TGBC OMG, Lord, let us in.
The Good Book Club
Thursday, March 8: Luke 13:22-35
Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!”
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.’
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’
THOUGHTS FOR THURSDAY. Theologically perhaps a “realized eschatologist” rather than a “redemptionist,” I’m not sure what “saved” would have meant to the someone who asked Jesus the question. Also, not to be picky, but the next two segments of the paragraph make it appear that Luke googled “door” and cobbled in whatever teaching used the word "door", as there’s no connection between the narrow door and the locked door.
IDK, but the narrow door is probably the gate into the protective space where shepherds took their flocks for safety at night, and stayed at the door to keep predators from getting to the sheep. Or maybe the protective narrow door into the city where only one person at a time may be let in after hours. But yes, try to enter by the narrow door, gate, which may also have to do with living a life acceptable to God, narrow implying the avoidance of sin.
I love the metaphor of the door locked for the night, the neighbor has to knock and bang and bang to get the man of the house to open and give him three loaves of bread; and the foolish bridesmaids didn’t bring extra oil and came late to the wedding feast and now can’t get in. In this iteration, folks who thought they were “as sure for heaven as if they were already there” find out too late that they’re locked out: why? what is qualifying? maybe a life of lovingkindness instead of selfishness and greed? Including the selfishness and greed of religion that is “believed” for what one can get out of it (i.e., qualify for heaven) instead of for what one can do for others. Luke is not real clear here, but clear enough for anybody with ears to hear. Will you qualify? Saying, “Lord, Lord” doesn’t get it, there are the “Will You?’s” to work on. I mean, we’re talking about being saved here. But, saved for what? I’m not sure. You may be, but I’m not.
I also love an allusion that comes to me about the whining outside the locked door, “we ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets,” which suggests to me that just because I went to Mass every Sunday and listened to the Homily, that’s not “saving,” is not - - “salvific” is the word - - Jesus’ key word being “evil-doers,” which for Episcopalians means we’re not keeping our “Will You?” promises of the baptismal covenant; chiefly perhaps, the ultimate two:
* Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? and
* Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of EVERY HUMAN BEING?
Nothing else will matter when we stand outside, find the door locked, and knock pathetically, screaming and weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As for the Pharisees’ warning about Herod, Jesus would not have been surprised at anything Herod might do, I mean, he’s already beheaded John the Baptist, as a threat: also a threat, Jesus would be aware that he’s probably next.
The lines about a prophet and Jerusalem play directly into Luke’s agenda, which presents Jesus the long awaited prophet beginning and ending his life in Jerusalem.