Breaking the Word

In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Lk 6:12-16)

Mountains were considered to be the places where God resided. Many temples were built on top of the mountains. “Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem. Jesus said to her, Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” Though Jesus went up the mountain to pray yet he was aware that God should be worshipped in truth and Spirit. Yes, Jesus spent time in prayer.

Prayer forms the foundation of his activities. After prayer he went about choosing his disciples. The disciples were the ones who continued his mission. He had chosen twelve to signify the twelve tribes of Israel. Gospels themselves did not say much about these disciples. Some of the disciples were only names in the Gospels. But certainly they had done their part in fulfilling the mission of Jesus.

He named them apostles. The name also suggests their mission. These twelve are sent. They do not go on their own. They cannot do anything for themselves or by themselves. Whatever they do must be done in the name of the one who sends them.

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)

To the question ‘How many will be save?’, Jesus did not give a direct answer. Certainly the question was about the final judgement or the last days. Jesus did not give any statistics or figures about the last days. What he gave was a stern warning about the journey towards that day.

Jesus spoke about the kingdom and welcoming people in to the kingdom. People who enter into the kingdom do not just walk in. They should have commitment to get in and they should sped energy to enter. It is like the last opportunity given to the people to enter.

People from east and west will come in to the kingdom ahead of the Israelites. This is the strange way of working of God’s grace. Chosen people do not have automatic entry. No privileges for anyone. All are equal in the sight of God and all should have the same commitment and spend same energy to enter into the kingdom.