Do Not Risk Being Shut Out

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 13:22-30)

Sang nagapakadto si Jesus sa Jerusalem, nagapanudlo siya sa mga baryo kag mga banwa nga iya ginaagihan.

Karon, may nagpamangkot sa iya, "Ginoo, diutay lang bala ang maluwas?" Nagsabat si Jesus paagi sa isa ka paanggid.

"Magtinguha gid kamo sa pagsulod sa makitid nga puwertahan. Kay ang matuod, madamo ang gusto nga magsulod, pero indi sila makasulod.

Kon nakapanirado na ang tagbalay magatindog gid lang kamo sa guwa kag magapanuktok nga nagasiling, 'Ginoo, pasudla kami.' Pero sabton niya kamo, 'Wala ako makakilala sa inyo.'

Dayon magasiling kamo, 'Indi bala nga nag-upod kita sa pagkaon, kag nagtudlo ka sa mga kalye sang amon banwa?'

Pero magasabat siya sa inyo, 'Wala gid ako makakilala sa inyo. Palayo kamo sa akon, tanan kamo nga nagahimo sang malain!'

Magahibi kamo kag magabagrot ang inyo mga ngipon kon makita ninyo si Abraham, Isaac, Jacob kag ang tanan nga mga propeta

Kag makita ninyo ang mga indi Judio nga naghalin sa tanan nga bahin sang kalibutan nga magapungko kag magakaon sa ginharian sang Dios.

May mga tawo nga kubos karon, pero sa ulihi mangin dungganon. Kag may mga dungganon karon, pero sa ulihi mangin kubos."

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Meditation:  

What does the image of a door say to us about the kingdom of God? Jesus' story about the door being shut to those who come too late suggests they had offended their host and deserved to be excluded. It was customary for teachers in Jesus' time to close the door on tardy students and not allow them back for a whole week in order to teach them a lesson in discipline and faithfulness. Jesus told this story in response to the question of who will make it to heaven. Many rabbis held that all Israel would be saved, except for a few blatant sinners who excluded themselves! After all, they were specially chosen by God when he established a covenant with them. 

Jesus doesn't directly answer the question, however; but his response is nonetheless unsettling on two counts. First, Jesus surprised his listeners by saying that one's membership as a covenanted people does not automatically mean entry into the kingdom of God. Second, Jesus asserts that many from the gentile nations would enter God's kingdom. God's invitation is open to Jew and Gentile alike. But Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door.  What did Jesus mean by this expression? The door which Jesus had in mind was himself. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved (John 10:9).  Jesus opens the way for us to enter into God's kingdom through the cross where he has laid down his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. If we want to enter and remain citizens of God's kingdom, then we must follow Jesus in the way of the cross. The word strive can also be translated agony. To enter the kingdom of God one must struggle against the forces of temptation to sin and whatever would hinder us from doing the will of God (even apathy, indifference, and compromise). 

The good news is that we do not struggle alone. God is with us and his grace is sufficient! As we strive side by side  for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27) Jesus assures us of complete victory! Do you trust in God's grace and help, especially in times of testing and temptation? 

"Lord Jesus, help me to always trust in your saving grace, especially when I am tempted and put to the test. Help me to be faithful to you and give me the courage and strength to resist temptation, especially the temptation to compromise or to be indifferent to your word."