Scripture Reading:
Luke 13:22-30
Key Verse:
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5)
What does this passage teach us?
We see in these verses—a remarkable question asked. We are told that a certain man said to Jesus, “Lord, are there few that be saved?”
We do not know who this inquirer was. He may have been a self-righteous Jew, trained to believe that there was no hope for the Gentile, and no salvation for any but the children of Abraham. He may have been an idle trifler with religion, who was ever wasting his time on curious and speculative questions. In any case, we must all feel that he asked a question of deep and momentous importance.
He who desires to know the number of the saved, in the present time—need only turn to the Bible, and his curiosity will be satisfied. He will read these solemn words in the Sermon on the Mount, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). He has only to look around him, and compare the ways of the many with the Word of God—and he will soon come to the conclusion, if he is an honest man—that the saved are few.
It is a dreadful conclusion. Our souls naturally turn away from it. But Scripture and facts alike, combine to shut us up to it. Salvation to the uttermost, is offered to men. All things are ready on God’s part. Christ is willing to receive sinners—but sinners are not willing to come to Christ. And hence few are saved.
We see, secondly, in these verses—a striking exhortation given. We are told that when our Lord Jesus Christ was asked whether few would be saved, He said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” He addressed these words to the whole company of His hearers. He thought it unwise to gratify the curiosity of his questioner by a direct reply. He chose rather to press home on him, and all around him—their own immediate duty. In minding their own souls—they would soon find the question answered. In striving to enter in at the strait gate—they would soon see whether the saved were many or few.
Whatever others may do in religion—the Lord Jesus would have us know that our duty is clear. The gate is strait. The work is great. The enemies of our souls are many. We must be up and doing. We are to wait for nobody. We are not to inquire what other people are doing—and whether many of our neighbors, and relatives, and friends are serving Christ. The unbelief and indecision of others—will be no excuse for us at the last day. We must never follow a multitude to do evil. If we go to Heaven alone—we must resolve that by God’s grace we will go. Whether we have many with us or a few—the command before us is plain, “Strive to enter in!”
We see, thirdly, in these verses—a day of dreadful solemnity described. We are told of a time when “the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door.” We are told of a time when some shall “sit down in the kingdom of God”—and others be “thrust out” for evermore. There can be no doubt about the meaning of these words. They describe the second coming of Christ—and the day of judgment.
A day is coming on the earth, when the patience of God towards sinners shall have an end. The door of mercy, which has been so long open—shall at last be shut! The fountain opened for all sin and impurity—shall at length be closed. The throne of grace shall be removed—and the throne of judgment shall be set up in its place.
The great tribunal of the world shall begin. All who are found impenitent and unbelieving—shall be thrust out forever from God’s presence! Men shall find that there is such a thing, as “the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16).
A day is coming when believers in Christ shall receive a full reward. The Master of the great house in Heaven shall call His servants together, and give an unfading crown of glory to each of them. They shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and rest forever from warfare and work. They shall be eternally shut in—with Christ, and saints, and angels, in the kingdom of Heaven. Sin, and death, and sorrow, and the world, and the devil—shall be eternally shut out. Men shall see at last that, “But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18).
We see, lastly, in these verses—a heart-searching prophecy delivered. Our Lord tells us that in the day of His second coming, “For many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” They will “stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us!”—but will find no admission. They will even plead earnestly, that “we have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.” But their plea will be to no effect. They will receive the solemn answer, “I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Religious profession, and formal knowledge of Christ—will save none who have served sin and the world.
There is something particularly striking in our Lord’s language in this prophecy. It reveals to us the solemn fact, that men may see what is right—when it is too late for them to be saved. There is a time coming, when many will repent too late, and believe too late. They will sorrow for sin too late, and begin to pray too late. They will be anxious about salvation too late, and long for Heaven too late. Myriads shall wake up in the eternal world, and be convinced of truths which on earth they refused to believe. Earth is the only place in God’s creation—where there is any infidelity. Hell itself, is nothing but truth known too late.
The recollection of this passage should help us to set a right estimate on things around us. Money, and pleasure, and rank, and greatness—occupy the first place now in the world. Praying, and believing, and holy living, and acquaintance with Christ—are despised, and ridiculed, and held very cheap. But there is a drastic change coming one day! The last shall be first—and the first last. For that change, let us be prepared.
And now let us ask ourselves whether we are among the many—or among the few? Do we know anything of striving and warring against sin, the world, and the devil? Are we ready for the Master’s coming to shut the door? The man who can answer these questions satisfactorily, is a true Christian.
Questions:
1. What are the themes of chapters 1-13?
2. How did Jesus answer the question “will few be saved?”
3. What will happen on the day of judgment? Summarize the different outcomes from this passage.
Family Application Questions:
1. How do we enter in at the narrow gate?
2. Many want to live in such a way that the world is pleased with them. How does this passage teach us why that is a foolish thing to do? Why should we live differently?
