Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
November 22, 2021
Read Luke 13:22-30
22 Jesus traveled through cities and villages, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Jesus said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and shuts the door, then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you are from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 He will respond, ‘I don’t know you or where you are from. Go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 There will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves will be thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west, north and south, and sit down to eat in God’s kingdom. 30 Look! Those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last.”
Good Morning! Those who are last will be first.
Jesus tells us that we need to follow our path to enter through the narrow gate. To do this, we must work to give up our evil ways as we work towards living through Christ. In vs. 26, Jesus shares the choice of those who come and share his table and listen as he taught, but choose not to believe or to follow. They might say, “I’m a nice person, so I’m okay, Right?” We are told to confess our sins and proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, so just being a nice person is not enough.
An equally important part of this passage is the understanding that once the door closes, there will be no entry. For we know not the hour or the day . . . In other words, you can’t put off accepting and choosing to follow Christ. Some say that they aren’t ready to give up their sins. There will be no exceptions to those who arrive late and say, “but I was going to choose tomorrow . . .” Pick up your cross and follow Jesus now!
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. May we work to follow Jesus today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Following Christ through the narrow door allows me to live abundantly.
Lift High the Cross! Pastor Liz
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