To the lawyers and Pharisees at dinner

They could not answer him. Jesus had asked a leading question–the same kind of question that they had often asked him.

Luke: 14:1-6

• Jesus accepted a Sabbath dinner invitation (v. 1).
• Jesus accepted a dinner invitation to a chief Pharisee’s house (v. 1).
• Jesus accepted an invitation that put him in direct contact with Pharisees and lawyers.
• At the dinner also was a man who had the dropsy (v. 2).
• The first question: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? The Pharisees and lawyers did not answer (v. 3).
• Jesus healed the man and sent him away (v. 4).
• The second question: Which of you wouldn’t help one of your animals get out of a pit on the sabbath day? (v. 5).
• They could not answer him (v. 6).

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“Are there few that be saved?”

If so, are you one of the few?

Luke 13:22-35

• Jesus answers the question: Many will seek to enter and shall not be able (v. 24). Knowing this, you should strive to enter.
• The door will not always be opened. At some point further entrance will be denied.
• And when you see others in the kingdom of God and you are outside, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth-yours!
• Jesus refused to be scared by the Pharisees who spoke of Herod’s desire to kill Jesus (v. 31-33).
• Jesus laments that the leaders in Jerusalem kept the common folk from gathering to him (v. 34).
• And he announces that he won’t be back until the end of his life (v. 35).

Meditation Points:

1. The “many” of which Jesus speaks are not necessarily limited to one generation. But it’s an apt commentary on religion in our day.
2. Jesus’ description of the kingdom of God shows that he speaks of something much more than religious fervor.
3. Jesus would have gathered the common people, but their leaders would not allow it. This speaks of two contradictory wills; it does not speak of freedom of the will or limits of God’s ability. We know that the common people DID come to Jesus.

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“Unpluckable”

No, that’s not a real word. But it should be, for it describes the safety of the believer in the hands of God– not anyone is able to pluck the believer out of the eternal life he enjoys in God’s care.

John 10:22-42

• The deity of Christ is plainly taught in scripture. Those who demand more plain teaching will receive none. Their inability to comprehend the Messianic character and work of Jesus is due to their sinful nature—they do not believe because they are not Christ’s sheep (v. 26).
• Some unbelievers will comprehend the message and reject Christ. They realize the consequences of His claims to deity (v. 31-34).
• Jesus masterfully refers to Psalm 82:6 to prove it’s not blasphemous to be called “son of God”.
• When the Jews sought to arrest Jesus, he escaped to the place beyond Jordan where John the Baptist had ministered. Many followed him there and gave testimony to his unique miracle-working; and many believed on him there (v. 40-42).

Meditation Points:

1. Salvation requires a change of nature. Those who are by nature NOT sheep, cannot believe in Christ. What is your nature?
2. Eternal life means never perishing. John 3:16. Pity those who do not know this blessed security.
3. Clearly Jesus claimed to be divine. Else why would the Jews want to kill him? How is it that so-called theologians deny the deity of Christ?

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“His adversaries were ashamed”

Ashamed, and rightly so for being more interested in their religious traditions than the well-being of a crippled lady.

Luke 13:10-21

• For 18 years she was bent over and unable to lift herself up.
• Jesus laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight (v. 13).
• An indignant synagogue ruler accused Jesus of breaking the fourth commandment.
• Jesus reprimanded the man for hypocrisy, caring more for dumb animals than for the lady (v. 15-16).
• Jesus relates two parables to show that the kingdom of God being small and insignificant but that it grows to influence the world around it.

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