Lk 13 22-24 The Narrow Gate

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As Jesus was going through the villages and cities teaching, He was asked a revealing question. The text itself does not come out and tell us what Jesus was teaching.

It is left to the questioner to reveal the content of Jesus' teachings. He does so by asking, "Will those who are being saved be few?"

We can infer from the question (as well as other sources such as when Jesus refers to those true followers as "my little flock" in Chapter 12) that Jesus has been saying some hard things that are leaving the crowds wondering about the wisdom of following Him. (see also in Jn when many of the followers left Him, and He was left with only the 12)

Jesus seems to be telling us that we need to make sure of our salvation. He said to strive (agonize) to enter the narrow (tight) gate. This echoes the exhortations to "work out our salvation" and "forgetting what is behind, press on...."

It is important to remember that salvation is God's work and God's work alone. And yet, God holds us accountable and responsible for those decisions we make. He said that He would be found by us when we seek Him with all our heart.

While our efforts and work can do nothing to help us merit salvation, we must turn away from our sin in order to turn toward God to accept His gift.

It is this turning-away-from that we are exploring today. The gate is so narrow, that we can bring nothing with us when we accept His gift. All must be left behind if we would follow Jesus.