SCRIPTURE
Luke 13:22-28 - 22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
OBSERVATION
When Jesus was asked a question about other people’s salvation, he turned the answer to the individual. He wants us to focus on our own heart state.
Jesus implies that making it through the narrow way (heaven) is not easy, because every effort needs to be made to enter through that way.
He also says that not everyone will be able to get there. This isn’t an open door for everyone but only for those who take it seriously and who are intentional about getting there.
Once that way is shut, there isn’t rethinking or changing your mind. Time is of the essence.
Jesus mentions that there will be people that spent a lot of time with him that still will not be able to enter into the narrow way. This means that you can be walking with him, but do not know him - but not in relationship with him.
The humble hearted will inherit the kingdom of heaven & those who are deceived or living their lives going through the motions will not.
APPLICATION
1) We must evaluate our own lives and our own salvation - and take it seriously. Which gate am I trying to pass through - the narrow gate of a deep personal relationship with Jesus as my Savior, or the wide gate of acceptance by today’s culture?
2) Are we truly walking with the father, in relationship with him? Do we know him or do we just know of him? If you don’t have one already, begin a consistent devotional time with him daily, even if that means sacrificing twenty minutes of sleep every day. Start somewhere, even if it seems small. Big habits start with small, consistent decisions.
3) Are we trying to be our own savior, or are we living in full dependence on God?We need to recognize that we need a savior, and we can’t live our lives doing whatever we want, however we want, and being our own savior, and expecting the door of heaven to be open to us. Every good gift is from him, nothing we can muster up on our own. What sins or weights are we carrying that could be preventing you from going deeper with Him? Ask Him to show you! Ask the Lord to show you areas that you are trying to control the outcome.
PRAYER
Father, I thank You that You give us a gift of salvation freely through sending Your son, Jesus, to die for us. Help me to find the narrow road. Help me realize that how I am living and the decisions that I am making daily are weighty - that they don’t just affect my “now”, but they affect my future. Show me the ways that I can discipline myself and shake off the patterns of this world and be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I ask You to forgive me for the ways I’ve been living religiously, but not intentionally and relationally. I don’t want to go through the motions. You are the gift, You are the prize, and I want to be in constant communion with You and your plans for me. Help me strip the sinful desires that still linger in my heart and spirit. Thank you for your grace as we walk hand in hand and walk this journey of salvation and purification together. I want to live a life worthy of being called Yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.