Luke 13:22-30
Chapter 13
Someone asked him:
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
And Jesus answered:
“Do your best to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
When once the master of the house has gone inside and locked the door, you will stand outside. Then you will knock on the door,” calling, ‘Lord, open to us!’ But he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’
Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets!’
But he will reply, ‘I don’t know where you come from. Away from me, all you workers of evil.’
You will cry and grind your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, while you yourselves are left outside.
Others will sit at the table in the kingdom of God, coming from the east and west, from the north and south.
Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last!”
Commentaries
The Narrow Gate.
“Entering through the narrow gate” means we need to make ourselves small, humble, and light in luggage. We must accept the kingdom of God as a gift. Jesus warns that some want to enter but cannot because they are too unfamiliar with the master. It’s clear that these excluded people are Jesus’ own people who, having received faith long ago, haven’t known how to put it into practice. Instead, they have built a false sense of security, thinking that they should be the first to enter the banquet simply because they believe they are entitled.