Review of Luke 13

by Pastor Ayo Sparks

It is a great pleasure to be here once more. Thank you Gogolights for being the best online faith-based siblings ever. Thank you Pastor Dammy for the opportunity to add my quota to the furtherance of the Saints.

We begin to see Jesus speak to the people in quick succession from this chapter onward in parables. These parables are centered around the Kingdom of God. The chapter started out with the narrative about some Galileans killed by Pilate and then he mixed their blood with their sacrifices. It is no news that these were Jews killed. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees who were his audience that these men didn’t die because they were sinners more than they are… He assured them that his audience too will perish like those Galileans if they didn’t repent.

What Jesus painted here is simple: SIN IS SIN. His audience regarded those that perished as sinners. It is important to note that Jesus did not refute that they weren’t sinners, he only used them to inform his audience about their future.

You may ask: Why did the audience think they were sinners? Let us check out a scripture reference to this story

Acts. 5:34-37 | Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gama´li-el, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theu´das, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

A Church historian, Josephus mentioned that the Galileans are the most turbulent and seditious people being upon all occasions ready to disturb the Roman authority and all of Israel regarded them as sinners because of their much incessant defiance. It was on the occasion that Jesus battled their thoughts that they weren’t killed because they were sinners. He was telling them that it wouldn’t matter the way people died, what would only matter is Repentance.

The same illustration goes to the 18 people killed by the falling of the Siloam tower. As common with the Israelites theology, bad things happen because of sin.

In summary: Jesus did not hesitate to hang great lessons on passing events. It is a great art to lead men’s thought from the outward and transient to the unseen and eternal. We have no right to suppose that disasters prove the presence of special sin in those who are involved in them. Accidents are not necessarily punishments, and we who witness the sad fate of others have no right to congratulate ourselves on our moral or spiritual superiority.

We read next about the PARABLE OF THE BARREN TREE

This parable of the fig tree is intended primarily to the Jewish nation. The three years denotes Jesus’ years of effort to secure fruitfulness etched in the salvation and redemption of Israel. But it is of universal application. God is always seeking fruit; love is ever pleading.

LESSON FROM THE WOMAN WITH AN INFIRMITY

Verse 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.

The message that Pharisee preached to the crowd reflects the way most people perceive miracles. He said “there are 6days for working”. The works mentality has eaten deeply into their subconscious and also ours of today that we attribute miracles to works rather than gift… Miracles are the acts of God through men – it is of Grace! We’d begin to flow in the miraculous when we know that is not of our works but of his release. With this we can look into the eyes of a woman battling with cancer and the young lady with an ovarian cyst say “be healed in the name of Jesus”.

Glory to God! To anyone reading this right now – I rebuke that sickness ravaging your body and I declare be healed  in Jesus name! (Check yourself right now- The power of God is flowing within you- begin to do what you couldn’t do before- You are already healed.)