The good observation - Luke 13:23-30

The Narrow Door

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.”
Luke 13:23-30

NIV bible text note for verse 23:

only a few...saved? Perhaps the questioner had observed that in spite of the very large crowds that came to hear Jesus' preaching and be healed, there were only a few followers who were loyal. Jesus did not answer directly, but warned that many would try to enter after it was too late.

I've never actually read the NIV note before - to me that is something new.

I didn't realize the fact that the questioner IS someone from Jesus' time (obviously, this is an accurate historical account) and that person is asking from what he/she saw at that time. I think it's not far from true to say that the NIV note nailed it correctly.

We too see this in Churches (people not building) nowadays. How many times are you discouraged when you see fellow bros /siss not doing things that they are meant to be doing as a Christian.

Not striving after holiness.

Not wanting to know and uphold God's name.

Not having the passion to serve His people.

Not knowing God, yet acts like he/she does and putting heavy burden on others without lifting a finger to help.

Seeing godliness around, yet uninterested in it.

People who have ears but not hearing, have eyes but not seeing.

Hearing the Word, yet not understanding it.

Seeing God's punishment on the ungodly, but not being afraid at it.

How many times do we see these kinds of people as a member of our Church body?

I'm not writing this post to comment/give judgement to these people - if i am, that would clearly prove how much i don't really understand what the verse is talking about.

The NIV note already mentioned one very important fact "Jesus did not answer directly, but warned that many would try to enter after it was too late." Jesus HIMSELF did not give condemnation to these people, but patiently taught and warned and rebuked them, with the aim was to make these unrepentant people see their own blindness. Jesus was not interested in making them feel stupid/guilty by directly repenting these "unrepentant followers" of His, nor was He interested in forcing them to believe Him, but He was/and still is interested in saving these people in a loving way. Teaching them the way that is right. Including them in His bosoms by continually and patiently showing them the right way.

I could never say "if i were Jesus" because that could never be true! I am not Jesus, I should never put myself in His shoes, He is too great! And to give myself as an example of what i would do would be too degrading for the LORD. But if i was to teach these unrepentant people - i would take things into my own hands - impatiently screaming at these unrepentant people and using harsh words. I would make them so guilty that they would turn from their sin. It would never occur to me to do it patiently and softly and lovingly. I would feel so urgent that i impatiently say harsh things (eventho they are facts, doesn't change the fact that they are harsh) in their face.

But, when i read this again. Was Jesus' words really that soft and loving and patient? Judge for yourself:

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.

was it? Which part?

I don't know what to say. but I'm not Jesus, i pray that i can be someone that He could use for the good of His kingdom.

At the moment i'm in a dilema between being truthful and harsh or to be soft and smart and ambiguous in my rebuke/encouragement/teaching to other people.

ANYWAY- enough about my confusion. I wanted us to see the key verse for this sectioon of Luke and that is :

Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Remember what the NIV note said: this is an observation regarding those who followed (they knew, see, heard) Jesus and still is unrepentant. This is the only command that Jesus gave in this whole section; The rest of the verse is just an explanation/extension of it.

So as a Christian, what are you going to do? Are you going to response to Jesus by following Him, or to take this verse lightly as a passing wind? Thinking that God's forgiveness is once and for all (i know this is true, and am not at all refuting it) - you live in a stagnant faith, unresponsive and lazy life as a Christian - and strive after worldly selfish things (things that makes you happy, your career, your own health, your own comfort). To forget that when God forgave you and be merciful and gracious to you it is not so that you can dwell comfortably and be lazy in it but to share it with others who does not have it. His Grace is NOT cheap! Don't waste it!