Friday 15 April, 2016

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.”

What is it like? Who will get in? Who will be the greatest there?… In the Kingdom or Heaven. Luke is full of discussions about the Kingdom of Heaven.

In this passage a question is asked “are only a few people going to be saved?” Jesus replies with a couple of parables – the narrow gate and a man knocking at the door.  Essential Jesus seems to be saying (my paraphrase) this is NOT an all religions lead to the Kingdom of Heaven highway. There is but one way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and that way is to know me Jesus the Messiah. And to know me now, whilst you are here on earth, whilst the door is still open.

Jesus mentions Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets will be there in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus would appear to be saying (my paraphrase again) YES I am the one that they spoke of and the one in which they believed. I am the narrow door. I am the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus thank you that you are our way to Heaven. Thank you for dying and rising again that we could be saved from our sin and saved for eternity. Thank you that we can know you here and now. Thank you for showing us the way, letting us in, and for stamping our entry by the Indwelling of your Holy Spirit.

Written by Zoe Stewart