What is the difference between an excuse and a reason? An excuse is spoken to either explain a fault or an offense in the hope of being forgiven or understood and/or to seek to remove the blame from oneself. An excuse is saying, “It wasn’t my fault,” or “I had no choice.”
A reason is the basis or motive for an action and may even be a declaration made to explain or justify a decision or conviction with the possibility of obtaining a reduction in sentence. A reason is saying, “Yes I did that, and here is why.”
The people in Jesus’ parable “The Narrow Door” were doing neither. They were saying, “You are mistaken, Jesus. We are not the people you say we are. We did not do anything wrong. You do know us. We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.”
Jesus’ answer is clear. He did not know them. He still does not know them. Jesus is telling them they did not accept him in his heart. They did not have a relationship.
Right now the needing and seeking soul will be asking, “Do I know Jesus? What does it mean to know someone? How does a person know Jesus?” As Apostle Paul wrote, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to obtain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
Get to know Jesus or make yourself weep in the future.
