Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
August 21st, 2016
Gospel: Luke 13:22-30
Epistle: Hebrews 12:4-24 (25-29)
Lesson: Isaiah 66:18-23
Psalm: Psalm 50:1-15
CLB Commentary – Rev. Bill Helland
It’s an interesting question that Jesus was asked – one which resulted in him teaching about the danger of people trying to get into the kingdom of heaven after it’s too late. This is a text of warning and feels heavy with law, so we will want to be very careful to avoid getting law and grace out of balance when preaching it.
The question was; “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (NIV)
Immediately we may find ourselves wondering why this question was asked. Was it in direct reaction to things Jesus was teaching? Or was it the result of observing the crowds and their reaction to his words and his activities (ie. miracles)? It is impossible to determine this with absolute certainty. Yet, the question was asked and Jesus responded in typical parabolic fashion. He did not specifically answer it with a “yes” or a “no.”
Instead, his reply was heavily weighted with law as he warned them about trying to enter the kingdom of God after it’s too late to do so. The clear indicator of this is in verse 25; “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door…” Clearly this is in reference to the end of all things as we know it, when Jesus will have brought his “bride” (the believing church) into heaven with him and all unbelievers are sentenced to an eternity in hell. At that point, it is too late to “stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’”
The urgent call to repentance and saving faith is to be the message of the church yet today. That means we are called to preach a text like this to warn those who, for whatever reason, have not responded to God’s call. However, a word of caution when proclaiming this word; make it very clear that Jesus was NOT teaching righteousness by works. Our Lord’s statement, in verse 24, “Make every effort…” is not a command to earn our way to heaven. That would be inconsistent with the whole counsel of God’s Word in regards to how people come to saving faith.
I believe that the “effort,” to which Christ referred (which would be consistent with all that he and the Apostles taught), is that of dying to self. It is the “effort” of bringing our running from God to a halt. It is the “effort” of becoming “contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15), in order that God may dwell in us and we in him. We “make every effort to enter through the narrow door” when we agree with God’s Word that we are wicked sinners, desperately in need of God’s grace and mercy which comes to us through faith in Christ’s justifying and sanctifying work. As we “make every effort” to be truly broken and humble before him, he welcomes us into his kingdom – now and for all eternity!
The Gospel comes at the end of our text, in verses 29 and 30; “People will come…and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” That is a marvelous promise to all who will hear God’s call to repentance and respond to it in full obedience of faith! Those who think they are “last,” or the least worthy of God’s kingdom, will be saved and become the “first” to enter it. Those who think they ought to be the first to enter, due to their self-righteousness and good works (those who have the attitude as described in verse 26) will be last – in fact they will be too late if they don’t repent before the “door closes.”
Preach the Word – Law and Gospel – so the Spirit of God might trouble the hearts of those who are comfortable with their unbelief to see their need for, and seek, God’s salvation. And that He might comfort the hearts of those who are troubled by their sin and unworthiness to assure them that they will take their place at the feast in His kingdom for all eternity.