In a discussion about true and false discipleship, Jesus strings four foundational teachings together in the Sermon on the Mount, the first being the Golden Rule, or sometimes referenced as the Narrow Gate (Luke 11:9-13).

In this parable, Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to live. Not so much the teaching of the law, but how to live out the law. Many of us have been in relationships and there is a big difference in just doing what is right and doing it well.

Jesus was beginning to push in on the character experienced by the disciples in their day. There had been teachers before Jesus that had given good instruction in a negative form. His point being, do not treat others as you would not wish to be treated. Yet we need to also realize that Jesus’ positive form of teaching is more demanding. In our life lessons we will realize that following Jesus, it is more difficult than following the world. It will take more energy and distinct decision making. We can easily go with the flow and miss the narrow door we are called to enter. The difficult challenges we are faced with is no different than in Jesus’ time. Which starts the discussion with the disciples…

The Narrow Door

²² He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, ²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵ When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come 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 where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ²⁸ In that place 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 but you yourselves cast out. ²⁹ And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” – Luke 13:22-30 ESV

What are some insights you get out of reading the passage?

In the times of Jesus there were a lot of rules and challenges put in place defining and declaring who was going to make to heaven. There were the Jews with the family tradition and then the others.  (We have to realize that Jesus is still teaching Jewish people, later others offer it to the gentiles (non-Jews). The orthodox answer was that all Jews, except for notorious sinners and heretics, would find entry. But some Jewish groups limited the number to those who were truly religious according to their own rules.

Jesus refused to speculate. It is much more important, he said, to ensure that one gets in personally. The kingdom is like a house with a narrow door offering limited admission. It is shut when the feast begins (Mt. 25:10), and then it will be too late to get in. It will be no use claiming to know Jesus if there has been no previous response to his message. There will be no question of automatic admission for anybody. Some Jews will be excluded, and in their place will be found Gentiles from all over the world alongside the saintly people of Old Testament times. Those who thought that they ought to be first will find themselves placed last. Once again the lesson of the need for repentance is emphasized: salvation and judgment cannot be separated from one another.

The word that Jesus used in verse 24, that we read as strive, was agonizomai (ag-on-ezz-o-my).  What does that sound like?

It is to struggle, fight. To exert much effort or energy. Conceived of as engaging in a fight or contest.  Our effort in this world is not going to be easy. All of us have also got many experiences where we knew we did the right thing, but it was not easy, but the spiritual fruit was evident.

How can we continue to strive and battle? Paul uses the same word with the people of Colosse..

²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. – Colossians 1:27-29

How does Paul live out this challenge of fighting and struggling? (v29)

This week, let’s make intentional effort (Jesus used the word “strive”) to be alert and wise in all our situations and see the narrow door we are called to venture into and not just know what to do, but do the next right thing.