LUKE 13 THINGS THAT ARE MISSING. v.1-9. NO REPENTANCE, for sin [v.3]: Perished, but not necessary. Some Galileans had rebelled against Rome. The Pharisees were opposed to force against Rome (“one die for the people”) and would’ve said the Galileans got what they deserved. The Zealots who were anti-Roman terrorists would say those working on the Tower of Siloam for the Romans got what they deserved. Jesus is saying that every person must repent to escape eternal death.
Whether a person is killed in an accident or survives is not a measure of righteousness. Everyone has to die but God expects fruit from us while we live. He will not tolerate lack of fruit forever. We may ask questions about tragedy rather than learn the lesson: Fruitful or taking up space?
- To perish is not necessary.
- Repentance for sin is within the grasp of any honest seeker. Death came to the Galileans because they were sacrificing that what Pilate did not want.
- Repentance is necessary because we do not know when life ends. The tower in Siloam caught those that died unawares.
v.9. NO FRUIT, in life: Cut down, but not immediately. To not bear fruit denies the whole reason for our existence. There needs to be a change of leadership; of life; of thinking.
- God has a right to expect fruit from that for which He gave life.
- God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish. The Spirit of God digs again.
- We have been made for God, for God’s use, for God’s glory. To not bear fruit for Him, denies the whole reason for our existence.
v.10-17. NO STRENGTH, over evil [v.11]: Bound, but not forever. This woman was bound by Satan. We should never underestimate his strength. The ruler of the synagogue would untie his animal to water it – how much more one of their own to be released from bondage. The hypocrites were humiliated while the rest were delighted.
- The woman with 18 year of infirmity was unable to do anything about her problem. She “could in no wise lift up herself.”
- Every helpless sinner is under the eye of God. She had to come when He called; at His time; to Him and not another.
- Her response to Him was within the power of her will and He blessed her for it.
v.18-26. NO ENTRY, through the door [v.24]: Door now shut, but it had been open. The people were expecting that Christ would come as a great king and free them from Rome and restore them to their past glory. But the Lord is indicating His kingdom is beginning quietly: like a small seed growing into a tree; like a spoonful of yeast doubling the size of a loaf of bread.
To enter the kingdom requires a concentrated effort; more than most people are willing to put out. We cannot save ourselves, but we can earnestly desire to know the Lord Jesus Christ and strive to come to Him whatever the cost. We can’t put this off because the door will not always be open. Respectable people who were religious may not be in the kingdom because they were not secretly, who they appeared to be publicly. There will be anguish on the part of some and despair because of what could’ve been. God’s people from all around the world will be with Him. They were despised, but God considered them great. They were ignored, but God considers their commitment to Christ. I must consider whether my values match what God values according to the Bible.
- The terms of salvation are the easiest possible ones: “Look unto Me…”; “Come unto Me…”; “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…”
- When entrance into the kingdom of God is not of supreme importance to the sinner when God call, then entrance is denied. When the door is open, all may enter. When the door is shut, none may enter.
v.27-30. NO RECOGNITION, by Christ [v.27]: Depart now, but had been invited. Believing Gentiles will enter, but unbelieving Jews will be left out just like all the rest of the unbelievers.
- “Lord, Lord” has no meaning if it is not from the heart. Words can be deceptive. Words are often used to obfuscate reality.
- Christ knows what is in the heart of man, so is never deceived by the empty platitudes of Phariseeism.
- Reality is seen in the acts of genuine faith. One who comes to Christ will strive to enter in.
v.31-35. NO ACCEPTANCE, of Christ [v.34]: Desolate, but were loved. The Pharisees weren’t concerned with Jesus’ safety because they wanted to kill Him. They wanted to keep Him out of Jerusalem because that was their stronghold. At the same time Herod was a cunning deceitful man. No matter what Herod wanted, Jesus’ ministry would continue all the way to Jerusalem because God’s will must be done. It was a notorious place for prophets to die. That’s where He would die. He mourns for the Jews largest city because He knew they would reject Him.
- The opportunity had come to them and they had ignored it.
- The Light had come and they would not receive Him.
- When they would not accept Him in their day of visitation, they cut themselves off from the blessing of salvation.