Jesus was traveling through the cities and villages on his way to Jerusalem, teaching as he went. One day a man asked him if many would be saved. He said all must strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many would try some other way and would not get in. He said, “It was like a feast spread for guests; and when once the master of the house had closed the door, no more could get in. Those who stood outside saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us,’ would only be answered with ‘I don’t know you.’ They might answer, ‘We have eaten and drank with you, and you have taught in our streets,’ for some of these people who would not follow Jesus had sat at table with him and heard his teachings. But he said the answer to any such would be, ‘I don’t know you; go away, you are wicked people.’—Then,” said Jesus, “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth;” Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob would be inside, but those who would not come to him by the right way would be thrust out. People from every quarter shall come together and sit down in God’s kingdom. The Gentiles, who were the last to hear the good news, shall be among the first in heaven, and some of the Jews (God’s dear people who would not love Him) will not get in. [Illustration: JESUS EATETH WITH PUBLICANS AND SINNERS.—Mark ii. 16.] THE GOSPEL FEAST. One Sabbath-day Jesus was taking dinner at the house of a Pharisee. He talked with the people at the table about humility of manner at the great feasts which were given in those days. Then one of the company said to him, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” I do not think he meant heaven, but rather the kingdom that he hoped the Messiah would set up on the earth. Jesus answered him in the form of a story about a man who made a great supper, sending out many invitations. When everything was ready he sent for his guests to come, and every one of them sent an excuse. One said he had bought a piece of ground and must go and see it, and begged to be excused; another said he had bought five yoke of oxen, and was going to prove them; another said he had just been married and couldn’t come. When the servant came back and told his master he was angry. He told his servants to go out quickly through the streets and bring all the lame people, and the blind people, and the poor people of every sort. So the servant did as he was told; but he said to his master, “There is room yet.” So the master told him to go out in the highways and hedges, and coax people to come to the supper, and fill the house, for none of those who were first invited should be allowed to taste of the supper. [Illustration: JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO CÆSAREA.—Mark viii. 27.] THE PRODIGAL SON.