The unashamedly exclusive Jesus UNIQUELY creates a beautifully diverse people
Jesus is unashamedly exclusive
‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door’, commands Jesus in Luke 13:24. Can you see the exclusivity there? Jesus does not believe that all roads lead to Rome. Or that all paths get you to the top of the mountain. He is saying: one narrow door gets you in.
One narrow door gets you in, and by implication, all other doors leave you out. Even if they make you feel like you are going somewhere.
Or consider when Jesus says: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6). That is pretty clear, isn’t it? And so, as I read through Acts in my morning devotions, I should not be surprised that the first disciples of Jesus are said to belong to 'the Way’ (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14).
We may not like the fact that Jesus is exclusive. That he considers himself the only way to salvation and restored relationship with God. It may irk us as culturally insensitive and politically incorrect. But even if we do not like it, hopefully we can still be clear that it was (and is) Jesus’ position.
Jesus creates a beautifully diverse people
I’m preaching Luke 13:22-30 online this coming Friday for ‘The Bible Talks KZN’. And as I wrestle with Jesus’ command in verse 24 (‘make every effort to enter through the narrow door’), it seems to me that we struggle with Jesus' instruction because we struggle with the nature of God’s kingdom.
And that is where Jesus takes us at the end of this teaching in Luke 13 - he shows us three things about the Kingdom of God. And the second is that God’s kingdom is global. That is to say, it is for all people. Look at 13:29:
‘They will come from east and west, from north and south, to share in the banquet.’
One of the points I will make in the sermon is that while the way is narrow and exclusive, it is a door into a wide and beautiful banquet open to all people. Because they will come, what does it say? ‘From the east and the west and from the north and the south’.
The unashamedly exclusive Jesus UNIQUELY creates a beautifully diverse people
But there is more to explore here. And it’s this: what Jesus does, he does and is able to do uniquely.
In other words: Jesus is able to be both exclusive and open. He is narrow and restrictive: we can only come to and through him for restored relationship with our God and Creator. BUT… as we come to him, he is able to hold together some of our differences and distinctions in a way that sees them shine, rather than destroyed.
In this he can do what religions try to do, but can not. That is to say: religions make their own doors, they have their own exclusive claims. BUT, they can not create the same diverse global banquet found only in Jesus.
Let me give you some examples:
Consider Islam that often makes the traditional marker of a devout Muslim to be one with a dress code. Or holds that a single language (Arabic) is better and above all others when it comes to worship and revelation.
So in Islam if there was a banquet, never mind a monolithic uniform, there is also only one language authorised to engage God with (or to hear from him in). Whereas with Jesus, bring it on! Tutaongea Swahili; we will speak English; sizokhuluma isiZulu; nous parlerons le francais – whatever your language is.
Or Buddhism where, even if you have heard of some trendy Buddhists in Hollywood, for the most part its adherents come from one [admittedly large] Continent, even if some of them settle elsewhere.
Or Hindus – how many black or white Hindus have you met?
Or African Traditional Religion (a background for many of us)…
With respect, think of the limits here. Your family seeks the support of dead ancestors from your family line. Will those from the Shezi family seek help from the ancestors of the Hlubi family? Or Majozi from Dlamini? Or Ngcobo from Mthethwa? Or Bhengu from Buthelezi? No.
Can my ancestors help you? Or yours, mine? No
But in Jesus, the narrow door, we have a mediator for all people. Because not only has he conquered death and is currently alive (and the same can’t be said for any of our ancestors! OR the prophets of other religions!) But, by doing so, he proves there is one mediator, one living ancestor who alone can help us. No matter our clan name.
Only in Jesus
Do you see?
Jesus is exclusive! But in him, we see that God prepares his banquet for all people – it is truly global for anyone who will come to Jesus.
So do not be surprised that to white atheists, or Asian Hindus, or Black Traditionalists, or to Arab Muslims, Jesus says: ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.’ And surely: ‘They will come from east and west, from north and south, to share in the banquet.’ The unashamedly exclusive Jesus UNIQUELY creates a beautifully diverse people.
Want to join us for the sermon from Luke 13:22-30 via Zoom on Friday (6-7pm)?
Zoom and event details are here.
