S7E32 - Luke 13:18-35 - Proximity is Not Relationship

A tiny mustard seed turning into a sheltering tree. A pinch of leaven working through enough dough to feed a crowd. We love how Jesus uses ordinary, earthy pictures to describe the kingdom of God, because they confront our craving for spectacle and remind us that real spiritual growth often starts quietly. We talk through Luke 13:18-35 and trace how the gospel begins small, then spreads through a life until it reshapes priorities, character, and fruit.

Then the tone sharpens with a question that still hits hard: will the saved be few? Jesus doesn’t give a headcount. He gives a warning and an invitation: strive to enter through the narrow door. We dig into what that “striving” means, why the narrow gate is personal, and why being near Christian things doesn’t automatically mean knowing Christ. One line that sticks with us is simple and unsettling: proximity does not equal relationship.

We also wrestle with the tension people feel today, especially in American culture, when Jesus claims to be the only way. That exclusivity is exactly what offends, yet the invitation is radically open to all nations and people. Along the way, we connect the closing door image to Noah’s ark, talk about the urgency of repentance and faith, and end with Luke’s theme of reversal where the last become first. If you want a clear, Bible-centered conversation on salvation, the narrow gate, discipleship, and the kingdom of God, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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Transcript

Welcome Back And Setting The Scene

SPEAKER_02 0:13

What's up, Life House family? Welcome back to the Life Talk Podcast. And we are rolling into another week. Hopefully, you start your Monday with us or anytime during the week. That's the beauty of podcasts. You can listen on your schedule, and we love to put this together so that whether it's in the car or around the house or wherever it may be, you have the opportunity to tune into some good conversation. As we've talked the last few weeks, many times we're uh speaking to one another, speaking truth, and we pray that it hits your heart as well and encourages you. But we are wow into August, almost halfway through the month. Schools are opening back up. Man, I remember when we didn't start school after Labor Day, but it keeps getting earlier every year. I don't know what you guys think, but it's like uh every year. I'm like, man, I knew some friends. There's a teacher, like they're starting like July 31st, and I'm like, what happened around here? But schools are getting in session, football's around the corner, it's just that time of year, but I have a consistent crew who is dedicated to bringing you good to content. We got Jeremy Almridge back with us. Everybody knows Jeremy well by this time of the year. If they don't, they are new listeners.

SPEAKER_03 1:26

Is that right, Jeremy? Well, you know, um you didn't say QAQC, which I was surprised.

SPEAKER_02 1:31

I figured I'd give you a break last week. You know, sensed a little bit uh, you know, hey, we better uh don't worry, mate. We're still friends. We'll just bring up the dishwasher. How's that? We'll just bring up the dishwasher repair. It is a good story. Make sure you check that one out in the archives. And Rico da Silva, who took us through the R train last week, continued that going. Uh, there's a rumor. Hey, catch the R there, right? The rumor we may have some more R's this week. But what's going on, Rico? Hey, relevant.

SPEAKER_00 2:01

I I'm the I'm I'm great, thankful to be here, spreading God's word, and very great week, and we're ready to get back into it. And thank you for having me. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 2:11

And Jonathan's with us, Jonathan Bush. What's going on, man? How's things today? Great to be here. Great to be here. That's a man of time.

SPEAKER_01 2:19

I am sad about the uh summer ending, but it's all right. That's right.

SPEAKER_02 2:23

I'll make do. That's right. Back to being Professor Jonathan Bush. What's the are you are we allowed to are you a professor in the flight school or what's the appropriate title here? Instructor. Instructor. Okay. Instructor. Jonathan Bush with us today.

Kingdom Pictures With Seed And Leaven

SPEAKER_02 2:36

So but man, we are going to be continuing in chapter 13 today, talking about the narrow gate as well as some other important things we can learn and jumping right in. So, Jonathan, what do we see in where we picked up from last week in chapter 13?

SPEAKER_01 2:52

Yeah, absolutely. So, for all of you that are listening, uh, we're chapters 13. We'll be covering today, basically the second half, starting in verse 18. And, you know, I didn't want to feel left out, I guess, or whatever. And I know some of you like alliteration, so put the peer pressure on you. Broke it into three sections here. Yep, you know, and quiet rain, great rescue, and uh great reversal. So that's what we'll be looking at today. And in this section, it's interesting because kind of Luke's account is this step-by-step account of the Lord or of the life of Jesus and you know, going from his birth all the way through his crucifixion and resurrection. And here we're kind of reached a point where we get one of the first opportunities to basically hear about the kingdom of God. Because part of what God is doing is he's training his disciples. You know, I know Jeremy, we've been talking, one of the things you you're passionate about is discipleship. And really, Jesus is the first example of discipleship that we see with his disciples, you know, the apostles who'd be the apostles. And he's using like what we've been going over these last few weeks is part of just his intentional effort to help them have the right sight picture so that when he is gone and the spirit comes, they're ready. And ultimately, though, it's it's interesting because one of the things that we'll kind of look at here that that is you know at seminary or is a theological concept is the idea uh when we talk about the uh kingdom of God, is the idea that it is here but not yet. You know, the kingdom of God has come, but you know, it's not fulfilled until Christ returns. So let's uh just read real quick uh the first few verses here. Uh we'll look at this great or quiet rain. And it says in verse 18, he said, Therefore, what is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? Is it like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nest in its branches? And he said again, To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? Is it like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flower until it was all leavened? So I can imagine to some extent, probably his disciples are scratching their head, you know, why are we talking about a mustard seed? I mean, I guess why not? But I think to some level, it's he's uh what Jesus does is he creates these great visual pictures of what, you know, conceptually of what the kingdom of heaven's like. He's not describing the physical nature of heaven, but he's describing in this part, it's not going to be until chapters uh about 17 or so to what you know when he says that my kingdom is coming. But he's starting to introduce the concept of all this teaching is is tying back into what God's kingdom is, and really what focuses me on you know, why am I doing this? You know, kind of like I know Nate with with the why. Why why am I doing this is because, well, God is going to return, his kingdom will come. And we we've had it's you know talk foreshadowing and kind of in the old testament from uh the the the Davidic kingdom on, we see that that you know the kingdom imagery is something that's all throughout scripture, and really here is where we're seeing it, it's it's culminating in Christ. And as the Son of God, how that is, you know, it's it's one it's it's further emphasis that he is the Son of God, you know, that that he is part of the Trinity. And so with this seed, you know, it's kind of like, okay, so what does the seed mean? Or what does this leaven mean? The the seed in part is that we is that it it is a very small seed. At the time, it's probably the smallest seed that they knew of, you know, and and yet it still would come in great and and end up with these great bushes or trees, eight to twelve feet tall. And and then also leaven, likewise, it didn't take a whole lot of leaven in bread to to be effective to make it rise. In fact, well, when it talks about three measures, that would actually feed about a hundred people. So not a whole lot. I'm just I'm imagining about three handfuls or so, but that could, you know, about a hundred people worth loaves of bread for about a hundred people. I mean, that's not insignificant. I I baked some bread in some bread machines, that's one loaf. I can't imagine a hundred of those. But but ultimately, I think in part what he's starting to introduce, what Christ is is sharing with them is that what they're visioning isn't what isn't how his kingdom is gonna come. They're thinking, hey, you know what, you've heard this this Christ, is he the Messiah? Well, what what do we need saving from at this time? Well, it's the Romans. They're thinking that there's gonna be a political something happening directly with the the state of politics, and what he is saying here is is what he's helping them to see is no, that's not that's not the case. So with this already and not yet, and you know, kind of looking at the last days, you know, and where I'm at or where we're at, you know, an application in that, what expectations am I playing placing on Christ and his return and my part of that, you know, with all that we've been talking over these last few weeks, uh, you know, is there is there something in in kind of that I have in my mind that's keeping me with with the coming kingdom of Christ?

SPEAKER_02 8:37

Yeah, I think two things as you were talking through that, and what's interesting, Jesus using leaven here, which he warned against the leaven of the Pharisees, you know, a couple weeks ago we talked about hypocrisy and how it's those little things, those little beliefs that will spread their way through our life. And I think that's the gospel. Everything like you're saying is kind of a quiet way, you know, we we come to faith, but then it's going to permeate all areas of our life. You know, that's the idea. It's really going to spread out. And of course, we've been talking the last few weeks about response, you know, back to back. So let's bring it up three weeks in a row, you know, like the mustard seed that you talk about, it's not going to stay small. Like it will respond. We've talked about fruit the last several weeks. You know, truly the gospel, the kingdom, just like you're talking about, it's significant, even if it starts small. Like it's going to grow within us and it's going to become something that is really what our life is built on. And I think that's what I see in these passages as well.

SPEAKER_00 9:40

Well, I I truly like how Jesus uses this powerful in pointing many things that we already know in scripture. Uh, we can see this same uh explanation yet different on what is the significance of muster seed. Right. We can see that in Matthew 1720 about faith. Well it's faith. And if you look at that, how he explains here this is how the kingdom of heaven is looks like, it starts with something small that eventually I like your word and I use it, Mrs. Nathan, permeate throughout the world. So I love how it's so simplistic how he puts it that it's so small, it's not that you have to do something big, it's not that you have to respond to something flamboyant to be it. It starts small. It starts with a belief, it starts with you asking the right questions. It's like, hey, what is the kingdom of God looks like? Well, it starts small. Starts with believe, muster seed, believe, small thing, what eventually is going to uh grow into something big. So I like how in that in the second uh parable how kind of how you mention is he compares that to uh the living, right? And and it's it's so clever to see that because everything that he's comparing this in those two parables, it doesn't take a rocket science to understand that hey, this is small things. Why why you focusing on something that is big? Why you focus on something that it needs to be studied in a way that you have to repeatedly go back to seek the answer? No, it's here, it's now it's small. Listen to what I'm saying. I came here, and the only thing that I want you to do is believe in what is already put into scripture, something small. So, back to your point. I truly believe that this is like you mentioned at the beginning, Jesus is drawing near to Calvary. So now he's transitioning from okay, guys, listen, I already know see the things above, do this, do that. The kingdom of heaven is here, and this is how the kingdom of heaven is like.

Strive To Enter The Narrow Door

SPEAKER_01 12:15

So uh if we uh continue on with uh this thought in God's kingdom We can see in verses 22 excuse me, uh yeah, 22. So it continue on there, it says, And he went on his way through towns and villages teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem. And said and some said to him, Lord, will those who are saved be few? And he said to them, Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many I tell you will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us, then he will answer you, I do not know where you come from. Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets. But he will say, I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, you all you workers of evil. In that place there will be a weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west and from north and south and recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And so we go from, you know, he introduces the kingdom of God with, you know, it's not what you think, it's it's not gonna be me overthrowing the uh Romans, at least at this point, you know, as as a as a king here on earth. I have a his uh mission's much different, but they ask you, you know, I I I call it the great rescue kind of question mark. Great rescue, what? Because the question is, well, like the the question is negative in the context, they say, well, will those who are saved be few? You know, not that much many will be saved, but it's you know, kind of what you're telling us that that's hard teaching, teacher. Like, I don't know if many can probably talking amongst themselves, like I we can't do this. And so is it few? And and he doesn't answer in a oh yes or no. What he answers in is uh a set of three warnings. And if we see there, the first is in verse 24 strive and enter through the narrow door, and it involves that if we look in uh chapter 17, 3, basically, and as we know, what is the gospel or what how how do we re how are we saved? Well, it's through repentance and faith. And and so you know, I think we talked about just last month on Sunday, that you know, many people stumble because they can't accept the fact that it's only through faith in Christ that I'm saved. And and that's what he's in the process of doing, right? He's going to the cross. So he he's talking about this narrow door is gonna be through me. And so focusing on that. And then he also warns about how in verses 25 to 27 and talking about how they're knocking now and they're outside, but the door has been shut. And and they'll say, Hey, we we we sat at your feet, we ate with you, we listened to your teaching, but he's he's gonna say, I do not know you, you're you're evil, depart from me. And part of that is is you know, looking at you can think of the parable of the the field, you know, that produces fruit, and then you have the rocky soil and the path and all these other soils, these heart conditions where people heard the word, they they had the seed, but it didn't take root. And and we see here too that Jesus is is one of the first or an area here where he is the son of God, he has authority to pass judgment. He he can literally say, Depart from me. And then finally, uh we we see that the those that are left out are you know basically describes hell, weeping and gnashing of teeth. But then it also talks about heaven and you know his kingdom, who will be there? It will be Abraham, his Isaac, Jacob, it'll be the prophets, those who listen to the prophets. But it's kind of cool here, though, then it also talks about from the northeast, east and west, and north and south. I mean, it's talking about outside of just Israel, and you know, really the highlighting the first time of Gentiles also being included in this kingdom. And so I guess you know, looking at this narrow door, what you know the gospel isn't complex, guys, but what is it, why is it that you know a narrow door makes it so difficult to you know come to Christ?

Why Exclusivity Offends Our Culture

SPEAKER_03 17:00

Well, as you know, is something that like to add on to was something that Rico you said, and I think Jonathan, like a Jesus is on his way like towards Jerusalem, and it's like his time is becoming more and more short. And so he says, you know, strive. And if you look at that word in the Greek, it actually is like fairly certain it's the where you where we get our word agonize or uh because the word is like agonizomai, right? So it's not talking about an effort, we can't be saved by our own effort, but he's talking about the urgency because his time is like he's on his way to complete his work, and and the urgency that we need you need to and you need to understand this. Enter the enter the narrow gate. Enter the narrow door. And that narrow door is is a personal thing. Like we we can't enter it together. Like you have to enter the narrow door, and I have to enter the narrow door. I can't you know, my kids aren't gonna be able to be okay because I entered the narrow door. Everyone has to make that that that that journey to enter that door. And the other thing we can see in this is like when you were talking about like you know, we ate at your table. Like one of the things that stood out to me was like proximity does not equal relationship. Like we can be like you can be around Jesus, you can know the things about Jesus, but you cannot have a relationship. It's possible to have not have a relationship.

SPEAKER_02 18:33

I think it's you know, the gospel is so offensive to our culture because it is exclusive. And a lot of people miss that it's the most inclusive, exclusive way. Because exactly like you pointed, north, south, east, west, like the gospel is open to all people, to all nations. You know, it's a free gift, yet people are offended by the fact that Jesus is saying, I'm the only way, you know, the way, the truth, and the life. Because human beings fallen, broken, want to be in control. We want to find our own way, we want to determine our own fate, future, whatever it is. And so I think, especially in the United States, where we have this just individualistic, you know, mindset, which resulted in great freedom. We love our country and the freedom that we have, but it also has this idea that, well, we should all be able to find our own path, you know, and it just all being inclusive. So I think that hinders a lot of people from finding that gate a lot of times. And like you said, Jeremy, like there should be agonizing over that, but yet a lot of times there isn't, unfortunately.

Noah’s Ark Warning And Urgency

SPEAKER_00 19:38

I had to look at the correlation between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Usually you remind me of a story that we're going to elaborate on this, and there's a correlation between these verses and great analogy on that, on this tribe and what this tribe me means in the Hebrew, uh, Jeremy. And the stronger point, this remind me of what happened in the Old Testament with Noah's Ark. And if we look at it, let's look at let's look at the similarities. I don't want you to be theology ready to crucify me, but just just take a look at this.

SPEAKER_02 20:22

Remember, no heresy on the high person.

SPEAKER_00 20:24

100%. Rebuke me if you need to, but let's look at it. Strive to enter through the narrow door and look. Noah's Ark. There was only one God ordained way of salvation, the ark. Many will seek to enter and will not be able. Look, many ignored Noah's preaching until it was too late. The master of the house has risen and shut down the door. Look, God Himself shut down the door of the ark. Genesis 7 16. People stand outside knocking. Those outside the ark perish once the flood came. I do not know where you come from. Many knew Noah, but never believed God. Warning. And the last one, weeping and gnashing of teeth. Look, just came suddenly up in the unbelieving world. So this right here, this is so evident that when we look at scripture, this is not nothing new. This is something that has been written already. This is a warning. This we I mean, if you're listening, this is this is a call not to just respond, but this is a call to action. Less action on what's happening in this text that we still have time. The door is gonna shut down. The the the place in where a strife on the narrow gate. This is narrow. If you are a thinker that you can do this on your own, there's no way biblically that preach that. And if you are taking notes, and again, we're going back to a respond, respond, readiness. We're going back to the other lyrics or things, uh, servanthood. But this is something that it really impacting me right now, live. That hey, the doors is gonna shut that. It can be now, it can be as we're making this podcast. How many of those people not even gonna have a millisecond to say, oh, it's a wrap, it's done. So for you to go into this and for the Lord to just open my eyes to something that is biblically been here all this time, and we still see people perishing because of their pride or whatever they're going through. This is this needs to be speak on. The kingdom of God is at hand, and my recommendation is repent because the time is near.

SPEAKER_01 23:04

Absolutely well said. The time is now. We that we don't, you know, do not wait a day, do not wait another second. If if you do not know Christ as your Lord and Savior, uh now is the time to repent and be saved. And it's it's a simple gospel, it's just essentially believe, confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe, and you will be saved. But it's I think part of it, it's interesting because I think some of it just as as creatures of time, you know, we are limited because we everything is just what's in our face, what's here and now. Like I liked how you use the example of Noah and the Ark, because that's a great correlation of where Jesus is you know talking about this example, you know, you almost could put Noah in there, but on their side of time, they're like, We've never had a flood. What are you talking about? What is this boat? Why do I need a boat? That's dumb. And they're and again, it kind of gets back to Genesis 3. What was the fall of man? It was pride. You know, the the question that Satan posed was, Well, did God really say? Is it are you not better for without God? And the answer is obviously no, but but they fell, and it's impacted us all since. And so now we're in a state where we need you know this great rescue. Yes. And it's frustrating at times because it's like we can see it. But the problem in part is I think sometimes it's it's that people in sin, you don't see the waves that are just around the corner, you don't see the the storm that's coming. And yes, Noah's Ark and the Great Flood was in the past. Whole nother podcast we could have. Look at the historical context of that. But today, though, what we have is God has come, he's died, he's been resurrected, he's at the right hand of God preparing a place for us. And so now we're looking forward to when he returns. But that hasn't happened yet. And that's I think again, getting back to time where it's tough because we just most people think look outside, okay, it's a hot summer, 2026. Where's this God you're talking about? I'm a pretty good guy. I don't need this. What do you mean it's only only through Christ? Get out of here. You know, it's just uh there there's all these other excuses, and it's not, and then at some point in time, Christ will return, and that is it. The door will close. The door will close, and there's nothing we can do. All right. Well, we need to on that positive note, at least.

SPEAKER_00 26:03

That's to marinate. That's to really marinate because that that that correlation, Jonathan, is is for for you, the listener. Again, words of encouragement. I I was talking to myself, by the way. So don't get offended if you are taking with the Lord.

SPEAKER_02 26:20

Rico just has this running dialogue. We just get to listen to it on a weekly basis.

SPEAKER_00 26:25

No, because sometimes people walk around me and they look at me kind of faces. They're listening to the we do that too. It's okay.

SPEAKER_03 26:32

We're friends here on the podcast. It's a privilege to listen to your internal dialogue.

SPEAKER_00 26:37

Thank you very much. And just for the record, you have the people here who they're very steward of God's word and they correct me when they have to, they're brothers in Christ, and I accept full responsibility. But things like this, in where I read that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. They will, not that they could be, they will. The warning is already presented in front of us. When you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and your self-trust and out, right, they will come from the east and for the west. So, meaning, it's not only people is gonna come from everywhere around, but guess what? It's a narrow gate. So if you think that when you read something like this and you take it out of context, oh, a lot of people is gonna be there. I believe in God, I'm gonna be there. There's gonna be national teacher like, didn't we proclaim your name? Didn't we profess your name? Didn't we uh proclaim your name in front of people? I never knew you. Right? And just to for not taking out of context, just to stay in this context, this is what for me, uh the weeping and gnashing of teeth. How many of people that we know are going to be this category? Pause. And I give it back to each other.

SPEAKER_01 28:01

And it's it's a sobering, it's a very sobering thing to think about. Hopefully it's it's something that gives us motivation to not be silent, to share the gospel, to to love and pray for those we we aren't sure, right? Maybe they never heard that and and we pray that they would. But it's also there's a level I think here with that that it's it's got God has to do it. His spirit has to has to be able to is the one that that seals our heart. He he is the one that react creates this work. So, you know, whether it's someone that's very close to you, whether it's a child, a spouse, whatever, we just gotta go to God. We gotta trust God in that. And it's and the good thing, like you were saying, Nate, it's open to all. You know, we all have sinned, yeah, but Christ came for all, he died for all. And so it's a it's a good thing. It it's a it's a good thing to to see. Any other thoughts, sir, before we move on?

SPEAKER_02 29:06

We could almost wrap on that, but we better finish the chapter here. That's good.

SPEAKER_01 29:10

All right. I'm getting I'm getting the hook. No.

The Great Reversal Last Becomes First

SPEAKER_01 29:14

Well, let's finish up the chapter, and uh we'll finish up with the great reversal. And really, this is just kind of Jesus' teaching from when we you know looking at the Sermon on the Mount, you know, and the in the Gospels to just in the last few weeks with you know what what the world says versus what Christ is is saying. And it really kind of concludes in in verse 30, although we'll we'll hit the the following. But he says, and behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. Uh, this is also in Matthew 19, 30. The first will be last, the last will be first. And you know, the concept is isn't just that, oh, I'm gonna be last then so I can be first, or you know, don't be first because I may end up last. But the idea is just that you know what the world says, I tell you that actually the case is, you know, blessed is the poor in spirit, you know, for theirs is the kingdom of God. And what we focus on in and kind of in regards to this, like what you were talking about, Rico, it's it's heavy, you know, the the idea that people will go to hell. There will be people in hell that that that basically did not accept Christ, you know, did not accept what what Christ had done for us in the spirit. And but we have the idea though is that we have a loving God, and it's not loving in that he's gonna allow anything because he is a just God, but he is he is generous above and beyond what we can imagine, and just what he does have will pale in comparison to what we don't. And so, you know, and I think too, we'll we'll again trying to wrap up here is realize Luke, part of what he's doing in emphasizing God's love, he's also highlighting those that were kind of overlooked during the time, whether it was the poor, you know, talking about tax collectors, outcasts, sinners, women, Samaritans, you know, and Gentiles, even, you know, with where where we concluded with that, that even the Gentiles are going to be in his kingdom. And and I think Luke, you know, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in part, part is bringing that up with what's going on here and understanding that part of what we need to be on mission for is for those that are overlooked. Yes, I I strongly want my kids and family in immediate, right? But there's probably people across that we can say that are poor, otherwise overlooked, that are also on come across my path that I need to be on mission too, and to love them as well. And what is loving them? Well, giving them the gospel. Um, and so just finishing up here with

Herod, Jerusalem, And Jesus’ Lament

SPEAKER_01 32:04

that. So the idea of of uh am I loving God's people? And then it kind of concludes just with understanding is he's warned, Jesus is warned, well, hey, you're heading to Jerusalem. Just be aware, Herod, he's out to kill you. He he's trying to plot to get you. And I kind of like Jesus' response because it's a little ironical. He's like, Well, who's Herod? You know, who's that fox? I think next time I have someone I disagree with, I'll go, Oh, there's the fox. But just the idea of someone that's cunning. Foxes were known to be cunning, you know, kind of saying one thing, doing another. But he's warning somewhat with his disciples, but at the same time, in point, kind of coming back to, well, where is Jesus headed? Jesus is headed to the cross, he's headed to to crucifixion, but ultimately resurrection, and and that is gonna start in Jerusalem. And so uh we'll we'll end up there in a little bit. We still got a few more weeks to go, but ultimately, uh like you know, I have um how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not, behold, your house is forsaken, and I will tell you, you will not see me until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The idea is is like I'm here, I'm doing this. There's a lot of you that it that's not gonna agree, but but it but it will I will come again, you know. I believe this last piece isn't just the the triumphant entry. I I believe this is also in reference to when he returns in glory.

SPEAKER_02 33:42

So it's a real key theme of Luke, you know, Jerusalem, like you point out, like Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. And so, like, yeah, Herod's not gonna thwart, you know, your theme of the kingdom as you start off. Like, Herod's not gonna stop the kingdom, you know. People who reject, that's not going to stop the kingdom. You know, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to accomplish what he came to accomplish, and that's gonna happen. And so you can believe and enter that narrow door and and take that and you know have life, or you can reject it and unfortunately have death. And it's C.S. Lewis who said there's two kinds of people, those who say to God, Thy will be done, who submit and accept the gospel, and there'll be those where God says to them, Thy will be done. You know, so a lot of people get upset saying, Why would a good God send people to hell? And and that's what we're seeing here of the kingdom is no, you send yourself to hell, because if you reject Christ and and you don't have a love through him for God, then heaven ain't a place for you. You're so self-centered, it's not gonna be a self-centered place. But guess what will be? Hell will be a very self-inflicted punishment that unfortunately will be experienced by many.

SPEAKER_00 35:01

It's amazing how this is relative, and we're gonna get there, but but but we're living on on time, and this really is an example that any anybody who encountered Jesus, they had a chance to respond. And this is a challenge for every listener that be careful of your pasture of your heart when you see people. And I leave you with this as we get in there, but as Jesus got crucified, there's two people beh beside him, left right. I'm not gonna go to the whole story because we will get there. But for the men and the son of God to say, tonight you will be with me in paradise that speak volumes, that the gospel is live on anybody who has breath in their lungs. So be careful that your motives speak volumes to him. Don't be the cause super Christian that you cannot pray for somebody and leave it to God in order for him to transform. Because it wasn't somebody that told you to get saved, it was somebody's testimony that through them you got saved that God did the work. So this right here, the narrow gate is for everybody. But there will be national thief at the end, and I'm so grateful for that story of the person who was at the left of him or the right to him, and where tonight he will be in heaven and the gospel has to be to respond.

SPEAKER_03 36:52

I I like what you're saying, Rico, and and you know, in this passage we see Jesus moving towards Jerusalem and and lamenting for the loss. And you and Nate, you had you pointed out like opposition is not gonna stop God's kingdom. But we also see Jesus, Jesus grieving over the lost. And so, and when you Rico, you you draw drew this to my mind, like we should are we should continue to you know not not view a person as as unsavable, right? Like, and so and we should continue to keep inviting, keep encouraging, keep pouring into those people, and you know, when when God opens those doors and those opportunities, take that opportunity to share God's love with them.

Final Challenge And Listener Next Steps

SPEAKER_02 37:37

Well, some heavy stuff, right, Rico, heavy, heavy stuff, heavy, but God's word is deep, and so yeah, if you have not entered through the narrow gate, if you were not confident that we regularly encourage you. Thanks for tuning in to the Life Talk Podcast. If this episode encouraged you, please be sure to like, comment, subscribe, and leave a review so others can find this content as well. And we'll look forward to seeing you next Monday for another great episode.