Luke
By Joyce Webb 2020
Chapter 13 verse 18-35
Verse 18 Jesus explains what the kingdom of God is like. The kingdom of God in these verses means all the people who become believers in Jesus as the Son of God.
Jesus says this group of believers is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden. In the Israel, the kind of mustard seed they have is very small—about the size of a speck of pepper you shake on your food.
This tiny speck of seed grows into a tree size plant.
Jesus is saying that the group of believers—starts out very small—but as time goes on —-it grows very large and becomes a group of thousands of people.
The “kingdom of God” started out with 12 disciples—now 2000 years later—-the number of people who have believed in Jesus are millions of people.
Jesus said the “kingdom of God” is like “leaven” or “yeast”. Yeast is put into flour and milk, etc. to make bread. The yeast makes the bread rise up and be —not solid like a cracker–but light and fluffy.
It takes only a little yeast to go all through the bread mixture dough to make the whole mixture rise.
This is the way the gospel or news about Jesus forgives will be. It will be small, but have power to influence many.
Verse 23 As they were walking along—one of the men said—there are few people who are “saved”. Being “saved” is a word used to show that a person has asked Jesus to forgive their sins and are obeying Jesus’ teachings. Because they have asked forgiveness—they will be saved from hell and punishment for their sins.
Verse 24 Jesus said to him: Try to enter into the narrow gate (of heaven).
Many will try to enter into this gate but we not be able to get in.
The reason Jesus said that many will not be able to get in—-is because—they have not made their hearts right with God. They have not asked Jesus for forgiveness. They have not believed in Jesus as the Son of God.
There are so many people who are not interested in learning about God or the Bible. They live life the way they want and they do not want to think about God or obey what God says.
Verse 25 Jesus said I will be like a man who has closed the door to his home for the night. Someone comes and knocks on the door. They want him to open the door and let them in. He says to them, “I do not know you.”
Verse 26 They will say, We have eaten meals with you. We have heard you teach in the streets.
The man will say, “I do not know you. You are sinners. Go away.”
Vs. 28 Then the people will cry and weep in sorrow. They will grind their teeth together.
They will see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God. You will be thrown out.
Verse 29 People will come from the east and the west, north and south, and will sit down in the kingdom of God.
Verse 30 There will be people—-who were thought to be important great people—-but in heaven they will not be very important.
There will be people—who people never knew about—humble quiet people who did thing quietly. In heaven they will be important and honored.
Verses 31-35 These verses are a little hard to understand.
The Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, tell Jesus that Herod is trying to kill him.
Jesus is not afraid of Herod. He calls him “a fox”.
Jesus says that he is going to continue to do as he has been doing. He is going to cast (throw) demons out of people, and heal people,
He is going to do it “today, tomorrow, and the next day”.
He says that on the 3rd day “he will be perfected”—meaning he will have finished the reason he came into this world—to die and rise again.
Then Jesus says in a mocking way, “It would not be right for a prophet to die in Jerusalem.”
Jesus is talking about the history of the Jewish people—who in times pist—would not believe some of the prophets —- they killed the prophets—in Jerusalem or other places.
Verse 34 Jesus says, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how I would have gathered your people to me—-like a hen gathers her chicks to herself—but you would not come to me.
And now—your “house”–city—-is empty.
In 70 AD—-about 40 years after Jesus said this—Jerusalem became empty of Jewish people—-because the Romans killed thousands of them and chased many more out of Jerusalem.
Then Jesus said: I will not see you again—until you say—”Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
The Jewish people–most of them—-never believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Even to this day, they do not believe it.
But some day, in the future, they will see Jesus come again to earth. Jesus will save them in the middle of a war/battle. They will see him and know that He is the true Messiah.