Luke 13:22 – 30 The Narrow Door

Luke 13:22 – 30 The Narrow Door

He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."


Jesus continued on his journey through small towns on the way to Jerusalem. What he has to say to the Jews who come to see him is unsettling to say the least. The “chosen people”, Jesus says, are not assured salvation. Many who assumed they will be saved will not be. Complacency and the appearance of being a follower (“We ate and drank in your company. You taught in our streets.”) are insufficient. We must respond and those actions must clearly identify us as Christ’s followers in word and deed. To add even more fuel to the fire, outsiders, that is no- Jews from the north, south east and west are also invited to be saved. Some who are last will be first, and some who were first will be last. Jesus is warned from someone in authority that he is in danger. He foretells his fate – to be slain as have other prophets who were sent to Jerusalem. His desire is to save the people, to gather them safely to himself, but he cannot if people refuse to heed his message.