September 25, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Luke Chapter 13
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
Luke chapter 13 is a powerful and versatile chapter that contains numerous teachings of Jesus. It deals with the themes of repentance, righteousness, healing, the Kingdom of God, and the urgency of salvation. In this chapter, Jesus addresses various current events to call his listeners to repentance, teaches through parables, and confronts religious hypocrisy. The central message is the call to inner repentance, the acceptance of the truth, and living according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. In doing so, Jesus clearly shows that salvation is attained through faith and doing the divine will.
Commentary:
The chapter begins with a discussion of two tragic incidents—the blood of the Galileans that Pilate mingled with their sacrifices and the collapse of the Tower of Siloam. Jesus makes it clear that neither the Galileans nor the victims of the tower were more sinners than other people. The message is universal: all people are called to repent, otherwise the judgment of God is inevitable. Jesus uses this opportunity to emphasize each individual’s personal responsibility.
In the parable of the barren fig tree, patience and grace are illustrated. The owner of the vineyard gives the fig tree another chance to bear fruit before it is cut down. This highlights God’s grace, who repeatedly gives people the opportunity to repent, but with the warning that this time is limited.
The healing of the sick woman on the Sabbath demonstrates Jesus’ mercy and the superiority of love over rigid religious regulations. Despite the outrage of the religious leaders, Jesus emphasizes that freeing a person from illness and suffering corresponds to the true spirit of the Sabbath. Here, the hypocrisy of the scribes is exposed, who care for their animals on the Sabbath but object to healing a person.
Jesus uses the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast to describe the Kingdom of God. Both images illustrate the modest but powerful growth of the Kingdom, which starts small but grows unstoppable and permeates everything. These parables call for hope and perseverance, for God’s Kingdom will triumph despite obstacles and resistance.
The warning about the narrow gate highlights the urgency of the decision to follow Christ. Jesus describes the difficulty of entering the Kingdom of God, and that many will try to get in but will not be able to. This is a serious admonition that faith is not secured solely by superficial affiliation or past experiences, but through a genuine, active relationship with Christ.
At the end of the chapter, Jesus speaks about his destiny in Jerusalem. He knows of his impending rejection and death in the city that kills the prophets. Nevertheless, his love for Jerusalem remains. He longs to save the people, like a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, but they have rejected his invitation.
Summary:
Luke 13 calls for urgent repentance and obedience to God’s will. Through parables, teachings, and miracles, Jesus shows that faith does not consist of rituals or religious formalities, but of a living, humble following. The chapter passages warn against hypocrisy and self-righteousness while simultaneously emphasizing God’s grace and patience. Finally, Jesus reminds that the Kingdom of God will inevitably grow despite its small beginnings and invites all to enter the narrow path of salvation.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 65—The Temple Cleansed Again
This chapter is based on Matthew 21:12-16, 23-46; Mark 11:15-19, 27-33; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 19:45-48; Luke 20:1-19.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
In Chapter 65, we witness a pivotal event from the life of Jesus, where He once again cleanses the temple of unholy business dealings. This scene highlights the sanctity of the temple as a place of worship and demonstrates Jesus’ commitment to true worship. At the same time, Jesus reveals Himself as the divine King and Judge, fighting against hypocrisy and corruption in the temple, while the Jewish leaders grow increasingly hostile towards Him.
Commentary:
The cleansing of the temple is a powerful symbol of purity and respect in worship. Jesus demonstrates that true worship is not about outward rituals, but about obedience and a sincere heart. By driving out the merchants and healing the sick within the temple, He reveals the contrast between His mission of healing and the greed of the religious leaders. This act of Jesus serves as a profound warning to all believers not to honor God merely through rituals, but through lives that embody love, justice, and compassion. The hypocrisy of the priests, who rejected Jesus’ authority, is an example of how the religious elite can reject spiritual truths.
Summary:
The second cleansing of the temple underscores Jesus’ role as the divine King and Judge, who purifies the temple of corruption and restores it as a place of true worship. His actions show that God values obedience and a sincere heart over ritual sacrifices. The response of the religious leaders, who opposed Him, symbolizes the rejection of divine truth and serves as a serious warning. Jesus’ parables, such as the one about the cornerstone, call for repentance and illustrate that Christ is the central foundation of our faith—the rock upon which we must build.
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