LUKE 13:22-30 is an interesting passage, with many interpretations. For example, some people struggle because they think Jesus is saying there is going to be a limit on people going into heaven. But after reading this passage, I’m immediately reminded of Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken:
The passage is really about taking that road, the one less traveled by, if you’re going to make it into heaven. Here’s why.
Luke begins by telling us that Jesus was teaching in cities and villages as he made his way to Jerusalem. One guy says, “Lord, are there few that will be saved?” (23). Jesus then expounds with a story, which he is prone to do when asked a question. In the King James version, he says to enter in “at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (24). In modern Catholic translations, the “strait gate” becomes a “narrow door.” That tends to be misleading. Let’s define “strait” to begin with.
Strait is a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water , or it’s used in reference to a situation characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty (i.e., dire straits). In the first definition, it’s a connector; in the second, it’s a situation. In Luke, Jesus is telling us to enter at the gate, to “strive” to do that, and that many will try, but will not make it. Then he goes into a story about the master of the house who has shut the door, and you’re outside and knocking saying “open unto us” (25). When the master says he doesn’t know you and you answer that you try to say you’ve been around together eating and listening, he says, “depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”(27). Then that great line “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (28) because we’re not there and we see everyone else there (in heaven). And when you’re on the outside looking in, why wouldn’t you weep and gnash your teeth?
But then Luke tell us “And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.” (29). Which means that there will be a lot of people in heaven. He qualifies it with the often quoted, “there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” (30)
Now some people interpret the gate as a door, but that’s why translations are important. There are 200 uses of the word “door” in the Bible, but only two uses of the word “gate.” Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matthew goes on to say that “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (14).
It isn’t easy getting into heaven. Hence, the gate is narrow. But, you CAN do it if you follow Jesus. Taking the road less traveled is always more difficult, but in the end, always more rewarding.
LUKE 13:22-30
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.