“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28-29 NLT).
As Jesus was teaching in the towns and villages on His way to Jerusalem, someone asked Him how many would be saved. His answer must have been surprising to His Jewish hearers. For most of them thought that just being Jewish was enough. They were children of Abraham. They were circumcised on the eighth day. They went to the Temple for Jewish festivals. They were God’s chosen people. Surely, if anyone would enter the Kingdom, it would be them. But Jesus warned that many would knock at the door of the Kingdom, yet not be allowed entrance because the Lord would reply, “I don’t know you.”
Jesus named three individuals specifically that would definitely be found in the Kingdom–– Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This would not have surprised His Jewish audience. Of course they would be included. Then He said all the prophets would be there. “OK, that makes sense.” They must’ve thought, although there were quite a few that they didn’t listen to in that group. But finally, Jesus said that people from “all over the world” would be represented in the Kingdom. That was a big surprise!
“You mean people from Ninevah and Babylon?” They must have wondered. “Philistines and Moabites too?” They must have questioned. “Why in the world would you let them in and keep us out?” They must have asked.
Jesus had already given them the answer. They had to “know” Him and be known by Him. Being born Jewish was not enough. “You must be born again!” He told Nicodemus (John 3:7). Only those who have been born again of the Spirit will be found in the Kingdom of God.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, through whom we have been born again and adopted into Your family. We are citizens of Your Kingdom forever by Your grace through faith in Jesus. Strengthen us to live as Your ambassadors in this world today. In Jesus’ name, amen.