Enter Through The Narrow Door!

The bottom-line message for us in these verses is a reminder to enter the narrow door on God’s terms. We can’t take the things of this world with us through the narrow door. And we can’t be loaded down with our own goodness. We can’t sneak into heaven through some other door. No, God says that only through Jesus can we enter heaven.

One time at an airport there was a long line of passengers waiting to receive their boarding passes for an upcoming flight. It was getting very close to the scheduled time for the plane to depart. A man dressed in an expensive suit came forward and cut into the front of the line. He yelled at the ticket agent, “I need a seat on this plane! Give me a boarding pass.” “I’m sorry, sir, you will have to wait in line for a boarding pass like everyone else,” was the response from the person behind the counter. “Do you know who I am?” the man said with indignation in his voice. The airline worker paused for a moment and then shouted to everyone in line, “Does anyone know who this man is? He has forgotten his name?” Humiliated the man then went to the back of the line to receive his boarding pass like everyone else. A short time later a gate agent announced that it was time to begin boarding the plane. The man came forward expecting to get onto the plane. But he wasn’t in first class, nor was he a frequent flyer, nor did he need any special assistance for boarding. Again, he was told to wait until he was called. Finally, when his row was called the man sheepishly came for and handed over his boarding.

When it comes to entering heaven, a person can only enter the narrow door on God’s terms. We can’t force our way in. We can’t demand to be let in. As someone has said, “Only bent quite low, made utterly small, disrobed of all righteousness of our own, and wholly willing to have the coat of flesh removed from us down to the last rag, can one get through.” May we follow God’s simple directions to enter through the narrow door—on God’s terms, in God’s way.

II.

Not only does Jesus warn us about entering the narrow door on God’s terms he also warns us about entering the narrow door in God’s time. The door to heaven won’t remain open forever. Jesus went on to say, “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!’” Each person has a limited “time of grace” to pass through the narrow door. And ultimately the whole world only has a limited time to receive God’s mercy. There will be those who enter through the narrow door of Jesus and those who for whatever reason refuse to enter. And after the final day of judgment the door to heaven will be closed forever!

Hearing the reaction of those left on the outside of the narrow door after the door is shut gives us some valuable lessons. They expect another chance to enter the narrow door. Although they had a superficial relationship with Jesus, they never put their faith in him. Their unbelief prevented them from knowing Jesus and being known by him. We hear it in their pathetic plea, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’” Knowing who Jesus is or having some association with a Christian church doesn’t mean a person has saving faith. Many will find the door to eternal life is closed to them.