Strive To Enter In

Scripture For The Day 

December 13th, 2023  

Luke 13 part 2

"Strive To Enter In" 

On the Sabbath, Jesus began teaching in the synagogue when He saw a woman who had a crippling illness for 18. He told her “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity” He laid hands on her and immediately she became straight and glorified God.  The ruler of the synagogue became angry because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day. The Lord told him that he was a hypocrite. Because if the man had an ox that was in distress and in need of help, he would help the ox, even on the Sabbath day. So, shouldn’t this woman, being ill for eighteen years, be healed, even on the Sabbath day? His adversaries became ashamed when they heard this. They had no good answer to His question and the people rejoiced over the things Jesus had done.

Then Jesus spoke again “What do you think God’s Kingdom is like? God’s Kingdom is like the seed of a mustard plant. Someone plants this seed in their garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree, and the birds build nests on its branches. God’s Kingdom is like the yeast a woman mixes into a big bowl of flour to make bread. The yeast makes all the dough rise. Jesus tells us that our faith will begin to grow when we become Christians. Our focus changes. Our hearts are supposed to change.

And He went through the cities and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. His ministry was a constant journey towards The Cross. Someone spoke up; “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” and Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Many people will want to enter but they will not be able to go in because they refuse to believe. You can stand outside the locked door of a house and knock all you want. But if the owner doesn’t know you, He won’t let you in.  “Lord, Lord, open the door for us,” But He will answer, “I don’t know you. Go away!” Then you might say “We ate and drank with you. You taught in the streets of our town. Then He will say “I don’t know you! Get away from me! Where did you come from? You are all people who do wrong!” Then you will be left outside, crying and grinding your teeth with pain. People will come from all over and sit down at the table in God’s Kingdom. Salvation is an individual thing. Nation affiliation, Church affiliation, denomination, your family, your works, none of that will get you into heaven. It’s Who is in your heart that unlocks the door.

That same day a Pharisee went to Jesus and told Him to leave because Herod was set to kill Him. Jesus told him to go and tell that old fox Herod that He had work to do and a journey to finish. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and you would not.!