30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 13 31-35 The lament of Jesus 06 Understanding the big picture
📖 Luke 13:31-35
06Nov19 - *Understanding the big picture* - _Luke 13:31-35_ - Bible reading: _Acts 13:32-34_
_Luke 13:33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem._
God wants us to understand the big picture of His kingdom and He longs for us to live as subjects, as citizens of His kingdom, under His rule and His authority over us.
Here we see Paul and Barnabas speaking to a Jewish audience and helping them see the big picture and how Jesus went to the cross. _Act 13:14-16 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on."_ We need to note here that in the synagogue, it was the law and prophets that was read every Sabbath and the people were fully aware of the word of God. _(16) Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:_ Paul then begins to tie up the whole message of Jesus, for the understanding of the Jewish mind.
_Act 13:26-28 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. (27) For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him._ This is a strong statement from Paul that though the law and the prophets are being read every Sabbath, people and especially the Jewish did not know and did not want to know Jesus. _(28)And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death._ We have seen already that the Jewish leaders caused Jesus to be put to death for their own reasons.
_Act 13:32-34 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. (33) God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.' (34) And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I WILL GIVE YOU THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID.'_ This is the good news, friends. The good news is about the kingdom of Jesus. This kingdom, the Jewish people understood very well, for they were all eagerly waiting for the setting up of the Davidic rule. We too, as Gentiles, need to understand that the good news is that God is wanting us to come into His kingdom, in Christ.
_Act 13:38-41 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; (39) and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things_ Through Jesus we have forgiveness of sins and justification before God. _from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses._ The Law could neither give us forgiveness of sins nor justification before God. _(40) Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: (41) ‘BEHOLD, YOU DESPISERS, MARVEL AND PERISH! FOR I WORK A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL BY NO MEANS BELIEVE, THOUGH ONE WERE TO DECLARE IT TO YOU.' "_ As Paul concludes his message to a Jewish audience, he lays before them the call to choose Christ or perish. This is the same choice before us too.
*Thought to ponder*
```Many us claim to believe in Jesus but have we submitted to His kingdom rule over us?```