A Question & A Warning

Introduction.  (Luke 13:22-35)  This morning let’s go through some points in this text and consider what the Lord teaches us from this question He is asked and in response to the warning He is given.

I. “Are There Few Who Are Saved?” (Luke 13:23)

1. Jesus gives an indirect answer to the question in referring to the “narrow gate” (vs. 24).  If we compare the parallel text in Matthew 7:13, 14 we see that Jesus points out that there are “few” who find life.  So, yes—few will be saved.
2. “Many Will Seek and Not Be Able” (Luke 13:24).  Jesus statement leads us to ask why will many “not be able” to enter?  Matthew 7 spoke of the difficulty of the way to life. Does this mean that it is…
1. Difficult to Do? (Matthew 11:28-30).  We note here that following Jesus is said to offer “rest” (vs. 28) and to be “gentle” (vs. 29). It is even said to be “easy” and “light” (vs. 30). The gospel certainly demands self-control and self-sacrifice, but the difficulty is not a matter of burdensome rules and regulations, sacrifices, and rituals. This is what the Jews had known. The Old Law had been burdensome in order to show the seriousness of sin. Jesus offers freedom from such a burden.
2. Difficult to Understand? (Matthew 11:25,26). We note here that the mystery of Christ is revealed to “babes” and not to the “wise and prudent” (vs. 25). The wisdom that leads to salvation is not some deep truth that only an “Einstein” could unravel. In fact, its very simplicity is sometimes the test. Why will they not be able to enter?  Look further…

II. “I Do Not Know You” (Luke 13:25). They will not be able to enter because they do not have the proper relationship with God in Christ.  It pays to know someone!  It pays to demonstrate an interest in what pleases them.  Example: A number of years ago on vacation we were shopping and my wife saw a little $10.00 bracelet that she like.  Later in the day she decided to go back and get it. On this occasion I actually remembered where it was, the one she like and went right to it.  That pleased her because it showed her that I cared about what pleased her.

1. God Is Pleased When We Pay Attention & Know What He Wants (John 5:30). Notice here, if Jesus (God in the flesh) says, “I can do nothing of Myself” and that He does not seek His “own will” but the will of God the Father—how foolish it would be for us to ever imagine that we can simply follow our own will and be pleasing to God.
2. How Can We Be Sure God Knows Us? (Luke 13:26).  We don’t accomplish this simply by being around religious things.  These people thought that since they were where Jesus was that was enough. Example: When I was a kid I went through a stage where I wanted to be a fireman. I had an uncle who was a fireman. I got a toy fireman’s hat and raincoat. Imagine if as an adult I got a real helmet, and fireman’s gear—imagine that I read about all of the techniques and rescues—would that make me a fireman? No.
1. “Depart From Me All You Workers of Iniquity” (Luke 13:27). Whether or not God knows us has to do with what we do. “Iniquity” in Gr. is adikias from the word dike meaning “right”. Iniquity is doing what is not right.
2. Compare I John 2:3-5. If we do what God says, i.e. we “keep His word” we can know that “we are in Him” (vs. 5). We know God’s word through the Bible.

III. “There Are Last Who Will Be First” (Luke 13:28-30). In this text Jesus speaks to Jews in the cities as He makes His way to Jerusalem (vs. 22). He warns them that they could find themselves “thrust out” (vs. 28). These directions would mean something to those Jews. “East” (vs. 29) would refer to Arabs or Parthians. “West” (vs. 29) would call to mind Romans or Greeks. “North” (vs. 29) might speak of Syrians, Cilicians, or even the dreaded Scthyians. While “South” (vs. 29) could be talking about Egyptians or Ethiopians. What was clear is that it would not be all Jews or only Jews!  Note two points in this…

1. The Kingdom of God Wouldn’t Look Like They Expected (James 2:1-5). We must never try to determine value by appearances.
2. It Wasn’t Determined By Physical Ancestry (Romans 2:23-29). We must remember this way is a narrow way. We won’t ride on our family’s “coat tails.”

IV. “Herod Wants to Kill You” (Luke 13:31). Jesus knew that John had already been killed by Herod (Luke 9:7-9). He could have allowed this danger to hinder Him.

            Sometimes it is easy for us to say, “If I live as a Christians should people will laugh at me”—“I won’t fit in”—“People might not like me”—In the worst of times being a Christian might mean that we could be killed if we do the will of God. Jesus had a different perspective on things.

1. “The Third Day I Shall Be Perfected” (Luke 13:32). “Perfected” in Gr. means “to complete, finish, accomplish.” This clearly refers to His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus’ death was the goal of His life because it lead to His resurrection unto glory.
2. Is That Your View of Death? (I Peter 1:6-9).  In Christ we must see the salvation of our souls as the “end” of our faith—the goal of our life. Nothing that man can do to us must be allowed to hinder that goal.