ALISTAIR Begg, a Scottish pastor leading Parkside Church in Ohio in America, once told of preaching at a ministers' conference near Harvard University.

Early one morning he went for breakfast and watched the crowd, feeling small amid such an impressive culture.

He loved to people-watch, noting the wide mix of characters passing through.

Opposite him sat an Asian girl reading what looked like a Bible. He asked if she was a Christian.

She smiled and replied, "Oh yes, I have found the narrow way."

She was a Korean student, the only Christian in her family, from a Buddhist background, studying in a pluralistic university that tolerated everything except the gospel.

That phrase captures a truth we often overlook: the entrance to God's kingdom is narrow.

This comes from Luke chapter 13, where Jesus, resolutely journeying towards Jerusalem and the cross, is asked a loaded question: "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"

The common Jewish belief, reflected in writings like the Mishnah, was that all Israelites would inherit the world to come, while Gentiles would largely be lost, aside from a rare few such as Rahab and Ruth. The questioner expected reassurance.

Instead, Jesus said, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

The word "many" would have stung; the majority, not the minority, would fail to enter. Paul makes the same point in Romans 2, rebuking those who relied on the law and their heritage while failing to live it, warning that God's name was blasphemed among the Gentiles because of such hypocrisy.

Salvation requires humility, repentance and trust in Christ alone, not confidence in religious background or activity, not simply attending church or knowing the Bible well.

Jesus warns that a day will come when the owner of the house closes the door, and those outside will plead in vain, only to hear, "I do not know you." This echoes Noah's ark, where God, not Noah, shut the door.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth as those who trusted in privilege are cast out, while people from east and west, north and south, Gentiles who believed, take their place with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The last will be first, and the first last, all by grace and not by merit, just as the labourers in the vineyard each received the same generous reward regardless of when they began work.

The narrow way is nonetheless wide open today. There is room for anyone to come humbly and believe.

Like that Korean student, may each of us say with certainty, "I have found the narrow way, and it is leading me home."

If you have not yet trusted Christ, consider praying now. Thank God for making a way through Jesus, turn from your sin, trust in Christ, and ask for grace and assurance of salvation. Ask and you shall receive.

Stephen Cousley

Minister

St Thomas Baptist Church, Exeter