Jesus sets forth a very sobering and sad teaching about those who never get around to entering into the kingdom of God. In Luke (13:24) and following Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’”
From these words of Jesus we can learn a number of truths. First of all, we should all strive to enter the narrow gate and walk the narrow road that leads to life while we have the opportunity to do so. It is this pathway alone that brings joy and blessing in this life and in the life to come. Second, there will come a time when the Master will rise up and shut the door thus denying entrance to those who have not entered into the kingdom of God. That time will come either when Jesus comes again for judgment or when we take our last breath. In either case, that day is uncertain; thus we should not delay in entering the narrow gate leading to life. And third, there is a difference between “knowing of” Jesus and “knowing” Jesus. Many in this world “know of” Jesus but refuse to obey Him thus being able to state that they truly “know” Him. There is no benefit in “knowing of” Jesus but then refusing to take the next step in “knowing” Him.
Jesus’ words in Luke (13) and following are indeed both sad and sobering. For those who have never taken the step of entering the narrow gate by means of obedience, I want to encourage you to do so without delay. There is only potential disaster awaiting those who delay.
