The Narrow Door of Love

Luke 13: 23-24, 30 -- Welcoming All

Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. . . . For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Throughout many Christian communities -- churches, small groups, people who profess deep faith in Jesus -- we see hypocrisy. Today is no different from Jesus’ time on earth. People in the first-century Jewish communities felt they were the “chosen ones,” and that their status as children of Abraham entitled them to salvation in the kingdom of God. They believed, moreover, the title of “first” was theirs, and that they could reject Jesus as Savior. For they had Moses, Jacob, and Abraham as their ancestry. And in this section of Luke’s Gospel as well as in Mark and Matthew, Jesus teaches the opposite: There is no such thing as entitlement in the kingdom of God. And yes, even the lowly Gentiles will displace the Jewish community members who believe they have a reserved seat in the kingdom. 

When we look around our own faith communities and see only those polished, upstanding citizens seated in our pews and welcomed into our churches, we must recall Jesus’ words. When our doctrines ostracize people who are wonderfully different, people who don’t fit the “norm” of sin-avoiding church-goer, we must recall Jesus’ words. And when we ourselves make mental notes of people who appear to “live in sin” and cast mental stones at them, we must recall Jesus’ words: “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Make no mistake. The narrow door is not a door owned by any one Christian community, nor is it governed by any of the doctrines our denominations may teach. The narrow door is one of love and action; it is a door of outreach, mercy, welcome, and acceptance. 

Loving God, I pray that we all look to enter through the narrow door of your loving way. Grant us the humility to see all people with your merciful eyes and to welcome them with your loving heart. In Jesus Christ we pray, amen. 

Peace, 

Stan