Luke 13: 1-22

Perhaps a lingering thought from yesterday is, “What difference can one person make?” Jesus answers that today, but first things first.

Do you remember the story of Job? Do you remember how Job’s friends explained why bad things were happening to Job? They said it had to be because there was sin in Job’s life. In Israel 2,000 years ago the people still lived by this simplistic cause and effect view of life. This would be especially true if someone were killed in the act of worship; they would blame the victim. Certainly the person must have committed some awful sin to be executed in this way.

Jesus says no. The people died at the hands of a brutal Roman Governor, not the judgment of God. Then Jesus tells his followers, who are also Galileans traveling to Jerusalem, a similar fate may await them. I suspect the crowd following Jesus thinned out at that time.

Jesus’ point is that unless the people repented and took upon themselves Kingdom values, the Roman oppressors will continue to brutality put down any suspected rebellion. The parable of the fig tree is Jesus’ way of saying there is a date certain for which judgment will come. The language Jesus uses in his discussion following the healing of the woman on the Sabbath makes clear that he sees himself as the Messiah sent to unbind Israel. Jesus wants to do for Israel what he did for the woman.

Is the healing of one woman in an obscure village enough to announce the Kingdom? Jesus answers our questions with two simple parables. The tiny mustard seed goes in the ground and then grows into a tree. One tiny seeds becomes a nest for many birds. (Jesus’ parable is a thinly veiled reference to his own burial and resurrection.) Then there is a little amount of yeast put into enough flour to make bread for hundreds.

Every faithful response to Jesus is a victory for the Kingdom of God and every victory moves us closer to the time when Jesus shall return in Final Victory.

But thank God!

He gives us victory over sin and death 

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, 

be strong and immovable.

Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,

for you know that nothing you do for the Lord 

is ever useless.

1 Corinthians 15: 57-58

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

23-Jan-12     Luke 13:23-14:6