Thursday, August 2, 2007

Enter the narrow door

Meditation on Luke 13:22-30. [Full text at bottom of post.]


Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. (v. 22)

Strive to enter through the narrow door. (v. 24a)

Jesus must have faced many narrowed and closed doors. He taught going from town to town on his way to Jerusalem. How few would receive a prophet into their own home! How many would say to the teacher, “Go away from me. I do not know where you come from.”!

Still the wandering prophet seeks even the least opening for the kingdom of God. Who will open their door to the one? And who strives to enter that narrow door?

Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" (v. 23a)

Perhaps it's not about who will be saved, but who will receive one who brings good news. Jesus is the un-welcomed stranger. Through mistrust many will narrow and close their doors. Though he amuse the crowds on the streets, even to eat and drink with them, few will follow a prophet all the way to Jerusalem, "Jerusalem, the city that kills its prophets."

The prophet strives to enter the narrow door of our heart.
One psychologist compared me to his own pastor. Aparently that minister is more outgoing than I. He had literally gone from door to door to start up his own church. The evaluator told me I’d never do that; it just wasn’t in my profile. Should I believe the good doctor over the one who calls me? Should I turn away from the narrowing of the door? Or shall I take up my staff and walk with his mantle upon me?

The kingdom of God consists of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets. May we not be ashamed at the sight of them, but may we be numbered among this band. May all those who walk the road of the prophets, walk all the way to Jerusalem.

Strive to enter the narrow door.


Luke 13:22-30 22 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29 Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."