Luke 13:22-30 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 ¶ And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
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As Jesus called men and women to discipleship, he continually used language, not of ease, but of anguish. He called men to repent, to deny self, to lose their lives for his sake, to follow him and to consider the cost in doing so. This is a far cry from the gospel of self-fulfillment, financial prosperity or cheap-grace that we hear proclaimed from so many pulpits today. Listen and ask yourself the question – “Am I a genuine follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?” The answer to that question will determine on which side of the closed door to the Kingdom of God you will find yourself. |
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