Sinners, what a motley lot they are! The question, “will those who are saved be few?” reminds me of my student days. At the time of testing, there would always be a question about grading… whether the teacher would grade the students on a curve. Here, an anonymous member of the crowd, speaking for the whole crowd of sinners gathered then and gathered throughout the centuries since, wants to know on what kind of curve salvation will be graded. Will it be an absolute percentage, or will there be some leniency for those who try really hard? Jesus doesn’t provide much comfort to those counting on leniency. Not only is the door to salvation narrow… extremely narrow, but the time of its opportunity is extremely limited.   

In the span of one verse (Lk. 13:29), Jesus depicts the inclusiveness of the eschatological banquet… the wedding feast of the Lamb who was slain. People are gathered from the farthest extremes of the earth. They are gathered at the table set in the fully manifested kingdom of God. There will be a place for them… a place of hospitality and plenty for they will “recline.” Jesus shifts the focus from “how many” or “how few…” from whether “they…” or “them…” will be included in the kingdom of God… Jesus shifts the focus to whether the kingdom of God is for you… you in particular. When you see how many are gathered, why would you see yourselves cast out?

Throughout Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem where he will make his exodus, he has been confronting those who seek to justify themselves. Like the question seeking help in the division of an inheritance (Lk. 12:13) … Like the demand Martha put to Jesus (Lk. 10:40) … Like the question, “Who is my neighbor? (Lk. 10:29) … This interaction with the crowd has Jesus addressing another form of self-justification: will salvation belong to the many, or just the few? You… you need only know that it belongs to you. Listen then to your preacher who delivers your election and your place at the banquet table of the Lamb.

Table Talk: Why is it so easy to discuss someone else’s salvation and not your own?
Pray: Lord, give me a preacher that I may be saved. Amen

Luke 13:22-30 English Standard Version

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place 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 but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”