Today’s Scripture Readings

Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!” There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’

Today’s reading has always presented a challenge for me, demanding not just intellectual understanding but deep introspection. The ‘narrow door’ signifies a complete commitment to following Christ. This isn’t a call for perfection – Jesus already knows my imperfections – but rather an invitation to a relationship.

Jesus warns that many will seek to enter after the door is shut, claiming familiarity with Him, but He will say, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Relationships require effort and investment to thrive, and need to be built on integrity, compassion, and love. I need to seriously examine my approach to my relationship with Jesus. The call is not merely to know about Jesus, but to be known by Him through humility and active discipleship.

The passage concludes with a reversal of expectations ‘Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’ God’s kingdom challenges human notions of status and privilege. Those who appear insignificant or distant from God may, through faith, find welcome, while those who assume security might find themselves excluded.

This teaching invites self-examination: Are we striving daily to walk through the narrow door, or are we delaying, assuming the door will always be open?

Lord, today I ask for your help in responding to your invitation to a deeper relationship, where I can truly know and love you, and in turn, be known and loved by you. Amen