Text: Luke 16:16
"The Law and the Prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone presses into it."
When Jesus spoke these words, He was describing the powerful effect that the preaching of the gospel was having on people. Under the Old Testament, God's people lived in expectation of the coming Messiah. But when John the Baptist appeared, a new era began. The kingdom of God was being openly proclaimed, and many were responding with great eagerness.
Christ says that people were "pressing into" the kingdom. This language paints the picture of a crowd pushing forward with determination to enter a place of great value. They recognized the importance of the opportunity before them and were unwilling to let anything keep them from obtaining it.
The main truth of this passage is this:
Those who would enter the kingdom of God must pursue it with earnestness, determination, and holy diligence.
Pressing into the kingdom does not mean earning salvation by our works. Salvation is entirely by God's grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). Rather, it describes the seriousness and wholehearted effort with which sinners seek Christ and the blessings of His kingdom.
It is the opposite of spiritual laziness, indifference, and half-hearted religion.
A person pressing into the kingdom:
Feels the importance of eternal things.
Recognizes the danger of remaining outside of Christ.
Seeks salvation with urgency.
Refuses to be satisfied until he has found peace with God.
Uses every appointed means of grace diligently.
Just as a starving man eagerly seeks food or a drowning man struggles for life, so the awakened sinner seeks Christ.
Nothing in this world compares to the value of the soul.
Jesus asked:
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
Men labor tirelessly for money, education, business, and earthly success. They sacrifice sleep, comfort, and pleasure to obtain temporary things. Yet many neglect the salvation of their souls.
If people exert themselves for earthly treasures that soon perish, how much more should they seek eternal life?
The kingdom of God is worth more than all the riches of the world.
The door of mercy does not remain open forever.
Life is short:
"You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14)
Death may come unexpectedly. Once this life is over, there is no opportunity to repent.
God commands:
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)
Many intend to seek God someday but continue delaying. Yet tomorrow is not guaranteed.
The wise sinner seeks Christ now.
The path to life is opposed by powerful enemies.
The world constantly distracts us.
The flesh loves sin and ease.
Satan seeks to blind sinners and keep them from Christ.
Jesus said:
"The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14)
Because there are many hindrances, a person cannot drift into heaven. He must press forward with determination.
Many hear the gospel and experience temporary concern, yet never truly come to Christ.
Some are moved emotionally but soon return to the world.
Others begin seeking God but abandon the effort when difficulties arise.
Jesus spoke of seed that sprang up quickly but withered because it had no root (Matthew 13:20–21).
Therefore, mere interest in religion is not enough. We must persevere until we truly enter the kingdom.
The kingdom must become our greatest concern.
Jesus said:
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)
Many seek earthly things first and spiritual things second. Christ commands the opposite.
Nothing should take priority over reconciliation with God.
God has appointed certain means through which He ordinarily works:
Reading Scripture
Hearing the preaching of the Word
Prayer
Meditation
Fellowship with believers
Those who seek salvation should be diligent in these duties, asking God to bless them.
The kingdom is not obtained by carelessness.
Many begin well but grow discouraged.
The one who presses into the kingdom continues seeking despite disappointments, temptations, and delays.
Blind Bartimaeus is a good example (Mark 10:46–52). When the crowd told him to be quiet, he cried out all the more:
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Persistent seekers often find mercy where the indifferent do not.
All our efforts are useless unless they bring us to Christ.
We do not press into the kingdom by trusting our own goodness or religious works.
We press into the kingdom by coming to Christ, relying entirely on His perfect righteousness, His atoning death, and His resurrection.
He alone is the door of the sheep (John 10:9).
A person pressing into the kingdom:
Is deeply concerned about his soul.
Desires salvation more than worldly gain.
Makes diligent use of God's appointed means.
Perseveres despite obstacles.
Trusts Christ alone for acceptance with God.
Refuses to rest until he has assurance of being reconciled to God.
Such people resemble the merchant who sold everything to obtain the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45–46).
Many people are content with a form of religion while lacking the reality of salvation. They attend church, know Christian language, and respect biblical truth, yet remain strangers to Christ.
The gospel calls us to something greater than mere outward religion.
Christ declares that people are pressing into the kingdom. The question is whether we are among them.
Are we seeking God with earnestness? Are we treating eternal realities as matters of supreme importance? Are we diligently pursuing Christ while the door of mercy remains open?
The kingdom of God is infinitely valuable. Heaven is worth every effort. Christ is worth every sacrifice.
Therefore, do not be careless about your soul. Do not delay repentance. Do not be satisfied with superficial religion.
Press into the kingdom. Seek Christ while He may be found. Lay hold of eternal life.
"Strive to enter through the narrow door." (Luke 13:24)
And remember: all who come to Christ in faith will never be cast out (John 6:37).