Writing

“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.” -Jesus

“A little band of men, the followers of Christ, are separated from the rest of the world. The disciples are few in number, and will always be few. This saying of Jesus forestalls all exaggerated hopes for success. Never let a disciple of Jesus pin his hopes on large numbers. “Few there be…” The rest of the world are many, and will always be many. But they are on the road to perdition (damnation).” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship]

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” -Jesus

“Surprisingly enough, when Jesus begins to unfold this inescapable truth to his disciples, he once more sets them free to choose or reject him. “If any man would come after me,” he says. For it is not a matter of course, not even among the disciples. Nobody can be forced, nobody can even be expected to come. He says rather, “If any man” is prepared to spurn all other offers which come his way in order to follow him. Once again, everything is left for the individual to decide.” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship]