Luke Part 48: With the coming kingdom will come a division

Text: Luke 13:10-35

In this section we see that Jesus is a separator of men.  There are only two groups of people, only two destinies.  You will either be consumed by or purified by the fire He is bringing.

In this section, we see a few events that teach this great division among min that the Lord is bringing.

First, we have the example of the crippled woman who is healed.  She is a picture of Israel under the Law: bent down, burdened, rather than freed on the Sabbath to pursue good.

Rather than making the Sabbath a time of special condemnation and rule-making, the Jews should have taken the opportunity of the Sabbath rest to see the coming Messiah's deliverance from a striving, works-based righteousness.  They accused Christ of breaking the Law, because He healed on the Sabbath.  But Christ was actually setting this woman free, just as they would set their animals free from the stalls on the Sabbath.

Next, we see the pictures of the mustard seed and the leaven.  What is the Kingdom of God, this new thing, going to look like?  It will have a small beginning, like the tiny mustard seed, but will spring up -- as does the mustard seed -- into something great.  It will grow and expand and be visible.  The saints will not blend in with the world; they shall be visible.  Like the leaven, this Kingdom is alive.  It is not a dead lump.

Then, Jesus is given a question: "Are only a few going to be saved?"  Jesus diverts the question -- instead of making it a question about  other people, of another group, he turns is back to the one asking.  He tells them to strive for themselves that they would make it in.

You cannot come through the narrow gate as a group, as a family, as a church member.  Salvation is for the individual.

Then, there is a message for the Jews at that time: the era of the advantage of the Jews was coming to an end.  Even some of the last (Samaritans, for example) would enter in the kingdom.  "What will you do?" Jesus is asking them.  What will you do with all God has given you and done for you?  It is a question for us as well.

The Jews thought they were secure, because they believed they knew all about God.  But it's not important whether you know all about Jesus; it's important that Jesus knows you.  You must come to Jesus, introduce yourself to Him, and not stay in your sin.  Does Jesus Christ know you?  Strive to enter in!  Put forth effort!  In verse 34, we see that He will receive those who come to Him.  If you will not come, it is because you love sin too much.

Finally, we see that some of the Pharisees came to Jesus warning Him about Herod.  Was this for real, or just a ruse?  Either way, Jesus takes advantage of the teaching opportunity.  Jesus says, in effect, "It is a sure thing.  I will work My ministry through to perfection.  Nothing will stop Me from accomplishing salvation."

What will you do with Jesus?  You don't have to consider any else.  There is only one Way, one straight gate.  You must go through Jesus.