“Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23-24 NKJV
Reflection: when are we saved?
In 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 was a chartered flight from Uruguay to Chile but crashed in the Andes mountains in Argentina. Of the 45 total passengers, only 19 survived after spending about 10 weeks in freezing temperatures, lack of food, fighting to stay alive. After realizing that the rescue efforts had been canceled, two of the passengers eventually decided to trek almost a35 miles, over mountain peaks to get help. It is an amazing story of the will to survive, and became known as the Miracle of the Andes.
Are we similarly “striving” to be saved?
The immediate response we might have to that question is “Jesus did it all”, so we don’t have to do anything. That is of course true, but in the right context. Our righteousness before God is only through faith in Jesus Christ. But this faith, this belief, has to mean something; it cannot be just words we say. Because, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 NKJV. The proof of whether we believe something is in what we do; belief is demonstrated through action.
In the focus verses today, Jesus is asked whether only a few will be saved. And he gives sort of a cryptic answer, talking about the need to “enter a narrow gate”. A metaphor for entering into glory, to eternal life with Him. And, that many will try to enter, but will not be able to. So he says to “strive” to enter this narrow gate. This all seems counter to a lot of popular Christian teaching, which often removes the responsibility of the believer while in the world. If there is no responsibility on the believer, why the need for repentance? Why the need to strive? Why follow the narrow path?
Jesus made it very clear that following him would be difficult. Would lead to tribulation and persecution. “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22 NKJV. Being saved is the outcome, the result. For the many who choose an easier path in life, Jesus explains what will happen “When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’” Luke 13:25-27 NKJV.
I think of the survivors of flight 571, especially the two heroes who first decided, then committed to take a very difficult journey, to be saved. And we too, if we say we believe in Jesus, can follow Him, through the journey of this life, to the kingdom of God. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 NKJV. “They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:29 NKJV.