In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Journey Toward Jerusalem October 16,

Summary Last week’s lesson found Jesus in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication –In mid-to-late December This week’s lesson finds him away from Jerusalem, but on a journey back there 2

Jesus Leaves Jerusalem John 10:40-42 – 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there. 3

Jesus’ Travel Beyond Jordan 4

Jesus Travels to Jerusalem Luke 13:22 – 22 And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. At some future date, Jesus begins to make His way back towards Jerusalem, teaching along the way –The Feast of Dedication was in December –He is heading toward the Passover Feast in March-April 5

How Many Saved? Luke 13:23-24 – 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Someone in the crowd throws out a question about inclusion in the kingdom –Jesus responds to the individual –Doesn’t answer the question directly 6

Observations Jesus stresses the need to enter through the door, though narrow –Many will try, but will be unable –Focuses on those who won’t make it Harks back to the gate through which the sheep enter 7

A Parable Luke 13:25-27 – 25 “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; 27 and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’” 8

Jewish Society Inclusion in Jewish society assigned status based on one of two attributes: –Ascription – attainment of status based on inherited traits or kinship Being of the right lineage –Performance – attainment of status based on achievement of certain goals or behaving in certain ways Following the right set of rules and regulations 9

Observations In this parable, those who knock express an expectation to be included –Ascription They are surprised at the Master’s response –“I don’t know you” They fall back on Performance –“We did the right things” –“You invited us before” The Master still tells them to depart –Why are they excluded? –Why does He call them “evildoers”? 10

Observations Jesus breaks the news to the crowd that inclusion in the Kingdom isn’t based on Ascription –No longer good enough to be a child of Abraham One must be an authentic disciple –One who hears the words of Jesus –One who follows the teachings of those words –An element of Performance, not Ascription –It’s not who you are, it’s how you respond 11

Weeping and Gnashing Luke 13:28-30 – 28 “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. 29 And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.” 12

Observations When those who are left out of the Kingdom see those who are included, there will be much sorrow Note the inclusion of the prophets in the list of those in the Kingdom Who are those who come from the four winds? –Why are they included? Jesus finishes with a statement that turns the model of Jewish inclusion on its head 13

A Warning from the Pharisees Luke 13:31 – 31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.” It’s just quite possible that the Pharisees were truly concerned for Jesus’ safety –Or maybe they just wanted to make sure that they got their hands on Him first 14

Jesus’ Travel Beyond Jordan 15

I Ain’t Skeered! Luke 13:32-33 – 32 And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.” What does Jesus mean by this statement? 16

Observations It’s unlikely that Jesus calls Herod a “fox” because of any particular slyness or cunning, but rather is depicting him as a weak but sneaky adversary At any rate, Jesus seems generally unconcerned –He’s not running from Herod, but to Jerusalem –He knows where His mission will be completed –He will not be deterred 17

The House of Herod 18

Jesus Mourns for Jerusalem Luke 13:34-35 – 34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! 35 Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” How is the “house left desolate”? 19

Woe to You! Luke 11:47-51 – 47 “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and it was your fathers who killed them. 48 So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute, 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’” 20

Observations There is a tone of hopefulness in Jesus words –That Jerusalem would be receptive –However, He knows the final outcome Jerusalem has a long and storied history of murdering those who God sent to carry His message –Why should they treat Jesus any different? Luke 13:33 – 33 “Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem 21

Takeaways Enter the door while there is time –It’s a narrow door –Many will be left out It’s not about who you are, it’s about how you respond to Jesus –Hear AND follow “If you love Me, you’ll obey My commands” –Which ones? –How ‘bout ALL of them! 22

23 Next Week Luke 14:1-24