Luke 13. 25[1]. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: As time goes on I am more and more impressed with the need of basing our gospel messages upon passages of scripture rather than on texts isolated from the context. Here we see our Lord is approaching Jerusalem and conversing with people He meets and contacts and we have a record of various statements made by him and questions He asks, and some answers. In verses 18 & 20 He asks Himself questions and answers them Himself, no doubt whatever, it is done for the benefit of those who gather around Him. Please note the first concerns a man and his garden and the second a woman and her kitchen and both concern the Kingdom of God, and the question is. Unto what is the Kingdom of God like? Now let us examine the question. A kingdom is something wherein a king’s ruling, and his government is acknowledged, and his people obey. Now He answers His own question. It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and cast into his garden and it became a great tree, and the case of the kitchen. It is like leaven hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. There was no half measures, the whole was leavened.. and in the garden the mustard tree waxed a great tree, and I think we can visualize the tree taking up so much space that there is room for little else, and even if there is space the fowls of the air are there to spoil it. So that the wise person of either sex would hesitate, and count the cost[2]. Can the gardener afford the space for the tree[3]? Does the cook desire the whole three measures of meal to be leavened? This can be illustrated from experience, easily. And it can also be spiritualized as easily. Is it necessary to be an extremist? Is it necessary to give up the control of my life to another? Why should a tree control all that is happening in the garden? Should a tree be king? Should a little leaven influence the whole of my food? What is at the back of these questions which may appear very foolish to many? I will answer my own question. It is the desire for self-government[4]. Now just take notice of verse 22. Our Lord went through the villages & cities, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem, and in v. 34, our Lord sums up the state of that city with these words. “I would”. “Ye would not” self-willed and arrogant and He sums up the tenor and tone of His own most blessed life in v. 33. Nevertheless I must walk today etc. and here we find two extremes. Jerusalem and all her people bent on their own way. Jerusalem’s rightful King ever engaged in doing the will of His Father even though that will was to suffer at the hands of men even to the death of the cross. Now let us go back to v 23 and we find a question Lord are there few that be saved? Are there few or many, that are willing, to die to selfish aims and purposes and to give up the whole garden to the tree, or the whole of the three measures of meal to the leaven. And this question is a very up to date one in view of what has been happening at Wembly (sic), Glasgow and throughout our beloved land[5]. Many are asking are there so many, or there only few that are genuine[6] and our Lord’s answer is applicable today as then Strive to enter into the strait gate. I regard this answer is practically the same as that given to Peter in John 21 when he said to the Lord “What shall this man “John” do. Do you remember what our Lord said to him “If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee. Follow thou me. Do not trouble about the Johns around you, if by doing so you forget the only one you are responsible for. Do not trouble about the sincerity or otherwise of those who came out and stood in the rain on that stretch of turf at Wembly, untill you yourself are safely inside the strait gate. It is necessary that you should be earnest about that, because many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able. You ask me. Is it not open to all? Yes thank God it is, at the present time but we know not how soon the Master of the House will rise up and shut [to] the door[7]. When that happens it will be too late. It is a strait gate and that means a narrow gate. And I would like to remind you that it is not wide enough to admit much luggage. Many will find themselves outside because they have not been willing to part with their luggage. I once had a holiday in Brighton and was surprised to find in one or two of its back streets such an array of secondhand goods, suitable for people on holiday and was told that a good many people had spent more on holiday than they intended and was glad to replenish their wallets by the sale of some of their clothes & baggage, and in some cases it was necessary [it was necessary] to get back home. Are you prepared to part with some of the things that will not be admitted to that strait gate. The word strive is agonize, be in real earnest. And let me say this: To be left outside means to be lost eternally, shut out of heaven and shut into hell. I do not like this word but it is God’s word. This is a road and a gate.
[1] Actually verse 24. A surprising mistake but the whole address gives signs of being hurriedly written, it is, for instance, only five pages long rather than the normal six. It appears he does not preach again until August, maybe he was ill and struggled to fulfill this engagement after which he convalesced for a few months.
[2] see Luke 14:28
[3] Clearly a reading of the text influenced by his profession as a gardener
[4] A key and recurring theme
[5] March 21-April 30 1955 was Billy Graham's All Scotland Crusade a monumental event that saw more than 2.5 million people attend the meetings at Kelvin Hall, Hampden Park and across Scotland over the course of six weeks in 1955 www.billygrahamlibrary.org/from-the-bookshelf-of-billy-graham-march-2015. Billy Graham continued on to London and Wembley Stadium for a week-long Crusade. It rained every single night except the last, which happened to be the coldest night of the year! The weather didn’t hamper the crowds, though, as more than 450,000 turned out, and nearly 24,000 made a commitment to Christ. http://billygrahamlibrary.org/crusade-city-spotlight-london/
[6] The syntax is jumbled but the meaning is clear – do these decisions at large crusades lead to lifelong commitment. Lloyd was clearly aware of people who found the razzmatazz of a Billy Graham crusade questionable, but he remains supportive. For the relationship between the Brethren and Billy Graham see Tim Grass Gathering to His Name pp 364-367
[7] Luke 13. 25