Breaking the Word

 He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." (Lk 13:22-30)

Jesus travelled through the towns and villages. He was only passing through them. He never pitched his tent in anyone of the villages and towns. His journey was to end in Jerusalem. Towns and villages were only leading him to Jerusalem. He was sure of his destination. He had set his goal and destination. They were always on focus. All the rest were only means or in the passing.

The question about salvation was not answered directly by Jesus. Jesus was not bothered about how many would be saved. His teaching and concern were about how to be saved. He was teaching them the ways and means of salvation. Salvation is like entering into a house. Entry is restricted. Only those who enter are saved others would be even recognized when they knock at the door.

Patriarchs and Prophets are there in the kingdom. People who think that they would join them because of their allegiance may not find themselves in their midst. But people who have not link with them and not allegiance with them might find themselves in the kingdom. Physical allegiance and closeness to the forefathers and prophets are in no way guarantee for the entry. Entry inot the kingdom is only through personal following.

Then he said, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and 'the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'" Again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed (in) with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened."   (Luke 13:18-21)

Jesus preached about the kingdom. Teaching about the kingdom was his main topic in his preaching ministry. His preaching was also in parables. Parables were the main means of explain about the kingdom. He preached in parables because he wanted the ordinary poor people to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. He did not speak in legal terms or in norms.

One of the comparisons was with the mustard seed. Mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds and most insignificant and it was not the essential. However it was useful when it grew up to be a big tree. Kingdom was like that. In its beginning the kingdom was not seen as worthwhile and useful. It was also most insignificant in the sight of many leaders of the society. Its usefulness will be seen when it would have grown into a big tree.

Kingdom is like the yeast. Yeast’s presence in the flour is not known and not noticed. Its activity is known only by the passing of time. Time will reveal the presence of the yeast and the usefulness of the yeast. Yeast will make the whole dough into ready for bread. Kingdom likewise will not be seen by human means but its effect will be seen in the course of time. Kingdom is active and effective in the course of history.