As Luke moves through chapter 13, he sort-of takes us through an A-B-A thought. He talks about the subject of repentance, gives a warning against the unrepentant, then goes back into the need of repentance. Luke opens the chapter with a continuation of what Jesus was teaching in chapter 12. On the subject of repentance, Jesus starts by highlighting the fact that one needs to repent or perish forever.
Jesus uses two events from that day and age to bring the point that death is the common denominator for all, Jew and Gentile. Being killed or not has no measure on a person’s righteousness. Essentially, anyone could be killed and it is only through God’s grace that we can live.
“…But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”
Jesus Christ (Luke 13:5 ESV)
The parable of the fig tree is used to illustrate the point further. Judgment will come to those who do not repent. The interpretation of this parable is that it is given to the Jews of the first century Israel. It was to serve as a warning to them. That if they did not repent, then judgment would come. They could be cut down. In 70 A.D. a violent end came upon the nation of Israel. Many died, the Temple was destroyed, the nation was in ruin. But those that repented and took heed to Jesus’ warnings, left the city and were saved. The delay in the cutting of the fig tree explains the delay of judgment for 40 years. God, who is slow to judge and compassionate, was looking for good fruit from the nation of Israel. He waited until the right time to cast judgment on that nation.
The compassion of the Lord is seen throughout the Bible. One such example I can think of is when Abraham intercedes for Sodom in Genesis 18:22-33. In these verses, Abraham is asking the Lord if he would keep from destroying the city if the Lord is able to find a number of righteous people. However, the Lord finds none and the city is destroyed.
The warning for us here is to not be like the nation of Israel, who rejected their Messiah and was judged for that. We need to look to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. To repent from our sins, our previous way of living and to live for Him. When we repent, we too will bear fruit, unlike the fig tree. Our fruit as evidence of our salvation.
A Warning in the Form of a Parable
Luke 13:18-21 can be a difficult parable to follow…Especially when taken on its own. Fortunately, myself and a few others at my Church spent a bit of time studying this in the context of the life of the Messiah. I’ll give a short summary, but link you to a sermon my good friend Bill VanDyke recently did.
In short, Jesus is using these two parables to describe what is known as “the Mystery Kingdom”. This is the time of the church age, that is, the time we are presently living in. The mustard tree represents the whole of Christendom. The birds that come lodging in the tree represent the servants of Satan. These servants come in and use Christian elements, but distort the basics of the Gospel.
This warning is further exemplified in the parable of the leaven. The leaven represents the false doctrine that will exist during the Chruch age. Leaven can be hidden among us and if not thrown out it can cause sin to grow within our churches. This is all too often shown in today’s “modern” church. Recently, I watched an interview with a “Christian” band and the question was asked along the lines of “how do I take a traditional church and turn it into something like this?” Speaking of turning their Chruch services into more of a concert-like atmosphere. Instead of brushing off the question and responding with something Biblical, the band replied with a framework of how to usurp the leadership and “convert” this traditional church into a band lead “modern” church.
The use of more modern music in worship typically isn’t an issue in my mind. But usurping a church leadership that holds more traditional or orthodox (if i can use that word) views is dangerous. But these are the types of things that will plague our day and age and have been since the time of the Apostles and early Church.
I would highly suggest heading over to listen to a sermon recently given on this topic. Bill VanDyke teaches on the parables of the Mystery Kingdom and gives an overview that would be better listened to, opposed to me typing it all out. It can be found on the Calvary Bible Chapel website here: https://www.calvarybiblechapel.us/11-07-2021-bill-vandyke/
Repent Through the Narrow Door
I want to wrap up today by looking at the Luke 13:22-35. In this passage the disciples question Jesus about those that would enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is drawing closer to his final journey into Jerusalem and it would seem that the disciples were exposed more and more to those that have joined the leaders of Israel in rejecting Him as the Messiah. Jesus tells them:
“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
Luke 13:24 ESV
That “narrow door” is faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The Pharisees would teach a “broad way” of entrance into the Kingdom. That is that one only had to be a Jew, a descendant of Abraham. The Jews got this completely WRONG! The way the Pharisees had interpreted Scriptures had blinded them to the true plan of salvation. They could not see the prophecies being fulfilled in their day and age with Jesus. Unfortunately, those who would reject Jesus and follow the wide path of the Pharisees would face rejection and the weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I love Luke 13:29… I also love that both Luke and Matthew record similar verses (reference Matthew 8:10-12). The fact that Luke includes this though is important for his audience. This solidifies that Salvation is of the Jews, but is designed for all. Both Jew and Gentile will be unified in one faith, in one Savior, in one Messiah, Jesus Christ.
If you haven’t, I challenge you to search your heart and repent. Jesus is coming to reign as King soon. You do not want to be in a place of unrepentance when He comes. Enter the narrow door and accept the free gift of forgiveness of your sins. Jesus Christ lived and died so that we can stand before a Holy God and be washed clean. All you need to do is admit that you are a sinner; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; and call out to Him.
For by grace [undeserved favor] you have been saved [delivered from sin’s penalty] through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one should boast
Ephesians 2:8,9 NKJV (emphisis added)
