Why Do They Wait?

Would you take a moment and read Luke 13:23-35? This scripture gives us some thoughts to ponder regarding salvation. So I thought that Warren Wiersbe's comments might shed some light on this passage and also help us to pray for those who have yet to come to Jesus. For the sake of space and to be brief I have condensed his thoughts a bit.

"Many ...will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24). Why? The parable tells us why, and it focuses primarily on the Jewish people of the day. However, it has a personal application to all of us today. I hope each of you have responded to the call of Christ and have been saved. Yet, many who were invited to the great feast (kingdom) waited too long to respond, and, when they arrived at the banquet hall, it was too late and the door was shut.

But why did they wait so long? The parable suggests several reasons:

1. Salvation is not easy - the sinner must enter a narrow gate and walk a narrow way;
2. They have a false sense of security;
3. Pride - they do not humble themselves before the Lord;
4. They depend on religion.
5. But the major reason is found in verse 34- Jesus said "you were not willing."

As you and I pray for those who have yet to give their hearts and lives to Jesus, we can us these points to pray. We can pray for the Holy Spirit to draw our loved ones from the ways of this world and give them the desire to make the hard choice of giving ALL to follow Christ. Pray that whatever they may find security in will come to nothing and they will know that only in Christ will they truly be secure. Pray that they would be humbled. We need to pray for God to work in His ways to break their pride. It's not an easy prayer but we are talking about eternity with or without Christ- so whatever it takes! Pray that our loved ones will not depend on religion - not just a denomination but also the worship and religion of self, which brings us back to #3. And let's pray that hearts would be softened and receptive to the Spirit's working and that they would be willing and able to hear, that scales would fall from eyes so they could see and knees would bow in humble and simple faith!

Blessings,
Kathy Withers

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.