Words of Jesus: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Tuesday April 28, 2026

Luke 13:22-30   “He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come 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 where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.””

 RSV

Jesus is asked a question about “those” (others).  His answer is directed at the ones asking the question.  “Strive to enter by the narrow door…”.  Jesus makes it even more personal to them by saying : “you will begin to stand outside…” and “He will answer you,”   This is an alarming warning to them, and also to us, to not be self-deceived.   The response of the ones described in Jesus’ answer focuses on what they have done, not on what Jesus has done.  So for those asking the question, and for us, we have Jesus’ invitation to “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11:28 RSV). His invitation is to those in need (we who are in need).  It seems like those questioning Jesus were coming to Him in their own confidence.