It's All About Jesus. Really, It Is.

The Gospel reading from the three year lectionary Sunday came from Luke 13:22-30. Here is a portion of it.

Luke 13:24-25: Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’

In Luke 13:22-30, Jesus speaks about striving to enter through the narrow door. When we look at this text, it becomes clear that Jesus is not telling people they can strive to the point of earning righteousness; much less salvation.

What is Jesus' point? It's really pretty simple. He IS the door (cf. John 10:9). There have been many people in history striving to enter the door, but only One has done so. Jesus. He is the door and He is the only human who has ever entered the door by His own merits.

Therefore, since Christ alone has entered the door, we must be in Christ. How can we enter the door as well? Only by being in the One who is the door. That is the only way. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Jesus Christ Himself is the end of all self-justifying activity. Every mouth is stopped and every deed is a filthy rag.

He washes us, sanctifies us, and justifies us. (1 Corinthians 6:11) So take and eat, this is His true body and blood given for you for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28)

It really is all about Jesus. Really.

O Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us without all doubt to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life that, following his steps, we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.