DBG - October 31 - Luke 12-13

In this chapter Christ preaches to the multitudes.

vs. 1-12 – Christ warns the pressing crowd about the ways of the Pharisees.  They are hypocrites, acting one way on the outside when they are something quite different within.  Their doctrines are compared to leaven, which the Bible uses as a picture of sin.  It infects something that is pure until it thoroughly corrupts the whole.  Christ promises that the truth will be revealed.  You cannot hide your true colors forever.  It is better to fear God than man.  It is God’s justice that determines our eternal destination, not public opinion.  When persecution comes, we are exhorted to stand strong and trust in the Spirit to guide us.  The sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is also discussed in Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:28-29.  There are many interpretations of this passage, and I am of the opinion that this is the absolute rejection of the truth to the point that it attributes God’s good works to Satan.  The coin referenced in verse 6 is the Roman assarian or as, valued at 1/16 of a denarius or roughly 50 cents.  If you compare this to Matthew 10:29, there Matthew has two sparrows for one assarian, but Luke has five sparrows for two assarians.  Buy four, get one free!

vs. 13-21 – The Parable of the Rich Fool is prompted by a man seeking Christ’s aid in obtaining a portion of an inheritance.  The fact that he came to Christ and not a magistrate means he did not have a legal ground to stand on.  He was trying to use Christ to obtain a more favorable settlement than was due him.  He was guilty of covetousness.  The parable tells of a man whose barns were bursting from a harvest.  He decides to tear down his barns in order to build new ones.  He did not give thanks nor consider that all years may not be so bountiful.  He only sought to gratify himself.  Preparing for eternity is better than squeezing the most out of this life for selfish gain.

vs. 22-34 – This section mirrors Matthew 6:25-34.  I do not think this is the same setting as the Sermon on the Mount.  Every preacher will at times reuse material, and Christ does so from time to time.  These are not true parallels, just Him using the same material multiple times.  Here He appeals to nature to show that man can only do so much for themselves but should trust in God’s providence and care.  We should seek things above and not below.

vs. 35-40 – Some the description of the Jewish wedding ceremony in this illustration. I am inclined to say this describes servants being ready for the return of their master from a wedding celebration.  The message of Christ and John the Baptist was to repent in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of God.  Here Christ warns that men should be vigilant, faithful, and ready for His return.

vs. 41-48 – Peter asks if the preceding parable was meant for the people or for the disciples.  Christ expands on the previous illustration, making it the Parable of the Stewards.  One servant was faithful and ready for their master’s return, and they were rewarded.  A second servant was unfaithful and was punished.  We must be active and ready in our service for we never know when Christ will return, or even when our “such a time as this” may come.

vs. 49-53 – Christ is the ultimate divider of men.  Every individual’s eternal fate hinges on what they do with Jesus Christ. 

vs. 54-59 – If mankind is smart enough to see the signs of a weather change, how are they not wise enough to discern that the time for choosing and following Christ is now?  If we seek to ensure justice and deliverance here on earth, why do we not do the same with eternity?

In this chapter Christ faces growing opposition.

vs. 1-5 – Two historical events are referenced here that we have no other record of.  Josephus’s writings about this time do not mention these.  There is no reason to doubt the veracity of these events.  Think of all the things that occurred during World War II that were headlines at the time that history books today rarely if ever mention.  Christ is taking current events to add impetus to His preaching.  The first event concerns Pilate having Galileans killed as they made sacrifices.  This does fit with the character of his rule and there are similar stories told of him.  These men were most likely Zealot, Jewish freedom fighters, from Galilee that attempted a coup of sorts in Jerusalem and were harshly put down.  The second is a tragedy where 18 people are killed when a tower collapsed at the pool of Siloam (“sent”), a place where Jews often bathed to purify themselves.    Christ uses both of these stories to press the need for repentance to avoid God’s judgment.

vs. 6-9 – The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree illustrates God’s care and patience toward us.  A fig tree should be fruit after three years.  It is no coincidence that this is how long Christ has been preaching among the people.  Instead of removing the barren tree, the gardener gives it one more chance, employing every trick of the trade to induce it to bear fruit.  He was giving it one more chance, doing everything he could do, before he would give up and cut it down.  That is where Christ is with the Jews.  They were getting a final chance to accept Him before they would be judged for refusing the Messiah.

vs. 10-17 – Note how Dr. Luke gives the details of her sickness and his diagnosis.  Christ heals this woman in the synagogue on the Sabbath.  It infuriates its leader, but Christ turns it against him and His enemies.  All of them would have mercy on their livestock on the Sabbath, why should not the same be offered to this woman who was so much more that a farm animal? 

vs. 18-19 – This mirrors Matthew 13:31-32 and Mark 4:30-32.  The Parable of the Mustard seed is repeated.  Again, I emphasize that in prophetic imagery birds are associated with evil.  This parable speaks of the growth of the Kingdom, but also of its corruption as worldly powers infiltrate it.

vs. 20-21 – This mirrors Matthew 13:33-35.  The Parable of the Leaven is repeated.  Leaven is usually a picture of corruption or sin (Exodus 12:8,15-20).  Once again, the emphasis of the parable is the growth of evil inside the Kingdom of God, exemplified in context by those that protested the healing of the woman in verses 10-17. 

vs. 22-30 – Christ has been seeing a tremendous rise of opposition against Him.  It is increasingly evident that He is not as popular a figure as He had been in the past.  This troubles His followers, but Christ explains why few truly accept Him.  Not everyone, not even all the Jews, have the hope of salvation.  Many will be excluded and cast into hell that knew Christ but did not actually accept Him.  Many Gentiles will be brought in.  This all goes against human reasoning, which means it requires faith that God’s way is best.

vs. 31-35 – The Pharisees threaten Christ, claiming that Herod Antipas would kill Him.  That was not outside the realm of possibility because he had killed John the Baptist after all.  I do not think this means Herod was actually planning this because he was delighted to see Christ in Luke 23:8, hoping to see Him perform a miracle.  However, we must consider that mental stability is not something the Herodian dynasty is known for.    Christ responds, calling Herod a fox.  He predicts His death and resurrection before lamenting the rejection ahead of Him in Jerusalem.  One day the Jews will accept their Messiah, and that day is at the close of the Tribulation.

Faithfulness is not only for the pleasant times. It is also for the times when we wait for our Lord to open a new door or to move in a situation. It is not just for the times when doing so is popular, but also when others question and mock us. Christ did not come to be popular. He came to call men to be faithful to Him. We must lay aside our own ideas and desires to be every ready to serve our Lord.

Our hymn today is “Ye Servants of the Lord,” written by Philip Doddridge in 1755.

Ye servants of the Lord,
Each in his office wait,
Observant of His heavenly Word,
And watchful at His gate.

Let all your lamps be bright,
And trim the golden flame,
Gird up your loins, as in His sight,
For awful is His name.

Watch: ’tis your Lord’s command,
And while we speak He’s near;
Mark the first signal of His hand,
And ready all appear.

O happy servant he,
In such a posture found!
He shall His Lord with rapture see,
And be with honor crowned.

Christ shall the banquet spread
With His own royal hand,
And raise that faithful servant’s head
Amid the angelic band.