Holding the Door Open

by Scott Vance on November 25, 2020

Luke 13:22–30 (ESV)
22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place 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 but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
 
Have you ever had a door shut in your face? One time, while flying with companions, we had a connecting flight to make before reaching our destination in Austin TX. Unfortunately, our initial flight was delayed by weather concerns and we arrived in San Francisco with just a few minutes before our connecting flight was to depart. My friends urged me to run on ahead and let the boarding attendant know that they were right behind me. I ran to the gate as fast as I could and as I arrived the boarding agent was holding open the door and quickly ushered me in. I told her about our delayed flight and that my friends were right behind me and then she directed me to take my seat on the plane.
About a minute later my friends began texting me expressing their frustration that the boarding agent had shut the door and was not allowing them to board the plane. Unfortunately, they were left behind and were forced to take a later flight before they arrived at our destination, very tired and very irritated, several hours later.
 
This narrative is often misconstrued as exclusionary and unfair as if Jesus is being arbitrary and unreasonable, allowing only a certain few to enter into the kingdom of God. But we know that’s not the case in Luke’s Gospel as time after time Jesus has made it plain that the kingdom of God is wide open for all who will simply come.
 
The image Jesus creates for His listeners here is that of the master of the house patiently holding the door open, longing for people to come in and enjoy the banquet at the table in the kingdom of God.
But there are two key points for us to catch in this passage that help us understand what Jesus is saying here.
 
First, in verse 24, Jesus says, “Strive to enter…”  The Greek word for “strive” which makes its only appearance here in Luke’s Gospel, literally means to engage in an athletic event or in combat. In other words, we are to go all out, making every effort to make it in through the narrow door. The encouragement Jesus is giving is for his disciples to be resolute and not relaxed, presuming that they can take their sweet time before coming in.
 
Second, the encouragement is coupled with a warning. In verse 25 Jesus warns that at some point the door will be shut. The master may at any time close the door and you may be caught outside. Don’t let that be you.
 
The image of the master of the house holding the door open is in contrast to the charge that Jesus is being unreasonable and unfair. The invitation and the opportunity are there for those who will take it, the door is open, though narrow it may be and entry is not an automatic privilege; it must be acted upon and the opportunity seized.
 
And as proof that the invitation is extended to all who will simply come, Jesus tells the crowd that guests will stream in from all points of the compass and take a place at the table.
 
We are encouraged, and now warned as we were at the beginning of chapter 13, repent, come into the kingdom of God. Don’t take the opportunity for granted, for if you delay, you may find that the door may be shut. Instead, make every effort to come in and take your seat at God’s table. He’s holding the door for you.
 
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
 
Scott

Name:


Previous Page