The Door You Can’t Afford to Miss – August 29, 2025

Listen to Devotion

Read: Luke 13:22-30

Someone asked [Jesus], “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:23,24,30

The Door You Can’t Afford to Miss

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine this: You’re twelve years old and your grandma lives in another city. Her birthday is coming up next Monday, and your parents suggest you send her a gift. You think, “Okay, I’ve got time.” On Wednesday you finally pick the gift. On Thursday you wrap it. On Friday you drive to the post office . . . but the door is locked! There’s a sign: “Closed Friday through Monday for Holiday Weekend.” Oops! Now Grandma’s gift is going to be late.

Grandma may be forgiving about receiving her gift late, but there’s something way more important we can’t be late for—getting through the “narrow door.” Jesus talks about it in the Bible. Jesus says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many . . . will try to enter and will not be able to” (Luke 13:24).

This was Jesus’ response to someone’s curious question, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (Luke 13:23). Jesus didn’t give a number, but he did say the way to heaven is “narrow.” That means it’s not a “choose any door you want” situation. You can’t get to heaven by trusting in another god, or in science, or by just being “good enough” on your own. There’s only one way. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

It’s kind of like showing up at the post office after it closes—you won’t get into heaven by any means apart from Jesus. Without him, the door will always be closed.

But here’s the good news. Yes, the door is narrow, but that door is open to everyone. Jesus died to save all people—no matter where they’re from or what they used to believe. He wants you and the people you know to walk through that door and live with him forever.

Make every effort to enter through that door!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you are the only way to heaven. Thank you for opening the door for me and everyone in the world. Help me stay close to you now so I can be with you forever. In your name I ask it, and in faith I know you will do it. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What does Jesus mean when he talks about the “narrow door”?


• If the door is narrow, who can still come through it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Agree or Disagree: There are lots of ways to get to heaven. Why?


• Do you know someone who trusts in something other than Jesus to get to heaven? How could you help them learn about the “narrow door”?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why do you think Jesus told some people, “I don’t know you,” even though they knew his name?


• About getting into heaven, what do you think Jesus means when he says, “The last will be first, and the first will be last”?

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