Scripture (KJV) – Luke 13:25
“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:”
Reflection
There is a dangerous idea that many people carry through life: “I have plenty of time.”
Plenty of time to get serious about God. Plenty of time to repent. Plenty of time to receive Jesus Christ. Plenty of time to think about eternity later.
But Jesus warns us that the door will not always remain open.
In Luke 13, someone asked Jesus whether only a few would be saved. Jesus turned the question into something personal. Instead of satisfying curiosity about everyone else, He warned His listeners about their own need to enter while the opportunity remained.
Then He described a frightening moment: the door was shut.
The people outside wanted entrance then. They knocked then. They called Him “Lord” then.
But the opportunity had passed.
That should cause every person to think seriously about eternity.
God is patient and merciful. He gives people opportunities to hear the Gospel, repent, and receive Jesus Christ. But God’s patience should never be mistaken for a promise that we will always have another opportunity.
None of us knows when our final day will come.
There is also an important warning here about merely being familiar with Jesus. A person can know about Christ without truly belonging to Christ. Church attendance, Christian parents, religious traditions, or knowing Bible verses cannot substitute for personally receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.
The most frightening words in this passage are not spoken by the people outside the door.
They are spoken by the One inside:
“I know you not.”
Imagine reaching eternity and realizing that you knew about Jesus your entire life but never truly came to Him for salvation.
That is why the Gospel is urgent.
Jesus Christ died upon the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Salvation is available through Him today. There is forgiveness for the guilty, mercy for the sinner, and eternal life for those who place their faith in Christ.
If you already know Jesus as Savior, this Scripture should give you a greater burden for those who do not. There are people around us who may believe they have plenty of time.
Tell them about Jesus while the door is still open.
And if you have never trusted Christ, do not keep postponing the most important decision of your life.
The door of salvation is open today. Do not wait until eternity to discover that it has been shut.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience, mercy, and the salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ. Help me never take another day or another opportunity for granted. Give me a greater burden for those who are lost and the courage to tell them about Jesus while there is still time. I pray for those who know about Christ but have never personally trusted Him as Savior. Bring conviction through the Holy Spirit and help them understand the urgency of salvation. Keep me faithful, watchful, and ready, remembering that this life is temporary and eternity is forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
