And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, 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 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” Luke 13:22-30 NKJV
Lord, Our Lord,
You started with the disciples and then, following a meeting with a dubious woman at a well, added a group of Samaritans . . . the foundations of the Christian family. And here Luke writes about Jesus answering questions about those who would get into the Kingdom of God.
Jesus answers seem to show opposites views! First a picture of a narrow gate, the master shutting the door and not letting many in. They only glimpse Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets safe inside as they are thrust back out through the door! And it slams shut.
Then we are given a beautiful picture of innumerable people coming from the East and the West and the North and the South and no mention of a door but we see them all sitting down together in the Kingdom of God. No pushing or shoving. Those who were there first standing aside respectfully to let those newly arrived in. Rejoicing that those coming in had continued the work they had started.
In Revelation 7:10 we are shown a picture of a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues . . . These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). We rejoice to be in that number, that the church will continue to grow. Because of Jesus. May those we know and love find You through HIm.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord , our God and Saviour,
For our family, friends, neighbours. Meet them where they are and bless them with Your life.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Give opportunities to share the good news.
We pray for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For a good response to the election results.
For Paris and athletes preparing for the 2024 Olympics, starting July 26th 2024.
For Christians preparing to serve at the Olympics ready to pray or share their faith.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Peace made not kept, and the best future for all.
For Ukraine, an end to war. We continue to ask for a miracle from You.
For our local communities and all who keep them running smoothly and safely.
For those who run and work in hospices and nurse those at home at the end of life..
For all those who care for another person, child, relation, neighbour, friend.
For us to know we are part of God’s great family at home, at work, on holiday or on nights
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 5th July 2024
This worship was written based on Luke 13:29 for a Salvation Army musical called The Blood of the Lamb (1978). It is now in the hymn book and has been sung and performed all around the world in many languages. I love the picture it paints and the melody just flows with it.
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Both the rich and the poor,
the despised, the distressed,
They’ll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
And none will ask what they have been
Provided that their robes are clean;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
To be met by their Father and welcomed and blessed,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
The black, the white, the dark, the fair,
Your colour will not matter there;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Out of great tribulation to triumph and rest
They’ll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
From every tribe and every race,
All men as brothers shall embrace;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west.
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
Lyrics and Tune: John Gowans and John Larsson
(Both served as officers and then as General of the Salvation Army in their time).