MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR

Luke 13:22-35
Key Verse: 13:24

SLIDE Key Verse

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

Last week, Jesus helped a woman who was bound by Satan for 18 years to stand up straight and get on with her life. Surprisingly, the synagogue ruler was angry because it happened on a Sabbath day. Jesus rebuked the ruler and other critics revealing they cared more for their animals than their neighbors. Then he compared the kingdom of God to a small seed that becomes a miraculously large tree and a small amount of yeast that transforms a huge batch of dough over time. We prayed we might be even a small yeast at work on the campus to help transform lost sinners, bound by the temptations of Satan into humble servants set free by the love of God. This week Jesus shares more insights into the necessity of turning away from sins that doom us and shares a dreadful reality check for his countrymen and the near future of their capital city. Though some aspects of the lessons and prophecy feel grim, they are also full of hope and promise for those who take Jesus’ advice. I pray we may make every effort to enter the narrow door to enjoy the feast with God’s people in eternity.

SLIDE v22

Verse 22 says Jesus went on through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. (SLIDE TIMELINE) I took a short look around the internet to try and understand where these chapters might fit in Jesus’ ministry years. One popular idea calls the days in this part of the gospel the Later Judean period that came before what is known as Perean ministry. Together they may be about 7 months. This part is supposed to be in the fall of the last year of Jesus’ life. (SLIDE Timeline with Map) In the larger view, this part was moving around Judea and will spend some time in Perea later on.

Now Luke includes an interesting question from one of the towns in verse 23. (SLIDE v22-23) “Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”” Earlier someone thought of themselves asking,”‘what must I do to be saved?” This person’s question is very community minded, concerned for family, friends, even the nation and maybe the Jews who were out in the empire. They may wonder if many will be executed for collaborating against the messianic movement or if the scholars Jesus famously silenced will be spared when Jesus is made king over all. That is how it goes in worldly empires. Anyone can be wiped out for the smallest hint of disagreement with the ruler anytime there Is a change. We know Jesus chose not to conquer the world like that. Nevertheless, we may have similar concerns, worrying if our loved ones will keep the faith or fall away. We are always hoping those we share the gospel with will repent too. We hope many will be saved. How did Jesus see the situation?

SLIDE v24 Let’s read the first part of Jesus’ answer in verse 24. “He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Rather than a yes or no answer, Jesus shares instructions and prophetic insight. Comparing the need for diligence to making the way into a building through a narrow door. Jesus encourages the questioner to get into his kingdom while the getting is good. Imagining a narrow door makes me think only a few can be saved because they need to go through the small doorway one at a time. But this might contradict other things Jesus compared his kingdom to like the large tree that has room for everyone. Researching this lesson ends with the conclusion that the narrow door is describing the way of salvation in Christ compared to every other idea that one might think of to save themselves from destruction.

Considering this in context of the times, the Jewish sects of that day are the first thing to come to mind. Will Pharisees, Sadducees and every other group in their society be saved, that is, incorporated into Jesus’ kingdom? It was a politically sensitive topic, but in the real kingdom that lasts forever, those groups will not endure. They cannot be saved when they rely on some aspect of self righteousness that comes from the law. They were old wineskins and their members must come to the father in Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life. In this sense the narrow door is hard to enter because you can’t fit through if you try to make it with all your self righteous baggage and beauty supplies. (SLIDE Airport Security) Think of airport security these days. You can’t go through the narrow scanner with all your stuff, and sometimes you have to throw things in the trash or mail them home at the last minute to get through. (SLIDE v24) Jesus is telling Israelite believers who strive to enter the narrow door that they must abandon all the legalistic benefits of Judaism and face the fact that they were sinners who needed a savior. (SLIDE 24 w/Peter & Paul) Apostles Peter and Paul testified of their experience in acts and their letters. It was very difficult for Peter to abandon his customs and visit a gentiles house; but he trusted Jesus’ vision of all kinds of critters being edible now that Jesus paid for everyone’s. Paul’s legalism was much deeper, but he considered all his effort to implement mosaic laws rubbish. Now his description of righteousness that is by faith from first to last is a foundational principle that helps understand what going through the narrow door really means. Humans prefer to reward influential, productive and creative people, so we naturally expect a way of salvation to include some recognition of our effort to live up to some standard. The righteousness that comes from faith does not take those things into account.

(SLIDE 24 w/scenes from pilgrims progress) The famous book called Pilgrim’s progress looks at so many kinds of people, trying every conceivable way to enter the celestial city. At the end of the journey however, only those who went through the little gate were admitted. Formalist and Hypocrisy are characters that hoped to achieve righteousness by some code of conduct or cultural association to God’s people. Now that Jesus Christ has opened the new and living way, Jews and gentiles all have the same opportunity. It is a very generous, amazing grace that unites the repenting sinners with God through faith in Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice.

Since being saved does not require our strict obedience to the legal code Moses gave the Israelites, we would think everyone on earth would jump at the chance to enter God’s kingdom by faith. But Jesus told them many will try and will not be able. Who are the many? What prevents them from entering the narrow door?

(SLIDE v24-25) Let’s see how Jesus illustrated the situation. Verse 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.’ This tells us the narrow door is not open forever. The people have limited time to enter. But some don’t make any effort and others give up trying. (SLIDE DMV) This made me think of the famous department of motor vehicle situations. When we have to do anything in that place it always seems inconvenient because of the huge line at the entrance. There are many people trying to get in the little door to change the paperwork or get the car inspected. It’s a shabby example, but illustrates two opportunities. Some patiently wait in the long line. Although they face frustration and miss out on other things for a while, they persevere and get in before closing time. But many have other things to do. Many pass on by thinking they will come back another day. They are in danger of missing the time and anything might happen before they get back to prevent them from handling their tasks on the other side of the door. There are also many who drive by laughing at those waiting in line. Ha Ha! Glad I’m not you!

(SLIDE v24-25) Something similar is happening in the spiritual dimension. The people coming to faith in Christ are waiting in line to inherit eternal life. They actually get in line when they repent, come to Jesus for salvation, accept his baptism and look forward to the day they enter his kingdom. They wait in line as long as they live. It means they don’t have time for all the opportunities that those not in the line experience, but they trust Jesus’ promise and deny themselves daily, looking forward to the day of redemption. The other people have more important things to do so they don’t get in line to the kingdom. Jesus’ way of life looks boring, his demands seem unrealistic and his reward does not seem worth their time right now. They go on by, skipping the chance to get in. Jesus says they may have a regretful end.

Jesus said when the door closes there will be many who show up late and 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.’ This is an illustration of the people who refused to put their faith in Jesus being cut off from God’s blessing. The door was closed and the owner rebuked them, saying they were complete strangers. It means there should be a strong connection between the owner and those who get in through the door. (SLIDE Pop stars) For instance, someone might wait in line for a long time to get into their favorite singer’s concert. They know who the pop star is, but if they try to walk backstage after the show to say hi to the pop star they will be arrested. That is because the pop star cannot possibly know each and every fan in a way that allows them access. (SLIDE backstage pass) Now there are always some people at a show who have a backstage pass. They have a reason to be there and the pop star has approved their access. The narrow door to the kingdom has a similar requirement, the owner must know those who make it in. It means they had a reason to be there after all and the entry through the narrow door was granted by the proper channels.

(SLIDE Sheep pen) Jesus told another parable in John 10 about sheep in a pen. That story illustrates the connection those who were allowed in have with the owner. In a sheep pen, there is a narrow door to go in and out of the holding areas so that the shepherd can see each sheep going in and coming out. (SLIDE John 11v3&4) The good shepherd knows each sheep by name, and when the shepherd arrives near the corral, the watchman knows which sheep to let out because they hear the shepherd’s voice and are excited. The other sheep ignore and pay no attention to a strange shepherd’s voice. That story in John’s gospel is most interesting because Jesus even claimed to be the gate those sheep go through to find the good pasture. It is oddly similar to discussing the narrow door in today’s passage.

(SLIDE v24-25) Both parables highlight the fact that Jesus prepared a way for his people, that he is calling them to be his followers, and leading them out of the realm of the damned to serve as his coworkers and be his eternal companions in the kingdom that never ends. (SLIDE Luke 24) Look what he told his close disciples later on in Luke’s gospel chapter 22. “28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” What a glorious promise for those who made every effort to enter the narrow door. Now, compare their hope to the hope of those who came when the narrow door was locked. (SLIDE 26-28) 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.” They did not go through the narrow door by trusting Christ to lead them. They did not stand with Jesus through his trials. They only attended his lectures, sought him to grab a blessing or worse, never gave him a second thought after eating some of the five loaves and two fish. Worst of all, they persecuted him without cause.

(SLIDE vs 29-30) Jesus’ prophetic lesson sounds so dreadful, that we may miss the amazing graceful news being shared right alongside the painful prophecies. Let’s read verse 29&30. 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.” Jesus can see the glorious vision of disciples coming from all over the world. Many here have entered the narrow door and we are still inviting many to come while it is still open. It is still very good news to share thousands of years after Jesus told it to the crowds. He also shared a secret wisdom, saying among those who come in, the last will be first and first who will be last. The same was said in Matthew’s gospel after a parable about laborers earning the same pay regardless of long they worked in the vineyard. The same meaning can apply here. Some who followed Jesus for a long time may be made equal to the one who followed Jesus for just an hour before they died. In that sense, making it in through the door is what matters, so this encourages everyone to get in while the getting is good. Another idea explained this context as the last people who believed, entering first to the kingdom and all gathering on the other side to welcome the rest of God’s people one by one until finally, the first who believed come in last of all.

(SLIDE v31) Next Luke records dialog with some Pharisees who suddenly seem to be concerned for Jesus’ safety. In verse 31 they said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” It seems strange if compared to Mark 3:6 where some Pharisees even inquired with Herod’s friends how they might plot to kill Jesus. It seems like their plan was coming together and their hitmen were ready to strike. Why let Jesus know? It looks like a case of divine intervention where the Holy Spirit exposed their plot in public, but in a way that looked innocent to the general public. If that is the case the fellow who spilled the beans would think, why did I say that? I was supposed to invite him out of town so the hitmen can bump him off. His friends smacked him on the head calling him an idiot, and he agreed. “I don’t know why I said that, it just came out of my mouth.” It brings to mind Luke 8 where Jesus said “everything hidden will be revealed” This might be one of those cases. Jesus was not scared off by their revelation.

(SLIDE v31-33) Let’s read verse 32&33. 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day–for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” Now their plot was exposed so Jesus also told them his plan out in the open too.  Jesus would hang around a few more days then move along on his way to his final destination. According to Luke 23, a really weird twist in the story occurred a few months later. Herod had a chance to examine Jesus and found no reason to have him executed. This means even if Herodians arrested Jesus, nothing would have happened Herod would have to let Jesus go. At this moment, there was nothing they could do to prevent him from dying in Jerusalem as the lamb of god.

(SLIDE 34&35) Revealing God’s purpose for him to die in Jerusalem was heartbreaking in every way, and Jesus lamented over the city as he thought of the situation. Look at vs 34. 34 “O 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, but you were not willing! He lamented that Jerusalem’s track record dealing with God’s servants would repeat in his own life and those of his servants. It is God’s voice wishing the people would be friendly and welcoming, but they disrespected him in the past and were now plotting to kill his son. In the future they will kill some apostles and stone Steven in the street as well. Nevertheless, Jesus left the plotters with a hint of when his goal will be accomplished. In verse 35 Jesus said, “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.’” (SLIDE Timeline closeup) According to the timeline we looked at earlier, we can guess about the context of this part of the conversation. John’s gospel chapter 10 records another life threatening conversation in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication aka Hanukkah, and Jesus’ departure into Perea. So this conversation might be very close to the end of the later Judean mission, perhaps even in Jerusalem. He promises Pharisees & those living in Jerusalem that they will not see him again until they say blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord. It happens at the triumphal entry 3 or four months later when crowds line the streets to welcome Jesus, riding on the colt. Jesus would get killed, but only according to God’s plan.

(SLIDE Key Verse) Let’s read the key verse again. 24 He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Today’s passage shares the extreme sides of hope for eternal life and prophecies of bitter sadness for those who do not take Jesus’ advice. Let’s pray for each other to make every effort to enter eternal life by way of the narrow door. It is just a parabolic way of saying, listen to Jesus, follow Jesus, get to know Jesus, witness for Jesus and trust Jesus alone to rescue you from sin and death. Let’s pray.