Second Sunday after Pentecost (G)

Luke 13:22-35

²² He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, ²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵ When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ ²⁷ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ²⁸ In that place 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 but you yourselves cast out. ²⁹ And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. ³³ Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵ Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

There is only one way to Heaven! The way is narrow. I love the illustration, Jesus talks about a Master shutting the door. He talks about people being where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, and then states, "when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out." Eternal damnation will not be a plesent place. 

This text should serve as a warning to all. Have you ate and drank at the Lord's table? Have claimed to speak on thevLord's behalf? These things do not make you safe from the disaster that is to come. It does not matter how good we are. Salvation does not depend on works, but this does not mean we should be void of living a holy Life.

Jesus continues by showing how people from every corner of the earth are brought to the resurrection. Jesus calls all his people from death to life. These people are not the smartest, the best, the richest, nor the most popular. They are the ones chosen by God. God has longed to gather his people and protect them from the Devil. When Jesus returns, he finally gather together the Kingdom of God.