May 17 Few?

Luke 13:22-23a Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
 
DO you think this is an odd question to as Jesus? Wouldn’t a better question have been, “Lord, how many people are going to be saved?” Let’s be optimistic!
    What are your thoughts, though, when you consider Jesus’ church today? Does it seem that only a few people in your community, village, city, state, nation and the world will be saved? Too few are in church. Even fewer have an active faith, living into Jesus’ commands. Yes, the kingdom looks minimal in our world, doesn’t it?
    Perhaps the questioner is correct in his negative approach. He’s not seeing people faithfully receiving Jesus’ teachings. He’s wondering, “Will only the Twelve with you and some few others you have sent out be saved? Will the several women who care for you and your disciples be in your kingdom?”
    What would have the questioner asked if he (likely a Pharisee) was in Jerusalem on that Pentecost Festival when the church began. Acts 2:411 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Or did he see the Spirit’s work empower Peter’s teaching several weeks later? Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 
    Did he possibly see or hear what happened in Samaria? Acts 8:5-7 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.
    Yes, perhaps one would still classify these numbers as “few” in contrast to the general population. But those who were saved would certainly rejoice in the Lord’s work! This was the church’s small, unstoppable beginning in the manner Jesus had taught. The Twelve became thousands. The thousands became millions and now estimated to be billions of souls God has welcomed into the Kingdom of God. Many expansive ministries in the world exist today when God faithfully began with a few.
    Please, then, do not look at Jesus today and say, “Too few are in your church, Lord. Why would I want to be part of something so small? Maybe it’s not worthwhile for me to spend my time with you.” Instead, consider each person saved is God’s miracle into the human soul. Each kingdom citizen carries a restored, revived and resurrected image of God into Heaven.
    Our lessons on Luke these past months have drawn us to learn of revival through the Spirit’s power to transform churches, universities, cities and even nations. God will act when he determines to act. No such word as “few” exists in the church. All who are saved have been purchased with Jesus’ blood in the Father’s grace. Rejoice if you are one of those. Be diligent to pursue the unsaved and pray for kingdom growth.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, you are sovereign over all lives. Draw many into your kingdom. In Jesus’ name and the Spirit’s power I pray, amen.