Jesus the Divider
Notes
Transcript
Two weeks ago, we left off where Jesus was addressing the crowd and His disciples. In the final verses of that weeks sermon, Jesus told a parable about a servant being ready for when the Master comes.
This week, we finish up chapter 12. Jesus transitions us to another thought along this line. Look at what Jesus says.
49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!
51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
In verse 51, Jesus makes a very interesting statement, that might bring confusion to some of us. He says…
51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace. You and I may think that He should be about Peace and someday He will bring peace, but that will be in the end when He comes a second time. He will usher in Peace for all eternity. But during this time, the first time Jesus came, He was bringing division to the people. It was a time of division and strife between God’s forces and Satan’s forces. There is no middle ground with Jesus. Either you are for Him or against Him. Either you commit your life to Him or you reject the promises He has for you.
Fire is used for many things, we cook with it, we use it to melt something so we can create something else. Jesus says in verse 49 that He has come to bring fire.
God’s fire will usually serve one of two primary purposes in people’s lives, depending on how they respond to Him.
29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
For those who accept His Word and follow Him, His fire will purify and refine you into what He wants you to be. But for those who reject and defy Him, God’s fire will consume and destroy. Through the fire of God’s judgment, each individual’s life and work will be tested.
13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
So, for those that reject God, fire will be a division that keeps them from the arms of God.
54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does.
55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is.
56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
For most of recorded history, the world’s principal occupation has been farming. Farmers depend directly on the weather for their livelihood. They need just the right amounts of sun and rain to make a living. Such people were skilled at interpreting natural signs. The people knew that clouds forming in the west over the Mediterranean Sea would bring rain. Wind blowing in from the desert to the south would bring hot weather. People interpreted these signs and then prepared themselves accordingly.
However, these same people were ignoring the signs of the coming Kingdom. So, Jesus said, “You hypocrites!” Jesus was announcing an earthshaking even that would be much more than the year’s crops. It was the coming of God’s Kingdom.
Like a rainstorm or a sunny day, there were signs that the Kingdom would arrive soon. And while people could successfully discern the signs of the weather by watching the sky and predicting fair weather or storms, they were intentionally ignoring the signs of the times.
With everything that was happening Jesus asked those around Him, “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” In other words, why aren’t you taking this opportunity to make peace with God?
I believe that we can ask this same question today. With everything that is happening around us, with all the signs of the times that are appearing, why won’t people take this time to make their peace with God?
God’s judgment is irreversible. Each person must decide what to do about Jesus. That decision should be made now.
If you have not decided to follow Jesus, you haven’t made your peace with God, you need to do so today. Do it now.
The beginning of chapter 13 is a continuation of this whole conversation that has been happening. The first nine verses Jesus is calling the people to repent.
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?
3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”
During this time there were two tragedies that happened in this area, one is mentioned in verse 1 and one in verse 4.
In verse one, a massacre of some Galileans who had come to Jerusalem to worship, is mentioned by the people there. Pilate, the governor of Judea, had ordered them to be slain while they were offering sacrifices. There is nothing else known about this tragedy. We assume the victims were Jews who had been living in Galilee. The Jews in Jerusalem might have been laboring under the delusion that these Galileans must have committed terrible sins, and that their death was an evidence of God’s disfavor. However, Jesus corrects them by warning the Jewish people that unless they repented, they would all perish as well.
The second tragedy found in verse 4 concerned the collapse of a tower in Siloam which caused the death of 18 people. We don’t know anything else about this event either. The point Jesus makes here using this story is catastrophe should not be interpreted as a special judgment for gross wickedness. However, it should be seen as a warning to all the nation of Israel that unless they repented, a similar doom would come upon them.
So, Jesus used these two events to say to the crowd that day that these things didn’t happen because of God’s wrath, they were just tragedies. God’s wrath will be poured out on anyone that doesn’t repent from their sins. You must repent and receive the message of Christ to be saved.
Verse 9 ends this story that began in a Pharisees house and escalated out into the courtyard. So, verse 10 of chapter 13 begins a new story.
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,
11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.
12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”
13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
I want to say something here that might make some people mad at me, but I want you to understand something. There are some illnesses that Jesus sees as a direct result of demonic activity or oppression. Not possession, but oppression. Verse 11 says this woman had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years. This spirit had oppressed her so much that she was unable to straighten up.
There are people today that are sick because they have been bound by an oppressive spirit. They aren’t demon possessed but they are oppressed by a spirit. When what they need is not a physical healing but they need to be set free from the oppression that is in their life. Now, don’t leave here and say that Pastor said everyone that is sick is possessed by a demon. I did not say that. However, if you have an ailment and the doctor’s can’t find out what is wrong with you, start looking at what may be oppressing you. It may be time for you to be set free from the bondage that you are in.
So, Jesus heals this woman on the Sabbath and it makes the Synagogue ruler upset. Verse 14.
14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
15 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?
16 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?”
17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
This synagogue ruler was unconcerned about this woman’s need. He was more concerned about following the rules. We get too wrapped up in thinking about what society looks like. We need to be more concerned with whom Jesus is bringing our way. Don’t just look past those that are begging on the streets, but take a moment and see if God is wanting you to minister to that person. Take time out of your schedule to volunteer at a place like Hope Campus or give to this local charities. Ask God how you might help groups in foreign countries. You can give here to Kingdom Builders and we will help spread the Gospel message around the world. People are hurting and we need to repent of our sins and reach out and help someone in need.
Jesus followed up this miracle with a parable in verse 18.
Luke 13:18–21 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?
19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?
21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
In these four verses, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to two things, a mustard seed and yeast. Briefly, lets look at both.
First, the mustard seed. It is small. In Jerusalem, mustard grows wild. It’s not really a tree but a bush and there will be a whole patch of mustard growing wild. The birds would come and land in these bushes and eat the new seeds that would be produced from these bushes. In this story Jesus is describing to the people that God’s kingdom started out small and it grew and grew and if the people are careful then Satan like these birds will come and pluck them away from the Kingdom of God.
The second story is a story about yeast. If you remember a couple of weeks ago, Jesus referred to the Pharisees as yeast and they were a bunch of hypocrites. Here in this story the sixty pounds of flour represents the people in God’s Kingdom and they must be aware because the yeast, that represents corruption, will come in and try to destroy the people in the kingdom of God.
Jesus moves from this parable right into verse 22.
22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them,
24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Jesus is continuing to teach in the towns and villages as He is making His way to Jerusalem. He wanted them to make preparations to be ready. He is teaching them about repentance. He is warning them that there will be some that have dined with those that are making it into the Kingdom of God that won’t make it themselves.
Jesus’ indirect response shows us the seriousness of His appeal that disciples strive to enter the kingdom through the “narrow door”. If you have ever come across a narrow door way, you know that it is both hard to find and hard to get through. God keeps evildoers out. God does not let evil in His kingdom. The way to gain entry is by doing good. But Jesus’ response does not teach that a person earns salvation through good works. But, good works identifies the person sincerely striving to enter the kingdom.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Jesus also points out that it doesn’t matter who comes first or last. We see everywhere that if there is a limited quantity of something it will say first come first served. God doesn’t matter if you come to Him first or last as long as you come to Him.
In verse 28 Jesus says
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
The weeping indicates remorse and the gnashing of teeth speaks of violent hatred of God. This shows that the sufferings of hell do not change the heart of man. Unbelieving Israelites will see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God.
Why is this significant for Jesus to point this out? These were their heroes. They studied their words. They wanted to be with them. They knew these big three. This was their heritage, where they came from. But Jesus tells them they will be thrust out. Gentiles will travel to the brightness of Christ’s kingdom from all corners of the earth and enjoy its wonderful blessings.
I finish this morning by finishing out this chapter. Look at verse 31.
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’
33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
So, here the Pharisees put on a complete ruse. They are trying to get Jesus to leave, so they tell Him that Herod is trying to kill Him. I love Jesus’ reply here. He calls Herod a fox, meaning that Jesus had work to do and no power on earth was going to get in His way until the appointed time had come. Jesus would continue to perform miracles and cast out demons.
Plus, if you look throughout scripture, you will see that Jerusalem is the place that killed God’s spokesmen. That is what Jesus meant when He said that “no prophet can die outside of Jerusalem.”
Then in verses 34 and 35 Jesus cries over Jerusalem. He has been making His way to the city of Jerusalem, where He will be tried and crucified. He knows the time is coming for His death.
Jewish tradition claimed that Jewish people were under God’s wings, and when a Jewish person converted a Gentile, they brought the Gentile under the wings of God’s presence.
The Old Testament portrays God as an eagle hovering over its offspring and protecting Israel under His wings and similarly terrifying Israel’s foes.
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
22 Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
Some people believe that Jesus is looking to the future event that happens in AD 70, when He says, “Look, your house is left to you desolate.” That is when the temple is destroyed. And then the last thing Jesus says to finish out the chapter is…
35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Jesus is referring to what we will read about in Luke 19:38
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
This is what we call the Triumphant entry. This is the last time they will be celebrating Jesus. The next moment they will be crying crucify Him.
Jesus said it Himself. He has come to be a divider. Matthew says, “he will separate the sheep from the goats.’ It will be those that love God and it will be those that reject God. This morning you get to choose. Whom will you serve.