First, in order to understand the teaching of Christ, we must consider the question of Jesus, “What is the Kingdom of God like.” Jesus asked the same question twice, “What shall I compare it to.” Jesus told the parables in order to answer His own questions. There are three parables in this passage. The first two parables answered Jesus’ questions and the third parables give an answer to the question from the crowd. Frist, those parables are evident that the Kingdom of God is beyond human comprehension and understanding. Secondly, the kingdom of God is big enough to describe in various ways. Jesus is drawing attention from the crowd by asking the same question twice but answering them in two different parable thought they have similar nature of the kingdom of God. First, both seed and yeast are small and yet they have ability to grow or to make things grow. It helps us to understand that the kingdom of God is not yet completely fulfill but keep growing until its own time of maturity. The fact of progressive growth in the parables helps us to understand that mission will not bring instantaneous growth or success. In practical reality world, the church always starts small. If there is no smallness there is no space for growth. The nature of progressive growth also reflects the life of Christ and the early disciples of Him. Secondly, the progressive growth also brings some benefit or changes to the environment where it is place. The parables seem to be highlighting the positive impact of the progressive growth of the kingdom of God. In the light of the mustard seed parable, the kingdom of God is more than the tree by itself but a tree for even for the birds of the airs. The progressive growth of the mission should bring more benefit to the filed as it received more position and space. Often, Church and her mission in reality don’t seem to be able to wait and toil faithfully. The idea of progressive growth seems to be not so attractive to many churches and missionaries who want instantaneous growth. The danger of instantaneous growth is that it may not be truly impact the ground and the environment of the mission. The idea of start small may not necessarily means poor in resources but it could means to humble to do God’s will as well.
In the second part of the story Jesus is physically touring around villages and heading towards Jerusalem. Jesus was asked by someone, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” The question opens Jesus to tell the reality and nature of salvation. Jesus not only saying that the gate is narrow but he is also warning the listener to make every effort to enter through the narrow door. Jesus gave the reason for listener to put every effort is because many will try to enter and yet they will not be able to do so. It seems like; it required more than normal or partial effort to enter but to put all the effort. Jesus is challenging to surrender all or surrender none. The warning played as key motivations to put all the effort. There are three specific warnings (a) only a few will be save (b) many are not able to go through the narrow gate (c) those who could not go through the narrow gate will face punishment. In this conversation Jesus is saying that salvation will not be as automatic or as based on genealogy as some had thought among the Jews. The verb “make every effort” speaks of laboring to get in. this implies that there is a specific route by which to enter; that is why Jesus mentions a narrow door and sets forth what it is. Once the door is shut, it will be too late for those who are late. In the context of Luke, those who late refers to the Jews who first received the covenant and also the blessing and yet neglecting to accept it. Those who come late seem to refer the gentiles and non-Jew. Although they do not directly share the covenant and the blessing but they manage to go through he narrow gate and therefore they are received in the fest of God. In the mission, the gospel is for everyone and those who first heard are not necessarily first believer. Those who accept the gospel will be first though the gospel may reach to them last. God will embrace those who embrace Him. There is no partiality in mission as whoever responds to God, God will gladly received them. Salvation is not specially store up for those who are born in Christian family as well. It is for those who all respond to the message and believe in Jesus who is the narrow gate.
In the second part of the story Jesus is physically touring around villages and heading towards Jerusalem. Jesus was asked by someone, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” The question opens Jesus to tell the reality and nature of salvation. Jesus not only saying that the gate is narrow but he is also warning the listener to make every effort to enter through the narrow door. Jesus gave the reason for listener to put every effort is because many will try to enter and yet they will not be able to do so. It seems like; it required more than normal or partial effort to enter but to put all the effort. Jesus is challenging to surrender all or surrender none. The warning played as key motivations to put all the effort. There are three specific warnings (a) only a few will be save (b) many are not able to go through the narrow gate (c) those who could not go through the narrow gate will face punishment. In this conversation Jesus is saying that salvation will not be as automatic or as based on genealogy as some had thought among the Jews. The verb “make every effort” speaks of laboring to get in. this implies that there is a specific route by which to enter; that is why Jesus mentions a narrow door and sets forth what it is. Once the door is shut, it will be too late for those who are late. In the context of Luke, those who late refers to the Jews who first received the covenant and also the blessing and yet neglecting to accept it. Those who come late seem to refer the gentiles and non-Jew. Although they do not directly share the covenant and the blessing but they manage to go through he narrow gate and therefore they are received in the fest of God. In the mission, the gospel is for everyone and those who first heard are not necessarily first believer. Those who accept the gospel will be first though the gospel may reach to them last. God will embrace those who embrace Him. There is no partiality in mission as whoever responds to God, God will gladly received them. Salvation is not specially store up for those who are born in Christian family as well. It is for those who all respond to the message and believe in Jesus who is the narrow gate.
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