Today’s passage: Luke 13:1-21
Helpful thoughts:
- Jesus told the Jews that judgment was coming. They responded by pointing their fingers at others.
- Jesus’ response, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
- It is easy to be shocked by the sin of others while turning the blind eye to our own.
- The parable of the fig tree is an illustration for this teaching. Israel had been cared for and were receiving this gift of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Whoever does not repent and bear the fruit that comes with salvation, they would come under judgment.
- The ruler of the synagogue did not refute the miracle. He believed the woman was healed miraculously. Miracles do not create faith.
- The ruler was not courageous enough to rebuke Jesus, so he rebuked the woman instead. He told everyone to come be healed on other days…not the sabbath.
- Once again, Jesus did not break the law, he broke the extra rules that had been laid down by the legalists.
- The mustard seed and leaven are the illustrations for this teaching. The kingdom of God had not come in the way that these Jews
Questions to consider:
- When people ask why God allows disasters to happen or why certain people perish in them, who are they pointing their fingers toward? What does God want us to remember ultimately? Who must we pay attention to first?
- If miracles didn’t convert people, why did Jesus perform them? What do miracles (Or the truth of God’s Word) reveal from people’s hearts? Should we refrain from sharing the gospel when we think people won’t respond positively?
- What might I be treating like a mustard seed or leaven? Is there something (e.g. Prayer) that God has said is a big deal that I treat as though it is insignificant?