The Narrow Door

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”  (Luke 13:24)

Some years ago, I took this photo of a very narrow door on a church in Szczecin, Poland. I don’t know the reason the door was made this way, but it provides a visual image of what Jesus is saying in Luke 13:24.

Like this passage, our Sunday Scripture readings toward the end of the church year and into the season of Advent focus on the end times, the return of Christ, matters of life beyond this world, and of course our readiness, in repentance, faith, and faithfulness for his return.

The narrow door of Jesus’ way stands in stark contrast to the broad road of the world, as Jesus also teaches us, saying, ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it’ (Matt 7:13).

God’s word warns us so because the devil, the world and our own sinful natures constantly try to teach us a different wisdom. These three try to steer us away from the narrow door and onto the broad path. They tell us that worldly things and ideas will satisfy us, that we can step over God’s boundaries without consequence, and that we really do know better than God.

Even as Christians, it can be very difficult to ‘go against the flow’. Yet Jesus warns that those who try to enter life by their own wisdom ‘will not be able to’ (Luke 13:24). Even though some may say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets,’ Jesus will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ (Luke 13:26-28).

We might then wonder with Jesus’ disciples, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26-27), or as another person asked, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (Luke 13:23).

Jesus provides the answer. In fact, Jesus IS the answer. Luther, referring to this text and the question about how many people are going to be saved, wrote: “Worry first about Christ and the Gospel, that you may recognise your sin and his grace” (Formula of Concord SD XI:33).

To gain the wisdom that leads to salvation, you and I first need to be rescued from ourselves and brought into a saving relationship with the one who calls Himself ‘The Gate’ or ‘Door’ to eternal life. Jesus’ promise stands firm, ‘whoever enters through me will be saved’ (John 10:9).

The good news is that, thanks to God’s forgiving grace, it is possible for anyone who trusts in Jesus to enter through this narrow door and be saved. In fact, Jesus says, ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me’ (Rev 3:20).

So, in response to this, let us allow God’s grace to so govern our hearts, minds and lives, that we resolve to ‘make every effort to enter through the narrow door’ (Luke 13:25).

Let us pray:
Help us, Lord Jesus Christ, to wait for you, to wish for you, and to watch for you, so that when you come again you will find us ready.
For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.