A Simple Question

It is a simple question. Really it is.  “Will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23).  It’s a question each of us has asked, if not pondered deeply.  Will heaven be full or relatively empty?  Jesus’ answer is not what was expected.  Jesus discusses many who seek to enter and are unable to do so.  He indicates at time is coming when it will be too late. The door will be locked and those outside will be remembered no more. There will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Those who thought they had it made are left out and called evil.

At this point the implied answer is “yes” as few appear to be saved. Jesus continues.  He describes Abraham, Isaac and Jacob taking their appointed places with the prophets in God’s kingdom with the original questioner and his peers outside. People from all over the world, east and west, north and south enter God’s kingdom and recline at His table. These latecomers, as it were, enjoy the full benefits of heaven.  Those who came early may lose what they thought was a cinch. The answer to the simple question is: “More than you think but not whom you expect.”

Why would Jesus give such a perplexing answer to what was essentially a simple question?  The reason is found among those who raised it.  Judaism in the first century was an exclusive religion.  You were either a Jew or goyim, a non-civilized gentile.  The rabbis, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees prided themselves on being the chosen people. They were the crème de le crème, the best of the best whom God could not help but reward when He came. Since they were so small in number they anticipated that only a few would be saved.  They expected Jesus to confirm this.

Jesus is the King above all kings.  He is the only Savior of the human race.  He fulfills every prophecy regarding the Savior.  But He wasn't saying what the leadership wanted to hear, doing what they deemed right and honoring them as they felt they deserved.  Both the Baptizer and Jesus called everyone to repentance including the religious leadership. Jesus did not come to confirm misguided people in unbelief but rather to draw them to Himself. He alone is the gate through which one may enter the sheepfold (John 10).  Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the precious door to heaven.  There is access through no other than Jesus. This is why he told the questioner that he should “strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24-25).

It’s not for a lack of effort that many fail to enter eternal life.  Everyone has their own idea, opinion and feeling of what God should and should not like. Everyone claims to be an expert on the Almighty and things eternal without cracking open a Bible or submitting to the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).  This can be an especially pernicious problem among multi-generation Christians and congregations more than a century old.  It’s easy to fall into the trap that captured the Chief Priest, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. Those who strive on the laurels of others have nothing to show at the end of the day.  Your ancestors do not save you anymore than being the third, fourth or fifth generation of a particular congregation guarantees you eternal life.  Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). One may have a Christian lineage going back to the apostles but that will not save them ahead of a scoundrel who confesses his sins and cries out for mercy, grace and forgiveness from Jesus.

Few disagree that Christianity is in sharp decline in the United States. The symptoms are decried but the underlying disease is denied.  We have no one to blame but ourselves.  This generation has countless advantages that are squandered and ignored. Biblical illiteracy is epidemic.  It is not for a lack of resources. There are far more tools available at our fingertips to dig deeper into the faith than ever before.  They are taken for granted.  It is presumed they will always be available. Why should I spend my time studying Scripture when I have the best of games, social media and entertainment in my hand?  We ask the wrong questions and are content with bad answers.  Do I really have to go to church to be a Christian?  The anticipated answer is no.  So what habit is reinforced with this reasoning? Sunday mornings are best spent anywhere other than in God’s House receiving His gifts.

There is a Pharisee in everyone. It seeks affirmation for your particular pet sins that you refuse to confess or consider to be wrong. We repeat lies that may find us on the outside looking in to heaven.  “I’m Lutheran.”  “I’m confirmed.” Being a confirmed Lutheran, even an LCMS Lutheran, does not guarantee salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Then there are the false beliefs that contradict the faith.“I don’t need to hear God’s Word.” “I don’t need the Lord’s Supper.” “I can gossip about my neighbor because I am doing a community service.” Do any of these cross your lips or have hold of your thoughts? Repent! Confess your sins to Jesus.  He is faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Salvation is found solely in Jesus Christ.  Apart from Him you have nothing of lasting value.  The Scriptures do not lie when they testify:  if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth has no place within us (1 John 1:10). Jesus says: For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the Last Day (John 6:40).

It really is a simple question.  “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” A day is coming when the door to heaven is closed and those outside can only look in with regret.  Today is the day of salvation. Today salvation draws near to you. Jesus is here with His good gifts and favor.  Here you receive what you do not deserve, Christ’s holiness and righteousness through the forgiveness of your sins.  The name of Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we are saved (Acts 4:12).  Don’t confuse saving faith with your ancestry or personal accomplishments. Salvation remains the gift of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Happily there are places hungering for the Gospel and the salvation found only in Jesus.  We shall behold our contemporaries from Latin America, Africa and Asia reclining at table with Jesus.  May you and I be numbered with them.  Will those who are saved by few? More than you think but not whom you expect.