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As we continue our studies in Chapter 13 of Luke’s gospel, this week our attention is focused on verses 22-35. Please read them every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 13:23-24 (NLT)
‘Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.’
I’ve never been one of those people are really into ‘keep fit’. Occasionally, I’ll do some exercise in a vain attempt to lose a few inches from my rapidly expanding waist line, but I can’t say that I enjoy working out as they call it. I’ve seen so many video clips on ‘You’ve been Framed’ showing people injured while in the Gym that I think it’s quite dangerous to go there!
Seriously though, I do enjoy running and if only my knees, back, hips and ankles weren’t so painful, I think I’d be in much better shape than I am. Yes, it is hard work but I guess it’s worthwhile and produces good results. Have you seen serious bodybuilders? I’m aware that there are those who take steroids and other drugs to help shape their bodies, but there are some very serious people who work incredibly hard pumping iron and devote themselves to the pursuit of a muscular physique.
When Jesus says ‘Work hard’ in verse 24, He’s not talking about that kind of effort. Please don’t misunderstand the teaching by assuming that it is possible to ‘work yourself into the Kingdom’. The whole of Scripture is clearly saying that our Salvation is not based on our effort. 2 Timothy says ‘who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace’. Ephesians 2 goes on to say ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no-one can boast.’
So if our salvation is not gained by ‘hard work’, why does Jesus seem to be saying something like this? In the original language of this verse, the word used means ‘To Strive’. Our modern day word ‘Agonise’ comes from this root word. The picture is of a contest being fought, perhaps like two wrestlers who are striving to get the better of the other one. They are exerting themselves fully, every muscle straining as they seek to overcome the other.
While we can’t work our way into God’s Kingdom, Jesus is saying that we are definitely in a ‘battle’ to enter the narrow door. The struggle is real and it is fierce. So who is our opponent? We have several! Satan, sin, our own nature, our friends, our desires to name just a few. As born-again Christians who have surrendered our lives to Jesus, we have been given power of sin. Sin does not have dominion over us and yet, just like the apostle Paul, we have to ‘beat my body and make it my slave’. It’s very easy to give in to carnal desires. It’s much harder to live a holy life.
Imagine that you’re walking down a street and at the end of that street is just a single door. The street is full of people. Thousands of people are between you and that door. Some are also trying to enter that door, but many others are in the way and some are even trying to stop you getting to the door. It would take a lot of effort to ‘battle’ through the crowd. You would need to expend a lot of energy to push your way past them. That’s the picture that I believe Jesus is bringing to us in this verse. “Work hard to enter the narrow door”. Push against your nature, stand against the opposition and be determined to live a life that is pleasing to God. The great news is that Jesus is right there with you and He will give you strength! Lean on Him today as you push through the crowd!
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