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     The Gospel According to Luke is broadly organized around Jesus' journey from Galilee to Jerusalem.  However, it was composed not only after Jesus' death and resurrection (ca. 33 AD), but after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD.  The latter event would still be fresh in the minds of the audience.  Jerusalem is an object lesson in failure to repent.  They had thought themselves to be privileged in the sight of God and had no need to "enter through the narrow gate."  The "first" are now "last."  However, Luke is not writing history for history's sake.  He is preaching to his audience and the lesson of Jerusalem is meant for them.

     There is a danger in spiritual elitism.  That danger comes in cloaking oneself in the glories of the past and claiming to be the true disciples or the true church of Christ.  The message of conversion and repentance falls on deaf ears for such folks who only believe that the message is meant for those who are not one of their number.  The Gospel According to Luke preaches not just to those for whom he initially wrote it, but preaches also to the church of our own time.  All of us must confront the "narrow gate" and getting through it is not a cause to boast or assume superior attitudes.  It's just the first step in a lifelong journey.  AMEN