22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Luke 13:22-30
Jesus’ teachings about the day of judgment can be unsettling, urging us to examine our hearts. It serves both as a caution and a call to spiritual renewal for God’s people. Yet, many who heard Jesus speak might not have fully grasped His message. Even today, some of us are still seeking clarity. My hope is that after reading this, you’ll reconsider what the Christian faith means to you and understand better how we are welcomed into heaven.
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door”: This phrase carries profound significance, a kind of divine urging to deeply reflect on our faith in God. Too often, we look for shortcuts, avoiding challenges and conflicts, hoping to bypass our adversaries. But what does it truly mean to follow Christ? To invite Jesus into our lives is to acknowledge Him as our Lord, relinquishing control of our lives to Him. Our actions, possessions, and ambitions are not for personal gain but are dedicated to living a life of sacrifice, emulating Jesus’ example.
“We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.”: Gaining entry to heaven isn’t about entitlement but is granted through God’s mercy and grace, made possible by Jesus Christ. Regular church attendance or mere belief in God’s existence doesn’t guarantee our place in heaven. The critical question is whether your faith has truly transformed you from within.
“Indeed, there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”: Jesus seeks individuals who have nurtured a close relationship with Him, chosen the challenging path of daily embodying His grace and love, and submitted to His word out of genuine faith and trust.
Ultimately, do we truly understand who Jesus is? Have we dedicated time to knowing Him and grasping the depth of God’s love and grace for us? Jesus yearns for those who seek a genuine relationship with Him, not just those looking for the gifts that accompany Him.
If you’ve drifted from the Lord, may you find your path back and recognize that His love for you remains unwavering. Trust in Him, acknowledge Him in all your ways, and you’ll begin to comprehend the magnitude of His love for you.
T H E O P H I L U S 
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