STUDY NOTES on previous study
A New Perspective for Life (Luke 13:1-21)
This
chapter begins with a question that has been asked from the times of Job. When death occurs, especially unjustly or
because of a seemingly random event, is it some kind of punishment or a sign of
judgement against those who die? Two
events are mentioned here, neither of which are mentioned in other sources –
meaning all we know of these events is the information provided in the
text. However, neither is really
startling. Pilate was a ruthless leader,
and like most Romans, used his power whenever it was convenient for him. And structures, such as towers, were
notoriously unstable, especially if built in the countryside by men not
accustomed to building tall structures.
In the first instance there was a group of Galileans who were offering
sacrifices when Pilate had them attacked and killed. Clearly, this would have been deeply
disturbing, because they were involved in the sacred act of offering a
sacrifice when Pilate’s men attacked and killed them. Jesus asked, “Do you think somehow these
Galileans were more sinful because they were killed? No, unless you repent, you too will
perish.” As if this weren’t a sharp
enough answer, Jesus made it even more difficult by reminding them of eighteen
who were killed by just being in the wrong place at the wrong time – a tower
falling on them as they passed by. His
message was the same after the mention of that event - “unless you repent, you
are in for the same ending of life as they.”
Clearly,
Jesus wasn’t suggesting a tower was going to fall on them. He was pointing out the importance of turning
away from their self-focused lives.
There is only one safe place to be, and it is offered to all – it is within
the gates of the
This is
made clear in Jesus next teaching. It is
a parable telling of the owner of a vineyard inspecting his work. The one working the garden for the owner is
standing with him. The owner sees a fig
tree planted several years before that is still not producing fruit. While this is an obvious statement, allow me
to make it – one plants a fig tree for the purpose of producing figs. If it is not productive, then it must be cut
down in order to make room for a tree that will produce. The gardener asks for mercy for the
tree. He will work with it one more
year, then, if it does not produce, it will be cut down. What is the message for those listening? We need to hear this one as well. If you are not producing kingdom fruit (read,
“the fruit of the Spirit”) and you are still living, it is only because you are
in a state of extended grace that will not last forever. In other words, if you are living for
anything except God’s purpose for your life, you are in serious trouble.
What does
this mean to us, personally? Remember,
the calling to the kingdom has nothing to do with your vocation (unless you are
involved in something that is not compatible with God’s kingdom). It is not about what you do, but for whom you
do it? If you are self-focused, you are
taking the gifts of God given for the intention of bearing the fruit of the
Spirit for the ultimate good of the world (and yourself), and defeating God’s
purpose for your life. If He were to
visit the vineyard in which you live, would he find fruit in your life? If not, we need to repent immediately and
begin living today for God’s glory.
I believe
it is valid to ask the question, “If I were to die right now, would I have any
regrets?” Or, “What would I do if I knew
that today were my last day on this earth?”
I believe we would live with a great desire to serve God and serve
others. Just recently, during an average
summer storm, a tree was weakened by the wind to the point that it fell. An unfortunate person just happened to be
driving by when the tree fell. They were
crushed to death immediately. They
likely never knew what hit them. Life is
fragile. It is a gift of mercy. Living in the kingdom is the only way to
escape the fear of losing life. For in
the kingdom, one is living to God’s glory.
Physical death will occur unless the Lord returns first, but there is no
fear – for when the owner comes, those in the kingdom will be bearing wonderful
fruit to the glory of God.
The next
event shows the ugly reality of people living in their own self-righteous world
rather than under God’s rule.
Ironically, these were religious leaders who should have understood who
Jesus was and obeyed what He taught.
While a woman had been in tremendous pain for almost twenty years, bent
over without the possibility of standing up straight, the self-righteous ruler
of the synagogue had no capacity for compassion. Jesus, full of love, healed her! What a moment! One who could not even look up to praise God
now freely and without pain stood up and praised the One who had healed
her. But the leader of the synagogue
could not rejoice at the wonderful action of God. He could not even acknowledge it! Jesus catches them in their hypocrisy. They would care for their animals on the
Sabbath without concern, but helping one of their own people was considered
work. Our inconsistencies would be funny
if they weren’t so tragic. We are so
quick to judge and so slow to praise.
Luke included
this story at this point to remind us of what a kingdom heart looks like. It looks for hurt and searches for ways to
deliver those in pain. The fruit for
which God looks in his children is the natural love we should have for all
those around us. A love which motivates
us to love and serve.
The
closing two paragraphs of this week’s reading has to do with the incredible
nature of the kingdom. If we would only
see it for what it is, surely we would give our all to see it grow and expand. After Jesus performs another incredible
miracle of healing, He basically says, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” What He is doing is like a mustard seed. It is small, almost invisible. But how it will grow! In Luke’s gospel, there seems to be a
reference to Ezekiel 17 where birds nesting in a large tree represents a
powerful king who can provide shelter and food for many. Some have suggested Jesus’ reference to the
mustard seed is intended as a general principle in the kingdom. Even small, insignificant gestures of love
and generosity can become incredible blessings in the kingdom. This is certainly true as well. Whether a reference to Jesus and His work or
to deeds in the kingdom – the teaching is true.
Little becomes big when placed in the hands of God.
So, the
kingdom is also compared to yeast. Not
ordinary yeast, mind you - but super yeast!
Some have suggested the three measures of flower represents enough bread
for 150 people! That is some yeast! But so it is with the
In this
week’s study, Jesus calls us to a new perspective for our lives. He reminds us of the fragile nature of life
as well as its only purpose. He again
calls us to repent of our narrow view of life.
God “planted us” in “his vineyard” for the purpose of bearing fruit for
the world to His glory. Remember last
week’s study? We are the slaves in
charge of disbursing God’s food to the world.
Would we dare think our lives are merely about us? What is the visible fruit in our life that
can be seen and consumed by others? Are
we generous with what we have? Are we
aware of the hurting around us? Amazing
things can be done in God’s kingdom, even with the little good we sometimes
have within us. In the kingdom, don’t
measure possible outcome by your own resources.
Just be faithful, and watch with wonder what God can do.
The Narrow Door and
Hard Hearts (Luke 13:22-14:6)
:
1.
Why is it important to realize that life on this earth is indeed
fragile?
2.
What is the purpose of our lives?
3.
What are we doing to demonstrate that we understand God’s purpose for
our lives? Answer this both as an
individual and as a community of faith.
4.
What is something that you have done, almost without thought, that ended
up being a wonderful blessing in the kingdom?
Read Luke 13:22-28
1.
Why do you think Jesus was asked if only a few would be saved?
2.
What is the meaning of Jesus’ response, in your thinking?
3.
Is it possible that we might think we know and follow Jesus but in
reality we don’t? How could this happen?
Read 13: 29-33
1.
What is the meaning of people coming from every direction to eat in the
2.
How does the “last being first” and “first last” fit in this passage?
3.
Do you think the Pharisees were really concerned with Jesus’ well being?
4.
What is the meaning of Jesus’ response to Herod?
Read 13:34-35
1.
Why did Jesus cry over
2.
How had
3.
How is it that the city would not “see” Jesus until He clearly comes in
the name of the Lord?
Read 14:1-6
1.
Why were the Pharisees watching Jesus so closely? What did they fail to see?
2.
Why were the Pharisees and experts in the Law quiet when Jesus asked
them about the legality of healing on the Sabbath? Weren’t they very vocal in previous
instances?
3.
Why do you think this issue keeps occurring? (Jesus healing on the
Sabbath)
4. Is there any similar situation in our day,
when we might be attempting