*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.'”
13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
13:31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.