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Proper 16, 22 August 2004
Isaiah 28:14-22, Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-29, Luke 13:22-30
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT

The Rev. W. Lee Shaw

A voice from the crowd shouts out: “Will only a few be saved?” But I think he may actually be asking, “Am I one of those being saved?” On the other hand, he may be insinuating that, “I'm one of the saved and you are not.” This has been a continual issue within Christianity, who is in and who is out? Whose baptism counts and whose doesn't? Who belongs to the right church and who doesn't?

The parable seems to say, yes, only a few will be saved and others will be turned away, shut out. There is an uncomfortable tension throughout the New Testament between inclusive salvation and exclusive judgment. This is a tension clearly implied in this parable.

One thing that is not clear in the English version is the Greek sense of are only a few being saved. This seems to imply the current ministry and teaching of Jesus. Jesus in the parable seems to be challenging his hearers to choose now who they will listen to and make their choice. There may not be a second chance. But what about today, how do we hear it today?

First, let's be clear: Jesus is the gate the door of our salvation. We enter into the reign of God through him and not through our own works and our own efforts. I see the door of this parable as the door of our own works and efforts. We ate with you. We drank with you. You taught in our streets. (But did they listen?) Yes, the door of our own works our own efforts to earn our way into the reign of God will be shut. And when we realize that, yes, we will be surprised and disappointed. Our best efforts were not good enough.

Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus is the door through which we go for the kingdom of God. I can not earn my way into salvation. And I know I will be disappointed at my own foolishness for even thinking that. The reign of God is not found in human terms. Our expectations will be turned upside down. We will find those who would be first in line, at the end and those who by all accounts should be last in line, at the very front. God's reality is not the same as our expectations.

In John's Gospel Jesus states very clearly, “I am the gate, whoever enters by me will be saved” (10:9). The gate, the door, is not what we think or do, but it is Jesus. Any other door will be shut.

Also in John's Gospel Jesus says, “When I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself” (12:32). He will draw all people to himself through the cross. Salvation into the reign of God is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not of our doing or earning, it is found in the cross of Christ.

The door or doors of our own works, our own self-righteousness, our pride will be slammed shut. Our entry is through the cross of Christ. And as he said, he will draw “all people” to himself. Then every knee shall bend and every tongue confess he is the Christ. Pretty universal and inclusive.

And what do we do? Jesus is also very clear on that point: Love. Love God. Love one another as you love yourself. They will know you are my disciples by how you love and treat one another. And we love not to earn God's approval. We love in thanksgiving: thanksgiving for salvation already given through the cross of Christ; thanksgiving for a beautiful world, for our bodies, our families, friends and fellowship. We love in thanksgiving for ht has already been given us, not to earn or deserve anything for it has already been handed to us.

The door to who will be saved is the cross of Christ. Through the cross Christ draws all people to God. The apostle Paul recognized this better than most and he wrote that he glories in the cross of Christ. I echo his sentiments, I glory in the cross of Christ, which is the door of our entry into the reign of God.