Hi, I'm Pastor Jason VanBemel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, and this is Walking With Jesus. And we're now in our 31st devotional in the Gospel of Luke, looking at Luke chapter 12, verses 23 to 35, as we ask, why did Jesus say that few would be saved? Well, here's Luke 12, 23 and 24. And someone said to him, Lord, will those who are saved be few? And he said to them, strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. That's Luke 12, 23 and 24 in the ESV. Does it bother you that the door of salvation is narrow? Do you wonder why it is that many will seek to enter and not be able? Why didn't Jesus just say, hey, salvation is free, and anyone is welcome to come in? Of course he could have. Salvation is free. The door of mercy is open. And though the door is narrow, all are welcome to enter. And yet, few do, even though many seek to enter. Why? We are not naturally disposed. to understand or really respond to the gospel of the kingdom. Jesus' further explanation of this truth in verses 25-30 tells us some sobering things. Many people will know about Jesus, and many people will be religious and yet not be in the kingdom when Jesus returns. They will be shut out, and will hear Jesus say, I do not know where you come from. Why? Jesus doesn't fully or clearly explain why here, but we can see some evidence of why this is the case in what is said and in what happens in this passage. Jesus says that many will come from far away and recline at table in the kingdom of God and that some who are last will be first and some who are first will be last. What do we have here? To put it in a single word, presumption. The problem many people will face when Jesus comes is that they will suddenly realize a sobering truth. They presumed that they were in the kingdom because they knew about Jesus and were religious. But they didn't know Jesus at all. This is sadly the case for so many professing Christians and churchgoers. They don't truly know who Jesus is. They don't know him personally. They have not been changed by His grace. They are not in His kingdom, even though they think they are. Never presume. that you are a child of God just because you think you know the truth about Jesus and you go to church. So many people think that attending church, doing good things, being a nice person, and calling themselves a Christian are the same thing as being a child of God, being in the kingdom of God. They're not. Only saving faith in Jesus Christ matters. Only knowing Him as Lord and Savior is salvation. Only being His forever brings you into His kingdom. So, do you know Him? Do you trust Him? Is He yours and are you His?