Bible Reading: Luke 13
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
A man asked Jesus a question:
Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved?
His answer was that many would seek to enter but would not be able. This sounds shocking coming from Jesus but we need to sit up and pay attention to a warning such as this. First of all, Jesus was speaking to Israelites. The Jews had many privileges that should have prepared them for the coming of their Messiah.
Romans 9:4-5 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
They had all this light and here was their Messiah right before them and they were not recognizing him. The religious leaders of the day were the worst. Jesus was a threat to their extra-Biblical teachings. They thought they already possessed the kingdom and yet Jesus told one of them:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
So what does it take for a person to be saved? Jesus says in the first part of this chapter:
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
The reason they would not enter in to the strait gate was their chosen way of entry. They went about gaining righteousness by the law of works.
Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
The strait gate is Jesus himself. He is the way (John 14:6); he is the door (John 10:7). To be saved, you must repent of the dead works of religion you are trusting in to save you and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is mighty to save. There is only one door and it is strait (narrow). Go in through Jesus.
In Christ,
Rody
