Enter via the Narrow Gate

Jesus was teaching in cities and villages as He journeyed toward Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” [1]

Jesus responded, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 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, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” [2]

The narrow gate according to Jesus is, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” [3]

During the days that Jesus walked through the cities and villages of Israel, many attended synagogue services. Many had the Scriptures and could quote passages, but what they lacked was a personal relationship with the God of the Scriptures. He was standing before them in the person of Jesus Christ and they rejected Him. He told them that many from all over the world would accept Him and believe in Him. Those who did, would be blessed to eat with Him, with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets in the kingdom of God.

What really matters is what we do with Jesus. Those who embrace Him with love, worship and service will be the “first” in the kingdom of God. They will enter the kingdom of God thanks to the narrow gate. That's because Jesus Christ (the narrow gate) is the only Savior from sin. A person must believe in Him to be saved.

[1] Luke 13: 22-23
[2] Luke 13:24-30
[3] John 10:9