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.”
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Jesus continued towards Jerusalem teaching as He went. Then someone asked Him if only a few would be saved. The question relates to Israel’s expected salvation and the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom. The Jews believed that because of their heritage all would find entry into the kingdom. Jesus confirmed that entry wouldn’t be by this widely held belief but that entrance was through the narrow door [of believing what He taught]. When the feast began, many who thought they would enter would find themselves on the outside. They would beg for entrance and even claim to have been around when Jesus taught in their streets but because they never came to a relationship with Jesus, they will be denied and called workers of evil. They will experience great sorrow as they find themselves outside and see their great ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophets inside. To make matters worse, they believed that entrance was restricted to Jews and not open to Gentiles, despite what the prophets taught. But they would be shocked to discover Gentiles, those from nations across the globe reclining at the table with those same ancestors. The last (Gentiles) will be first, while the first (Jews) will be last. Entrance into God’s kingdom has always been through accepting Jesus’ message, that no one comes to God the Father, except through Him. And the means of entrance as always been through belief that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is sufficient to pay the debt you owe for your sins before a holy God. Are you confident you will be inside when the doors of heaven close? On what do you base your confidence? Is it somehow based on your merit? Or is it exclusively because you are personally known by Jesus?
At the same time, some Pharisees came to warn Jesus that Herod was looking to kill Him. Herod wasn’t the only one, they also wanted Jesus to leave. Jesus called Herod a fox. he then confirmed His commitment to completing His ministry all the way through to Jerusalem where He knew He would die. He was not going to allow Herod to dictate His agenda. Then Jesus expressed grief over Jerusalem who He wanted to embrace in protection like a hen gathering her brood under her wings (notice the contrast with Herod the fox). Because of their unwillingness to believe His message and repent, He could not give them the blessings promised in the Old Testament. But Jesus ended with a note of hope, God is not done with the Jewish nation, they are not forsaken and one day they will say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Nehemiah’s Reforms: Nehemiah 13