands the cross of Jesus, and His own wounded hand (wounded for your many sins) points, like a heavenly finger-post, to that narrow way which leads straight on to the Father’s house above. Whether you be old, or young, you are forced, if real in your soul with God, to say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee,” and as surely as you retrace your steps so will He swiftly run to meet you just as you are and just where you are, and the kiss of reconciliation, as well as the best robe, will be yours. There is no time to be lost, however, for death and judgment, are fast drawing nearer, while you are still lingering on the broad road that leads to hell. The world’s darkness grows apace; but a voice from the glory-land rings down the narrow road; and it is the voice of God’s word and Spirit, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it.” Let your eternal choice then be made, as you read these lines, for the One who died to save you from your sins Himself declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” ‘Tis at His cross you will truly learn the measure of your own utter ruin; but there too will you also learn the exceeding riches of God’s grace in His kindness toward you by Christ Jesus. His precious blood has answered for all your sins; and, trusting that blood now, you will lose the burden at His feet, while, in love divine, He sweetly whispers, “Thy sins are forgiven thee; thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Do not delay another moment; but leave the broad road at once, and, as you enter the narrow way, salvation, peace, and all that God can give, shall be yours to enjoy for evermore. “Behold! now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.”
S. T.