Luke 13:22-25 (NIV) The Narrow Door
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.’”
Who is the owner of the house? At what time will he close the door? Will we have any warning? What are the requirements to get in? Do I qualify? Am I in? Do I make the cut?
These are some of the questions raised by this passage. They are really about the Kingdom of Heaven. With that in mind, the owner of the house is the Lord. No one knows the day or hour of the closing of the door. The requirements are to believe in the Son. John 1:12 (NKJV) says 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ….. As far as you qualifying, only you can answer that question. Have you received him?
I have come to a place in my spiritual journey where I have come to understand that relationships are the most important thing we can achieve. Take care of relationships and they will take care of everything else. The Ten Commandments are all about relationships: our relationship to God and to each other. So what does it mean to believe in Jesus the Son? Revelation 3:20 says 20 Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. In another translation, it says “I will abide with them and they with me.” Abide implies more than just a meal and a limited time. Abide implies a relationship. Do you “know” Jesus? Are you in a relationship? What is written on your heart? Is Jesus’ name there?
God has no grandchildren. It is not about your parent’s relationship and them putting in a good word for you. It is all about whether or not you accept the offer. There is always discussion about faith vs. works. The only “work” you have to do is accept Jesus’ offer. We don’t deserve it, we can never earn it, we can never pay Him back. Nevertheless, the offer is still on the table!
Along the lines of qualifying, none of us “deserve” the offer. We don’t qualify because of the Church to which we belong or the family we are in or how many good works we do. None of that matters. What does matter is you saying yes to Jesus. Do you hear Him knocking? Are you going to open the door and let Him in? He is a gentleman. He would never enter without your permission. He is waiting at the door to your heart. Will you give Him permission to enter and abide there?
Lord, I pray that Your people will hear Your voice and open the door. It seems as it is not You who closes the door but we who do not open the door to You. There are those who are unsure. By Your Spirit, please give them the boldness to say yes to You. Remind them of Your limitless love for them. And if they are not ready today, in Your patience, please continue to knock until they gain the courage to throw open the door. You said that You wish none should perish.” In Jesus name I pray!