Luke 13
Death is the fate for everyone who doesn’t change their ways
Right then, some messengers reported that Pilate had killed some Galileans who were offering sacrifices. Jesus said,
“Do you think that these Galileans were especially wicked since they suffered this fate? I assure you that’s not the case. Unless you change your purpose, all of you will die just as surely as they did.
Do you think that when the Siloam tower collapsed and killed those 18 people that they were more in debt than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? I assure you that they were not. Unless you change your ways, all of you will die just as surely as they did.”
Jesus buys time for humanity before judgment day
Then he gave this illustration:
“A man went to his vineyard looking for fruit on his the fig tree. When he didn’t find any fruit, he told his vineyard manager,
‘It’s been three years that I’ve been checking this tree for fruit, and never find any. Chop it down! Why does it even take up that space on the ground?’
But the vineyard manager replied,
‘Sir, let’s give it one more year, and I’ll dig around it and give it fertilizer. If it produces fruit next year, then that’s fine, but if not, then I’ll cut it down.’
Pastor unties ox but gets mad at Jesus for untying woman
One day when he was teaching in church on the Sabbath, there was a woman who had a condition for 18 years that was caused by a wind: she was bent over and couldn’t stand straight at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said,
“Miss, you are released from your condition.”
He placed his hands on her and she immediately straightened out and began magnifying God. But the church leader got upset because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath. He told the crowd,
“There are six days for productivity, so if you need healing, come on one of those days—not the Sabbath!”
But the Ruler told him,
“You guys are so fake. Don’t you all untie your farm animals and walk them over to get water on the Sabbath? And this woman is one of Abraham’s descendants who the Adversary tied up for 18 long years. Don’t you think she should be released from those ties on the Sabbath day?”
That put all of his opponents to shame, and the entire crowed cheered at all the incredible things he was doing.
God’s empire is both a massive shelter and a tiny catalyst
He said,
“What is God’s empire like? What should I compare it to? It’s like a mustard seed that a man planted in his garden: it grew into a tree and the birds made homes in its branches.”
What should I compare God’s empire to? It’s like yeast that a woman took and hid in 7 gallons of flour until the whole thing was affected.”
Chasing a higher status prevents many from attaining the ultimate status
He went from one city and village to the next, teaching and making his way towards Jerusalem when someone asked him,
“Leader, are there only a few people who are being saved?”
Jesus answered,
“Fight to enter the tiny door, because I guarantee you that many will want to enter but won’t be able. When the head of the house locks the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Please open up, sir!’
but he will reply and say,
‘I don’t know where you’re from.’
Then you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your proximity! You taught in our streets!’
But he will say,
‘Leave me alone, all you unfair people.’
There will be lots of crying and anguish when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s empire while you yourselves are left out. They will come from every direction and sit at the table in God’s empire. Some of the least significant will be the most significant, and some of the most important will be the least important.”
Despite his death warrant, Jesus continues for the sake of his people
At that moment, some religious leaders approached him and said,
“You should get out of here because Herod wants to kill you.”
But Jesus told them,
“You can go tell that fox that I’m banishing demons and healing people today and tomorrow, but on the third day I will complete perfection. I need to keep going today, tomorrow, and the next day, because a prophet can’t be killed outside of Jerusalem. Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem… the city that kills the prophets and throws rocks at the people sent to her. There have been so many times when I wanted to gather your children together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you wouldn’t have it! Now look: your house is empty and I guarantee you that you won’t see me until the time comes for you to wish prosperity on the the Ruler’s representative.”