Isaiah 66:18-23; Hebrews 12:4-24; Luke 13:22-30

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23). Let’s get right to the point. Skip past all the chitter-chatter, the back-and-forth, the long-winded explanation. It’s one of those questions that we do often ponder. After looking out at our world and seeing the nearly eight billion people, we’re left wondering how and who God will save. I’ve heard some argue that God isn’t truly good if he doesn’t (or can’t) save everyone. 

It's the wrong question though, as Jesus shows us. For you see, we can spend all day (or a lifetime) contemplating such questions and it won’t do us or anyone any good. It won’t get others into heaven. For the reality is that not everyone will be saved. This has always been clear. “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able,” Luke 13:24. Many won’t make it. Many will be shut and locked outside the pearly gates of heaven and “in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…” Luke 13:28. 

That’s not a very comforting thought, is it? It kicks your feet out from under you. Anything that you thought earned you that spot is now under scrutiny, or at least it should be. Have I done enough good things? Have I helped enough people? Have I given enough of my time, talents, and money for the glory of God? “Strive to enter through the narrow door.”  

But here’s the thing. That’s the entire point. This striving to enter isn’t a striving to “do better” or “do enough good works.” This striving is none other than repentance and faith. It’s a striving to strip ourselves of all those things we trust in other than God for salvation. Enter through the narrow door. You can’t walk through the pearly gates of heaven trusting in your own self-righteousness. Nor can you carry in your belief in karma or your own personal spirituality. This narrow door won’t permit you to believe in any other God.

After all, it’s not our own striving that gets us to heaven. It’s the striving of Jesus who has opened wide the gates of heaven! Jesus is the narrow door, the one and only way to salvation. He has striven against sin, against every temptation of the flesh, and against death. This is why we are told that Jesus was journeying toward Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, Jesus would finish the fight, complete his work, and end the agony of sin by his death on the cross. On the cross, the striving against sin would be completed. Enter through the narrow door by clinging to Jesus alone. Strive against the sinful flesh in faith that you may be among the many who are welcomed to the table in the kingdom of God. For “people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God,” Luke 13:29. Strive in faith that you may enter eternal life!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!