Luke 11-13

Luke 11

The Lord’s Prayer 

• Disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray
• Jesus teaches:
  • honor God’s name
  • seek His kingdom
  • daily provision
  • forgiveness
  • deliverance from temptation
• Parable of friend at midnight who keeps asking for food for a friend
  • Because he kept seeking, he got a esponse
• Jesus “Ask…seek…knock”
• Father gives:
  • good gifts
  • especially the Holy Spirit

Jesus and Beelzebul

• Jesus casts out a mute demon
  • From https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/luke-11/: The Jews in Jesus’ day had their own exorcists, who sought to cast demons out of people. But they believed that they had to make the demon reveal his name, or they had no authority over the demon to cast it out.
• Some accuse Him of having power from Beelzebul
• Jesus responds:
  • A divided kingdom cannot stand
  • His power shows God’s kingdom has come
• When a demon leaves, he returns with more if they do not trust in Jesus
• A woman praises Jesus’ mother
• Jesus says blessed are those who hear and keep God’s word

The Sign of Jonah 

• This generation seeks signs
• Only sign given: Jonah
  • In belly 3 days 
• Nineveh repented and was greater than Jonah is here
• Queen of Sheba responded to Solomon, but generation won’t respond to Jesus

The Light Within 

• Lamp meant to shine, not to be hidden
• Eye is the lamp of body
• Be full of light, not darkness

Woes to Pharisees and Lawyers 

• Pharisee asks to dine with Jesus and is upset He didn’t wash before dinner
• Pharisees focus on outward cleanliness and neglect justice and love
• Lawyers are offended to which Jesus says lawyers burden people and reject God’s messengersThey plan to catch Him in a lie

Luke 12

Beware of Hypocrisy 

• 1000s of people gather, trampling each other
• Jesus says the leaven of Pharisees is hypocrisy
  • Nothing hidden will remain hidden

Fear God, Not Man 

• Do not fear those who kill the body
• Fear God who has authority over eternal destiny
• God values even the smallest details (sparrows, hairs)

Acknowledge Christ 

• Confess Jesus and will be acknowledged before angels (in heaven) 
• Deny Him and you will be denied
• Blaspheming against Holy Spirit will not be forgiven 
• Holy Spirit will help in trials (said to disciples)

Parable of the Rich Fool 

• Man asks for brother to share inheritance. Jesus tells a parable:
  • Man stores up wealth for himself
  • God calls him a fool
  • Life required that night
  • wealth without God is empty

Do Not Be Anxious 

• Jesus says do not worry about food or clothing
• God provides for ravens and lilies
• Seek God’s kingdom
• Treasure is where your heart is
• “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”

Be Ready !! 

• Be like servants waiting for master
  • Stay awake and prepared
• Faithful servant is rewarded
• Unfaithful is judged
• If you have greater responsibility will have greater accountability

Jesus brings division, not superficial peace

• Even families may be divided

Interpreting the Times 

• People read weather but miss the spiritual reality of the present moment
• Jesus says to
  • discern the moment
  • make things right before judgment

“Fear not little flock….”

Luke 13

Repent or Perish

• Tragedies discussed
  • 1. “The Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices”
    • Unsure exactly what happened here- perhaps an attack on forcing Jews to hand over money 
  • 2. “those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them”
• Jesus says they are not worse sinners and all must repent

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 

• Tree without fruit for 3 years is given 1 more year. 
• Warning: judgment if no fruit

Woman Healed on Sabbath 

• Woman crippled 18 years
• Jesus heals her on Sabbath
• Leaders object
• Jesus exposes their hypocrisy (they also work) 

Mustard Seed & Leaven 

• Kingdom of God:
  • small beginning
  • grows greatly
  • spreads throughout

The Narrow Door 

• Many seek to enter but few succeed
• Some shut out despite “knowing” God
  • “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”
• The first will be last, the last will be first

Lament over Jerusalem 

• Pharisees come with warning about Herod Antipas wanting to kill Jesus
• Jesus continues His mission
• His lament: Jerusalem rejects prophets
• His desire: gather people like a hen gathers chicks
• There will be future recognition of Him

Application

Jesus tells us that true religion is about the heart, not just our outward actions. Remember life is short!!  Our repentance and  our readiness matter.