In the days before interstate highways the state highways and back roads were more traveled. Nowadays, the freeways are the roads most traveled. The back roads (the “blue highways”) are the scenic routes and are the roads less traveled.             Jesus, in Matthew 7:13-14 impressed upon his disciples the fact that our eternal destiny involves only two roads. One road is heavily traveled, but leads to destruction (Vs. 13). This was the road of pharisaic legalism and external Judaism, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The other road is less traveled, but leads to eternal life (Vs. 14). This was the gate into the kingdom of God, which to the Jews of Jesus’ day, would open at Pentecost (Acts 2). Of the nearly 2 million Jews then residing in Jerusalem 3,000 took the road less traveled into the church (Acts 2:41).
            The poet Robert Frost said, “I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” The road less traveled in Jesus’ words is a single lane – the gospel way. Along that singular way are other roads less traveled.
            The Road of Faith (Hebrews 11:6). The road most traveled today seems crowded with doubters, skeptics and unbelievers. In a world where man is so awed by his own achievements faith in an unseen God seems so impractical (Psa. 42:3). Uncertainty and struggle are the twin marks of a true intellectual. The Hebrews penman saw faith in Christ as the road less traveled (Heb. 2:1-3). From that faith we should never drift or stop short (Gal. 6:9). Patient and enduring faith is the road less traveled (1 Pet. 1:9).
            The Road of Moral Courage (Romans 12:2). It’s a strange paradox that in a world where physical courage abounds, moral courage is so rare. Moral courage is the ability to stand for the truth at all costs. It might mean going against family, friends or brethren (Mt. 10:35). Peter and John had moral courage (Acts 4:20). One facet of moral courage is keeping ourselves pure in an impure world (1 Tim. 5:22). We are so bombarded with immorality these days that many have grown tolerant. With the negative influences of TV, movies, literature, music and the internet, kids are questioning the moral values with which they have been reared. The overwhelming majority of people today seem unconcerned about morality in general. It is the road less traveled.
            The Road of Service (Matthew 20:25-28). In a world of give and take the road most traveled is that of taking, not giving. The very heart of Christianity is service to God and to others. There is no nobler calling than helping others. The road less traveled is that of selfless interest, personal sacrifice and giving to others.
            May we follow the roads less traveled, and never grow cold and passive to human needs (Gal. 6:10). It costs some of one’s self to be a servant to others (Lk. 10:30-37). We can’t do it all at a distance with money, gifts and well wishes. The road of service is the road less traveled, but offers the richest rewards (Acts 20:35).