THE LATER JUDEAN MINISTRY

-Another Sabbath Healing, Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

-Luke 13:10-21

-Special Note:  This is a passage that is challenging in terms of chronology.  There is a transition

 in Luke near to this passage from the Later Judean Ministry to the Perean Ministry.  It is

 difficult to identify exactly where that transition takes place.  It is possible that this account may

 describe an event that took place early in the Perean Ministry rather than late in the Later Judean

 Ministry.  If it took place in the Perean Ministry then it would belong after the next account

 considered in our study (see below).  However, for the sake of this study, we will remain

 consistent with A.T. Robertson’s chronology and will include this passage at this point. 

 However, McGarvey and Pendleton, when considering this passage, placed it under a heading of

 “Probably in Peraea” (pg 482).

-While teaching in a synagogue, Jesus encountered a woman who had been suffering the

 physical effects brought on by a demon.  She had suffered these effects for eighteen years.

            -When Jesus laid His hands on her, she was immediately healed and glorified God. 

-The ruler of the synagogue ignored the goodness of the miraculous deed performed before his

 very eyes and indignantly charged that the Sabbath had been violated.

            -It’s interesting that this man didn’t aim his rebuke directly at Jesus.  Instead, he directed it

             toward the people who were present at that time.

            -His words were truly pitiful!  Basically he said, “You have six days in which to be healed. 

             Get healed then - not on the Sabbath.”

            -It is amazing that some, rather than acknowledge the truth, will desperately stand against it

             even when they can’t muster anything to say beyond the pathetic.  Such was the case with

             this man and his indirect rebuke of Jesus.

-Once again, Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy in such a claim that Jesus had violated the Sabbath.

            -Those that withstood Jesus were ashamed (KJV), humiliated (NASB, NIV) while others

              rejoiced.

-Yes, a glorious deed had been performed and there was reason to rejoice.  Yet, a greater source

 of glory and joy was going to be revealed - the Lord’s kingdom - the church.

            -The parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven pertained to the church and

             revealed that, even though it would begin small, it would grow and spread throughout the

             world.