Reading the Word

Luke 13:22–30 (ESV)

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place 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 but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Understanding and Applying the Word

We looked at Jesus’ words concerning the narrow door previously when we read Matthew 7:13-14. Today, we will focus on the rest of Jesus’ words in this passage.

The passage begins with someone asking Jesus how many will be saved. Instead of answering the question directly, Jesus turns the question to where it belongs. In essence, Jesus told the people that they needed to concern themselves with their own salvation. They needed to strive to enter through the narrow door.

It must be noted that Jesus was not teaching a works based salvation because he used the word “strive.” He makes it clear that the thing that separates those who enter the door and those who do not is whether or not they are known by the Lord. Salvation comes through hearing, receiving, and submitting to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we trust in him, we know him and we are known by him and the door to eternal life in his presence is opened to us. Rather than asking how many will be saved, we must first ask, “Am I saved?”

Does Jesus know you?

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