LUKE 13:22-35 STRIVE TO ENTER IN As the Lord Jesus Christ was making His way through the towns and villages on His way to Jerusalem, the numbers of people following gradually dropped off. In fact, on one occasion the Lord asked His disciples, "Will you also go away?" Their response to Him was, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." For the months this journey took, all the people had an opportunity to hear and believe the Gospel. The question that was asked, "Lord, are there few that be saved?" or "Are there only a few people going to be saved?" was not answered. It is not our concern to know or be anxious about the numbers of people who are going to be saved. The Lord Jesus never indicated it would be an easy thing to follow Him. To be a Christian involves being consciously aware of our Lord's leading in every situation in life. We do not have to be concerned about numbers. We do have to be concerned about our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The standard established in the kingdom of God is the righteousness of Christ. They had heard His teaching and honest seekers would have realized their own inability to come to God on the basis of their own righteousness. But they had perhaps heard His words, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." So, the Lord didn't answer the question. People like to have dogmatic statements, but in this case, it wasn't of vital importance. In essence the Lord Jesus' answer was, "What about you? Have you entered in? Are you saved?" And He went further in His answer to make the point that the narrow gate (door) is open now but will not always be. There is an urgency involved in the Gospel message that must be made. "Strive to enter in" means that this is not a casual stroll by the cross and a glance at the One who suffered for our sin. No one enters the kingdom of God nonchalantly. There is an earnest seeking that bends every effort to enter the door. No obstacle can be allowed to keep one away, and a person who is striving will persist until they enter into Christ who said, "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture."
Those who want to enter at their own convenience will find themselves outside when the open door is finally and firmly shut. A casual, familiar knowledge of Christ is not a personal saving relationship with Him. God knows those who are His. Because a person may have had privileges like being born into a home where parents are believers, does not mean they have a sort of second-hand relationship with Him. The number of those who will be saved is limited to those who strive to enter in.
Another matter arose after the Lord gave warnings of the terrible future of those who are outside the door. "Weeping... gnashing of teeth... thrust out" from the presence of the Lord forever cannot be described in words as to the terror ahead for those who do not strive. The Pharisees wanted to keep the Lord out of Jerusalem their stronghold, and so threatened Him through Herod, the false king the Lord referred to as a female fox. The Lord clearly and distinctly told them, and through them, Herod, that He was in control of what was going to happen. God's program was progressing as He intended and nothing or nobody could stop that. The puny, foolish ravings of men are as useless as a dog howling at the moon trying to get it to turn off the light.
But the real pity of the whole matter was the plaintive, pitiful cry of the Lord Jesus Christ as He looked down the years to what was going to happen to Jerusalem, that favored city. It almost seems like there is no hope for them. Then He adds the words of hope as He looked into the distant future. When he comes in glory into that city through the opened eastern gate, then He will come into His temple and the Sun of righteousness will shine again in that favored place upon those favored people.
There is a door standing open wide, that someday will be shut. The welcome into the Father's house soon will be used up. For years the invitation has been sounded, "Whosoever will may come." But only those who strive with urgency will enter that holy room.
To think all is well with the soul is a deception of the worst kind, If one thinks because of personal effort the heavenly home they'll find. Smooth words spoken only from the lips, and not from in the heart - Will hear in a coming day from the Lord, "I know you not, depart."
We strive for many things in life, for money and prestige. Opportunities arise for material gain, for most of them we seize With grasping hands and greedy hearts that are never satisfied, Many, look for all these things, and for them many have already died.
Only those who strive to enter in will be those whom God will save. They appreciate with thankfulness the Savior and what He gave. When in the fullness of amazing grace, He took our place in death. Those who will be in the kingdom of God enter in the door by faith.
"Gracious God, my Father: there are many I have spoken to, in this last few days who have heard the way of salvation. They have not made an effort of any kind to enter the narrow door. May some of them remember what they heard and come in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."