The text for the sermon is the gospel reading that we just heard. It’s the record of one of the many questions that are posed to Jesus while He is on His journey to Jerusalem.
I. Vs. 22-23
“He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and JOURNEYING TOWARD JERUSALEM.â€
And as He is “journeying,†“SOMEONE,†an anonymous “SOMEONE,†“SOMEONE†who seems as though he has at least some understanding of what Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to accomplish, “SOMEONE said to him, ‘Lord, will those who are being saved be few?’â€
You’ve got to wonder what motivates a question like that one. “Why do you ask?â€
If this “someone†was one of the Pharisees or any of the other ‘super-religious’ types who survey the crowds of people and who knows that there are not many who truly measure up to the high standards that are required to be saved – the standards that he himself strives to live by…
“The Pharisee prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
“Someone†wants to know if God is ‘FAIR.’ Will he reward with ‘salvation’ those who have diligently strived to live a ‘godly life’? And is he willin to exclude those from ‘salvation’ who have not?
“Will those who are being saved be few?â€
Heard in this way, here is a question that is begging Jesus to say “YES, those who are being saved are FEW.â€
But there are other motives for asking a question like this one aren’t there?
Maybe this “someone†was thinking of a son or daughter who has wandered from the faith that was given them in their baptism and who now professes some other faith, or maybe none at all.
Maybe this “someone†has a dear friend in mind,
who is a part of that great majority of people with whom we live and work who have never been baptized into Christ and who don’t much care to be,
who never to give things like “salvation†and “eternal life†much of a thought at all,
who flatly refuse your best efforts to witness to them.
And it pains them to think that those who are being saved might be ‘few,’ and that these loved ones and friends will be lost, not only to themselves but to the eternal love and life of the God who created them, and atoned for their sin with His own body and blood, given and shed for them.
And so maybe “Someone†wants to know if God is ‘MERCIFUL.’ Will he really deny ‘salvation’ to all those who have do not confess “Jesus Christ as Lord� Will He exclude those from ‘salvation’ who are not Christian? Is there another way to be saved?
“Will those who are being saved be few?â€
Heard in this way, here is a question that is begging Jesus to say “NO, those who are being saved will be MANY.†Continue reading