The Gospel reading for Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time (Year C, 2025) encourages us to reflect on the significance of the narrow door. We join the Lord Jesus in His teaching ministry as He travels through towns and villages on His way to Jerusalem. Someone somewhere posed an interesting theological question: “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Luke 13:23.
It is unclear what motive prompted the question, but the concern that only a few will be saved persists. It is a worry I sometimes share when I observe what is happening in the world. The Lord Jesus did not answer this closed-ended question directly. Instead, he redirected the question from its abstract theological speculation to a personalised, specific application for every believer: “Will the saved be you?”
The Lord speaks to believers in One God and the Word that became flesh, urging us to live by His commandments. He addresses the church community, who assume heaven is our destiny because of our faith and being good Christians. To us, He provides valuable and practical lessons on salvation, emphasising that it requires sincere effort, immediate focus, and thorough self-reflection.
Salvation Requires Our Earnest Effort (Vs 24)
The Lord cares deeply about the salvation of His followers and encourages them to “Strive to enter through the narrow door” (Luke 13:24a). This requires purposeful effort to gain access. The narrow door symbolises deliberate thought and effort to pass through. We understand that there is only one door- Jesus Christ- who is the way, the truth, and the life. None come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). This shows that the entrance is narrow and exclusive; it is not a broad, all-inclusive door. The Lord is asking us whether we are making our salvation a matter of intentional, persistent effort- entering the narrow door as He defines It, not a broad door of our own choosing.
He desires us to reflect on our attitude towards salvation, not through our works or human effort. Mild interest in salvation will not guarantee our entry. Engaging in endless discussions and human speculation about salvation misses the point. Ignoring Jesus’ words that the door is narrow shows a failure to submit to His divine revelation. The salvation of your eternal soul should occupy your full attention. A mild interest that prompts only a half-hearted response is insufficient. This is not a question to debate; it is a command to obey. You must make every effort to ensure you enter the narrow door. The narrow door must be on your mind every day, not only when you have nothing better to do. It should govern everything you do. It should influence how you spend your time, talents, and resources. It will not appear as a large, welcoming door inviting exploration as you wander about. Christ alone is your hope of salvation.
Our sincere effort is necessary because many will try to enter but fail (Luke 13:24b) due to missing the deadline. Not everyone who works hard succeeds, as some will only seek their salvation too late. Others may believe that being decent or religious means they are safe. Some will only have a casual acquaintance with the Lord Jesus and not take the gospel seriously; still, others will never turn from their sins. Anyone who delays considering these matters until it is too late risks missing out. Following the crowd does not equate to following the Saviour into eternal life. Many in the crowd won’t enter through the narrow door, so imagine them following a door that eventually shuts. It takes mental and moral effort to oppose the majority and make a conscious choice to follow Jesus Christ.
Salvation Demands Our Urgent Attention (Vs 25-27)
Salvation remains one of the most urgent issues to address without delay. Soon, the owner will rise and close the door (Luke 13:25a). When that moment comes, will you be inside or outside? The household head controls when the door closes. As St. John states, the final closure will happen at the judgment during Christ’s second coming. Since His return is imminent, delaying salvation is unwise. However, each person’s eternal fate is decided before the judgment day, which occurs at death—when mortals are destined to die once—and after that, the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
When you mistakenly believe you have ample time, the head of the house might swiftly close the door on your chance to respond to His offer of salvation. Jesus’ hearers had the Messiah right among them, yet they risked rejecting Him. They had the unique opportunity to hear Jesus Himself teach the Word of God, but that window of opportunity was about to close. The Lord Jesus was heading towards Jerusalem, which, unknown to those present, would be destroyed along with the temple within a few years, and the Jews would be dispersed for nearly 1900 years! The opportunity to respond to the Lord Jesus is here and now, as you hear the Word of God proclaimed. Your mind can easily become caught up in work, household chores, and other distractions, causing the tug of the Spirit on your heart to fade. Like Esau, you might miss the chance with God even if you seek it fervently with tears (cf. Hebrews 12:17). Once that door is closed, you cannot negotiate or make a last-minute deal. We must approach God on His terms and in His timing, or not at all. The truth will be revealed at the judgement, and everyone will recognise, a little too late, the mistake they have made.
Those who are shut out will be surprised, standing outside and knocking at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us,” only to be told, “‘I do not know where you come from.’’ (Luke 13:25b). They will claim familiarity with the Lord Jesus, saying, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But it will be too late, for He will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ (Luke 13:26-27). This is because there is a significant difference between casual acquaintance with the Lord Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him. Salvation is a gift from God, apart from works; but those who are truly saved must make progress in holiness, without which no man will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Now is the time to nurture a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, shown by growing holiness in both your actions and your heart.
Salvation Calls for Careful Self-Examination (Vs 28-30)
The stakes are high and irreversible, and many will be surprised at the door. We must examine our hearts to ensure we’re inside the narrow door before it closes. Mistakes lead to dreadful consequences, like eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth. Belonging to a religion or being descended from Abraham doesn’t guarantee entry. Outsiders can come in as we watch (Luke 13:28-29). Those who don’t submit to Jesus face eternal punishment.
The closed door separates insiders from outsiders, creating a chasm with reward levels inside and punishment outside (Luke 16:26). You enter through Jesus Christ or rely on self-righteousness and stay outside. Jesus warns of a reversal: many who see themselves as first will be last, and many last will be first (Luke 13:30). The undeserving will join the kingdom with the patriarchs and prophets, while self-righteous religious people will be excluded.
We, familiar with God’s Word and raised in the faith, must stay alert because we might take salvation for granted. The door is still open, so we must come to Jesus as guilty sinners and understand Him as the only acceptable sacrifice. We need to seek Him, grow in Him as Lord and Saviour, because knowing about Jesus isn’t enough on that day. Mere acquaintance doesn’t equal truly knowing Him.
Jesus Is the Door: John 10
After comparing His ministry to that of a shepherd, the Lord Jesus made it clear that He is the door to the sheepfold, through which the sheep enter or exit at the sound of their shepherd’s voice. Even though thieves and robbers will attempt to climb into the sheepfold by another way, there is a designated door – The Lord Jesus Christ.
So again, Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:7-10
This metaphor accurately describes Christ’s ministry and activity:
- Jesus is the Way To Enter the Family Of God (John 10:7)
We have only one way to enter God’s family. Jesus is the only entrance, and it is through Christ that we are included in the Lord’s sheepfold. There is no alternative entry or secret path that grants us access to God’s family and kingdom.
- Jesus Came To Give, Not Steal From His Family (John 10:8)
Those who attempt to steal from His family include false messiahs and teachers aiming to gain followers for selfish or worldly motives, along with smug religious leaders more focused on personal status and wealth, often exploiting those who trust them, rather than prioritising integrity and truth. In stark contrast, Christ Jesus’s ministry and character are defined by giving, not stealing. He sacrificially served us by giving up the comforts and glory of Heaven to walk among us. He was disrespected and brutalised on our behalf. He offered us His counsel and set an example for us. He shed His blood on the Cross to atone for our sins and offers us eternal life through faith in Him. This gift, purchased with His death, He generously gives.
When choosing whom to listen to or trust as a spiritual leader, we should seek someone who embodies Christ’s heart and example. We need leaders who give rather than take, serve sacrificially rather than seek to be served, and guide us to the narrow door instead of the wide gate and broad road leading to destruction.
- Jesus Is the True Messiah (John 10:9)
St Paul teaches that there is hope for creation to be freed from its bondage to decay and to attain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Therefore, the entire creation, including we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groans inwardly while eagerly awaiting the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:20-23). Jesus is the true Messiah, the door we need to walk through if we are to experience the salvation, restoration, and sustenance our hungry hearts crave.
- Jesus Is The Key To A Full And Meaningful Life (John 10:10)
Some people anticipate Jesus’ future plans, while others appreciate His work now. When Jesus promises an abundant life, He means new life in Him—better than we imagine, with an eternal, unbreakable relationship. Those in this relationship find joy in any situation, hope through trials, and help when needed.
Take-Home Message
When Jesus said, “I am the door,” He revealed that He is the divine passage to the life we were created for. The abundant life involves growth, maturity, transformation, and spiritual strength, guiding us from spiritual infancy to leaders. It’s a transition from death to life, from slavery and weakness to blessing and strength in Him. Though we may lack material possessions, in Christ, we have all we truly need.
*NB: Unless specifically stated, all Bible quotations are from the NRSVCE.
