At Soul Sanctuary we are walking through the book of Luke and we have come across a passage in Chapter 13:22-30. As you read this what are your thoughts and reflections of what Jesus is saying?Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 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.’
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
“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. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Thoughts?
5 comments:
There's this business owner who decides to run a sale, like the kind we're familiar with say Boxing day, but with some exceptions. He decides not to specify the day of the sale, and claims that there is only one item to be offered and that it's completely free yet of the greatest value ever, and available to anyone, without exception on that day.
People of course don't like this idea. There are sceptics and lots of talk. Many find it too good to be true, and a ridiculous proposition since there's nothing like this item that he keeps talking about. And as time passes, many lose interest. This was to be expected given that no one knows which day the sale is to take place. The longer the wait, the more sceptical people become.
Many say the owner is toying with them. The precious item he speaks of is completely unfamiliar to them. Many say it's a hoax and a ploy to gain media attention, to drum up business. He could never follow through on his word.
His proposition is impossible. How could everyone possibly receive the free item on the same day before the day's end? It'll create chaos and not everyone would get in in time. It would be especially chaotic if the item is as valuable as he claims. Besides, the item id to good to be true. There's nothing like it.
Many conclude that it is definitely a hoax and the owner is playing a dangerous game. Were he an honest businessman, he would admit it, or at least be reasonable and give people enough time to receive the item, if its at all free as he claims, and he would not restrict access to the item to a single day, nor keep everyone in the dark regarding the sale date. As it is, having people wait indefinitely is unfair and bad business, and making the item available to everyone is ridiculous. No one can make that offer legitimately.
In fact, if any of this were true and the day suddenly comes upon us, and the item is as valuable as the owner claims, people will die, literally to get a hold of it. I, personally think the owner of this business should be stopped for inciting chaos and immediately. This man is not safe.
I'd say anyone buying into this rubbish is wasting his time. If anyone thinks otherwise, they know something everyone else doesn't, which means there is a good chance they are conspiring with this business owner. I think we should stop anyone that thinks this owner is making a legitimate offer. If that's you, be warned. You're playing a dangerous game.
gilles
John MacArthur talk about that today.
You can view the sermon at: http://goo.gl/2E8Sd
My response is too long to post here so I posted to my blog:
http://unforcedrhythm.blogspot.com/2011/07/narrow-door.html
There's this king who has access to mind-bending amounts of wealth; to his subjects, it seems limitless. His fortune and his fame have afforded him both love from those who accept his rule and hate from those who can't stand serving anyone but themself.
The king, however, does not begrudge sharing his wealth with anyone who is interested in joining him as a court official, or serving him as a farmer, tradesman, or stablekeeper. In fact, he has made broad proclamation of not only free access to his wealth, but a personal audience and friendship with the king himself and freedom to do what will give them the greatest satisfaction, to those who are willing to give up their rebellion and serve him.
This proclamation caused a significant commotion within the kingdom, since this offer seemed a dream come true for those who were loyal, and the worst possible insult to those who desired to buck his authority. Even so, a good number of people who had been previously hostile to the king decided to accept the offer, and laid down their arms before the king in submission. They received the promised reward.
Those hostile to the king decided to respond by cursing the king, persecuting his subjects, and declaring independence from his reign and his laws. A war began, and the king gave orders for his subjects not to use physical force for a time so that their enemies would have the chance to change their minds. "There will come a time" the king said, "that my offer will come to an end, and we will purge the land of the rebellion."
As time went on, the people who declared independence began to scoff at the king's words, since they saw years go by with no response to their blatant rebellion. The king, on the other hand, was persistent and sent great numbers of his subjects into the countryside to attempt to convince the rebels to accept the king's amnesty. And some did.
And then, suddenly, the period of grace was over, and the king rode out with the full strength of his armies to cleanse the land. This was accomplished with overwhelming ease, and all were finally free to live enjoying the presence and wealth of the king.
I'd say anyone rejecting the king's offer, spiting his generosity, persecuting his servants, and attempting his overthrow his reign is out of his mind, and deserves the just punishment of his rebellion.
Nice one Clinton.
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