Week 37 Luke 13
A guy in the crowd asked Jesus: are only a few people going to be saved? The Lord didn’t give him a specific answer but he did tell him that many will try to enter and won’t be able. To me many-will-not-enter sounds about the same as only-a-few-will-get-in. (So I guess the guy maybe figured the answer to his question was “yes”.)
Even though the word “many” is numerically inexact I do know that it means quite a few. Many is numerous. Many is a majority. It’s a large number. Many people are not going to be saved.
Jesus went on to tell a story about a house with a narrow door. People want to get in. But there are two entrance requirements.
Requirement #1 was trying to get in. Jesus said people had to make every effort to enter. Other versions substitute make-every-effort with words like strive. Struggle. Try hard. Do your best. So I’ve got to be wanting to & trying to & working at getting into the house.
Requirement #2 was knowing the Lord (and on-the-flipside being known by him). At the narrow door some people are trying to get in (which fulfils Requirement #1). But the homeowner says: I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from me. So trying is one requirement. But not the only one.
In the end many people will try to get in. But the bulk of them won’t make it.
Note: quotes from Luke 13:23 24 27 (CSB)