Next, Jesus says to watch out for the time limit. "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.'"
According to Jesus, the doorway to the eternal kingdom of God is not only narrow but time sensitive. It won't stay open forever and when it closes it stays shut.
We are very familiar with time limits:
- If you are a college student you must finish your degree in 7-10 years or your credits will start to expire.
- If you want to buy a computer advertised in this weekend's electronics store ads, make sure you read the expiration date at the bottom of the ad because after that it won't be available.
- If you are an airplane traveler, make sure you get to the gate on time, because once they close the plane door they're not going to open it again for you or anyone else.
For some people, God hounds you like a hunting dog. But, if you constantly reject him, he quits and moves on. Time's up.
For all of us, we get increasingly set in our ways until we don't bother much with God. Time runs out.
Certainly, once we die, the door is closed. No more chances.
It's a personal thing with Jesus. He's not focusing on the theoretical but on the practical. He really cares about our lives. He says that the clock is running and we all need to watch out for the time limit. Don't wait. Don't procrastinate. Strive for the narrow door. Repent. Change your mind. Do it God's way.
Expect some big surprises (13:25-30)
Jesus' third answer to his questioner told him to expect some big surprises. There are going to be some people who thought they were headed to heaven for sure who will be shut out.
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.'
"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
"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.
It's not hard to get Jesus' point here. There are people who are in for a really big surprise. They thought they were headed to heaven and then didn't make it. It's not because they were good or bad because that's not the basis for getting into heaven. It's that they never had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This describes the person who went to "Jesus Dinners" and listened to Jesus talk but never committed their hearts and lives to him. It is like dating but no marriage. To be a Christian is to join your heart and life 100% forever to Jesus the person. Anything less is an acquaintance but not an eternal relationship.
Those who thought they were getting into heaven but didn't responded with "weeping and gnashing of teeth." The weeping is grief. The gnashing of teeth is rage. They're sad and mad. But, it's too late.
Jesus adds another surprise. Not only will there be a surprise who doesn't get into heaven. There will be a surprise who does get into heaven.
"People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
Jesus was talking to Jews. He was saying that lots of them wouldn't make it to heaven but lots of non-Jews from every point of the compass would make it to heaven. That's good news for the rest of us around the world and throughout history.
Let's put a modern spin on it. You would think most people in heaven from this generation would come from the United States and Europe where we have long Christian traditions. Ironically, the majority of Christians are now on other continents. The church is growing faster in Asia, Africa and Latin America than ever before. There are going to be people from our neck of the woods who are left out and people from places we've never heard of who repent and accept Christ and get into heaven.
According to Jesus, it doesn't make much difference if you are a Jew or a Gentile, from America, Africa or Asia, whether you grew up in a church or never went to church. What matters is that you have repented of your sins, are baptized in his name and filled with his spirit. Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12, John 3:5
Conclusion:
I'm wondering what you're thinking about these teachings of Jesus. Do you blow them off or take them seriously.
I'll tell you honestly what my response is. This teaching of Jesus scares me.
My eternal destiny is very important. I certainly don't want to make a mistake.
These words of Jesus are telling me that I'd better not assume I'm right with God and get a huge surprise when it's too late.
I'd better not take anything for granted here. The eternal stakes are far too high.
On the other hand, I really don't think Jesus is trying to scare me. He wants me in heaven. He wants me to convert to him. He wants the best for me.
So, here's my response.
One more time I revisit my relationship to God.
One more time I take inventory of the ways I think and act that are not God's ways of thinking and acting.
I decide to change my mind and my ways to God's mind and God's ways.
I make sure that I have repented my sins
I make sure that I have been baptized in his name
I Make sure that I have receive his spirit.
I make sure that I have done what the bible tells me to do.
