Gospel Pictures (Luke 12:49-13:21)
Sermon Link
Peace, Peril, and a Picture (12:49-59)
Having shared two parables about being ready and alert, Jesus now warns once again of the impending judgment (12:49). In thinking about judgment, He refers to the baptism that he was to undergo, which was complete immersion in death, both spiritual and physical. Though He came to bring about everlasting peace between God and men who who had been His enemies, Jesus also teaches that one of the effects of His death would be division among those who were previously united. We are called to a ministry of reconciliation and to the virtues of patience, mercy, and grace, but because Christ does not leave the option of neutrality, following Him often results in polarity, causing division or separation.
– Has the gospel brought about division in any of your relationships where there was once unity? Can you say that in each of those cases you pursued peace and reconciliation, and that it was truly the offensiveness of the gospel alone that led to the divide?
Like the men and women of Jesus’ day that could not discern the time, that the Messiah was right in their midst, many people today refuse to see the movement of all things toward their ultimate subjection to Christ (12:54-56). Those who fail to rightly discern the times now and do not settle with Him out of court, by trusting in the payment He has made for our debt, will spend an eternity in Hell where their debt only multiplies without any way of paying it off.
– Are you properly discerning the time, recognizing that all things will soon be subjected ultimately to Christ and that every knee will bow to Him? Have you settled with Him now, knowing that His payment of the debt on our behalf is completely sufficient?
Repentance is the Right Response (13:1-5) and a Fig Tree and Faithfulness (13:6-9)
Those who approached Jesus about the Galileans were wanting to know if they suffered in such a dreadful way as a result of being worse sinners than others. Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case. Because this world is under the power of sin, suffering is a daily reality while we live here, but it does not indicate a direct relationship to particular sin. Jesus goes on to show that anyone, and everyone, who refuses to repent of their sins (and keep on repenting) will also perish. Not only is repentance required, but faithfulness is demanded as well. Where God has given spiritual privileges, He expects proportionate returns. In this parable we see the patient mercy of Christ interceding for the one that has so far failed to bear fruit. While He is patient and gracious, judgment is still promised if the tree fails to bear fruit the following year.
– Do you recognize that your sins deserve eternal punishment and that we all deserve death because of the evil of our own hearts? Have you responded rightly to Jesus’ admonition to repent? What has repentance looked like in your life and how is it being manifested now?
A Healing and Hypocrisy (13:10-17)
Though this woman has just been set free from a sickness that had kept her doubled over for eighteen years, instead of glorifying God the synagogue official attacks the ministry of Jesus. These hypocrites are willing to show mercy to barn animals on the Sabbath day, but refuse to show any compassion for this daughter of God. If it is not a breach of the fourth commandment to care for oxen and donkeys on the Sabbath, then it is certainly not wrong to show kindness to this woman who is made in the image of God. This miracle gives hope and comfort to sin-sick souls. No matter how long you have been in bondage and no matter what you have been in bondage to, you can be freed from it today!
– Are there certain sins that seem to have held you in bondage for a long time? How should you respond to the encouraging truths that this account reveals about Jesus’ willingness and ability to deliver those who are held in bondage?
Kingdom Comparisons (13:18-21)
Just as the tiny seed gives way to a large tree and just as the small amount of leaven gives way to risen bread, so also the beginnings of the gospel were small and yet its growth has continued to spread around the globe. It happens both corporately as the Church expands, as well as individually as the heart becomes increasingly affected by the Kingdom.