Select The Narrow Path

Luke 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, 24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' 26 "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' 28 "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. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."

The question regarding a few people being saved may have followed the teaching about the mustard seed and yeast.[1] In the prior two parables, Jesus speaks about the birds resting in the tree that spouts from the mustard seed. The space would accommodate a small flock. In the same way, mixing yeast with flour will produce bread for a small gathering. The answer to the question is offered in three parables; a narrow door, a house, and God’s kingdom. Each parable explains the answer in three ways. The narrow door explains it is intentional. The door has to be looked for and walked through with intention. The second is a house that consists of four rooms. The design was to accommodate cleanliness and several generations. The livestock may have been housed in the building as well.[2] The last explains the inclusiveness of the door. Garland explains the statement may cover the twelve tribes that were scattered during exile.[3] Verse 30 references the individuals outside of the promise being first and the Jews being last as they reject Jesus as the Messiah.

As we walk each day with Jesus. Do you seek the narrow door? Do you seek the path that few are brave enough to walk during the day? Follow Jesus while he can be found. The path is intentional. It may appear difficult, but worth every step.

Bibliography

Coyle, S. Cameron. “House” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Garland, David E. Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

[1] David E. Garland, Luke, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 577. [2] S. Cameron Coyle, ”House”, in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 773-774. [3] Garland, Luke, 578.