Luke 13:22-35
Be still: Father, open the eyes of my heart. Show me what you want me to discover in your Word today. Amen
Read: Luke 13:22-35
Someone asked him, 'Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?' (v23)
Encounter: I'm interested that Jesus doesn’t specifically answer the person’s question ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?' He responds with a command: 'Strive to enter through the narrow door…’ I wonder if the questioner was looking around at the large crowds listening to Jesus. Is he asking out of fear, arrogance, assurance? Maybe he hoped the answer would be 'No, lots' or 'Yes, but you’re among them.' Was he being arrogant, assuming he would be saved because he followed all the jewish rules?
Jesus then directs his attention to a story of someone who is being hospitable but eventually gets up and closes the door leaving some people outside. Jesus emphasises these people are barred entry because the homeowner doesn’t know them. They may have done all the right things to appear friends —‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' (v26) But they weren't living in a true relationship with the host.
As followers of Jesus, we want to have a personal relationship with him as our Lord, saviour, redeemer, and true friend. This will show itself in a life that is aligned with his will. The narrow door is something we must fix our eyes on as it’s thin and we need to focus on it to get through. The door is Jesus only. Jesus is the one we need to focus on, and the one who offers us a relationship that will grow and grow and grow as we live in his Kingdom here on earth.
Apply: How would I describe my relationship with Jesus at this time? Is it transactional, passive, intimate, turbulent, deep? How can I develop and grow my relationship with Jesus as a friend? What are some practical things I can do this week to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus?
Devote: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for inviting me into a relationship with you. I want to grow in that relationship and know, in a deeper way, your love for me and for others.