Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³  And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”

 ⁴  But they kept silent.  And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away.

 ⁵  And He said to them, “Which one of you will have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”

 ⁶  And they could make no reply to this.”  Luke 14:1-6.

It is first striking that verse 3 states that Jesus “answered”.  Where was the question?  But, on closer examination, we read in verse 1 that “they were watching Him closely”.  Jesus perceived that the Pharisees’ attitude was so thick with accusatory questions, He indeed “answered”.

So, how did Jesus answer them?  Jesus answered them with questions.  First, he questioned them:  “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”.  Second, he questioned them:  “Which one of you will have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”.

But, Jesus did more than answer them with questions.  Jesus confronted them and their legalistic attitude through the healing the man which served both as an answer and an inferred question. “And they could make no reply to this.”  They could make no reply to either the express questions or to the act of healing which also served as an answer and an inferred question.     

The importance of this analysis is that as Christians, we too will be watched closely.  We too will face attitudes thick with accusatory questions.  We too may not directly hear the questions, but we will need to answer those “questions” (that is, questioning attitudes) by both our words and actions.

But, there is hope.  “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.”  Matthew 10:19

But, there is also more than words that we will say that will serve as answers to questions.  “Our actions may speak louder than our words.”  And our actions will also answer and confront and question.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.  And who is adequate for these things?”  2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

 ³⁵  “Behold, your house is left to you desolate;  and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'”  Luke 13:33-35.

The prophecy in this Scripture is interesting.  The desire of Jesus is interesting.  Others have commented on these important points.  For one example, here is a general link to Calvin’s Commentaries, and there are certainly other commentaries as well.  You may want to save it as a favorite (or as a “bookmark”)  Click here: Calvin’s Commentaries—Complete | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

But, for the short space and purpose of this daily devotion, I would like to comment on how, in contrast to these people of Jerusalem, the righteous run to the safety of the LORD.  But, more important than the decision of the righteous, we should focus on the faithfulness of God in protecting His people.  

Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower;  The righteous runs into it and is safe.”

Ruth 2:12
“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”

Psalm 91:4
“He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge;  His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”

The entire chapter of Psalm 91 provides a fitting conclusion of the “Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD”.  It was the favorite chapter of my mother.  For my college years, I gladly read it just about every day.

Psalm 91

    ¹  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
         Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
    ²  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
         My God, in whom I trust!”
    ³  For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
         And from the deadly pestilence.
    ⁴  He will cover you with His pinions,
         And under His wings you may seek refuge;
         His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
    ⁵  You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
         Or of the arrow that flies by day;
    ⁶  Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
         Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
    ⁷  A thousand may fall at your side
         And ten thousand at your right hand,
         But it shall not approach you.
    ⁸  You will only look on with your eyes
         And see the recompense of the wicked.
    ⁹  For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
         Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
    ¹⁰  No evil will befall you,
         Nor will any plague come near your tent.
    ¹¹  For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
         To guard you in all your ways.
    ¹²  They will bear you up in their hands,
         That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
    ¹³  You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
         The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
    ¹⁴  “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
         I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
    ¹⁵  “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
         I will be with him in trouble;
         I will rescue him and honor him.
    ¹⁶  “With a long life I will satisfy him
         And let him see My salvation.”

There are many Scriptures which tell us what happened on that third day. 

 “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:25. 

^“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”  Romans 5:18.  

 ³⁰  “And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.”  Luke 13:28-30.

What is the intended impact of this conclusion?  This section of Scripture started with “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?”  And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:23-24. 

First, Jesus informs us of the horrors of hell:  the weeping, the suffering, and the agony of knowing that one’s beloved heroes are in heaven while you are on the outside thrown out.  We cringe to even hear about it, but it is the truth that serves to warn everyone.

Second, Jesus informs us of the diversity of heaven.  We may feel that we are excluded due to our race or nationality, but Jesus encourages us that there will be those in heaven who come from all parts of the world.

Third, Jesus informs us that heaven’s rewards will surprise us.  We will think some will receive higher positions than they will actually get, and on the other hand, we will think some will receive lower positions than they will actually get.

The intended impact of this conclusion is a summary of warnings and encouragements that we should “Strive to enter through the narrow door.”  There is nothing more important to us than our final destination which will be either heaven or hell, so strive for heaven! 

In conclusion, don’t take anything for granted, but like Paul, “… press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14.  “… do all things for the sake of the gospel,  … become a fellow partaker of it.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?   Run in such a way that you may win.”  1 Corinthians 9:23-24.

 ²⁷  and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from;   DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ ”  Luke 13:25-27.  (Emphasis added.)

When something is repeated in Scripture, we should pay more attention to it and meditate on it in accordance with the repetition.  I will often make it the focal point of the devotion.  Such is the case today with Jesus’ statement:  “I do not know where you are from”. 

There is a deeper meaning to “know” than knowledge of facts about a person.  Obviously, Jesus did know facts about these people and did recognize them as they point out:  ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’.

In Jesus’ use of this “know”, it carries a meaning of intimate familiar love.  We read Scripture such as Psalm 1:6:  “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”  In contrast to “knowing” the righteous, there is a distant lack of familiarity and lack of love with the wicked (“I do not know where you are from”) such as in Psalm 1:5:  “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.”

But, this intimate familiar love, this “know” is not based on any condition (such as righteousness, works, or will) supplied by man.  In Ephesians 1:4-6, we read:  “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

We can rebel against this “narrow door” of unconditional election.  We can say:  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3.

Or, we can embrace the narrow door as the only provision for salvation.  We can “Strive to enter through the narrow door”.  Luke 13:24. 

For those who rebel against this “narrow door” of unconditional election, saying,  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”, “He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.”  Psalm 2:4.  “…  I do not know where you are from;   DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ ” Luke 13:27.

 ²⁴  “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:22-24.   

Many want to be saved on their own terms and conditions.  They want to live their own lives just as they want.  They want to believe just what they want.  They think that just because (in their own minds) that they are better than someone else, they will be saved.  They think that just because (in their own minds) that they comply with some verse that they pick and choose, they will be saved.  They create their own “god” (in their own minds) who they think will save them. 

But, Jesus exhorts all of us to “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:24.  The word “Strive” reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:14:  “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Paul wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, and no other Apostle (except perhaps Peter) was more well known and appreciated by the Christian Church throughout history, and yet, he did not rest on his laurels.  He stated:  “Not that I have already obtained it (the resurrection from the dead) or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14.  (Parenthetical identification is mine).

Paul also said:  “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?   Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;  I box in such a way, as not beating the air;  but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:23-27.

But, there is more need to be saved than “just” this striving.  Jesus exhorts us to “enter through the narrow door”.  What is this narrow door?  It is a good question to ask and consider and discuss, but I don’t think any of us would be so bold as to claim that we can answer everything that should be considered. 

First, if there was one exclusive definitive answer, I think it would be “Jesus is that narrow door” according to Scripture such as John 14:6 (“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;  no one comes to the Father but through Me.”) and John 10:9 (“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”). 

But, I think that Jesus meant more than just identifying Himself as the only Savior, because He states just one verse later, that there will be those who say:  “Lord, open up to us!”, but the “the head of the house” will answer and say to them, ‘I do not know where you are from.’  See Luke 13:25.  Moreover, there would be no need for striving if salvation was as simple as claiming Jesus as Savior.

Second, as another thing that should be considered, I think that part of what should be considered as this “narrow door” is more specific (or narrow) knowledge of the truth.  For one example, but there are other examples, we read in Romans 10:2-3 about the zeal of the Jews.  They certainly strived for salvation.  “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”  (Emphasis added.)  Thus, it is not sufficient to generally know and believe in God.  We must have more specific knowledge and beliefs. 

Third, as another thing that should be considered, I think that part of what should be considered as this “narrow door” is the Third Point of Calvinism, the “L” in “TULIP”, “Limited Atonement”.  This “Limited Atonement” is narrow.  In contrast to “Limited Atonement”, Arminianism believes in “Universal Atonement”, including that God loves everyone, Christ died for everyone, and God wants to save everyone, and that the only difference between the unsaved and saved is that some take what I will call “a leap of faith” from that wide bridge of universal atonement (which wide bridge illustrates that Christ died for everyone). Arminians believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to be saved (at least in comparable situations), but that Christ’s death saved no one, only those who take the leap of faith (to the other shore as the illustration) will be saved. Thus, the bridge is wide, but it only goes halfway across the stream.

In contrast, Calvinism believes that God only loves His elect and only wants to save them. Christ died only for the elect, and God does everything necessary for the salvation of His elect. In comparison to the wide bridge of Arminianism, Calvinism is the narrow bridge because salvation is only available for the Elect, but unlike the Arminian bridge which only goes half-way across the stream, Calvinism’s narrow bridge completely crosses the stream because God handles all the points of salvation. Because Man is so totally depraved (first point of Calvinism) that he is “dead” in sin, hostile to God, cannot please God, cannot understand the things of God, and is in bondage to sin and Satan, God must make His elect “born again” or “alive” or “draw” them to Christ, or else no one would believe and be saved. God does everything for the elect, including giving them faith, sanctifying them, and preserving them to salvation, so that all the elect will be saved. See the golden chain of salvation in Romans 8: 29-30.

Arminian doctrine believes that man’s work of faith is the only variable which can bring man from universal atonement to salvation; whereas, Calvinist doctrine believes that God’s work is the only variable which brings man from total depravity to salvation. What appears to be “a doctrine of the precepts of man”?

Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 13: 24: “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and not be able.” Likewise, Jesus tells us in Matthew 7: 12: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” These Scriptures should cause us to pause and consider whether or not Arminian’s doctrine in universal atonement and a doctrine based on “man’s leap of faith” may be the broad way that leads to destruction.

Arminianism appears to rest on “the wisdom of man” while Calvinism appears to rest on “the power of God”? Is it true faith to believe that salvation is ultimately dependent on man’s choice – “the wisdom of man”? Certainly, Arminianism is more attractive and wise and just to our natural human mind to believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to be saved and to believe in free will and to believe in sufficient goodness in man and to believe that salvation is ultimately controlled by us as to whether or not we will choose Christ and be saved. However, our faith should not rest on the wisdom of men (Arminianism) but on power of God (Calvinism). See I Corinthians 2: 5.

In conclusion, these three points to consider are just some of the points to consider in meditating on what Jesus meant by “the narrow door”.  I pray this daily devotion will motivate all of us to consider all that Jesus meant by “the narrow door” and to “strive to enter by the narrow door”.

 ²⁰  And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

 ²¹  “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”  Luke 13:18-21.

It is interesting to see the contrast within each description of the kingdom of heaven.  It is also interesting to compare each description of the kingdom of heaven.

Regarding the first description of the kingdom of heaven, we see the contrast that the kingdom of heaven is large and extensive and powerful like a tree, but it is also gentle such that the birds can nest in the branches.  “The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God.”  Psalm 84:3     

Regarding the second description of the kingdom of heaven, we see the contrast that the kingdom of heaven is extensive like three pecks flour (“a large quantity” – Click here: Pecks – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary ), but it is also gentle (and pure) such that you can add it to food. 

A comparison between the two descriptions shows us three things about the kingdom of heaven.  First, the kingdom of heaven started with a very small beginning, kind of like it was hidden like a mustard seed in the earth or leaven buried within the flour.  Second, the kingdom of heaven grew, expanded, or permeated to powerfully be and affect a very large amount.  Third, the kingdom of heaven is gentle and can accommodate the pure. 

The powerful size or the powerful permeation of the kingdom of heaven should be encouraging to us.  Some wrongly wring their hands in worry as if the kingdom of heaven is weak and impotent.  This belief and attitude dishonors God.  But, we see here that the kingdom of heaven is large and glorious like a tree and that it powerfully permeates and affects everything:  “… the word of truth, the gospel  … has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing …”.  Colossians 1:5-6.

It was never the intent of God that everyone be saved.  However, it was the intent of God that everyone be held accountable.  “… so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;”  Romans 3:19.  The kingdom of heaven does that (holds everyone accountable).  Praise God! 

“I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
         He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
         Today I have begotten You. 
    ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
         And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 
    ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
         You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ ”  Psalm 2:7-9.

But, the kingdom of heaven is also gentle.  “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.”  Matthew 12:20

“¹¹  Worship the LORD with reverence
         And rejoice with trembling.
    ¹²  Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
         For His wrath may soon be kindled
         How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:11-12. 

“¹¹  For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
         The LORD gives grace and glory;
         No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
    ¹²  O LORD of hosts,
         How blessed is the man who trusts in You! ”  Psalm 84:11-12.

 ⁷  “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any.  Cut it down!  Why does it even use up the ground?’

 ⁸  “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

 ⁹  and if it bears fruit next year, fine;  but if not, cut it down.’ ”  Luke 13:6-9.

Whether today’s Scripture applies to the set of collective group of people or to the set of individuals, there are other Scriptures that more clearly and expressly show this warning applies to both sets.  

Regarding the set of collective group of people, there is Matthew 21:43 .  “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.”  “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.”  Matthew 21:45. 

Regarding the set of individuals there is John 15:2 . “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;  and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” 

So, let us study how to bear fruit.

John 15:8
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

John 15:16
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”

Romans 7:4
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Colossians 1:3-12.                                                                                                                            “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;  because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;  just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

 ³  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

 ⁴  “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

 ⁵  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:1-5. 

When a nation or region suffers a hurricane, flood, drought, or other natural disaster,  it is tempting for us as observers to sit in judgment, shake our heads, and say or think:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing them.” 

When an individual suffers a traffic accident, health problem, or other personal disaster, it is tempting for us as observers to sit in judgment, shake our heads, and say or think:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing him.”  As I post this devotion, I repent as I think of the many times that I engaged in these thoughts.  

While it is true that God does sometimes (not always) judge and punish using such means, Christ turns the focus to all of us and states:   “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Moreover, we should note the emphasis of this teaching by the fact that Christ repeated it twice, both in Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5.   

When Job was suffering his health problems, his friends were too eager to sit in judgment, shake their heads, and basically say words to Job to the effect:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing you.”  We knew God’s reaction.  God was displeased with Job’s friends.

And, what God required of Job’s friends can serve as a lesson to us who also are tempted to likewise sit in judgment to a nation, region, or individual.  “It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.  “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you.  For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them;  and the LORD accepted Job.”  Job 42:7-9.  (Emphasis added.)

In conclusion, these Scriptures teach us at least these two proper reactions for us as observers to such disasters is to humble ourselves and repent (as taught in the above Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5), and to also pray for the people who are suffering such disasters and to make an offering for them (Job 42:7-9).

 ⁵⁹  “I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.”  Luke 12:57-59.

As an attorney, I appreciate the practical wisdom of this Scripture.  We should try to settle our case (whether it be a criminal or civil case) with our opponent.  We may not be able to reasonably settle our case, but we should at least try. 

Often, we will read a Scripture with a specific command, or general advice like the one in today’s Scripture.  We should not limit our analysis to exactly what we should do, but we should extend our analysis to a search of what God has given us to help us to do what He commands or advises. 

Accordingly, my thoughts turn to some of the “helps” that God has given us to help us settle our cases. 

The Holy Spirit bears the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”.  See Galatians 5:22-23.  These fruit work toward achieving settlement and against impulses in us which would work against settlement such as “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, and envying”.  See Galatians 5:20-21.