The Book of Luke: Today's chapter
Luke 13 (1-35) as told in New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.'
For your reflection; when you read this, what do you think about repentance? What does it mean to you? Repentance, sin, perishing... these words might feel very negative. Most people would agree that there is evil in the world. Bad things happen around us, to us, and in us. Sin is everything that separates us from God, and also each other. Some people accuse God for allowing the evil, and some say a loving God must not exist because of the evil. This is a bit like saying, barbers must not exist because some people have long hair. Barbers do exist - but you have to go and see them. God gives us free will, and he does not violate that, so at the moment, people are free to do good and evil. Jesus reminds us though, by talking about the perishing, that God will make everything right in the end. So repentance is a positive word. It is a good thing. It does not mean being "sorry". It means seeking forgiveness and forgiving, and then changing, turning away from wrong living, from behaviour and decisions, and even wrongful thinking. Luke keeps reminding us of this, so it must be important. What specifi c things should you repent of today? What things are stopping you living for God or dividing you from people? Can you ask God for his power to make the changes you need to?
6Then he told this parable: 'A man had a fig-tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, "For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?"
8 ' "Sir," the man replied, "leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig round it and fertilise it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down." '
For your reflection; the fig tree represents us. We are expected to bear fruit. Jesus says elsewhere, "By their fruit, you shall know them." We get to know what someone is really like by the fruit they grow in their life, by the people they help, and by the things that they do. What are they living for? What are you living for? What things can you do today, to show love to others? What fruit are you uniquely designed to produce? Determine to help and bless others today with the unique skills you have.
Jesus heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.' 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, 'There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.'
15 The Lord answered him, 'You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?'
17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
For your reflection; it is sad to see that some people will respond to good things with evil words and actions. That potential is in all of us, to wrongly judge and wrongly act. Here the Synagogue ruler couldn't see the blessing Jesus gave to the crippled woman by healing her. All he could see was Jesus breaking the rules. Healing someone was "work", and "work" was banned on the Sabbath. Jesus makes short work of him by exposing his hypocrisy - but it makes us all think...how much are we missing out on seeing the blessings of God around us, because things are not going the way we think they should? How can you see things differently? Can you see God working around you, even if it offends you, because it isn't the way you think it should be done?
The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast
18 Then Jesus asked, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.'
20 Again he asked, 'What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.'
The narrow door
22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, 'Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?'
He said to them, 24 'Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, "Sir, open the door for us."
'But he will answer, "I don't know you or where you come from."
26 'Then you will say, "We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets."
27 'But he will reply, "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!"
28 'There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.'
For your reflection; "Make every effort...", Jesus says. Seeking God, and living for him requires effort. It takes effort to place our own desires secondary to God's desires, as Jesus demonstrates later in this book. It tales effort to give our lives to God, and serve others first. In his book, Luke emphasises effort, not your family or colour or creed or education or other things we value. It is hard to enter the Kingdom of God, Jesus says later, because it requires us to humble ourselves. Where do you place your efforts? What is the most important things to you? Jesus describes the feast God is preparing in the Kingdom of God. Will you be there? Do you want to be?
Jesus' sorrow for Jerusalem
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, 'Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.'
32 He replied, 'Go and tell that fox, "I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal." 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day - for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
To be continued...
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