Sunday, August 12, 2018

LUKE 13:22-30 POSTERS PUNTED OUT


POSERS PUNTED OUT
LUKE 13:22-30

Luke 13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Susie: Although Jesus made several short trips to Jerusalem for various feasts during His ministry, Luke emphasizes that everything Jesus did was ultimately leading to the final destination of Jerusalem to fulfill His purpose on earth–death on the cross as the final Passover Lamb.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying—Literally, making a journey, as implying a circuit deliberately planned. This is apparently the continuation of the same journey as that of which Luke 9:51 recorded the beginning.

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem

Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved?

Susan: Although large crowds still came out to hear Jesus, the committed followers are fewer and fewer as persecution and threats from religious leaders increase. Following Jesus as a way of life was becoming dangerous.

John 11:7-8, 16 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? . . . Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Luke 13:23b-24 And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Susie: Matthew’s gospel describes the gate as both strait and narrow. Hence our expression, “stay on the strait and narrow.”

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there-at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Susan: Does the word “strive” indicate that our salvation is somehow based on works? Not at all, but John MacArthur explains it better than Susie or I can:

MacArthur Study Bible

13:24 Strive. This signifies a great struggle against conflict. Christ was not suggesting that anyone could merit heaven by striving for it. No matter how rigorously they labored, sinners could never save themselves. Salvation is solely by grace, not by works (Eph. 2:8, 9). But entering the narrow gate is nonetheless difficult because of its cost in terms of human pride, because of the sinner’s natural love for sin, and because of the world’s and Satan’s opposition to the truth. See notes on 16:16; Matt. 11:12. many…will seek to enter. I.e., at the judgment, when many will protest that they deserve entrance into heaven (cf. Matt. 7:21–23).

Susie: One translation indicates the urgency of entering in the strait gate, using the word “now:”

Luke 13:24 (VOICE)     Jesus: Strive to enter through the narrow door now, because many people—hear Me on this—will try to enter later on and will not be able to.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Susie: The point Jesus seems to be making is there will come a time when it is “too late.”

Susan: One person at a time enters the narrow gate. There are no “group passes” to heaven. Each individual must have a personal relationship with the owner of the house, i.e. Jesus.

Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Susan: Once the door is closed, time to be admitted is over.

Susie: The door will remain open until all of those who have trusted Jesus are safe within His house.

Luke 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

Susan: There will be people who the price of admittance. They will think they fulfilled requirements because they have heard Jesus’s teachings and been present in His meetings. However, they were passing acquaintances. Only those adopted into the family of God have reservations for the marriage banquet.

Susie: Many of the Jews thought they would be welcomed into Heaven simply because they were “children of Abraham.” This is not the same as being children of God, those bought with the blood of His Son, Jesus.

Matthew 3:8-9 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Susan: There are many who claim the name “Christian” but in reality, have never surrendered their lives to Jesus. The Savior recognizes them for what they are—posers!

Susie: We do not always have the discernment to recognize them, but when Christ returns, He will expose the phonies among us. This reminded us of the parable of the tares sown among the wheat. At the harvest time, the tares (imposters) were thrown into the fire, and the wheat (true believers) were harvested.

Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Susan: The reapers are God’s angels, and the barn is His house where Jesus has promised to prepare a place for those who trust in Him.

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Susan: If you do not belong to Jesus, if you are not with Him, then you are against Him. You do not have to vehemently reject the Lord to be locked out, just refuse or neglect to accept His gift of Salvation and be forever changed by His Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Susie: Jesus tells His Jewish audience that they will be inconsolably sobbing when they see the patriarchs of their faith inside God’s house, while they are standing on the outside getting a glimpse as through a window. These people who took pride in being Abraham’s children but did not live up to the promise God gave Him to be a blessing to all nations, will find themselves tossed out of God’s house like leftovers destined to become slop for the pigs.

Susan: They made themselves refuse by refusing to recognize the Messiah standing before them.

Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Susie: By naming the four corners of the earth, Jesus is saying that Gentiles (non-Jews) would be welcomed into God’s house while many Jews would be turned away. This was in keeping with Old Testament prophecy:

Isaiah 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Susie: In this instance, the Jews would consider themselves first as God’s chosen people and the Gentiles last. However, Jesus states that many who think themselves to be the most important and most likely to have a spot in the kingdom may actually be at the bottom of the heap.

Susan: Despite what the Jewish leaders thought, entrance into Heaven is not determined by nationality but by intimate reality. One must have a personal relationship with Jesus, devoted to and transparent before the Lord.

Ponder this and Apply it: In Jesus’s reply, He focuses not so much on how many will enter, but that once the door is shut, no one else can get in. The point is to be sure you meet the qualifications for entrance before that point. What puts a person’s name on the guest list? Admittance is only given to those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus, trusting Him alone for salvation. Is your name on the list?

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