Scripture Scribbles: August 21, 2022

the Gospel

Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,

teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

Someone asked him,

"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

He answered them,

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,

for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter

but will not be strong enough.

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,

then will you stand outside knocking and saying,

'Lord, open the door for us.'

He will say to you in reply,

'I do not know where you are from.

And you will say,

'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'

Then he will say to you,

'I do not know where you are from.

Depart from me, all you evildoers!'

And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth

when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

and all the prophets in the kingdom of God

and you yourselves cast out.

And people will come from the east and the west

and from the north and the south

and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.

For behold, some are last who will be first,

and some are first who will be last."

the devotion

Historically, I have struggled to open my heart and accept the Truth of this passage. On the surface it seems like Jesus is not including everyone in the Kingdom! Dig a little deeper and discover the greatest love we will ever encounter - mercy.

When Jesus is asked the question, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus’ reply reveals to us the difficulties of discipleship. “Many will attempt to enter…but will not be strong enough,” requires a humble reflection.

How often do I turn from prayer when I need it most? How often do I fall into old habits and trust in the world instead of our Lord? The disciples, who ate and drank with Jesus, fell into weakness. Peter denied Jesus. Judas betrayed him. Several disciples fell asleep when Jesus asked them to keep watch. Only two of his closest friends, His blessed mother, and a couple others followed him to the Cross. Where were the rest? They were not strong enough.

We are never strong enough to endure the Cross. This is why we NEED Jesus, because He already took on the pains of our suffering, our pride, our weakness and beyond.

“The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” When we rely on our own strength, we cast ourselves out of the kingdom. When we put Jesus first, ask for His forgiveness as we fall into sin, trust in His mercy, and rely on His strength, then we shall be first in the kingdom. Jesus wants us to unite our suffering to His, so we may enter into an eternal life of incredible joy and love. This Gospel passage prompts us to turn to Mercy as the disciples did after Jesus’ resurrection. When we don’t, we lock ourselves out of the door of salvation.

Today’s devotion was written by Diana Giard