Luke 13:22-24,30 NRSVue

²²Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. ²³Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, ²⁴“Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. ³⁰Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Spend some time imagining the scene, with yourself as the one who asks the question of Jesus.

Reflection
What is Jesus like as he speaks the reply to you?

Reflection
How do his words sound to you? Surprising? Threatening? Liberating?

Reflection
Jesus does not give a direct answer to the question: Will only a few be saved? St Paul insisted: God wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. But there is a challenging image here: a narrow door, like a turnstile in a stadium. We cannot take salvation for granted. I need to keep my eye on that turnstile, keep pushing towards it.

Reflection
Salvation is a gift from God and not the right of any particular group. The door may be narrow but the crowd in God's kingdom will be great. The entrance-key to God's space and kingdom is to live in the spirit of the gospel and in the forgiveness of God for ways in which we have not lived in his way. In prayer we can offer ourselves to God, and to give to him the best desires and deeds of our lives, leaving judgement to him.