‏ Luke 13

* Christ exhorts to repentance from the case of the Galileans

and others. (1-5) Parable of the barren fig-tree. (6-9) The

infirm woman strengthened. (10-17) The parables of the mustard

seed, and leaven. (18-22) Exhortation to enter at the strait

gate. (23-30) Christ's reproof to Herod, and to the people of

Jerusalem. (31-35)

1-5 Mention was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans.

This tragical story is briefly related here, and is not met with

in any historians. In Christ's reply he spoke of another event,

which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away by sudden

death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be

men's destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great

sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great

sinners. As no place or employment can secure from the stroke of

death, we should consider the sudden removals of others as

warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call

to repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the

kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we

shall perish. 6-9 This parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce

the warning given just before: the barren tree, except it brings

forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in the first place

refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is, without

doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the

privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we

may hope that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we

cannot expect that he will bear always. 10-17 Our Lord Jesus attended upon public worship on the

sabbaths. Even bodily infirmities, unless very grievous, should

not keep us from public worship on sabbath days. This woman came

to Christ to be taught, and to get good to her soul, and then he

relieved her bodily infirmity. This cure represents the work of

Christ's grace upon the soul. And when crooked souls are made

straight, they will show it by glorifying God. Christ knew that

this ruler had a real enmity to him and to his gospel, and that

he did but cloak it with a pretended zeal for the sabbath day;

he really would not have them be healed any day; but if Jesus

speaks the word, and puts forth his healing power, sinners are

set free. This deliverance is often wrought on the Lord's day;

and whatever labour tends to put men in the way of receiving the

blessing, agrees with the design of that day. 18-22 Here is the progress of the gospel foretold in two

parables, as in #Mt 13|. The kingdom of the Messiah is the

kingdom of God. May grace grow in our hearts; may our faith and

love grow exceedingly, so as to give undoubted evidence of their

reality. May the example of God's saints be blessed to those

among whom they live; and may his grace flow from heart to

heart, until the little one becomes a thousand. 23-30 Our Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to

gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But,

Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall become of such and such?

But, What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to

enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it

is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the

strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that

would enter in, must strive to enter. Here are awakening

considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be

all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few

that shall be saved? But let none despond either as to

themselves or others, for there are last who shall be first, and

first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many

there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we

expected to find. 31-35 Christ, in calling Herod a fox, gave him his true

character. The greatest of men were accountable to God,

therefore it became him to call this proud king by his own name;

but it is not an example for us. I know, said our Lord, that I

must die very shortly; when I die, I shall be perfected, I shall

have completed my undertaking. It is good for us to look upon

the time we have before us as but little, that we may thereby be

quickened to do the work of the day in its day. The wickedness

of persons and places which more than others profess religion

and relation to God, especially displeases and grieves the Lord

Jesus. The judgment of the great day will convince unbelievers;

but let us learn thankfully to welcome, and to profit by all who

come in the name of the Lord, to call us to partake of his great

salvation.