We Shall Be Overwhelmed |
Luke 13:22-30 | February 11, 2018
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On this occasion where we are receiving new people into our church, I thought it would be appropriate to look at a passage like this one. I wanted to take some time and think about the future gathering of Christ.
In this passage Jesus acts in something of a prophetic role. He brings the word of God to the crowd and he speaks a predictive way. He talks about the future day when he comes again. When his saving work is completed—when the kingdom of God is fully established.
Today, we received these folks into our church, and so we are going to take this opportunity to think about the day when the kingdom of God comes in its fullness and receives all his people into his eternal kingdom.
And this passage is good for that because it tells us that on that day, we are going to be overwhelmed. It is going to be an overwhelming day. And I want us to take a few moments and just think about that. To, as it were, close our eyes and remember that this world is not our home. But we look forward to the consummation of our salvation.
When the kingdom of God comes in its fullness, we will be overwhelmed.
I. Overwhelmed by the enormous GLORY that will be revealed there
At the outset of our passage, Jesus is asked a question. A man comes up to him and askes, “How many are going to be saved? Will there only be a few who are saved?” But you’ll notice he’s asking about who will be saved.
Notice though how Jesus responds. Look down in verse 30. He says that there are going to be people who come from all over the place to recline at table in the kingdom of God. Jesus doesn’t talk about “being saved.” He talks about the kingdom of God. This is significant. He’s recognizing something of the greatness of the salvation experience. It isn’t just that they miss out of the fires, but they are brought into a whole realm.
Jesus focuses our attention on the grandeur of the world to come. He reminds us that there is a happy land wherein God dwells. We are going to be ushered into a world where God rules and reigns. We will be citizens of this kingdom and we will dwell with all the other inhabitants of that place.
In God’s kingdom there are a host of angels. Angels and archangels. We are told that there are myriads of angels, which is the Bible’s way of saying, “Gazillions.” We are going to walk in that land and have constant interaction with these celestial beings.
And remember that this idea of the kingdom of God should direct you to how blessed a place it is. From time to time we hear reports of how people have been found off the shores of Florida or some other coast. We see pictures of the rafts that were basically scraps of anything that will float sown together. Then they set out only to drift in the ocean for days and sometimes weeks. When they are found they are so sickly looking. They were willing to risk life and limb to escape places like Cuba and Haiti. They were miserable there. So miserable that they were willing to take their chances with the waves to come to America. America is regarded a place of freedom. It is a place of opportunity. It is a place where they can find hope, life, and happiness.
That is the way this kingdom of God is being talked of here. It is a glorious place—a place of salvation, a place of opportunity. It is a relief from the miserable conditions that now plague us.
God tells us that we should behold the land. Be overwhelmed by the glory of it. Recognize that it is not just another place like this, but a kingdom wherein God dwells.
II. Overwhelmed by the enormous CROWD that will be gathered there
Jesus was asked if there would be few who would enter. He takes his time in answering it. But he does answer. His answer is basically “No. There will not be a few. There will be many who are saved.”
“They will come from the east and the west, and the north and the south.” There are going to be people from all over. They are going to look like a vast multitude marching forth from every corner of the earth. Every tribe, tongue and nation will be represented there. Men and women, young and old. The living and the dead. Thousands upon tens of thousands.
Keep in mind that Jesus is here throwing a dagger into the hearts of the Jews. The man who is asking is likely asking a racist question. The Jews of Jesus’ day thought that they were the ones who were going to be saved. Maybe a few gentiles might be mixed in, but probably not that many. So when he askes if a few will be saved, he’s likely asking, “Hey, It’s just going to be us, right?”
And so he uses this directional language which is symbolic of the whole world. They will come from Europe in the North, Africa to the South, from the eastern regions of Asia and the Costs of the Americas in the west. The gospel will pervade the entire globe and all kinds of people from all kinds of places all over the face of the earth will come forth to enter that kingdom.
To be sure, we need such reminders. We are often made to think that there is only a remnant. God speaks of only 8 who were saved in the days of Noah. Elijah was concerned that he was the only one left in his day. In the early days of the church there were but 120. On down through history it goes. The Reformers were nothing more than a handful of men who had been ostracized by the church. Today we look around and wonder. We feel outnumbered and relatively few.
But Jesus gives us a reminder that on the day when he comes again, the ingathering of souls will be of such enormity that a census will be senseless. It will be a multitude so vast that no one will be able to count them all. And it will stand as an eternal testimony to just how gracious God is.
III. Overwhelmed by the enorm. RELEIF that will be experienced there
God’s people will enter their rest and be relieved of the great struggle against sin.
Jesus speaks of this at the beginning of our passage. The man asks if those who are saved will be few. Jesus answers in verse 24 by saying, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many will seek to enter, but not be able.”
Jesus sums up the Christian life with one word: strive. The Greek word is a familiar one: agonizomai, from which we get our word agonize. Jesus addresses the man with an exhortation against a lackadaisical attitude. Those who are not vigilant will not enter the kingdom.
Of course, we recognize that no one is saved by their works. But those are saved will be people who are ruthlessly striving against sin, endeavoring to be obedient, persistent in repentance, and will zealously watchful and ready to confess their shortcomings.
If you have a flippant attitude towards sin, you are obviously not filled with the fires of God’s grace.
This was the problem that Jesus was addressing. The Jews had become spiritually lethargic. They thought that they were saved based on nothing other than their heritage as Jews. They relied on their privilege place and self worth. They presumed upon promises of God and took pride in their own righteousness. All in all, they said, “I’m good enough for God.”
This is why Jesus talks about the narrow door. In a city you had large gates which you could bring your cart and carriage in, loaded with all their goods for market. But there were other doors that were smaller, just big enough for a person to get through. You couldn’t get all your stuff through there.
Jesus uses this as an example of the kind of humility it takes to get into the kingdom of God. You have to set aside your pride. You have to take the humble way. You can’t bring your ego and pomp through. All your self righteous works need to be set at the door and you need to come through as you are, with nothing.
This is the striving. Our lives are a constant struggle against pride and pomp. We strive to live humbly. We strive to repent of our sin. We strive to confess our weakness. We strive to hold to Christ.
Few be they that make it! I’ve said before, there are very few people in the world who are willing to admit when they are wrong. There are even fewer people who actually repent of those mistakes. Still fewer are there who will actually seek to make amends and offer proper restitution when it is called for.
That is the striving that characterizes our lives. It is one of painstaking humility and ardent pursuit of righteous living.
And that is why I say that in the coming kingdom we will enjoy an enormous relief. In that kingdom there will be no more striving—at least not as we now manifest it.
It is like an athlete who has completed his race. As soon as it is done he doesn’t have to maintain that same vigilance. He can enter into a state of rest.
That constant watchfulness, that struggle to repent, that vigilance we demonstrate for Christ is all going to be done. Humility and obedience will be as natural to us as breathing is.
IV. Overwhelmed by the enormous JOY that will be expressed there
Look again at verse 30. Notice the language that Jesus uses. He says that the people who are gathered into the kingdom will “recline at table.” Some of your versions may say “sit at table.” That’s fine to say, but the idea is that they are enjoying a feast. And normally when dining during a celebration they would lie on their side with the food placed before them on the floor or a small table.
And this idea of reclining—this festive posture—is emblematic of the general atmosphere that will characterize the kingdom people. They will be celebrating. They’ll be cheerful. There will be a spirit of happiness.
This is in contrast, of course, to the scene that Jesus describes just before. He talks about those who end up getting shut out of the celebration festivities. The door is slammed in their faces and locked from the inside. They cry out to the master and tell him to open the door. But he refuses, saying he doesn’t even know them. They object, saying, “Hey we partied with you in the past.” We were buds. We were friends. We used to hang out from time to time.
But he doesn’t have anything to do with them. He says, “Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” That’s the last thing that they here from God.
And it describes the pain that they end up being left with—it says that in that place there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. That’s descriptive of hell. There is nothing but sorrow and agony. The life is dismal as it is complete disappointment and rage at having been so foolish as not to really worship and follow God.
So when it talks about those coming from all over to recline at table, you see how that image of happiness is enhanced. There is a feeling of elation because you are sitting there in at blessed place, eating of the fruits of the land and enjoying the rest of the happy company.
V. Overwhelmed by the enorm. GRACE that will be evidenced there.
Verse 30 reminds us that this whole episode is all of grace.
When Jesus says, “the last will be first and the first will be last” he’s speaking of how the Jews, who had considered themselves first among all the people’s of the earth will find themselves rejected. That pride of place will be ripped out from under them.
Who are those who are last? It is, of course, the Gentiles. They were the dregs of the earth. They are people who are distant from God. They are people who are so evil that they don’t even deserve a place in line. They move to the back of the bus because they are considered unworthy of God and undeserving of any place with Him.
But Jesus says, “These guys—these are the ones who will be first. They will be the one’s who enter the kingdom of God. They are going to be ushered right to the front of the line.”
And that my friends is grace. That God would take those who are evil, that he would even look upon them with any kind of favor, is a reminder of how mercifully kind He is.
As the day of judgment comes, the doors of the kingdom of God will be opened. We will walk down the road and through the arched doorway. And we will pass by all number of people who thought they were going to have entrance. And we’ll look and say, “You mean, You chose me over him?” We will see good men and great men. Their jaws will drop in disbelief as they look at us and see that we get to enter and they do not. And our mouths will be just as wide. Our disbelief will be just as big because we’ll say, “Me? You didn’t take them? They were much better. They were much more deserving!”
And for all eternity we will have opportunity to praise the Lord and give expression to just how overwhelmed we are with gratitude.
Today, we received these folks into our church, and so we are going to take this opportunity to think about the day when the kingdom of God comes in its fullness and receives all his people into his eternal kingdom.
And this passage is good for that because it tells us that on that day, we are going to be overwhelmed. It is going to be an overwhelming day. And I want us to take a few moments and just think about that. To, as it were, close our eyes and remember that this world is not our home. But we look forward to the consummation of our salvation.
When the kingdom of God comes in its fullness, we will be overwhelmed.
I. Overwhelmed by the enormous GLORY that will be revealed there
At the outset of our passage, Jesus is asked a question. A man comes up to him and askes, “How many are going to be saved? Will there only be a few who are saved?” But you’ll notice he’s asking about who will be saved.
Notice though how Jesus responds. Look down in verse 30. He says that there are going to be people who come from all over the place to recline at table in the kingdom of God. Jesus doesn’t talk about “being saved.” He talks about the kingdom of God. This is significant. He’s recognizing something of the greatness of the salvation experience. It isn’t just that they miss out of the fires, but they are brought into a whole realm.
Jesus focuses our attention on the grandeur of the world to come. He reminds us that there is a happy land wherein God dwells. We are going to be ushered into a world where God rules and reigns. We will be citizens of this kingdom and we will dwell with all the other inhabitants of that place.
In God’s kingdom there are a host of angels. Angels and archangels. We are told that there are myriads of angels, which is the Bible’s way of saying, “Gazillions.” We are going to walk in that land and have constant interaction with these celestial beings.
And remember that this idea of the kingdom of God should direct you to how blessed a place it is. From time to time we hear reports of how people have been found off the shores of Florida or some other coast. We see pictures of the rafts that were basically scraps of anything that will float sown together. Then they set out only to drift in the ocean for days and sometimes weeks. When they are found they are so sickly looking. They were willing to risk life and limb to escape places like Cuba and Haiti. They were miserable there. So miserable that they were willing to take their chances with the waves to come to America. America is regarded a place of freedom. It is a place of opportunity. It is a place where they can find hope, life, and happiness.
That is the way this kingdom of God is being talked of here. It is a glorious place—a place of salvation, a place of opportunity. It is a relief from the miserable conditions that now plague us.
God tells us that we should behold the land. Be overwhelmed by the glory of it. Recognize that it is not just another place like this, but a kingdom wherein God dwells.
II. Overwhelmed by the enormous CROWD that will be gathered there
Jesus was asked if there would be few who would enter. He takes his time in answering it. But he does answer. His answer is basically “No. There will not be a few. There will be many who are saved.”
“They will come from the east and the west, and the north and the south.” There are going to be people from all over. They are going to look like a vast multitude marching forth from every corner of the earth. Every tribe, tongue and nation will be represented there. Men and women, young and old. The living and the dead. Thousands upon tens of thousands.
Keep in mind that Jesus is here throwing a dagger into the hearts of the Jews. The man who is asking is likely asking a racist question. The Jews of Jesus’ day thought that they were the ones who were going to be saved. Maybe a few gentiles might be mixed in, but probably not that many. So when he askes if a few will be saved, he’s likely asking, “Hey, It’s just going to be us, right?”
And so he uses this directional language which is symbolic of the whole world. They will come from Europe in the North, Africa to the South, from the eastern regions of Asia and the Costs of the Americas in the west. The gospel will pervade the entire globe and all kinds of people from all kinds of places all over the face of the earth will come forth to enter that kingdom.
To be sure, we need such reminders. We are often made to think that there is only a remnant. God speaks of only 8 who were saved in the days of Noah. Elijah was concerned that he was the only one left in his day. In the early days of the church there were but 120. On down through history it goes. The Reformers were nothing more than a handful of men who had been ostracized by the church. Today we look around and wonder. We feel outnumbered and relatively few.
But Jesus gives us a reminder that on the day when he comes again, the ingathering of souls will be of such enormity that a census will be senseless. It will be a multitude so vast that no one will be able to count them all. And it will stand as an eternal testimony to just how gracious God is.
III. Overwhelmed by the enorm. RELEIF that will be experienced there
God’s people will enter their rest and be relieved of the great struggle against sin.
Jesus speaks of this at the beginning of our passage. The man asks if those who are saved will be few. Jesus answers in verse 24 by saying, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many will seek to enter, but not be able.”
Jesus sums up the Christian life with one word: strive. The Greek word is a familiar one: agonizomai, from which we get our word agonize. Jesus addresses the man with an exhortation against a lackadaisical attitude. Those who are not vigilant will not enter the kingdom.
Of course, we recognize that no one is saved by their works. But those are saved will be people who are ruthlessly striving against sin, endeavoring to be obedient, persistent in repentance, and will zealously watchful and ready to confess their shortcomings.
If you have a flippant attitude towards sin, you are obviously not filled with the fires of God’s grace.
This was the problem that Jesus was addressing. The Jews had become spiritually lethargic. They thought that they were saved based on nothing other than their heritage as Jews. They relied on their privilege place and self worth. They presumed upon promises of God and took pride in their own righteousness. All in all, they said, “I’m good enough for God.”
This is why Jesus talks about the narrow door. In a city you had large gates which you could bring your cart and carriage in, loaded with all their goods for market. But there were other doors that were smaller, just big enough for a person to get through. You couldn’t get all your stuff through there.
Jesus uses this as an example of the kind of humility it takes to get into the kingdom of God. You have to set aside your pride. You have to take the humble way. You can’t bring your ego and pomp through. All your self righteous works need to be set at the door and you need to come through as you are, with nothing.
This is the striving. Our lives are a constant struggle against pride and pomp. We strive to live humbly. We strive to repent of our sin. We strive to confess our weakness. We strive to hold to Christ.
Few be they that make it! I’ve said before, there are very few people in the world who are willing to admit when they are wrong. There are even fewer people who actually repent of those mistakes. Still fewer are there who will actually seek to make amends and offer proper restitution when it is called for.
That is the striving that characterizes our lives. It is one of painstaking humility and ardent pursuit of righteous living.
And that is why I say that in the coming kingdom we will enjoy an enormous relief. In that kingdom there will be no more striving—at least not as we now manifest it.
It is like an athlete who has completed his race. As soon as it is done he doesn’t have to maintain that same vigilance. He can enter into a state of rest.
That constant watchfulness, that struggle to repent, that vigilance we demonstrate for Christ is all going to be done. Humility and obedience will be as natural to us as breathing is.
IV. Overwhelmed by the enormous JOY that will be expressed there
Look again at verse 30. Notice the language that Jesus uses. He says that the people who are gathered into the kingdom will “recline at table.” Some of your versions may say “sit at table.” That’s fine to say, but the idea is that they are enjoying a feast. And normally when dining during a celebration they would lie on their side with the food placed before them on the floor or a small table.
And this idea of reclining—this festive posture—is emblematic of the general atmosphere that will characterize the kingdom people. They will be celebrating. They’ll be cheerful. There will be a spirit of happiness.
This is in contrast, of course, to the scene that Jesus describes just before. He talks about those who end up getting shut out of the celebration festivities. The door is slammed in their faces and locked from the inside. They cry out to the master and tell him to open the door. But he refuses, saying he doesn’t even know them. They object, saying, “Hey we partied with you in the past.” We were buds. We were friends. We used to hang out from time to time.
But he doesn’t have anything to do with them. He says, “Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” That’s the last thing that they here from God.
And it describes the pain that they end up being left with—it says that in that place there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. That’s descriptive of hell. There is nothing but sorrow and agony. The life is dismal as it is complete disappointment and rage at having been so foolish as not to really worship and follow God.
So when it talks about those coming from all over to recline at table, you see how that image of happiness is enhanced. There is a feeling of elation because you are sitting there in at blessed place, eating of the fruits of the land and enjoying the rest of the happy company.
V. Overwhelmed by the enorm. GRACE that will be evidenced there.
Verse 30 reminds us that this whole episode is all of grace.
When Jesus says, “the last will be first and the first will be last” he’s speaking of how the Jews, who had considered themselves first among all the people’s of the earth will find themselves rejected. That pride of place will be ripped out from under them.
Who are those who are last? It is, of course, the Gentiles. They were the dregs of the earth. They are people who are distant from God. They are people who are so evil that they don’t even deserve a place in line. They move to the back of the bus because they are considered unworthy of God and undeserving of any place with Him.
But Jesus says, “These guys—these are the ones who will be first. They will be the one’s who enter the kingdom of God. They are going to be ushered right to the front of the line.”
And that my friends is grace. That God would take those who are evil, that he would even look upon them with any kind of favor, is a reminder of how mercifully kind He is.
As the day of judgment comes, the doors of the kingdom of God will be opened. We will walk down the road and through the arched doorway. And we will pass by all number of people who thought they were going to have entrance. And we’ll look and say, “You mean, You chose me over him?” We will see good men and great men. Their jaws will drop in disbelief as they look at us and see that we get to enter and they do not. And our mouths will be just as wide. Our disbelief will be just as big because we’ll say, “Me? You didn’t take them? They were much better. They were much more deserving!”
And for all eternity we will have opportunity to praise the Lord and give expression to just how overwhelmed we are with gratitude.