[:en]SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13
Bible Verses:
“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3)
“When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” (Luke 13:12-13)
“The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” (Luke 13:15-16)
“What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Luke 13:20-21)
““Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.(Luke 13:24)
“ Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” (Luke 13:30)
REPENT OR PERISH (vs. 1-9)
Jesus told a parable about a tree being planted in a vineyard for 3 years but still did not have any fruits. So, the owner told the one taking care of the vineyard to cut it down for using up the soil. But the caretaker left it for another year. I will fertilize it and if it still did not bear fruit, then I will cut it down.
A CRIPPLED WOMAN HEALED ON THE SABBATH (vs. 10-17)
A woman who had been crippled for 18 years was at the synagogue on the Sabbath day. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he put his hands on her and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
The rulers of the synagogue were indignant and told the people not to come on the Sabbath day to be healed. Jesus accused them of treating the animals better than people because they would save an ox or donkey even on the Sabbath day.
THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE YEAST (vs. 18-21)
The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that is planted in the garden. It grew and became a tree and its branches serve as resting place for the birds of the air.
The Kingdom of God is like yeast that is mixed into a flour until it became a dough.
THE NARROW DOOR (vs. 22-30)
Someone asked Jesus: “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (V. 23). Jesus said: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door because many will try to enter and will not be able to” (v. 24)
JESUS’ SORROW FOR JERUSALEM (vs. 31-35)
Jesus mourned for Jerusalem because he had longed to gather them as children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but they were unwilling. (v. 34)
REFLECTION:
- The tree that does not produce fruits is to be cut off. Are you bearing fruit or just taking up space?
- The caretakers asked for one more year to fertilize it. Are you going to grasp the opportunity that God has given you to produce fruits for His glory?
- When needly people come to church looking for love and assistance, do you help them or let them go away disappointed?
- The mustard seed grows to become a tree with branches for the birds of the air to perch in. Are you a blessings for people to enjoy?
- The yeast mixed with flour became a dough. Can your presence transform lives and influence people?
- Jesus talks about the narrow way which many will not be able to enter. Are you confident of your salvation?
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