20-21 He tried again. “How can I picture God’s kingdom? It’s like yeast that a woman works into enough dough for three loaves of bread—and waits while the dough rises.”

22 He went on teaching from town to village, village to town, but keeping on a steady course toward Jerusalem.

23-25 A bystander said, “Master, will only a few be saved?”

He said, “Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you’ll sit down to God’s salvation banquet just because you’ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you’re going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you’ll find the door locked and the Master saying, ‘Sorry, you’re not on my guest list.’

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids
My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $18.99
Save: $6.00 (24%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Student Bible (Softcover)
The Message Student Bible (Softcover)
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $14.99
Save: $10.00 (40%)
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $19.99
Save: $20.00 (50%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year - eBook
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year - eBook
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $14.71
Save: $10.28 (41%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message Devotional Bible LeatherLike, Brown
The Message Devotional Bible LeatherLike, Brown
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars