Don’t miss out!
Opening Prayer
Lord, I am in Your hands. Draw me closer to Your heart and lead me in Your ways.
Read LUKE 13:22–30
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[22] Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. [23] Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, [24] “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. [25] Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ [26] “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ [27] “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ [28] “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. [29] People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. [30] Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does it mean to enter the narrow gate?It looks as though the questioner here wants an academic debate. But for Jesus, salvation is not a subject for intellectual discussion; it’s a personal and practical issue with massive consequences. In Saturday’s note we wrestled with the problem of seeming to be a small and insignificant minority. Here’s another angle on this. The followers of Jesus are few in number (23) because people have a choice and the decision they make will have a massive impact on their future. There will come a time when it’s too late (25). Now is the time to decide whom we will follow and how we will live (24). Most people choose to live for the present, to go for the maximum pleasure in the short-term—that’s the broad way that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 7:13. The idea of making some sacrifices now, going through the narrow door (24) in order to gain something we cannot yet see, isn’t appealing. We may think that we have done all the right things, as the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day did, but what matters is how we respond to Jesus. Check out verse 28 for the consequences of making the wrong choice.
Apply
Reaffirm your commitment to follow Jesus. Ask for the strength to keep going whatever the cost.
Closing prayer
Lord in heaven, help me to see the weight behind the direction I choose for my life.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.