All roads lead to Rome. That is a saying that most of us are familiar with. It means there are many ways to arrive at the same destination. Unfortunately, our postmodern culture has adopted this philosophy, and applied it to salvation. Our culture tells us that we can not know absolute truth. It tells us that finding absolute truth is like trying to spot a pebble on the side of the road when you’re driving 120 mph. It tells us, “Whatever works for you, do it! Find a road that’s right for you.” Jesus gives us a very different message.

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 13:18-33
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.”

Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “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. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day - for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”

Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a seed that starts out small but grows into a large tree. A tree impossible to miss, providing protection for all who dwell in it.

Jesus’ description of the kingdom of God is more like a blinking billboard than a pebble along the side of the road. Jesus tells us that absolute truth can be known. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6a).

As those who have heard God’s Word, we find ourselves trapped between the Truth and our culture. Our culture tells us, “Do whatever works for you!” Jesus tells us he is the only thing that will work for you, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6b).

Jesus was warned in our text to stop walking down the road he was on. He replied, “I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next.” Jesus was on the road to the cross. On the cross, he who knew no sin became sin, and three days later he rose from the dead. You can reject that truth and follow any road you want toward destruction, or you can receive that truth and repent. Jesus said, “You know the way to the place where I am going... I am the way” (John 14:4,6). Believe! The door will not always be open, but it is open right now!

Troy Tysdal is Church Resource Coordinator for the CLB and serves as associate pastor at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN.