Will only a few be saved? Plow Creek Sunday Meditation

Plow Creek Mennonite Church

Sunday Meditations

Will only a few be saved?
Jim Foxvog

August 22, 2004

Luke 13:22-30

Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, `I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, `We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, `I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!' 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, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Jesus was asked, "Will only a few be saved." His questioner had likely heard or heard of Jesus' teaching in the past, recorded in the Sermon on the Mount, but likely repeated many times and places: "the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

But now, Jesus did not answer the question directly. Instead he gave a command. Strive, struggle earnestly, agonize, fight, make every effort, to enter the narrow gate. This is our life's effort, our major overriding occupation — entering life, entering the Kingdom of God.
And how are we to "strive" so as to "enter" the Narrow Gate? Some say following the teachings of Jesus and the rest of the Scripture. Others say that Jesus is the gate; strive to depend only on the grace of Jesus. I expect both answers are correct.

We are to strive by prayer and supplication, diligently seeking deliverance from all evil things which prevent our entrance. We are to live lives of obedience, no matter what the cost. The cost is nothing compared to the reward.

But why is such "striving" necessary?

First, because Satan is striving to destroy us. Second, because our own natural desires are striving to destroy us.

Third, because the whole system of this world is arrayed against us. Unless we overcome the world, the world will overcome us and we will get "thrown out" of the kingdom of God.

Jesus also taught: I am the door of the sheep ... if anyone enters through me, he shall be saved ... I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:1-11).

Come to Jesus in faith. Trust him. Obey him.

home Who We Are People Documents Mission Spirituality Relationships What's New Links Come Visit Village Store Picture Gallery Calendar Contact Us Site Outline Search Plow Creek site	Plow Creek Mennonite Church Sunday Meditations Will only a few be saved? Jim Foxvog August 22, 2004 Luke 13:22-30 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, `I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, `We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, `I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!' 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, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." Jesus was asked, "Will only a few be saved." His questioner had likely heard or heard of Jesus' teaching in the past, recorded in the Sermon on the Mount, but likely repeated many times and places: "the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." But now, Jesus did not answer the question directly. Instead he gave a command. Strive, struggle earnestly, agonize, fight, make every effort, to enter the narrow gate. This is our life's effort, our major overriding occupation — entering life, entering the Kingdom of God. And how are we to "strive" so as to "enter" the Narrow Gate? Some say following the teachings of Jesus and the rest of the Scripture. Others say that Jesus is the gate; strive to depend only on the grace of Jesus. I expect both answers are correct. We are to strive by prayer and supplication, diligently seeking deliverance from all evil things which prevent our entrance. We are to live lives of obedience, no matter what the cost. The cost is nothing compared to the reward. But why is such "striving" necessary? First, because Satan is striving to destroy us. Second, because our own natural desires are striving to destroy us. Third, because the whole system of this world is arrayed against us. Unless we overcome the world, the world will overcome us and we will get "thrown out" of the kingdom of God. Jesus also taught: I am the door of the sheep ... if anyone enters through me, he shall be saved ... I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:1-11). Come to Jesus in faith. Trust him. Obey him.
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