Scripture Readings

Saturday, December 11, 1999

Luke 13:18-29 (Gospel)

18
Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19
It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”
20
And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
22
And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23
Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them,
24
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25
When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’
26
then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’
27
But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’
28
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
29
They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.