Enter Through the Narrow Door
“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.”
Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.””
On His journey to Jerusalem, Jesus declared, "Strive to enter through the narrow door." Jerusalem was a place where many traveled—it was an economic and cultural center, home to the Temple. Yet, for Jesus, Jerusalem was the path of suffering and death. The Pharisees warned Him that Herod sought to kill Him, urging Him to turn back, but Jesus did not abandon His mission.
While Jerusalem seemed like a grand destination to many, Jesus walked the path of the cross. The way of the world and the way of a Christian may appear similar at times, but those who live by faith must set their goal on God, seeking to become like Him. Even in life's journey, we must choose the narrow door by following God's will.
Throughout the Bible, God's people lived differently from the world. Psalm 105 speaks of how their ancestors wandered as sojourners under God’s guidance, and 2 Chronicles 20 records how Jehoshaphat led his army into battle with songs of praise. The path of faith is not the easy road of the majority but the journey of trusting and following God. Even within the church, we must examine our motivations, ensuring that we walk the narrow road of faith rather than simply following the crowd.
Lent is a season of following the way of Jesus. It is a time to reflect—are we pursuing worldly glory and desires, or are we walking the path of the cross? The way of the cross is one of suffering, but it is also the way of life, resurrection, and glory. May this season be one where we choose the narrow door and commit to following our Lord with faith.
Prayer: Lord, we follow Your path. Though we live in the world, let us not pursue earthly glory and desires but instead seek our calling, obedience, and the way of the cross. We hope in the life, forgiveness, and resurrection that await at the end of this path. Holy Spirit, grant us discernment and courage to walk the narrow road without fear. Illuminate the way before us and guide our steps with boldness and humility. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)