Day 27: Luke 13:1-21

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Here we find Jesus giving a warning and parable in reference to the Jewish people. Just as the fig tree was given the advantage of the good soil in the vineyard, so were the Jewish people in knowing and serving God throughout their history.

Notice how the caretaker in the parable intercedes on behalf of the tree asking for another year to give it time to produce fruit. In the same way, Christ intercedes on your behalf, offering you grace and the space for redemption.

Thank Jesus for his patient belief in you. His forbearance. His loyalty.

The Scripture continues…

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Jesus continues to reveal the hypocrisy of the religious leaders through a miracle that heals both the woman’s body and soul. The reaction of the people is one of celebration whereas His opponents were humiliated.

Are there areas in your life that you need healing and the Lord’s touch? Do you need to unlearn ways of thinking in order to allow the work of Jesus progress in your life and those around you?

The Scripture continues…

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

What starts as something small can grow into something great when you give it time. We see the message of the gospel continue to spread in ways that are beyond what anyone could have expected, touching the hearts of people around the world.

Take a moment to give thanks that you have a Savior who intercedes for you, sees you as more important than artificial traditions, and advances with His glory in you and throughout the world. 

Though you might feel small and insignificant, the Kingdom of God is for you.