Familiarity

And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on his way to Jerusalem.

And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,

"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many will seek to enter and will not be able.

"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say unto you, 'I do not know where you are from.'

"Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets';

and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVIL DOERS.'

Luke 13:22-27 NASB 

The question was asked, "Are there just a few who are being saved?" In His answer Jesus gives His audience a warning, which we would be wise to heed as well.

Many, just like those who lived in Jesus's day, are comfortably familiar with Him. We can get careless, assuming that we are alright because we go to church faithfully, read our Bibles, listen to uplifting music, etc. However, it is possible to hold a form of godliness while denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). 

Jesus is not looking for a shiny outward appearance, but a heart that earnestly seeks after Him. The narrow door is just that, narrow. We must strip ourselves of everything that keeps us from squeezing through to follow Him. He demands our love, our loyalty, our obedience, our all. 

To strive to enter is to exert ourselves, even to the point of agony, to enter into, and persevere in, a living relationship with Jesus. Tragically many will seek to enter, but the cost will be too much.