Luke 13:18-30

18Jesus asked, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it to?

19It’s like a mustard seed that someone planted in a garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds nested in its branches.”

20He asked again, “What can I compare God’s kingdom to?

21It’s like yeast that a woman mixed into a large amount of flour until the yeast worked its way through all the dough.”

22Then Jesus traveled and taught in one city and village after another on his way to Jerusalem.

23Someone asked him, “Sir, are only a few people going to be saved?” He answered,

24“Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won’t succeed.

25After the homeowner gets up and closes the door, ⌞it’s too late⌟. You can stand outside, knock at the door, and say, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But he will answer you, ‘I don’t know who you are.’

26Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

27But he will tell you, ‘I don’t know who you are. Get away from me, all you evil people.’

28Then you will cry and be in extreme pain. That’s what you’ll do when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets. They’ll be in God’s kingdom, but you’ll be thrown out.

29People will come from all over the world and will eat in God’s kingdom.

30Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”