He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." (Lk 13:22-30)
To the question ‘How many will be save?’, Jesus did not give a direct answer. Certainly the question was about the final judgement or the last days. Jesus did not give any statistics or figures about the last days. What he gave was a stern warning about the journey towards that day.
Jesus spoke about the kingdom and welcoming people in to the kingdom. People who enter into the kingdom do not just walk in. They should have commitment to get in and they should sped energy to enter. It is like the last opportunity given to the people to enter.
People from east and west will come in to the kingdom ahead of the Israelites. This is the strange way of working of God’s grace. Chosen people do not have automatic entry. No privileges for anyone. All are equal in the sight of God and all should have the same commitment and spend same energy to enter into the kingdom.
