Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"
According to the Teacher, one doesn’t simply stumble into the Kingdom of God.
There must be intent and strenuous effort. Being with Jesus and like Jesus must be the desire of our hearts and the work of our lives.
He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
This is strange. Effort is required but may not be enough? The Teacher indicates it is possible to make some attempt and still not make it. Why is that?
The answer is shocking - because it isn’t easy to follow Jesus!
Apparently, some will make a half-hearted effort to gain a passing acquaintance with the Lord. But, a lackadaisical attempt to follow Jesus will never be enough to really come to know Him.
Then you will say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But he will reply, “I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!”
We know it is impossible by good works or even supreme human effort to save ourselves. Only the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the grace of God take us there.
Yet, some are willing to receive this gift but not willing to make the effort to be a friend of Jesus every day. Resist evil and stand with Him.
There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
On such a Day, it will make sense to have done what the Teacher says – Make every effort to enter…
Maybe the key to making every effort is to put Jesus teachings into pratice. They ate and drank with Jesus, he taught in their streets. But what did they do with His teachings?
ReplyDeleteWhat do we do with His teachings?
Daily?
Today?
Have we today made every effort to apply jesus way of life to ours?