*Luke 13:22-35
Jesus warns about difficulty entering heaven and outsiders inheriting the kingdom of God.
- Question of Salvation:
- A person asks Jesus, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
- Jesus responds, emphasizing personal responsibility in seeking salvation.
- Teaching on the Narrow Door:
- Jesus urges people to “strive to enter through the narrow door.”
- He warns that many will attempt to enter but won’t succeed once the door is closed.
- The door symbolizes the time-sensitive opportunity to follow God’s teachings.
- Exclusion and Weeping:
- Jesus foretells that some who assume they will be included will find themselves outside.
- There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when those excluded realize their fate, especially seeing the patriarchs and prophets inside God’s kingdom.
- Universal Invitation:
- People from all corners of the world will be included in God’s kingdom.
- Jesus stresses that “the last will be first, and the first will be last,” highlighting a reversal of expectations.
- Warning from the Pharisees:
- Some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him.
- Jesus dismisses the warning, calling Herod a “fox” and affirming his determination to fulfill his mission in Jerusalem.
- Lament Over Jerusalem:
- Jesus mourns for Jerusalem, expressing sorrow over the city’s historical resistance to prophets.
- He uses the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks to illustrate his desire to protect Jerusalem if only they would accept him.
- Jesus concludes with a prophetic statement: “You will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'”
Luke 13:22-35 reminds us that following Jesus is a choice we must make with our whole hearts. He warns that not everyone who thinks they know Him will enter His kingdom—only those who truly follow Him. This teaches us to take our faith seriously, not just as a habit but as a real commitment. Jesus longs for people to come to Him, but He won’t force anyone. We should respond to His love now, not wait until it’s too late, and share His message with others so they, too, can walk the right path.
Luke 13:22-35 (WEB)
13:22 He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. 23 One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?”He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or 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 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside. 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom. 30 Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”31 On that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.”32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I complete my mission. 33 Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can’t be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.’34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused! 35 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”