Entering through the narrow door
Mari Ikeda
A. Why does Paul teach like this?
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.”
1) Not to be superficial
2) The first may be the last
B. Modeling ourselves after the Lord (31-35)
1) Self-sacrificial love
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
2) Pressing on today, tomorrow and the next day
32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
3) Remembering we are loved by God
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’
Summary
Following the Lord is our daily challenge. Just as Jesus obeyed God’s plan and accordingly sacrificed his life for his love for us, we are trying to live to love everyday. It is not a wide and smooth road. We need to make our best effort to enter through the narrow door.
For Discussion
1) Are only a few people going to be saved? (v.23)
2) What should we do in order to enter through the narrow door?