Pentecost 11 – Proper 16
Luke 13:22-30
25 August 2019
“The Door which leads to God”
O Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting live, grant us without all doubt to know Your Son Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth and the Life that, following His steps, we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; [1]
“Many will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 13:29) But only by the narrow way of the cross.
Those who would be saved must enter the kingdom through a narrow door.
All people are prospects for the Kingdom, but only those who go through the narrow door of righteousness will be saved.
This message of Jesus may be found to be too restrictive to many of our time. For many in our world, “whatever differences religions might have are not as important as the fundamental similarities.” [2]
Well, what are the “fundamental similarities” among religions today? There are only two; first, all religions believe that man is sinful. And second, religions believe that God will somehow broker some sort of deal to make up for man’s sin.
But here is where the world’s religions differ among themselves. Some believe that God will somehow make up for man’s inability to keep the Law. Others say that God will somehow turn His back on man’s sin. But that sort of scrutiny will not measure up to the test of every man.
What separates Christianity from every world religion is the fact that Christianity is not a religion at all. Rather, Christianity is a connection, an association, a link - established with the person of Jesus Christ.
While most religions focus on man working his way up to God the Bible claims that God has come down to man through the person of Jesus Christ. John will tell us in his gospel, “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” – John 1
These words of Jesus are difficult to be sure. Jesus has a narrow focus. He has turned His signs on Jerusalem. Although the disciples might not see or understand - Jesus has 20/20 vision. The cross looms before Him.
Jesus’ desire is that man would find a bond with Him so that He can dwell with him. How this connection with Christ is made possible? We enter through the narrow door of righteousness.
1. We enter through the narrow door. “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Vs. 24. Though God wants all to be saved, not all qualify.
It is the narrow door of obedience to Christ and Him alone that grants entry into the Kingdom. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Jesus is the door. Only through Him can you enter. You cannot force yourself through. He is the door. Only through Him can you enter. The temptation is this; “Try harder.” “Produce more.” “Do more.” “Achieve more.” Yet, “not the labors of my hands could fulfill the Law’s demands.” The way to the Father is through a narrow door. Only Christ can open it. Jesus is the way –the narrow way.
2. It will be open- but only for a time. “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” V. 29 The door to the Kingdom is open to all regardless of nation or race. Christianity is a universal faith. God desires all people to be saved. If this is the case, why not evangelize?
Notice - A reversal. Those who think they are close are out. Those afar are included. Those who consider themselves as first will become last. And those regarded as last, finish first.
3. The closed Door. 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.’
“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, all you evildoers.’ Vv. 25-27
The door is closed to religious people who thought they could get in on their own terms – playing by their own rules – “We ate and drank in your presence” they will say.
The door is closed to the wicked, “workers of iniquity,” whether they are in or out of the church. Some will be shut out of heave by their own evil condition. Once the door is closed it will be too late.
There are no more frightening words in Scripture. Jesus says bluntly, “You come from the wrong family. I don’t know you!” They call Him “Lord.” They prophecy in His name. “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ - Matthew 7:22
Salvation is dependent on Christ knowing you. And He knows you! “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me… My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.’ (John 10:14; 27-28)
God's faithfulness is stronger than your faith. “Even if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” -2 Timothy 2:13
4. But those on the inside – there will be bliss and peace forever. There is the glass door. “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.” V. 28
With the cross of Christ, the time has come “to gather all nations and tongues” (Isaiah 66:18). The sign of the cross is set forth in the preaching of the Gospel, the declaration of the Lord’s glory “among the nations.” (Isaiah 66:19) Many “will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 13:29)
But only by the narrow way of the cross. Christ’s disciples, called from all the nations, will eat and drink with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. They will come into “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” (Hebrews 12:22)
A door is a means of entrance and a way to exclude. It matters whether the door is open or closed, whether it is wide or narrow.
The question asked of the Savior, “Will those who are saved be few?” is still being asked today. During this week. Ponder the Savior’s response.
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Words- 1,200
Passive Sentences –10%
Readability – 82.9%
Reading Level – 4.2
1. Collect for Pentecost 14, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publish House, St. Louis
2. BOBO’s in Paradise by David Brooks
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