Dig In:
Passage: Luke 13
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-9 - The opening section gives us a glimpse into the headlines that were making news in Jesus' day: a government atrocity of Jewish worshippers, and a tower that crushed 18 people. Jesus tells the crowd that rather than try and figure out why these particular people were beset with disaster, they should realize that everyone will face disaster unless they repent. Jesus uses the unproductive fig tree as an example that the clock is ticking.
v10-21 - In some respects, Jesus' earthly ministry hits its high point in this passage after Jesus once again heals a person on the Sabbath. In v17, Jesus' "opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted..."
v22-35 - This final passage can be summarized by Jesus command in v24 for you to "make every effort to enter through the narrow door" to salvation. The Bible certainly teaches that you are saved by grace, through faith, which is itself a gift of God (Eph. 2:8), but yet over and over you are commanded to "make every effort" (look at all of these examples). Our society is addicted to focusing on the practical effects the gospel has on our everyday lives, and of these there are many. But as we read these middle chapters in Luke's gospel, it once again becomes clear that Jesus was not really concerned with giving people little nuggets of good advice to help improve their day to day existence. Look at the stern warnings Jesus gives just in chapter 13 alone:
v5 - unless you repent, you too will all perish.
v24 - if you wait too long to repent, you will try to enter and will not be able to.
v28 - There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth when you've been thrown out of the door leading to salvation.
v35 - Look, your house is left to you desolate. Make every effort.
Old Testament Reference -
Psalm 118:25-29 begins with the Hebrew word hosʾān·nā, which is translated "Lord, save us" in the NIV. This is the psalm that they sung during Jesus' triumphal entry, but this is probably not what Jesus had in mind as He quotes this psalm in v35. He's likely thinking of His ultimate triumphal entry, which is recorded in Revelation 19:11-21.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions.
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: In this chapter, Jesus healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath. How long had the woman been crippled? (See verse 11.)
If you had to preach this chapter, what would your three points be?
Question 1 taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: A holy God who offers grace and forgiveness, but who will soon end that offer for all who have rejected it (v25).
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will be able to make every effort to enter through the narrow door (v24).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
