These are sobering words as Jesus teaches that few will enter into the narrow door and many more will be left outside (v23-24). It will be very sad that many will be shut out who had contact with Jesus but who never experienced true salvation (v25-26).

Is there anything sadder than that the Saviour who constantly calls people to come, that will one day say ‘Depart from Me’ to so many (v27). There is no compromise with these people who are shut out, they are not good people in Jesus’ eyes but ‘workers of evil’. You cannot be good and still reject such a loving Saviour like Jesus.

Jesus reminds us here that hell is a very horrible place (v28) and many religious people will be there. This should cause cautiousness about sin.

On the other hand, many Gentiles from across the world will be brought in to receive salvation (v29-30). Who the lord saves will cause many surprises. Maybe that very godless person you live, work or study with, is someone who God will save. Never write people off as being ‘beyond the pale’.