The Narrow Door

Greetings

We saw back in Luke 9:51 that Jesus set out resolutely toward Jerusalem. Jesus is still on that journey here in Luke 13.  Today's exegesis will cover Luke 13:22-30.  Verse 22 states that as he travels, he stops in the various towns along the way and teaches. Along the way on his journey, someone asks, “Are only a few going to be saved?”  

Jesus doesn't answer the question directly, in his response, it is implied that the answer to that question is ‘yes.’  He answers, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you that many will attempt to enter and will not be able to.” The word that I have translated as ‘strive’ comes from the Greek Ἀγωνίζεσθε (agōnizesthe) which according to the Greek-English lexicon, means, ‘to engage in a contest, to fight or struggle.” Jesus is saying that salvation is not an automatic thing.  We strive and struggle to find that narrow door. 

Also, the door is narrow. Jesus doesn’t seem to have to have a problem with the idea that only a small number will be saved.  That stands in a stark contrast to our modern society that accepts everything and ushers everyone off into Heaven when they die.  Jesus indicates that it is not like that. Like Matt. 7:13-14, where Jesus says that the gate to salvation is narrow and only a few find it.  In Matthew, Jesus says that the road to destruction is broad.  In Jesus’ statement is Luke, this is implied.  

Sadly, many will be told, “I don’t know you.”  Jesus is speaking to an audience that likely assumed that everything was good between them and God. Jesus' message must have been shocking.  Many would say, “We ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets.”  These were people who had spent time with Jesus, and yet they were being told that they would find a closed door, and not be able to enter, and that master of the house would say that he did not know them.  

How is it that Jesus did not know them, even though they had spent time together?  Darrell Bock says it like this, “Among those rejected are some who were physically close to Jesus but who never responded to his message with repentance, never entered into a relationship of faith.” (Bock, 1237.)

Some will be caught unaware, thinking that they are right with Jesus, but are left outside, but will be told to go away, because they practice evil.  It would be very sad to live your life thinking of yourself as righteous, only to find out in the end that you are not. 

In verse 28, we see that those left on the outside would see some of the all-time greats enter in, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Old Testament prophets, like Elijah.  Jesus then goes on to say that people would be entering from all directions, north, south, east and west, and would be reclining at the table with the master, while they remained on the outside. 

Those left out, will actually be cast out.  Jesus uses the word  ἐκβαλλομένους (ekballomenous) which means ‘cast out’ or ‘thrown out.’ This rejection will lead to bitter tears and gnashing of teeth, sadness and anger. 

Bock points out that Jesus makes no emphasis on Israelite sovereignty, but paints a picture that includes Gentiles, while many of them are left out. (Bock, 1240.)  Jesus concludes here, by saying that the first would be last and the last would be first.  He repeats the end-time reversal that he had just described, where the outsiders are in, and the insiders are out.  So, It seems that it would be very important for us to know Jesus, but also for Jesus to know us.