He said to them, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.” - Luke 13: 24 (WEB)
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The Lord Jesus stated clearly that the narrow way leads to
life and the broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
What is important to notice is that Jesus tells us that we
must strive to enter the narrow door. The Greek word for strive points to a
strong, purposeful struggle. The word strive is also used in 1 Corinthians 9:25 of an
athlete battling to run and win a victory. It is also used in 1 Timothy 6:12, of the
Christian who “fights the good fight of faith.”
Therefore, it is a struggle and a battle to enter in by the
narrow door and to stay on the narrow way where there will be many hardships. It’s
so very easy to backslide to the broad way where things are much more easy,
comfortable and pleasant, and where there is a big crowd of people.
We find two crucial passages in the Gospel of John regarding the narrow way. Firstly, John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. Secondly, John 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture.”
The narrow door is our Lord Jesus. He is the only way of entering into the kingdom of God. He is the entryway and it is only by receiving Him that one will enter the kingdom. Jesus made it clear that the way to eternal life is open to everyone who asks and knocks (Matthew 7:7-8) But we must come through the narrow door. That is the only way.
Let’s pray that we will strive to enter the kingdom of God
through our Lord Jesus and continue our journey on the narrow way. Also that we will show others the door into His kingdom.
Reflection on Luke 13:18-30 by Hanne Teach
(Listen to podcast here)
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