Luke 13 and 14

Chapter 13

In the first 5 verses of this chapter, the people are referring to a natural disaster and then the Lord also refers to one. The people are inferring that people suffered and died in them because they were wicked and God punished them, much like Job's friends did to him. The Savior tells them that they are more likely to perish because of their wickedness than those people in the disasters were. God has sent disasters upon people who are extremely wicked. But more often than not, disasters are natural occurrences.

I think verse 17 is a telling verse. His adversaries are ashamed and the people are rejoicing over what the Savior is doing. The Pharisees and other religious leaders were terribly oppressive. The people could hardly sneeze with any freedom there were so many rules and restrictions. Now the Savior is showing how senseless and unfeeling these rules are, how more important people and their needs are. Like the mustard seed and the leaven in the bread, the gospel applied correctly in our lives makes it possible for us to grow and produce fruit in great abundance.

I like at the end of the chapter where the Pharisees warn the Savior about Herod. They are such cowards. They can't compete with the Savior so they say, "You better watch out or Herod is going to get you!"

Chapter 14

What a great lesson about humility in verses 1 to 11. These are great verses for those who ever aspired to a leadership position in the church. The Lord will elevate us at the right time and place. In the meantime, we should be among the most humble of people.

With the guests accepting an invitation to a supper but then giving all kinds of excuses why they can't come, I like to compare this to serving in the church. The Lord has invited us to such wonderful blessings in the church. Then all he asks is that we home teach or do something else. So often, people, find excuses not to help, or do their part unless it's something important and others will think they are someone important.

In verses 25 to the end of the chapter, the