Luke 13
-The Lord begins this chapter with a call for all to repent because the Heavenly Father has put everyone into the same category under the curse of sin by man’s very nature. This is also an indication that, as it is said, the just and the unjust will have trouble in this world as well as the Lord’s blessing (Matthew 5:45, John 16:33).
-A parable on patience is given using the illustration of the unproductive fig tree. Jesus here is telling His listeners that there is still time to come to repentance and be saved if they only will. Otherwise the tree (or the soul) will be cut down (perish). *Application* God is patient and kind, but He is also just. Don’t get out of balance either way on His attributes here. There is a point when His patience runs out and then all will be called into account for what has been done (Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 7:11-12, 2 Peter 3:9). Have we turned our lives over to the One who can save our souls?
-Jesus was then teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath when He healed a woman who had been bound (key word here) by a spirit which caused her sickness of her being doubled over not having the ability to straighten her back up to be standing erect. The synagogue official was indignant because of Jesus’ Sabbath “work” and rebuked Him severely. Jesus, in righteous indignation, replied by calling his kind hypocrites because they unbound their ox or donkey so that they could have food and water on the Sabbath. Yet, they would not allow for a daughter of Abraham to be set free from her bond. Jesus in this instance humiliated His opponents and the entire crowd was rejoicing over this incredible miracle. *Application* It is not always wrong to be angry and to say sharp words. Sometimes we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us these hard words in the face of a situation that we know injustice is being done. God will get the glory in it when we stand for righteousness.
-A teaching on the Kingdom of God is illustrated. It is compared to a mustard seed, which starts out small but grows into a large tree for birds to nest in. It is also compared to leaven, which raises the bread to new heights of fullness.
-As Jesus was continuing His way to Jerusalem, He teaching in each city and village that He would pass through. One person remarked to Him concerning how few the people were who were receiving His message and becoming saved. Jesus took the opportunity to teach about how the path to salvation is the narrow way and that many will seek to enter but will not be able. Jesus taught that there is a relationship with Him that is required for salvation. If a person does not know God they will not enter His Kingdom. The Lord also gives us here another indication that He came for the entire world as those from all over will recline at His table in the Kingdom of God. The last will be first and some of the first will be last.
-Jesus has more strong words in the face of a threat from Herod Antipas, who wanted to kill Him according to some Pharisees. Jesus remarks that on the third day He would reach His goal. This is a prophecy of His resurrection that is related to Luke by the eyewitnesses. His mission was clear; get to Jerusalem where the prophets had been rejected and killed and make sacrifice for the human race. His desire was to gather this city of Jerusalem unto Him for salvation but He knew the reality. However, He does look forward in time when they will say, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD (Luke 13:35, Psalm 118:26)!” This will happen at His second coming when they see Him come on the clouds of glory (Daniel 7:13, Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24:30, Mark 13:26, Revelation 1:7).
Verse to Memorize: Luke 13:3
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