The Narrow Door | Luke 13:23-30

Brother and sister reunion!

Welcome to Real Life. How well do I know God? If I knocked on his door, would he open it?

Ten years ago, I accompanied my parents on a trip to their homeland, Slovakia. My father fled his country at the close of WWII to escape the incoming communist takeover by Russia. Some sixty years later, on the day we arrived in Slovakia, Dad was overcome with fear that somehow his past might catch up with him. That is, until we arrived at the home of his sister, Františka. The moment she opened the door and he saw her face, he lit up like a sunrise. He said, “I’m in heaven!”

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Do many doors lead to God?

Will all who die enter heaven?

“Will only a few be saved?” someone asked Jesus while he was teaching.

He answered, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Though they knock, no one will open the door. For, the Owner of the house won’t know them.

Does God know me? In one sense, God knows everyone for he created each one of us. He has numbered the very hairs of our heads.[1] However, the knowing Jesus refers to here is a relationship. My aunt opened the door to my father because she knows him well.

I know who President Barack Obama is. However, if I knocked on his door would he open it? Nope. I may be a citizen of the United States, but he doesn’t know me. And, I don’t really know him. We’ve never spent any time together.

However, God opens his door to me daily. I talk to him all the time. He knows me. I know him. I’m at home in his presence. It’s not that I’m good and I’ve earned the right to enter heaven’s door. Not at all. I’m a sinner in constant need of his grace. Apart from Christ, I’d never get in. That’s what the cross is all about.[2] I entered through the narrow door.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

Today, the Father’s door stands wide open, inviting all to enter into a relationship with him through his son, Jesus Christ.[3] However, at some point, he’ll close the door. Many will stand outside and knock. But, no one will let them in. For, the Owner of the house won’t know them. They never cared to meet him when his door stood open.

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV

The more I know Christ, the more I want to know Him. I can be quick to read God’s Word, spend a few minutes in prayer, and then run off to my job or writing or cleaning or whatever needs to get done. However, it’s when I linger in his presence, that my soul is filled with joy, love, and peace. My connection with God is the one thing I need most, not just in the morning, but throughout my day. Jesus is the door to Real Life.

Lord Jesus, I want to know you more.

Taking it further …

• Do you want to know God? Visit www.needhim.org or call (888) NEED-HIM.
• Luke 13:23-30:

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.” (NIV)

[1] Luke 12:7 
[2] “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV
[2] “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17b