Luke 13:22-30   The question asked was, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?"   Good question!  Jesus calls for them to "Strive to enter by the narrow door.. "   Matthew explains this statement a bit more, "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way broad the leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) 

"Strive" - to struggle; to compete for a prize.. to contend.. fight, endeavor.  We will not accidentally fall into the Kingdom of God.  We will have to choose the Way, deliberately, thoughtfully, and intentionally.. seeking Jesus.  We strive against our culture and our sin and our own selfish desires. We strive.. we contend with all the lies and temptations that the evil one throws at us. We go against the flow.. and we make a choice to put our faith in the only One who can save us.  It is a small gate and few will find it.. but it is not impossible for God Himself will help us.  Hallelujah!

Jesus gives another parable here.. The head of the household closed the door and goes to bed. His home is secure and his loved ones are safe and sound.  Then comes the knock on the door.. a stranger who wants to come in, but the man refuses.  "I do not know where you are from!" They insist that they know him.. but he does not fall for that and again refuses them entry.  He calls them evildoers. 

This illustration, Jesus goes on, is what will happen at the judgement seat.  They will see "Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God"  but, they will be "cast out".  The evildoers will be thrust out, expelled, ejected.  "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. "  Utter anguish and despair is the destiny of all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, who did not choose the narrow gate or follow the narrow way. 

"And they will come from the east and west and from the north and south and will recline at the table of the kingdom of God."  Some who were the "last".. the most unexpected..last in worth.. the lowest rank.. the farthest away, but have chosen to strive for that narrow gate.. will enter in to the Kingdom and dine at God's table. But, those who expected to be first, the most important and honored.. great in their own eyes.. will be last.. for they did not chose the narrow way.. they did not chose to follow Jesus.

Father in heaven,  You are our God and there is no other. You have given us Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. to bring us into Your Kingdom through the narrow way.. Thank You! We strive to keep following Jesus.. to be sealed by Your Spirit and ready for that day when we will sit at the table with the saints of old and the prophets and those from every tribe and tongue and nation who have walked with Jesus in this life and who will sing Your praises through all of eternity!  We can't imagine the greatness of that Day, but we look forward to it with joyful and grateful hearts. Keep us in Your Mighty Hands Father, for we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.