Day #299

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Luke 12-13 - Reading
Luke 12-13 - Audio

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Luke 12-13

Luke 12

v. 1 – Leaven is a metaphor for the self-centered, hypocritical approaches of the Pharisees.

v. 2-3 – Everything will be revealed and be made known by God – a reference to future judgment.

v. 8-12 – Blasphemies against the Holy Spirit – a radical form of sin that attributes the work of the Holy Spirit through Christ to Satan in the face of overwhelming moral evidence to the contrary. Such deliberate rejection of the truth is also a decisive rejection of the Holy Spirit, who can bring a person to repentance and faith; such sin makes forgiveness impossible.

v. 13 – Though Jesus was Lord of the entire universe, He was careful not to become involved in matters that did not directly pertain to His earthly work and ministry.

v. 19-21 – Ironically, the man who took such great care to prepare for his own earthly needs turns out to be a fool. Instead of fulfilling his moral responsibility to care for others, he is rebuked for laying up treasure for himself and for not being rich toward God.

v. 50 – “I have a baptism” – This baptism is Christ’s own suffering and death, which would pour over Him like a flood.

v. 52-53 – In a very important sense, Jesus brought peace. But He also called on His hearers to follow Him. This requirement is not acceptable to all and it can divide families.

v. 57-59 – This parable offers practical advice: it is better to settle with one’s accuser before the dispute is brought before a judge. But within its broader context, the parable seems also to have the arrival of the kingdom – the need to be in right standing with God before it is too late.

Luke 13

v. 1 – The incidents concerning Pilate killing the Galileans and the fall of the tower in Siloam are not recorded elsewhere in Scripture and nothing more is known about this incident.

v. 2-3 – Jesus’ rhetorical question reflects a popular view that tragedies and physical ailments were due to personal sin, but Jesus’ answer “no” denies any such connection in this case.

v. 6-9 – A fig tree in a vineyard is in fertile soil, and the phrase “three years”, points to an established tree. It was unlikely that this tree would ever bear fruit and it taking up ground that could be used for a productive tree. But it was given one more chance. When God does not punish sinners immediately it does not mean that He approves of their sin. Rather, it shows that He is merciful and that sinners should repent while there is time. The fig tree especially depicts Israel, which is being given an extra opportunity to repent.

v. 14 – Jesus was not violating any OT commandment; later Jewish traditions had added many more commandments and prohibitions than God had ever given.

v. 25-26 – Listening to Jesus’ teachings and sharing fellowship with His people are not by themselves any guarantee of eternal life, for that comes only through personal faith in Christ.

v. 31 – Herod is Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.

v. 33 – “that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem” – Jesus was employing irony here: Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religion and worship, was more dangerous to a true prophet of God than any threats from Herod in Galilee.

v. 35 – Jesus is quoting Psalm 188:26.