Opportunity

Introduction

Since 2001, airplane travel has changed. Everyone who wants to fly has to go through security. We have to take off our shoes, belts, jackets. We walk through a metal detector; some go through a body scanner; and some are chosen or choose to be patted down by a TSA officer. Family is no longer allowed at the gate except in cases of minors or in rare cases. If you haven’t flown in a while then it can be somewhat disconcerting. What is especially different is the time involved. You are warned not to be late. With all the security procedures if someone is late then getting to the plane on time may be an issue. You are told to get to the airport usually 60–90 minutes before the flight leaves to ensure that you get through security and arrive at your gate on time. The days of running through the airport to catch a last minute flight are over. Planning is needed. Action must be taken. To wait is to miss out.

We have a short saying that captures the idea—you snooze you lose. Some opportunities come around once. As Joseph Addison wrote in Cato in 1713: “When love once pleads admission to our hearts, the woman that deliberates is lost.” The idea eventually became “he who hesitates is lost.” In our text today, Jesus offers the same idea in different words. Since 11:37, Jesus is being rejected by one person after another. Jesus continually is calling for a decision about him. The opportunity is in front of you. The question is what will you do with this opportunity? Aren’t we thankful that God came to this earth in the flesh to give us that opportunity?

The Opportunity

Jesus is in Galilee. He is going through the towns teaching. But he has a mission. Luke tells us he is on the way to Jerusalem. The question is posed—Are only a few going to be saved? Jesus answers that question indirectly but with a challenge. Jesus paints an image of a man who has invited people to come into his house and at some point closes the door. Behind that door is a great feast (v. 29). But those who were invited in didn’t come in when invited.

The door closes and those on the outside begin pleading for the man to open the door and let them in. Those on the outside plead that they know Jesus. They point to the fact that they had fellowship with Jesus and even heard him teach. Similar to those who want to demonstrate their faithfulness and closeness to Jesus by their attendance in a church building, there is a difference between knowing Jesus and accepting Jesus. Jesus tells the people in verse 24 to work hard to get through the door. This is the idea of take advantage of the opportunity while the opportunity is present. The door is open. But it will not be open for long.

Jesus goes on to explain that there will be those who will enter into the door who will come from the four corners of the earth. This represents that the Jews are rejecting Jesus and the Gentiles are going to be brought in to share in the banquet feast. These Gentiles will sit down with the patriarchs and the prophets and those on the outside will greatly weep over the lost opportunity. Will only a few people be saved? Jesus turns the question. Make sure that you are among those who are welcomed into the feast of God. What matters is to take advantage of the opportunity that is in front of you.

How many more opportunities will you be given? Just as Jesus offers an opportunity for those who listen to him to accept him so he offers you the same opportunity. Will you be one who walks through the door that is even now open? Pharisees enter and tell Jesus that he needs to get away. Herod is looking to kill him. Herod is the son of Herod the Great. He is a puppet king at best. He is in the position that he is in because of Rome’s favor toward his father. Jesus doesn’t respect Herod. This is the one who killed his cousin John. Jesus’ response is summarized, “I’ve got a job to do. I will finish my job. Besides it is in Jerusalem where I will die. Not here.”

God’s Character

Jesus gives us a glimpse into the character of God. God in the flesh speaks from his heart about his people. All God ever wanted was to care, nurture, and protect his people. But centuries have demonstrated that the people have rejected the prophets; killing them. God’s heart is clear. He loves. He opens the door for people to come in. This is what God has always wanted. He wants a people who will see him as he really is. He wants those who love him because of who he is. He wants to surround us with great arms of love, care, and protection and to draw us close to him.

The only thing that stops God is the will of those who have the opportunity. How many more opportunities do you think you will receive? Sometimes we approach our spiritual lives like we do our physical lives—there’s always tomorrow. If today were your last day to live would you live differently. Most of us would to some degree. What if this were your last worship assembly? Would you respond? Throughout the last two chapters of Luke and continuing into the next chapters, Luke is calling on his readers to choose Jesus.

There are some who say that God is suffocating. Some approach God selfishly to get what one can get from God. Look at Jesus. He gives an opportunity but that opportunity comes at great cost. He is heading to a certain death in Jerusalem. Why? Because he is God who cares and loves. He is willing to be rejected. He will carry out God’s will even to the point of suffering. Even as he offers an opportunity to those who hear him so he will take full advantage of his opportunity to demonstrate what it means to follow God. Jesus proved the extent of his love. God verified that love by raising Jesus from the dead. Now it is your choice? The feast or weeping?

Jesus tells the people, you will not see me again until you can join with the Psalmist in 118, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The point—the people who hear Jesus cannot be with him or connected to him unless they are willing to admit that he is Lord. What about you?

Follow Jesus

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