Good Friday morning! This morning I felt the call to read in Luke 13; kind of a Friday the 13th thing you might say. This chapter of the Luke's gospel has an interesting summary of Jesus' whole ministry. In the first passage, Jesus is reading the headlines of the day. Pilate has murdered some Galileans at the temple (a good passage to recall for those who might think Pilate innocent because he didn't want to execute Jesus) and a tower in Siloam fell and killed 18 workers. Often we wonder how to start up a conversation with those who are seeking but don't yet believe. Here we read how Jesus used the latest headlines to open a lesson on eternal life.
Jesus then tells the parable of the fig tree. Jesus is the gardener begging the owner to give the unproductive tree one more chance, just as He does for us in Heaven right now. He promises the owner to give the tree special attention and care for the next year in order to make it productive. We too have been given that one more chance to produce fruit, probably more than just the one more at that. Jesus loves each of us and begs for that one more chance for all those who will not believe.
Jesus then heals a woman held captive by Satan for 18 years...on the Sabbath Day. The religious leaders in Jesus' time would not let go of their blind spot about healing on the Sabbath, much to our Lord's disappointment I think, and they were once more rebuked for it. Not only does Jesus work 24/7 for us, He also frees the captives of the prince of this world. Jesus is not afraid of the religious and political authorities of this world and will rebuke them.
Jesus tells us illustrations about the kingdom of heaven, and how it will spread like a small amount of yeast in bread dough. Finally He mourns over Jerusalem and prophecies that He too will be killed there like the many prophets sent before his time. In a nutshell if you will, Jesus life is shown in this short chapter in one of the gospel accounts. He came to us; healing and teaching, rebuking those who would prevent belief in Him, and setting free the captives; finally He died in Jerusalem to save us from our sins. Even in this chapter there is more to be said about our Lord Jesus, and much more to read in the four Gospels. Take a short break today to read Luke 13. Marvel at the miracles and lessons of Jesus. Praise God for all that He has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
The weather is changing today, but our hearts remain fixed on Jesus!
Bucky
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