“How do you get into heaven?” A Sunday school teacher asked that question of her 2nd grade class. It seemed like a simple question for a group of little Lutherans. But no hands went up. Silence. Crickets. The teacher was confident that the students knew the answer, so she waited patiently. Finally, one little boy raised his hand hesitantly to offer an answer. He told the teacher his plan to get into heaven. “I will go to the front door of heaven. I’ll go in the door and out and out of the door, and in the door and out of the door, until God says what my parents say, ‘Hey, are you coming in or are you staying out?’ Then I will stay in.”
Although we might laugh at the little boy’s plan it seems that many people have an equally naïve plan for entering heaven. A survey done by the Pew Research Center in 2021 found that while most U.S. adults believe there is a heaven, there is disagreement about how a person can get there. I guess that doesn’t surprise us. About three-in-ten of U.S. Christians (31%) said that their religion is the one true faith leading to eternal life in heaven. Of course, that echoes what Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Unfortunately, nearly twice as many U.S. Christians (58%) say that there are multiple religions that can lead to heaven. This is contrary to what the Bible teaches but it’s a popular thought today.
Now if I were to ask all of you gathered here today the same question, I imagine that most of you would give the answer that God’s Word offers. The only way to get into heaven is through by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. Being good isn’t going to get us there. No, only clothed in the perfection that Jesus’ gives us will we be welcomed into heaven. I praise God that he has revealed that truth to us in his Word and enabled us to believe it.
But the challenge we face on a daily basis is not letting that gift of faith slip away from us. Again and again, we need reminders and encouragements to cling to Christ as the only way of salvation. In the Gospel Lesson for this Sunday, we heard our Savior speak words of warning and encouragement. Jesus said that there is only one way to enter heaven. He said that we should make every effort to:
“ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR”
I. On God’s terms
II. In God’s time
They have been called “teachable moments.” They are those times when an event, or a question, or a comment, presents an opportunity for teaching. Educators say that good teachers will seize those types of opportunities. When we read about Jesus’ life and ministry in the Gospels it becomes obvious that he was a master at using “teachable moments.” Something would happen, someone would ask a question, his enemies would make a comment, and Jesus would strike with the hot iron of his teaching.
In our Gospel Lesson for today Luke tells us what set the stage for this teachable moment about the way to enter heaven. “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?’” We can imagine that a hush suddenly came over the crowd. Heads turned and eyes focused on the Rabbi from Nazareth. “Well, Jesus, tell us. Are only a few people going to be saved?” But did you notice that Jesus didn’t really answer the question? Instead, he turned the question into a lesson about entering heaven. Jesus took the opportunity to encourage everyone to enter through the narrow door. He is that narrow door. And he reminded his listeners to enter through the narrow door on God’s terms and in God’s time.
I.
Before we can enter the narrow door to heaven, we must have a clear understanding of what that door is. In many places the Bible tells us that Jesus is the narrow door to heaven. Remember what Jesus said in John 10:9, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” A gate is a lot like a door. But in the case of a sheep pen, which is what Jesus was referring to at that time, there was only one gate. And sheep were unable to get in any other way! We also have Peter’s clear words in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Yes, Jesus is the narrow door, and the only door, to heaven!
But just knowing that Jesus is the narrow door isn’t the same as entering heaven through him. The Gospel lesson for today continues. “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.” I suppose these verses have led some to misunderstand how a person gets into heaven. It sounds like we have to do something to get through the narrow door. However, if we let the rest of God’s Word speak to the issue there really is no confusion. Effort doesn’t earn a person the right to go through the narrow door to eternal life. It was Jesus’ effort that makes him the door that is open to all people. Through his blood, sweat, and tears he opened heaven to sinners. And it is the work of the Holy Spirit that enables a person to believe the good news that heaven is open to all through Christ. And the Spirit enables a person to enter the narrow door by faith.
Then what kind of effort is Jesus talking about when it comes to entering heaven through him? Believers are called to make every effort to overcome the things that could keep them from going through the narrow door. They are serious and sober minded when it comes to their salvation! They spare no effort to fight against the devil’s temptations that might distract them from entering eternal life. Those who enter the narrow door to heaven make every effort necessary to shove aside the things of the world that can prevent a person from going through it. They devote a great deal of time and effort to nurture and care for their faith. They want nothing to keep them from going through the narrow door. They do what the Apostle Paul instructed the Philippians to do, “12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
Since our Savior presents us with a picture of entering a narrow door maybe it would be helpful to picture in our minds what permits a person to squeeze through a tight spot. No, heaven isn’t just going to be filled with skinny people. But in a sense, it will only have those who are spiritually skinny. Those who are “thin” are those who don’t have any extra pounds of their own goodness, or their own efforts, or their own holiness as they stand before God. They let God’s law strip away their pride, self-righteousness, and good deeds. Like starving beggars, they come to God with nothing and hold out their hands for a morsel of his mercy. Those who enter the narrow door go through it with nothing accept what Jesus gave them. Through his perfect life and innocent death, they are welcomed into heaven.
If we are going to benefit from Jesus’ warning about making every effort to enter through the narrow door, we have to look closely at ourselves. Have we become spiritually bloated? In our pride do we think that we deserve to be with God in heaven? Are we carrying the baggage of sins that we are unwilling to give up? Refusing to repent and harboring sin in our hearts is a sure way of keeping ourselves from entering the narrow door. Perhaps we have let ourselves become distracted by other doors. After we have gotten a peek at God’s narrow door to eternal life have, we looked around and said, “What’s behind door #2, or door #3, or door #4?” And the world, our sinful nature, and Satan—the father of lies, are all more than willing to try to convince us to enter any door but the narrow door. Today, may we heed Jesus’ call to repent! Let’s come back to the only door to heaven and go through it by faith.
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.
Instead of smugly shaking our heads in pity let’s take these verses to heart as a warning. Is our relationship to God the most important thing in our life? Or perhaps we have fallen into a superficial, one hour a week, long-distance relationship with the LORD. Have we been fooled into thinking that we can disregard God’s Word and then act like he is still our dear friend? Today is the day to confess our sins and repent of anything that would keep us from entering heaven through the narrow door. Now is the time to put our faith in Jesus as the only way to heaven.
Jesus went on to describe the regret that will fill those who let the door to heaven close. “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.” Weeping. Gnashing of teeth. What else is there to do when the narrow door to heaven is shut forever and you have no hope of entering it?
All of us here have experienced feelings of regret over a decision we made. It could have been something as simple as wishing we had picked a different chocolate candy or something as serious as wishing we had purchased a different home or taken a different job. But imagine having feelings of regret for eternity! Those who fail to enter the narrow door or refuse to enter the narrow door will regret their choices forever. Some will weep over their foolishness. Some will gnash their teeth in frustration and anger over losing the priceless treasure of eternal life through faith in Christ. Brothers and sisters, these are wounds that heal from words that wound. May we take Jesus’ words to heart so that we have no regrets in this life or in the life to come. May we enter heaven through the narrow door in God’s time before there is no time left.
Perhaps you have heard the story about the three friends who all reached the door of heaven at the same time. It was an especially busy time so one of the angels asked the three to wait patiently at the door. The angel promised that he would be right with them and would search the records for their names. “Oh, I don’t mind at all,” one friend said, “I would wait a thousand years to enjoy eternity with God.” The angel was delighted with the first man’s attitude. After just a few minutes he said, “Well, your name is here. I’ll just ask you one question, and you can come into heaven. How do you spell, ‘God’? The man spelled it for him and went through the door into heaven. The angel again apologized to the other two for the delay. “Oh, don’t worry about it,” was the response of one of the two remaining friends, “I’m just thrilled to be here at the door to heaven. Take as much time as you need.” Again, the angel examined the man’s records and asked him one simple question. “How do you spell God?” The man spelled it and was welcomed into glory. Finally, the angel speaks to the last of the three friends. Again, he apologized for the delay. But the man refused to accept his apology. “All my life on earth I had to wait in lines. Wait at the checkout at the grocery store…wait for the kids at school…wait for my coffee break at work. And now you expect me to wait to get into heaven? Well, I just won’t stand for it.” “I am so sorry,” the angel replied, “I’ve look at your papers and everything seems find. Okay, if you will just answer one question I’ll let you into heaven. Tell me, how do you spell’ Czechoslovakia.’”
The attitude of that last man is the kind of attitude that Jesus’ has warned us about today. So many want to tell God how, when, and why they should enter heaven. But heaven is only open to those who enter through the narrow door through faith in Jesus. We can’t insist that God do things our way or in our time when it comes to heaven. Those who enter do so on his terms in his time. May we take these words of our Savior to heart and make it our goal every day to enter through the narrow door. May we spare no effort and no amount of time so that in the end we find ourselves on the inside. Amen.
