Connected in The Word 8-19-24
Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24
It’s the first day of school here at Immanuel Lutheran in Belvidere! Hundreds of students and parents will enter the building through our main school entrance. We have many entry points into our building, but during the school year, there is a short window when the main entrance gets unlocked each morning. If you miss that narrow door from about 7:40 to 8:00, the doors will be locked and someone from inside will need to let you into the building.
Over the years I’ve made a habit of waiting by the front door for a few minutes after 8:00 because there’s always a family that got stuck in traffic or just had a slow start to the morning. They may have missed the short window to get through the unlocked doors, but we love our latecomers as well. In the verse above we are reminded that God has unlocked and OPENED WIDE the Kingdom of Heaven. I know Jesus says to enter through the “Narrow Door”, but today I want you to think about that narrow door more like a short window. God has made a way for all people to be saved through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus! It is Jesus who gets you into the Kingdom!
The door to the Kingdom stands wide open for all who believe the Good News of Jesus. However, there will be a day when that door is closed! But here’s the Good News – If you are reading this devotion today – THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN! God has promised to forgive your sin in and through Jesus. In the waters of Baptism, you died with Christ, and you were raised with Christ! If you believe the Good News of Jesus, then you can rejoice because YOU ARE IN!
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