Aug. 21/16, text: Luke 13:22-30, theme: “Door #1”
“Let’s Make a Deal” is a TV show with which many are familiar. I’ve only seen a few episodes but there have been lots since the show first aired in 1963. People dress in costumes. I’m not sure why – and as I recall if chosen they basically accumulate some cash which they then use to wager on what may lie behind what used to be doors 1, 2, or 3 but now may be an envelope, a curtain, a box, whatever. It can be something significant like a car or a pile of cash or it can be something worth much less – what I think they now call a “zonk.” In short you could come out really ahead or you could come out a loser but at least you have choices.
Today’s Gospel is not at all about a game. There are no costumes and no assorted prizes, cash, “zonks” or otherwise. It’s far more serious, in fact it’s an all or nothing situation. There aren’t three doors, curtains or whatever from which to choose. There’s only one. And in the end you don’t get to make a deal because you have absolutely nothing with which to trade. The message is simple. “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many … will seek to enter and will not be able.” And when that door closes there’ll be no second chance.
The teaching came about, as did many of Jesus’ lessons, in response to a question – one where the questioner wasn’t looking for something quite so extended nor perhaps so close to home. Jesus had a way turning things around so that the one raising the question was faced with confronting what really matters. In this case it was not the number of those being saved. But it isn’t just the questioner who gets wrapped up in Jesus’ answer. It is you and I, the reader or listener. Those words also speak to us – words of law but also words of promise and hope for Jesus was deliberately on His way to Jerusalem and the cross. And there, as a result of God’s grace, “People will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Last week we were running with endurance looking to Jesus and still are. This week with trust in Him let us strive to enter the narrow door.
So how do we strive? Actually it’s not for the reason that some may think. Striving that matters before God doesn’t include collecting heavenly Airmiles for every good deed we’ve ever done through all our years. The balance of that ledger is quickly erased by the overwhelming weight of our sins. As we sit here somewhat comfortably on a Sunday morning admit it. There were times we chose to do what we knew was wrong or not do what we knew we should have – times we denied our Lord before others failing to speak up for Him, times we hoarded blessings for ourselves only miserly sharing with others – especially if we judged them to be undeserving. There were times we’ve preferred to hold onto bitterness rather than offer full and free forgiveness, times we’ve broken vows and promises, and failed in our duty as parents, children, spouses, grandparents, or friends. Then there were the times we’ve used His name in shameful, disrespectful ways, and who even knows the sins of which we are not aware.
Further in striving we won’t ever be able to walk through that narrow door because we’ve belonged to a particular denomination, had our name on a church roster, and may have volunteered there for years. We won’t fit through that narrow door either because we happen to believe that more traditional worship is the way to go or think that only more modern forms and songs, unburdened of old patterns or ritual, is what’s most needed. When we do approach that narrow door we’d never of our own have the muscle to pull it open or the key to unlock it, but by God’s grace alone it stands open to any who place their trust in Jesus. And contrary to fairly popular belief, not all doors lead to the same place. Of themselves some like the doors of success, popularity, knowledge, or wealth could turn out to be simply dead ends. Some lead to places you really don’t want to go like the furnace room. It would be sad to have misspent a lot of energy and end up in the wrong office so to speak.
It’s so easy to misunderstand Jesus’ comments about striving to enter through the narrow door, thinking that somehow it’s our efforts that are responsible for getting us into heaven. Scripture is so very clear that this is not the way. “The soul that sins shall die.”(Ez. 18:20) “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse...clearly no one is justified before God by the law.”(Gal. 3:10-11) There’s only one way through that narrow door and it has nothing to do with turning sideways and sucking in your stomach. Gratefully when Jesus talks about the narrow door He’s not suggesting you can only be so wide or you won’t make it. A good thing too because I was pretty sure that the 20lbs my doctor suggests I should lose couldn’t make any difference at heaven’s door.
There is only one door. And the only way through it is through the one who in John referred to Himself as the door, who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.” We get into heaven because Jesus strove like we never could – overcoming every obstacle in His way, and perfectly obeying the Father’s will. But getting to that narrow door can still be quite the struggle for us who live wrapped in our human nature and continually battling against it.
You may recall that Scripture often refers to Christ’s church as His bride. Ever heard of a bride concerned about getting into her wedding dress? Suddenly she’s devoted to counting calories and sweat breaking exercise – struggling along the way to resist the temptation of cheese smothered pasta or cream filled pastries. Our striving for that narrow door requires a different kind of cleanse, a far more significant diet, one of good spiritual nutrition. You can’t just hold in your mid-section and hope to squeeze into one of heaven’s white robes. It means more than striving to avoid the usual temptations of fat, sugar, caffeine, or anything that tastes good, rather battling the temptation to think of ourselves first and to ignore the words of the Lord given to us for our correction, comfort and guidance.
The struggle as we strive to live as followers of Jesus will often be far from easy. All sorts of things around us will attempt to lead us away from the path to the narrow door. The devil will repeatedly be asking, “Did God really say?” Or he’ll be taunting you, “Surely you can’t believe in such stuff. Look around you. More and more people don’t care at all about worship or faith and they’re doing really quite well it seems. Don’t you deserve to have your share of the fun?” Our own nature will be quick to agree on so many sides, and from the world around us there’ll be plenty of support suggesting, even more, proclaiming that faith is merely a crutch, organized religion corrupt, Christianity controlling, and far too exclusive. Sadly, at times such accusations may hold some truth.
The Christian Church is made up of sinners like me and you. We can be controlling and corrupt, but in Christ we know this undeniable truth. Christ’s Church is totally inclusive appealing to and inviting every sinner, of every tribe and race and culture, rich and poor, young and old, college graduate and drop out, business person and labourer, even us included. It is universal in that Jesus died for all. It is painfully honest in acknowledging the truth that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23) and yet “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jn. 3:16)
Indeed, today’s Gospel is not a game. There are no costumes. You didn’t have to show up dressed as a fridge or a dill pickle. There are no assorted prizes. You won’t leave here with tickets for a dream vacation but the promise of an abundant life now and in heaven to come through Jesus is more than a good substitute. What is important is to stay on the path. We will have struggles like any athlete preparing for the Olympics. The word here for strive is used to describe the strenuous efforts of an athlete, their agonizing over the challenge to stay on track and overcome any distraction or set back. Jesus speaks plainly when He says that not all will get there – even some who, for the wrong reasons think it’s a sure thing. But those who put their faith in Jesus shall overcome. They will dine at heaven’s feast.
We’ll slim down for that narrow door as by the work of the Spirit Jesus makes us over. You can leave here today as spiritually trim and slim as ever – note I said spiritually - knowing that the Saviour has made you fit for that narrow door. Strive to stay slim in Him. Leave your worries with Him. Let Him take care of your sins. Learn from His Word - not an option for Christians. Make it a daily routine. If you’ve neglected it then it’s time to get back. Learn from His love how more and more to love others without exception, to forgive as you have been forgiven, to care for others without always a first thought for yourself. Strive by every means possible to live and share the good news of life in Him. The door is narrow but it’s open and through Jesus we are freed to enter. Amen