UNIFORM LESSON FOR July 22, 2018
Scripture passage and lesson focus: Luke 13:22-30
For many people in American society, “getting in” is highly desirable and often says something important about our identity.
The comedian Groucho Marx reportedly said, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept a person like me.” On the other hand, many people are eager to get accepted into organizations or communities that reflect their personal values or aspirations.
Getting a house or an apartment in the “right” neighborhood or joining the most desirable civic organization can be important for some people. For others, getting accepted into the membership of a socially prominent church, synagogue or mosque is desirable. For a different group, getting into the esteemed country club is a goal.
Getting into the most desirable college or university often consumes the efforts of many 17- and 18-year-olds and their parents. And that may only be the first step, because getting into the most popular fraternity or sorority often comes next.
In another stratum of society, getting into the most powerful gang can be a matter of life or death. For better or for worse, whatever world we get into plays a powerful role in shaping our personal development and our social relationships. What do you want to get in?
Luke 13:22-23 — From Galilee to Jerusalem
The central portion of the Gospel of Luke can be understood as an extended travel narrative (Luke 9:51). The journey, however, is not simply geographical. As biblical commentator Fred Craddock describes it, “The journey is theological and pedagogical … the disciples [and the readers] are being prepared for Jerusalem.”
Jesus is on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem, ominously described by Luke as the city that kills prophets (13:34). Luke has grouped several short parables together as if to illustrate the teaching Jesus did as he “went through one town and village after another.” One of the listeners raised a question that was not uncommon: “Will only a few be saved?” This may strike a responsive chord among Presbyterians where the traditional doctrines of predestination and election are still discussed.
Luke 13:24-25 — The narrow entrance
The answer Jesus gives to his questioner indicates that the entrance into salvation is narrow and not many persons will be able to get in. Nevertheless, Jesus urges his hearers to strive to get in. His answer could be translated as “keep on struggling to get in.” Here, gaining salvation seems to be more a matter of personal effort rather than an acceptance of a divine decree. Entrance into salvation will not be easy when so many are attempting to get in through a narrow door. The parallel account in Matthew 7:13-14 emphasizes the difference between the narrow path to salvation and the wide path that leads to destruction.
Jesus also indicates that there is a time limit. Soon the narrow door will close and access will be denied to those who remain outside. Their pleas to gain admittance will be turned down because they are strangers.
Luke 13:26-28 — No special privilege for evildoers
With an accusing tone, Jesus says some of his hearers will claim to have enjoyed meal fellowship with him. Or they will claim to have heard him teaching in their streets. Those self-serving claims are rejected. Jesus quotes Psalm 6:9, “Go away from me, all you evildoers.” With a traditional description of the sufferings in Sheol, the realm of the dead, Jesus says those not admitted through the narrow door will experience “weeping and gnashing of teeth” when they see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God. They will be excluded from God’s presence.
Luke 13:29-30 — A surprising reversal
When evildoers who thought they had an inside track to heaven are turned away from God’s kingdom, the narrow door will be opened to people throughout the world. They will be welcome as guests at the banquet hall of heaven. The parable of the great heavenly feast in Luke 14 reiterates this message: “For I tell you none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.”
The concluding words about the last who will be first and the first who will be last is a floating saying that is found in other contexts. It must have irritated the Jewish leaders enough that by the time Jesus got to Jerusalem that they, along with Herod, conspired to kill him.
For discussion: How would you answer this question: “Will only a few be saved?” When do you think the door to the kingdom of God will be shut? Does your congregation reflect the great diversity of people who will eat in the kingdom of God?
