'Will there be only a few saved?" (v 23). How would you answer this question? It is, after all, God's prerogative - no one makes that decision for God! What Jesus did was to throw light on how people can be saved. He says, ''Try your best to enter by the narrow door." (v 24), and "make every effort". The Greek word for "effort" used here is agonizesthe, describing the action of someone seriously engaged in an athletic contest or combat - strenuous and demanding.

The Jews in Jesus' day, thought that they were assured of salvation because of their ancestral bloodline to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So,Jesus had to correct them that they must make every effort to be accorded their place at the feast in the kingdom of God (v 29). If not, the door that they hope to enter by will be shut; they will not be recognized for idle waiting'; and they will "weep" and "grind" their teeth (25-28). They will be stunned by many who came from all over and were saved (v 29). It will be a reversal, the "last ... will be first" and "those now first ... will be last" (v 30).

Do we rely on our "cradle Christians" mark as being saved? Unless we live up to our name, the 'door will be locked' for us. Procrastinate no more, God is waiting for us. Let us strive to be amongst the saved!