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Jesus 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.” Luke 13:22–24
The context of this passage provides insight into Jesus’ mission
and His concern for each and every person. Note that Jesus was
traveling toward the large and populous city of Jerusalem. But as
He traveled, He passed through “towns and villages” and taught the
people as He went. This might seem like a small detail, but it is
also a significant one.
A city like Jerusalem was large and often had wealthy, influential,
and “important” people. The less-populated towns had borders
and often some form of local government. Villages were much smaller
rural areas, often made up of poorer, less educated, less
influential, and simpler people. One historian, Josephus, wrote
that there were about 240 villages throughout Galilee at the time
Jesus lived. It’s interesting to note that Jesus wanted to teach
everyone. He didn’t care if they were wealthy and powerful people
in the large city or peasant farmers and shepherds from the
countryside. His mission was to all.
One thing this teaches us is that we, also, must have love and
concern for everyone, regardless of their social status. Each and
every person is equal in dignity. From the president of a large
country, to the beggar in an alleyway, everyone deserves our
respect and attention in an equal way.
Our fallen human nature experiences various forms of temptation.
Among them are temptations for riches, power and prestige. For that
reason, we tend to admire those who have obtained worldly success
because we want it for ourselves. As a result, we tend to show
greater respect for those who have achieved what we covet and give
less attention to those who do not have that success. This, of
course, goes to the heart of the problem.
When you think about the people whom you have encountered recently,
what comes to mind? Perhaps your “encounter” was to read about
someone's great success in the financial world. Or perhaps it was
to read about someone’s demise in another way. Perhaps a neighbor
has done well and purchased a new car, or a friend got fired from a
job. Whatever the case may be, it is important to consider the
level of personal respect and love you show for each person. It
must be equal. Worldly status cannot determine how we treat others.
This is hard to avoid.
The teaching that Jesus gave to those in the towns and villages was
an exhortation to holiness. “Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be
strong enough.” And at the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “For
behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who
will be last.” The latter statement must have especially resonated
with those who felt somewhat insignificant and unimportant in life.
Those who felt like they were “last” would have received a certain
hope. This tells us that God never measures us by our successes
from a worldly standpoint. He measures us only on the level of our
fidelity to His holy will.
Reflect, today, upon how you look at all people. Do you see every
person in the way that God sees them? Do you see everyone with
equal dignity and worth? Or do you elevate those whom you envy and
whose success you covet? Seek to eliminate all worldly ways of
looking at others so that you will only look at others through the
lens of their dignity and fidelity to the will of God.
Lord, as You journeyed through life, You looked only at the
hearts of those You encountered. You treated each person with
dignity and love. Please help me to shed all temptations to see
others through the eyes of the world and to show full respect to
all of Your sons and daughters. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia
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