THE CLOSED DOOR (LK 13:22-30)
Prayer:
O Jesus, you are my Lord and Saviour.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus with His disciples.
Context:
By this parable, Jesus confronts his hearers. They understand, all too well, what He means. He comes to their villages, preaches in their streets and eats with them. Yet, they do not accept his claims and cannot enter the Kingdom. Others, who never enjoyed the privilege of being near Jesus, will come from afar and enter the kingdom.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
A man asked Jesus, “Are there few who will be saved?” In response, Jesus said, “Strive to enter by the narrow gate. Many will seek to enter, but will not be able.”
When the master enters his house, he closes the door. Those outside knock at the door saying, “Lord, open for us.” The Master responds, “I do not know you nor where you are from.” They will say “We ate and drank with you. You taught in our streets.” He will repeat, “I do not know you or where you are from. Depart from me, you workers of evil.”
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God but you are thrown out. They will come from East and West, North and South and sit down in the Kingdom of God. The last shall be first and the first will be last.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- The man has a serious question about the number to be saved.
- Jesus responds that the gate is narrow and many will not be able to enter the Kingdom (an answer which all need to hear).
- In fact, once the door is closed, no one can enter.
- The people who were locked out had no significant relationship to the master.
- They only “ate and drank” with Jesus and heard him “preach in their streets.”
- They are strangers. The master doesn’t even know where they are from.
- The consequences are stark. They are locked out while many from distant lands are inside.
- They missed what they could have had so easily.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, I so much want to be saved.
- Jesus, I will enter while the door is still open.
- I will not stay outside, enjoying my false freedoms.
- Jesus, my superficial religious practices are not enough.
- Conform me to your image. Then, you will know me.
- Your voice breaks through my deafness. Your light enters my darkness. You say, “Come and know me.”
- Someday, someday, Jesus, I will dine with you forever.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will never take my salvation for granted.
+ I will accept these warnings. They are needed helps for my salvation.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
They will come from East and West and North and South and sit down in the Kingdom.