In Luke 9:49-50, John answered,
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop
him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not
stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”
With his sinless life and atoning death, Jesus opened the gates of heaven.
As we sing,
To God be the glory, great things he has
done!
So loved he the world that he gave us
his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for
sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go
in.
Jesus opened the gates of heaven. And we’re not supposed to close the gates, or guard the gates. Jesus is the one who justifies, not us. You may not like the messy way that some people get saved or how messy they still are after they get saved. Have patience. Don’t you remember how long it took you to get where you are? Yes, warn people of deception and practice discernment. But it isn’t your place to say how clean someone has to be before you let them behind that velvet rope you want to control.
Think about how Jesus rebuked his disciples for wanting to call down fire on a town because its people were hurt that Jesus didn’t notice them (Luke 9:51-56). Think about how Jesus scolded the religious leaders who tried to stop Jesus from spreading the good news to his people (Luke 13:34). Think about the Prodigal Son’s older brother, who was mad when his brother came home (Luke 15:25-32). You’re supposed to show people THE way. Not your way. Shouldn’t we be happy that other people are entering in?
Maybe it’s time we start learning. We’re supposed to lead people to the gates, not serve as gatekeepers.
And we’re supposed to bust down the gates of hell, not leave people there.
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