Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“And he answered and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were sinners worse than all the Galileans, because they suffered these things? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as well!” (Luke 13:2-3)

Chapter thirteen opens with a CLEAR warning: EVERYONE needs to repent (Romans 3:23). No one group of us is worse than another. EVERYONE fails to measure up and EVERYONE needs a saviour. If we repent, we get the benefit of being saved. We can produce something of God in our lives through Him. If we DON’T repent, we’re like a tree that doesn’t produce fruit. We don’t measure up. And ALL of us are in that position. We ALL need Jesus, regardless of gender, culture, race, nationality, or ideology. Jesus is the ONLY Way (John 14:6). We ALL need Him.

One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in a synagogue and there was a woman who had been suffering from a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years (not all infirmity is demonic). Jesus called her clean and she was cleansed from it. The ruler of the synagogue got upset and told the people to seek healing the other six days of the week, not the Sabbath. Jesus told him he was a hypocrite. That anyone would ‘work’ to save an animal or a pet. How could they take a human being’s pain less seriously? Why wouldn’t they extend the same compassion? When Jesus said this, they were ashamed of their behaviour.

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed or some yeast. Something where a little will transform a lot. Where a little, planted and cared for, will turn into something massive and supportive of others. Jesus continued preaching throughout the cities and villages. When asked about salvation, Jesus said that the way to salvation was narrow (it was ONLY Him – John 14:6). Many might THINK they deserve it, but there was ONLY ONE WAY to be saved. On that same day Pharisees warned Jesus to flee because Herod wanted Him dead. Jesus told them He would go to where He was called to go. He wasn’t concerned. And then He lamented over Jerusalem. The place He had often sought to protect, but a place that had consistently rejected Him.

Chapter fourteen opens with Jesus again eating bread with one of the leaders of the Pharisees. There was a man there who had edema (or dropsy, a condition where there is swelling in the limbs because of trapped fluid). Jesus asked the room if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They all remained quiet on the issue, so Jesus healed the man and then sent him on his way. Jesus noticed how they picked the seats on honour. Jesus told them a lesson about choosing the lowest value seat. Then you would feel important when the host forced you to change to a higher honour seat – instead of kicking you out of one in favour of someone else. Jesus told the parable of a great banquet. The master sent out invitations to many important people, but they were all too busy. So the master sent out men to collect everyone they could find. Lowly people, cast out people, homeless people, he didn’t care. He wanted anyone who was willing to come, because He wanted to share this great feast. The master also swore that because they refused on purpose and with intent, the ones who had turned his servants away would NEVER taste of the great feast themselves.

Everywhere Jesus went, great crowds of people followed. Jesus told them that those who followed without following with their whole hearts were not really following. Discipleship had a cost even as it had a reward. He told them not to lose sight of the cost, or they would get rid of the reward in their eagerness to hold onto what must be given up (placed second, third, or farther along) to properly follow Him. What good was salt that chose to lose its flavour? If salt was ineffective, it was good for nothing. Likewise, disciples that were not fully committed were ineffective and not good for anything.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples, Pharisees, Jews

Key Verse(s): Luke 13:22-30; 14:25-35