Slim Down to Enter Through the Narrow Door

February 7, 2020

Slim Down to Enter Through the Narrow Door

Luke 13:22–35

Andy Kerner

Central Truth

God does not want our "good enoughs." He desires our repentance and obedience.

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."

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.”

Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

"Fear of being excluded" (FOBE) haunts me. I studied hard because I never wanted to be excluded from advanced classes. I got a graduate degree because I didn't want to be excluded from certain jobs. I practiced hard at sports because I didn't want to be excluded from playing with the big boys. I always wanted to be "good enough."

In today's passage, Jesus is teaching while journeying to Jerusalem. Somebody asks if only a few people will be saved. His confirmation is sobering: "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:24) And, at some point, the door will close, and nobody else will enter. Yikes. FOBE kicking in. How can I be good enough? How do I avoid hearing the chilling words "I do not know where you come from" (Luke 13:25) instead of "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23)?

The door is narrow, with only one way in (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14). Many people want to enter; but there are distractions, and few are willing to repent and obey.

The short answer is that I will never be good enough. Only Christ is worthy. Our resumes don't matter and only encumber us. Jesus doesn't want my feeble "good enoughs." He wants me to slim down to enter through the narrow door by throwing off my performance-based notions of salvation and worldly distractions and idols.

Jesus gives us a simple diet prescription: repent, humble yourself, and obey (Matthew 4:17; John 14:23). When I understand the overwhelming depth of my sin and unworthiness, I quickly see the infinite magnitude of His grace and love for me, and it drives my desire to obey. Obedience is not a prerequisite for salvation but is instead a result of a heart aligned with Jesus. I can't enter through the narrow door alone. I must enter with Jesus.

Finally, Jesus is not calling us to enter through the narrow door. Jesus is urgently commanding us (using words such as strive, struggle, and fight). Repent, and enter God's kingdom while you can, because a day is coming when it will be too late to respond (2 Corinthians 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). The urgency is not just for our individual salvation, but also for us to share this truth with others!

1. What is your greatest fear or anxiety about entering through the "narrow door"? On a scale of one to ten, if you died tonight, how certain are you of your salvation, and why?

2. If you knew the Lord was coming back tomorrow, what would you do differently today?

3. With whom have you recently shared the gospel?

4. In Luke 13:30, who are the "last" that will be "first"? And who are the "first" that will be "last"?

5. For a great discussion about the narrow gate in Matthew 7:13-14, listen to Todd Wagner’s message from August 18, 2019, titled How to Never Hear, “Depart from Me, I Never Knew You."