Luke 13:10-35

IV. Understand the Kingdom of God, Luke 13:10-35.

At first glance this passage might seem like several unconnected teachings.  But you will see that the Kingdom of God is central.  Jesus’ followers need to have a right understanding of the Kingdom of God because something is happening before their eyes that defied their expectations.  

·        13:10-17: The miracle teaches the superiority of God’s Kingdom over the kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13)/death (Rom. 5:21)/evil (Eph. 6:12).  It also shows that the rebellion was evident in Israel when even a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound could not be delivered on the Sabbath.

·        13:18-21: Jesus adds two parables that reveal the coming mystery form of the Kingdom of God (these parables are part of Matt. 13, v31-33, where Jesus revealed this coming form of the Kingdom of God on earth).  The first shows the place of many Gentiles in the Kingdom (the large tree).  The second shows the sin (leaven always represents evil) found in God’s visible Kingdom on earth; as it co-existed in Israel so it co-exists in the visible Church.

·        13:22-30: Jesus calls Israel to enter the Kingdom through the narrow gate, doing it in the context of the wedding supper (remember: Lk. 12:35-40).  These words would have shocked and offended the Jews.  They saw themselves as being “tight” with the Messiah (v26) but Jesus saw them as alienated, destined for eternal punishment (v27-28).  It was unbelievable that someone would say they were cut off from God’s Kingdom while Gentiles were present at the table (v29-30).

·        13:31-35: Jesus concludes by speaking of Jerusalem, the holy city where God’s earthly throne was to be.  The death of the Messiah had to occur in Jerusalem and would be followed by the destruction of the city (cf. Dan. 9:24-27).  Again, these would be shocking words to the Jews.  But to Jesus’ disciples there words would guide them through the open years of the Church.

God rules over all the universe (Psalm 103:19-22); all the earth is His (Psalm 24:1,7-10).  But from Adam to the return of Christ much of it is in rebellion; it is enemy territory.  Jesus was telling His followers and warning all Israel lest they see the coming cross and destruction of Jerusalem as defeat rather than part of God’s great plan for bringing all the earth under His rule through Messiah.

These words continue to be critical today.  On one hand, Satan and all hell cannot stand against the Church Jesus is building (Matt. 16:18); God’s Kingdom is superior.  On the other hand the rebellion is evident in the visible Church.  Not all who go to church are in the Church (to paraphrase Paul from Rom. 2:28f; 9:7).  Be warned.  Consider: are you one who is familiar with Christ but of whom He will say, I never knew you?  Or are you the true and faithful servant?