"and many believed in Him there" (John 10:42)...Luke begins the Perean ministry with the inquisitive question presented to Jesus, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" I can imagine there were all types of people surrounding Him there, He had gained many followers, religious leaders also came testing Him, recent converts of John were in this area, and even the sick of whom Jesus "healed many" were there. This is where John had baptized many and subsequently where John called into question Herod's marital relationship which resulted in Him being imprisoned and killed. We are not told who asked Jesus this question but based on His indirect answer (because Jesus always answers according to the thoughts and intents of the heart) it isn't hard to imagine one in the religious crowd trying to ensnare Him once again and lessen His reputation. Jewish leaders taught that all Israel should have a place in the world to come but Jesus was telling them to, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate", suggesting that you can only attain salvation on God's terms not their own. Jesus went on to remind them that in the coming kingdom the old testament patriarchs and prophets would be feasting with many from all over the world, alluding to the Gentiles being included. Whoever asked the question one thing about the answer is clear, some are excluded because He didn't know them. The Master of the house rises up and shuts the door. What door? The door of distinction, the door of mercy and grace that has allowed all those who believe to freely come and sup with the Master. The time will come when God's presence can not be gained any longer, we must enter through the narrow gate now before the door is shut. He tells us it is not enough to know or even teach about Him if you don't, in your heart, believe or trust Him. Jesus has already told them earlier, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." We must trust in Jesus or be excluded. Rather than to ask how many will be saved a better question would be to ask, "Shall I be saved?". The answer of course can be a resounding yes! The door is still open and their is still access through the narrow gate. The scriptures say, "Today is the day of salvation"....we must cry out like the Philippian jailer who said, "What must I do to be saved"...the answer is simply, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10: 9&10. I can see why, "many believed in Him there", John had prepared the way for many to believe in the Messiah and now they could see that this man was the one...the Messiah had come. Our Messiah...to those who believe. Good place to start the Perean path, confessing to Jesus our belief in His death as the sacrifice for sin and His resurrection from the dead. Then He will know us for sure and I would really rather be at the feast supping with the saints than where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth...and I want all of you at the feast too!
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