Study 32. Luke 13:18-35. 21/7/23

1. How is the kingdom of God like

a. A mustard seed (13:18-19)

 The mustard seed is the 'smallest of all the seeds on earth' (Mk 4:31) - an agricultural rather than a botanical description. From insignificance it grows into significance until it becomes a blessing to the nations (Ezek. 17:23; 31:6; Dan. 4:12, 21). The kingdom will be universal.

b. Yeast (13:20-21)

Yeast/leaven works invisibly and silently to exert its effects. Once it enters within, a small amount carries disproportionate impact and transforming power. "Three measures" is a large amouht.

 

 

2. In what sense is the door to the kingdom wide open (13:18-19, 28-30)?

 It is open to all peoples of the world, both Jews and Gentiles.

 

 

3. In what sense is the door narrow (13:25, 27)?

 On what basis will some people try to enter the kingdom after it is too late (13:26)? Explain in your own words what Jesus is geting at.

 Not all who think themselves deserving of the Kingdom will be able to enter. The master does not recognize them (cf. Mt 7:21-23).

Biological descent from the patriachs (ethnicity) does not ensure salvation. Mt 22:14. 

Many will fail to enter because they have not repented in the light of coming judgment.

Jesus does not answer directly, but urges his questioner and others ('strive' is plural) to make sure that they are in the number, however large or small it proves to be. This is much more important than doing some arithmetic or comparing one's chances with others. 'Strive' is a word denoting whole-hearted action. It is a technical term for competing in the Games (LSJ), and from it we get our word ‘agonize’. "It points to no half-hearted effort" (Morris). God does not grade on the curve

 

 

4. God gave His people a last chance (13:6-9) but they ignored His warnings (12:54-59; 13:1-9, 24-30) and rejected His signs (13:10-17). How did Jesus feel about His rebel people (13:34-35)?

 He felt compassion. He took no fundamental pleasure in judgment. "house is forsaken" recalls the glory of God leaving the temple (Ez 10), and indicates the fact that God's presence has left his people.

 

cf.  Ez 18:23, 32; 33:11 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

yet note Dt 28:63, " Just as it pleased the Lord to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess."

 

God's 'will'  is complex. He can both enjoy executing judgment (because this satisfies His holiness, wrath and justice) and also in showing mercy (because this satisfies His fundamental goodness and love)

 

How are Jesus' healings and parables of the Kingdom signs of hope for some people and signs of warning for others (13:17)?

Those given to understand will turn to God, whereas some will not. His signs and parables serve as discriminators - ways to lead to judgment. 

 

cf.  Lk 8:10. “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’

 

How should we respond to the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast?

• Look out for the small/hidden and despised things of God. What is big and flashy is not always the work of God (Zech 4:10)
  
• Allow their irresistable power to  work in our lives.
• Rejoice that we are among the 'foreign' birds that have come to nest in the tree of the Kingdom

 

What does 13:31-35 reveal about Jesus's mission and character?

He is determined to complete His mission despite earthly opposition. He is invincible until His 'hour' comes.Jesus is saying that he will complete his allotted course. God, not Herod, will determine when he is to die. The divine plan will be fulfilled. "I must go my way" (13:33)

"To call Herod “that fox” is as much as to say he is neither a great man nor a straight man; he has neither majesty nor honour.’ The expression is thus contemptuous. Herod is the only person Jesus is recorded as having treated with contempt. Later we read that he wanted to see Jesus perform a miracle, and that when Jesus stood before him the Master said nothing to him at all (23:8f.). When Jesus has nothing to say to a man that man’s position is hopeless." (Morris)

The verse comes to an ironical climax, ‘it would never do for a prophet to perish except in Jerusalem!’ (Moffatt). The capital was the heart of the nation; it was there that its destiny and that of its prophets were wrought out.(Morris). Jerusalam was more dangerous to a true prophet of God than Herod. Jesus has set his face (9:51, cf. Is 50:7) to torment and death there.