Day 59, Luke 13
Jesus continues to challenge the assumptions of religious tradition as He clearly distinguishes Himself from the Sanhedrin and their cronies. First He challenges the comparison trap: if something bad happens to you, then you must have sinned, and if it’s worse than what happened to someone else then you must have sinned more than them. This focus on performance is the trap of religious effort; it keeps God’s children enslaved to requirements and expectations that are impossible to keep (unless you are Jesus)!
He follows this with the parable of the barren fig tree, expressing God’s patience even when there is no fruit. For three years John the Baptist and Jesus have called on the people of Israel to bear fruit through repentance, because the ax is ready at the root of the tree. Now there are a few months left and the actions of Jesus are digging around the tree even more deeply, bringing further revelation fertilizer: will there be fruit?
There is immediate fruit when Jesus heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath: the crowds are filled with joy. Yet the tree (represented by the synagogue leader) is furious. This is a widespread symptom among those who see themselves as the elite, yet Jesus’ reply to the bystander’s question in verse 23 shows that most of those privileged authorities will find themselves on the outside when God’s kingdom feast begins (which will be soon).
When the religious leaders urge Jesus to flee because Herod wants to kill Him, Jesus’ response is clear. He will only die when it is time; when He brings His work to perfect completion. And the city that is the stronghold of religious power is too stubborn to welcome the very one they are supposed to be anticipating. Instead, like they did with the prophets before Him, they will kill God’s man and experience ruin when the Romans destroy the city 70 years after Christ.
The learning for us is clear: God is patient with our faults and failings; we will be safe if we allow Him to gather us under his wings.
Have a great day!
Mark.