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Day 178

Luke 13 :22 - 30 "AN INTRIGUING QUESTION RAISED"

Day 178 – Luke 13

Text: Luke 13 :22 – 30

AN INTRIGUING QUESTION RAISED

Many were the questions raised to Jesus. Some of them were more complex than others. Few are as important as this one raised.

“Lord, are there few who are saved?”
Luke 13:23

Who will be saved? How many will be saved? How can we be sure as to who will be saved? These questions are as relevant to us as they must have been to those who lived in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ.

AN INTRIGUING REPLY

The Lord Jesus refused to give a simplistic answer. Let us study the answer of the Lord Jesus very carefully.

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate…” Luke 13:24

How does one answer the question of salvation? Jesus began at the very beginning of the quest of salvation. The entrance to life is “the narrow gate”.

What is this “narrow gate”? The word “gate” can also be translated “door”. Obviously this is a reference to the entry point.

Where is the entry point? The text here is a reference to a home. There is a reference to a householder. He is the one who gives permission to enter into that house. The person who owns the house is called “the head of the house” (Luke 13:25).

“Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door…” Luke 13:25

Jesus warned His hearers that the door to salvation would not always be open. There will come a day when the Head of the House will shut the door! Those who have not entered into the House of the Lord would be shut out… permanently!

We can imagine why Jesus said these words. Many of the people still had not made up their mind concerning faith in Him. They had heard His teachings. They had seen His miracles. They had also seen how He lived His life, and yet they had not decided that they would follow Him.

The following part must have appeared daunting. It meant discipleship. It meant possible suffering. It meant following Him. That was “the narrow gate” (better “door”). Thus many vacillated and still others sat on the fence.

“Many… will seek to enter and will not be able…” Luke 13:24

As Jesus explained the way to salvation, He could not help but look at the people, and many of them had their own ideas as to what constituted salvation. Many would like to enter into that House… and obviously, this “house” would be another way of speaking of “The Kingdom of God” sometimes called, “The Kingdom of Heaven”. Many imagine that they know how to gain entrance into God’s kingdom.

1. The Scribes and the Pharisees imagined that they would gain entrance into God’s kingdom if they kept God’s laws.

2. Many people were influenced to believe that if they were Abraham’s children, they were almost guaranteed a place in heaven already.

3. Some probably did not have a clue as to how they could obtain salvation. They just “hoped for the best”.

Jesus observed sadly that many would not obtain salvation if they followed their own ideas. He could and did offer salvation, yet the people could not bring themselves to believe in Him. They were so near and yet so far away!

“Lord, open up to us…” Luke 13:25

It is true irony to think of the fact that a narrow door would open to glorious salvation. Many may have despised the narrow door that Jesus spoke of, but it was the only door offered.

Many imagine that there were other doors. When they ultimately find out that there is BUT ONE DOOR, they would clamour to be let in. But the opportunity to enter in had already passed. They were effectively and permanently shut out! The Head of the House would then make reply,

“I do not know you, where you are from.”
Luke 13:25

“We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets” Luke 13:26

Naturally, the people would protest. They claimed that they “knew” Jesus.

1. They had certainly heard about Him.

2. They may even have heard Him teach.

3. Some may even claim to have had a meal or two with Him.

However the claims would have been made in vain. These were nothing but spurious excuses. The fact is that they had not entered through the humble narrow door. They had despised Jesus when He taught and mingled with the poor and the sinful. They could not claim any kind of relationship with Him at all… and certainly not one that would gain them entrance into the kingdom of God.

When they rejected the “narrow door” which led into God’s House, they had forfeited the privilege of obtaining salvation through Christ. They could not plead ignorance, for they now claimed that they had known him.

“I tell you I do not know where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.” Luke 13:27

When people reject “the narrow door” they also reject Jesus and His teachings. They reject the idea of following Him as true disciples of His. They must also be prepared for the full consequences. When people deny and reject Jesus, they must also be prepared to be rejected by Him one day.

Who may be saved? Surely it would be those who have striven to enter through the narrow door… and went on to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Have you entered through the narrow door yet?