Tag: I don’t know you!
Will only a few be saved?
Scripture reading for March 20th: Luke 13
Jesus was asked some direct questions and gave some revealing answers! On His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover, a man came and asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” “He said to them, “Make every effort to enter the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able to. 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.'” (Luke 13:23-25)
Jesus didn’t answer the question about a few being saved, but He did emphasize that many who wanted to enter would not be able to. It was important to enter through the narrow door. Jesus had proclaimed that He alone was the door or gate that men could enter. (John 10:7) He alone was the way, truth, and life. (John 14:6) He emphasized that many would knock on the door after it was closed and the door would not be opened to them because the Master did not know them.
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from Me you evildoers!’ 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.” (Luke 13:26-28) Many religious people expected to enter the kingdom, but because they rejected Jesus Christ, they would be thrown out! Knowing about Jesus and even observing Him would not get them in! Only a few will be saved through the ‘Narrow Door’!
The narrow door!
Scripture reading for April 10th: Luke 13:23-14:6
“Someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” 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. 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.” ” (Luke 13:23-25)
A popular topic of discussion among the religious people of Jesus’ day was how many people would make it through the ‘pearly gates’! Speculation about who would be saved and not saved often revolved around having Jewish blood in the veins. Just descending from Abraham was thought to guarantee salvation. Attending the synagogue regularly and going to the feasts was a part of being ‘Jewish’. Many, including the religious leaders, were under this delusion. Jesus tried to jar their thinking to a personal level!
“What about you?” Jesus was asking them. Have you been saved yourself? Have you entered through the ‘narrow door’? Are you striving now to enter while it is open? Jesus was helping them to see that the ‘narrow door’ would not always be open. Those that thought they could enter at any time would be left outside, looking in at Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the prophets enjoying the feast of the redeemed. (Luke 13:28-30)
Jesus had taught them that He alone was this ‘door’. “I am the gate, whoever enters through Me will be saved.” (John 10:9) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus was and is that door and these people had Him right there with them. Many religious leaders were looking to get rid of Him instead of find salvation through Him. Jesus was concerned for their souls. They should have been the first to enter because of the Word of God delivered to them, but many would be left outside where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
Have you entered through the narrow door of faith in Jesus Christ? Have you repented of your sins, embracing what Jesus did on the cross for you? Today the door is still open! Many will try to enter, but find the door shut for their lack of faith!