Tag: Luke 13
Repent! Or perish!
Scripture reading for March 20: Luke 13
“There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”” Luke 13:1-5
People of every age have experienced wars, natural disasters and mass casualty events. Survivors and observers have often speculated about why these things happen or what divine judgment or satanic evil might be involved. There were two such events mentioned here by Jesus and He questioned the people about how they viewed what had happened. Were these people worse sinners? What or who caused them to suffer? Were they singled out for some nefarious reason that caused their destruction? Our cultural world view often determines how we seek to explain or justify these disturbing events. We assign blame and make excuses but fail to look in the mirror to see the state of our own souls!
But Jesus sought to use these sudden acts of violence and death to warn each person of their need to repent. If there was any sin or offenses in these who were now dead, there was no time left to repent and make changes. Their fates were set spiritually. If they were not right with God through repentance and faith, they would be eternally damned and under punishment. Jesus warned them that all who failed to go through Him, the ‘narrow Door,’ would experience weeping and gnashing of teeth and be left out of the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:28) The ‘Door’ would one day be shut and repentance would not be possible! Today is the time to take action, repent, and come to Jesus for a cleansing of heart.
When there is a mass casualty event or terrorist attack, how do you find yourself processing it? Do you assign blame and speculate on God’s reasons for allowing it? It it ever an occasion to thank God for His mercy in your life and ask Him for mercy on others?
Prayer: Father God, there have been many opportunities in my own life to process ‘accidents’, terrorist attacks, and the destruction of human lives by war and disease. It is often easy to view these things through media and assign blame. Forgive me and cleanse my mind from this thinking. Amen.
The narrow door!
Scripture reading for March 22nd: Luke 13
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 13:23-25 “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.”
There was concern among those who heard Jesus teach about the need for repentance that only a few people would actually be saved. They asked Jesus this very question. His answer was to encourage them to ‘make every effort to enter through the narrow door.’ We know that Jesus Christ alone is the gate or door to enter the kingdom of God. (John 10:1,7) (John 14:6) Repentance is the necessary heart condition to enter this narrow door. Jesus had just plainly told the people, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5) The key to the ‘door’ is repentance and this requires taking responsibility for our sin and turning to Jesus for forgiveness and grace. Through personal faith in Jesus Christ, we enter the ‘narrow’ Door!
Observations for over-comers: Jesus warned that many would try to enter their own way and be left outside knocking and pleading for admittance. They would be denied access because of no ‘key’! “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
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’!