DEVOTION – DAY 269

Luke 13:23-25 “The Door Is Narrow”

 

Luke 13: 23-25 Someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, Sir, open the door for us.” But he will answer, “I don’t know you or where you come from.”

 

Large crowds gathered around Jesus everywhere He went. They heard His great teaching and witnessed His miraculous healing power. However, few remained loyal to Jesus and actually remained as His true followers. This must have prompted someone to ask Jesus, why He had so few followers. Jesus chose not to answer this question directly. Instead, He warned that many will try to enter God’s kingdom after it was too late for them.

 

The Jews had an incredible heritage. They had the Prophets and the Law of Moses. They were the chosen people of God but when God sent Jesus, the Messiah, to call upon them to repent and turn to God, most of them rejected the call to repentance. The crowds were only interested in Jesus’ healing their diseases, driving out demons and they were amazed at His teachings. But that amazement did not move their hearts to repent and to apply what Jesus had taught them. They only wanted Jesus on their terms. They only wanted what they could get out of Jesus.

 

There are people like that today. There are people who think that Jesus was very wise. But they do not want to accept Him as the Son of God. If they were to do that, they would have to shed their sinful past, repent and change their ways in order to enter the narrow door of salvation that Jesus offered. They prefer to carry on in life with all their sinful habits and are unwilling to make changes. When they die, their sins remain with them and they face judgment. By then, it is too late to repent because the door to salvation is firmly shut. There are no second chances. That was what Jesus was warning in Luke 13:23-25.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please forgive those who are arrogant and think they can enter your kingdom on their terms. We continue to pray for the salvation of unbelievers especially those who are our family members and friends. May You be merciful to them. In the holy name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Why do you think people want Jesus on their own terms? Discuss.
  2. Jesus is the Son of God. He is the only way to God. There is no other way. That means you are to accept Him on His terms, to confess and repent and believe in Him as Lord and Savior. Are you willing to do so? If not, what is stopping you? Will you heed the warning in these verses?
  3. Who can you share this devotion with that will benefit from this warning?
  4. Whilst there is still time as the door of salvation remains open, how can you help someone make the decision to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior?