HILIGHT

While traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus preached in the towns and villages. Someone asked whether only a few would be saved. The answer of Jesus was that the door to the Kingdom of God is narrow and hard to enter. Many will try to go in but will not be strong enough. Only those who “strive”will be able to enter. Those who fail would be complaining that they were familiar to Jesus. Their dissatisfaction would be high when they notice that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets and even the gentiles remain inside while they are cast out. A passive discipleship is not enough but a real dedication and commitment is required to inherit the Kingdom.

Enter through the Narrow Door. Luke 13:22-30

The Bible Text

Luke 13:22-30

(22) He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. (23) Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, (24) “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. (25) After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ (26) And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ (27) Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where [you] are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ (28) And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. (29) And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. (30) For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Interpretation

(22) He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

Jesus had gone to Jerusalem several times. However, this last journey to Jerusalem was to offer himself for crucifixion, the perfect and final sacrifice for the salvation of the people. Through his exemplary life, Jesus showed how to enter the kingdom of God through the narrow gate. Jesus was making use of his final journey also to inform the people of their last chance to change route of their life journey towards God by choosing the tough path instead of the easy way of selfish life.

Though traveling to Jerusalem, Jesus taught in towns and villages. He used to preach in Jerusalem where many used to gather for sacrifices, especially for the pilgrimage feasts. Jesus also used to preach in the synagogues on Sabbath where people used to gather to listen to the Word of God and worship. However, he went to towns and villages to reach out to the non-believers, gentiles and those who could not travel to the synagogue or Temple.

(23) Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them,

The main concern of the questioner was on the number of people who would be saved rather than his own salvation or that of his own people. According to the popular teaching of the time, all Jews would inherit the kingdom of God because they were the covenant people. The gentiles were not eligible for salvation.

Message

1. Jesus did not go straight from Galilee to Jerusalem to complete his mission. On the way, he was preaching through towns and villages addressing the lost sheep. He is a model for us Christians who are pilgrims to heaven. On our way to heaven, we need to address the needs of the downtrodden and convey the love of Jesus to them in our words and actions.

2. Jesus is the perfect example of choosing the narrow door to enter the Kingdom of God. It was a life for self-sacrifice for others. We are also called to take up our cross and follow him. Let us reroute our life following Jesus, the way to the Father.

3. “Strive” to enter the Kingdom of God is the key message of today’s gospel. According to Jesus, Jews were not guaranteed of salvation unless they strive to enter by a change of their selfish life. We Christians are also asked to strive by our works of Christian charity to enter God’s kingdom.

4. A Christian shall not be a passive follower of Jesus or his Church. Practicing Christian rituals and attending liturgical services are not enough. Following the example of saints, we need to commit ourselves at the service of the Lord.

5. The present time, is the best time to practice our Christian charitable work. We are not sure whether we would be alive or active to do any good tomorrow.

6. Rejection or passivity of Jews in responding to the message of Jesus led to their fall. Let us put into practice our Christian faith so we shall enter the eternal glory of heaven.

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