In The Word
Read Luke 13:18-35
Parables of Mustard Seed and Leaven
18 So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”
20 And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”
Teaching in the Villages
22 And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” 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 Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; 27 and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’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 yourselves being thrown out. 29 And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.”
31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.” 32 And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! 35 Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
People in ministry are sometimes consumed with the number of those being saved. Someone even had this concern and brought it up before the Lord. God responded with the truth that we should strive to enter through the narrow and only way. In fact, He explained that you can try any other way, but you will be thrown out of the kingdom of God.
Many will seek to enter into the kingdom but shall not be able to; they seek, but they do not strive. The reason why many come short is because they rest in a lazy mentality seeking what can only be attained with laborious striving. They have a mindset of happiness, a good opinion of holiness, and sometimes take some good steps towards both. But their convictions are weak; they do not apply what they know and believe. Consequently, their desires are cold, and their discipline is feeble. They trust only in the event of salvation (by grace through faith in Christ alone) and ignore the joy of sanctification. They potentially lose the prize because they do not press forward.
We must be people who rise above what the standard of a Christian is to this world and become the true Christians who operate on the standard of Christ and His Word. Have you truly given your life to the Lord and been born again? If so, are you in right relationship with Him daily? Are you basing your thoughts, words, and actions on His Word? If you answered no to any of these questions, then repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Decide today to truly strive and press forward in to all God has for you. Make every effort to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.