Lesson 46L- Luke 13:18- 30. Did we mention there are more Parables?

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven 13:18- 19.

English Standard Version (Chapter 13)

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

These two parables could be treated individually but we are going to go with bunching them up together. The reason being is that these are snapshots of the kingdom and not necessarily the church. Of course the church can apply them to the inward and outward realities of what goes on in the overall kingdom. At this point, there is already a time of change in progress as God’s plan for mankind moves from the Jewish camp to the Gentiles. But the cross and the tomb are the big changes to come. Shortly after that the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon early believers and boom! The growth is astonishing. The mustard seed parable speaks of the outward reality of the kingdom and the leaven serves to give us a picture of the inward reality.

I do believe that these thumbnail sketches are just what the people needed in order to believe. If the whole dump truck of the future was unloaded at one setting, there may have been a lot of puzzled believers. As it was, even the disciples usually questioned the Lord after a parable, “what does this mean?” Mustard seed can grow into a bush or tree of up to 12 feet in height. It is big and stout enough for birds to build nests in the branches. There may be an extra explanation for birds in the branches. It could be that the kingdom of God is going to have nuisance visitors in the way of things nesting in the branches as the kingdom progresses. The major truth we want to garner is that when God’s kingdom is in operation, there will be seasons of astonishing growth. This could be seen already in the number of people who flocked after the Lord Jesus.

The inward part of the kingdom means that in the leaven we see that there is important nourishing growth in the kingdom. Inwardly, you grow differently than you do on the outside, and so does God’s kingdom and His church. just when you think you have something figured out about how the kingdom operates, a woman comes along, bakes a loaf of bread and it changes the whole perspective. I believe it is also important to see that in Jesus’s plan there are men and women operating in God’s growth structure. A man sowed the seed and a woman baked the bread. Neither job was uncommon to His hearers. Both have a place of important responsibility in The plan of the Lord Jesus for you and for Me.

Of course, we must mention that usually when we see leaven in Scripture, is used used to describe sin’s effect on our lives: a little leaven/or sin leavens the whole lump. This parable is likely not about sin. At the same time, Jesus is the bread of life. In order for Jesus to do His work in your life, it generally takes time for proper growth to appear. It takes time for the bread to reach the state of perfection. When it does, we break out the butter and celebrate. I do not believe there is a reference here to the Lord’s Supper with the picture of bread because it is a loaf with leaven. Unleavened bread only is for the Lord’s Supper.

The Door is Narrow 13:22- 30

English Standard Version (Chapter 13)

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Jesus does not answer the question directly but we do get the point. There is a door. It is not closed and you may enter in. just don;t wait too long. But the Master of the house is going to shut that door someday and it will be too late. Many will try to get in but will not be able. This question about getting into heaven came during a preaching campaign as He was on His way to Jerusalem. We all know what happened there. The cross and the empty tomb are the reasons the master of the house will not let you in. If you fail to accept Jesus and his finished work on the cross and the fact that He arose from the dead, you cannot be saved, or let in that narrow door.

The Greek word “stenos” is the word “narrow” in verse 24. The concordance tells us that it has a meaning of someone standing by the door. With that someone standing there, there is a blockage of sorts, especially when it is too late. Then the master shuts the door. Boom. It rings with the thunder of all eternity when it shuts. James 4:14 tells us about the importance of time in regards to eternity “14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away”

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Jas 4:14.

Perhaps it is the arrogance of people that keeps them out of heaven. Perhaps it is playing lip service to the religious authorities that will be their undoing. They knew all of the right words. They did the right things like Jesus is explaining: “

English Standard Version (Chapter 13)

“26 We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.”

Jesus then says, “Depart from me, all you workers of evil.”

Going through the motions are not enough. You must be able to get beyond the door where the master is standing.

In verses 27- 30 we get a picture of the judgement of Hell, the kingdom of heaven, God’s order of prominence. It is all there in that small package of 4 small verses. Hell will be full of workers of iniquity( or willful) sins. People who don’t think they belong there. Then there will be weeping or heavy crying and the gnashing or grinding of teeth. It will be a place of eternal regret. You will be able to see God’s select people but you will not be named among them! Finally, the banquet table in heaven is going to include people from all around the world. Not just the Jews. Then He lays down one more truth. Some who are last will be first and some who are first. That is something hard for most people to comprehend. But we must remember, the kingdom is still growing. That means some late arrivals are going to be extremely important and some who made the trip earlier, won’t be in such admiration. Then again, it’s all about Jesus anyway. Brothers, it is all about getting in the door and not missing the Bible bus!