Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Faith-Life Leads Us Through the Narrow Door
These are the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
God’s Word for This Week
Many think numerous roads lead to eternal glory. “It doesn’t matter what religion you practice—or whether you have none,” they say. “All that matters is that you try to treat others well and do the best you can.” Yet while religions may espouse some noble goals for earthly living, all these goals lead people away from Christ. All fall far short of what God demands for entrance into heaven: perfection. (See Matthew 5:48.) The good news is Jesus came to be perfect in our place. He has given us his perfection in God’s sight. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21.) Through faith in him we have eternal life. Jesus is the only way, the narrow door.
Traditional First Lesson – Isaiah 66:18-24
What is being described in these verses?
The Lord is describing the gathering of the Christian Church from all nations. In particular, he is describing that gathering as it will take place on the day of judgment.
What important point is the Lord making through Isaiah?
The Church will be gathered into heaven from all nations, both Jew and Gentile. Faith in Jesus is the determining factor. Those who reject the salvation God provides through his Son “will be loathsome to all mankind.”
Supplemental First Lesson – Judges 7:1-8
At first, Gideon had 32,000 men to fight against the Midianites. To how many did the Lord reduce his troops?
The Lord reduced Gideon’s troops first to 10,000, then to 300 men.
Why did the Lord do such a strange thing? (See 7:2.)
The Lord did not want anyone in Israel to boast against the Lord that their own strength had saved them from their enemy. All people today, even those who are on God’s side, are prone to the same temptation.
Traditional Second Lesson – Hebrews 12:18-24
What does the scene described in verses 18-21 represent?
It represents the approach to God by means of the law (symbolized by Mt. Sinai). Attempting to approach God by means of obeying the law apart from faith in Jesus will only bring gloom, trembling, and ultimately death.
What does Mount Zion represent, and by what means can we approach this “mountain”?
Mount Zion represents the holy Christian Church in heaven and on earth. We approach this mountain through faith in Jesus, who has made us perfect in God’s sight by the sprinkling of his blood. He’s the narrow door.
Supplemental Second Lesson – Romans 9:1-9
What could Paul have wished if it were possible?
Paul could have wished he were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of other Jewish people.
Why did so many Jews in Paul’s day reject the gospel of Christ Jesus? Was it God’s fault in some way?
Many Jews of Paul’s day rejected the gospel, but it was not God’s fault. God had given them every advantage. God’s Word did not fail either: Paul says that just because a person has Abraham’s blood in his or her veins does not mean that person is a true heir of Abraham. All who trust in Jesus are sons of Abraham. (See Galatians 3:7.)
Gospel – Luke 13:22-30
Why does Jesus describe the entrance into heaven as being a “narrow door,” and how does one enter through this narrow door?
The door into heaven is “narrow” because there is only one way into heaven, not many ways. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Apart from trusting in Jesus as your Savior, you will not be saved. (See Mark 16:16 and Acts 4:12.) In another respect, however, the door into heaven is “wide” because Jesus has paid for the sins of all people (1 John 2:2), and because of his sacrifice, God has declared all people “not guilty” in his courtroom (Romans 3:24). Only those who trust in Jesus for salvation receive the benefit of his sacrifice. Those who do not enter into glory cannot blame God. The fault will be entirely their own.
True or false: Many people will be surprised, come the day of judgment, that they stand condemned.
True. Sadly, many will be surprised at the final judgment. Both here and in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus shows that many will be shocked at being shut out of heaven. Such will be the destiny for those who rely on anything or anyone but Jesus to be rescued from the fire of hell, which we all deserve.
