What Was I Thinking?

God's W-O-R-D for today . . .

Whisper of God -
A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!
(Luke 13: 23, 24 MsgB)

Observation -
Luke connects Jesus' short dialog about being careful to watch one's personal relationship with God to two short stories Jesus told about the Kingdom of God. In the first the Kingdom is compared to a mustard seed that grows into a large tree where birds can nest. In the second the Kingdom is likened to yeast that works within the dough causing it to rise. The point of these stories seems to be that from small beginnings the Kingdom of God will continue to expand and grow.
Then comes the question, "How many people will be saved?" Another way of asking the same question would be, "How big will God's kingdom be?"
Jesus' answer is simple. Look after yourself. Don't worry about others, but first be certain that you are personally welcomed into God's kingdom.
I think Luke connected these these events because people have always been looking for a loophole. What about the outsiders, those who have never heard about Jesus will they be saved?
It is not that we are not to have a heart for the lost, but rather we must first look to our own heart. If I examine my personal relationship with God, then the Spirit will transform my heart so that God's Kingdom continues to expand through me.

Real Life Application -
Before I look at others, I must first examine my own heart to be certain that I am included in God's Kingdom.

Day's Prayer -Lord, it is so easy for me to look at others and think that as a Christian they are not going to make it. Or I mistakenly think that some people are too far gone and have no hope of being saved. Forgive me for not looking first to my own heart to enter through the narrow door and daily find the way to life-to God. Jesus do a work in me that only you can do. Expand Your Kingdom in me so that it will likewise grow through me.