April 21, 2024

Sermon Title: The Narrow Gate

Scripture Passages: Luke 13:22~30

When I was in high school, my English teacher used the Matthew text to explain the tense (19:24) “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This analogical teaching of Jesus came in the context when a young wealthy person wanted to know how to enter the eternal life. “16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19: 16, 21)

There were people who entered the narrow gate to heaven. Abraham is one of them. He followed God’s order by leaving his familiar place. His faith earned the ticket to heaven. (Genesis 12:1, 4)

Zachaeus also did enter into the eternal life by giving up and sharing what he had, “8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19: 8-9)

Job is another person. Despite the completely unfair suffering he received, he did not blame God but showed his faith in God. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.[c]

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)

Despite he lost almost everything, he still relied on God. He praised God.

Today, let us meditate on our ways to enter the narrow gate to heaven by learning about our ancestors in faith who modelled how to keep up their faith.

First, let us make efforts.

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24). What is clear is that we need to make efforts to enter the gate which is a hard work. What is important is to know Jesus who is the one who died on the cross, and he was risen from dead to save us. That is the confession that was made by Martin Luther during the Reformation. This doctrine is called, “justification by faith.” People can believe in Jesus but if you don’t follow his teaching, that is not really fully understanding this doctrine. That is also why I appreciate Calvin who said that to believe in the cross of Jesus Christ and his resurrection must include resembling the likeness of Jesus toward sanctification. In short, justification and sanctification go hand in hand. Calvin’s teaching echoes the teaching of Matthew: “21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7: 21-23)

The question is where does the source of following the Word of God come from? We follow the Word by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Putting the words of Paul, to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit is to experience of the Grace of God. “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)

There is a massive difference between the life that remembers the grace of God and the life that does not remember it. The King Saul was the first king and he forgot the love that he received from God. Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!” (1 Sam 15: 17, 26)

Dear beloved Holy people of Hanshin Church,

We must work hard and make efforts to enter the narrow gate by listening to the Word of God, seeking the help of Scripture and remembering the grace of God that we received.

Secondly, let us not hesitate but enter the gate.

There are people who hesitate to enter. But we know that the gate may be closed if we miss it. The parable of the 10 brides and bride grooms is an example where Jesus was telling his people. 5 brides were ready to receive with their oil but the other five did not fill the oil so they could turn on the lamp to show the way of the bridegrooms. The parable of the talents is same. Those who received 5 and 2 talents worked hard but the one with 1 talent, they were hidden. Those who are hesitant are the ones who have know about Jesus but do not believe in him.

Dear beloved Holy people of Hanshin Church,

We should not simply step on the threshold, but we should cross over and enter in. We can’t be idle in front of the gate that is open to the heaven. We need to enter in. We need to hold Jesus into my heart.

Thirdly, what is the narrow gate?

It is the gate we must enter. It is the gate to face Jesus as our judge. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9: 27) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (Revelations 20: 12)

Dear beloved Holy people of Hanshin Church,

When we accept our calling from Jesus and do our best working on it faithfully, we will receive the award of the righteousness and wear the crown of glory.

It is a narrow gate because we have to face the judgement of Jesus. But do not be afraid because if you love Jesus, and we have nothing to worry. Love casts out fear.

Thus, let us sincerely know Jesus and believe in God toward practicing the union with Christ. Secondly, let us ask for God’s help so as to follow God. Thirdly, let us always remember God’s grace. Let us not be idle and hesitate in front of the gate. Like the prodigal son, let us determine to return “home” where God is the host. Like Zacchaeus, let us receive Jesus into our heart. There is no one between Jesus and us. Let us face God in Jesus and confess our love. Let us continue to work hard to enter the narrow gate. You will receive the crown of the righteousness.  

Thanks be to God.

Amen.

Translated by the Rev. Dr. Prof. HyeRan Kim-Cragg