The Narrow Gate/The Closed Door

LIVE@5 – Monday, March 7, 2022

Luke 13:22–30 (NKJV)

Jesus, during His time of teaching on His way to Jerusalem, is asked about who will be saved. His response includes two analogies: the narrow gate to eternal life, and the closed door that those wait too late will see when they attempt to enter heaven.

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are 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 you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 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, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

Luke 13:22-30

Jesus has elsewhere talked about a narrow gate and a wide gate in Matthew 7:13, but here takes the discussion in a different direction, moving to the unavailability of any entrance once God’s time has passed for salvation. No matter what the excuses or justifications of man, no one will enter once the door has been closed. What an ominous message, fraught with doom and fear. Just being near Jesus is not enough. One must be in covenant with Christ to be saved. This covenant involves faith and commitment, not proximity and acquaintance. Do not play church or name drop the Savior. Only a true relationship with Christ will save. Go through that narrow gate of faith and you will find the open door to a life with Christ that is fulfilling and joyful. Those who wait too long will find the door closed that no one can open.

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