We left off with Jesus dining at a Pharisee’s house, whereupon He takes on both His host and a scribe for their meaningless rituals and for putting up barriers to others’ salvation. (see Christ Steps into the Ring).

         Next, we find Christ addressing a large crowd with regards to His return to Earth (His ‘second coming’), through a parable:

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.

“The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded…he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

“Understand this, if a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Lk. 12:35 – 40. NLT

            So, it is vital that we get our spiritual house in order and keep it that way, (living in alignment with God), before Christ returns, or our earth suit wears out – whichever comes first. Or it will be too late. Salvation will be permanently off the table.

         Jesus speaks to this urgency:  

“When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does. And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘it’s going to be hot,’ and it is.

“Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?” Lk. 12:54 – 56. CSB

‘’Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right. When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will through you into prison.

“And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.” Lk. 12:57 – 59. NLT

            Jesus seems to be exasperated with this crowd, which I’m sure He was. However, what we are witnessing, is the determination of His love. He is trying to get the people to see the light – that their salvation is standing right in front of them.

            And He is letting them know that they must grab ahold of that salvation, (by being in right-standing with God), before they have to stand in front of the judgement seat. Satan is our accuser. However, we can stand in faith, in innocence, if we’ve been cleansed by the blood of Jesus. So, the matter has been settled.

            He sums it all up with a call to action:

“…unless you repent, you will all perish as well.” Lk. 13:5 CSB

(I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet were standing within your gates, Jerusalem – Ps. 122:1, 2. CSB

I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 CSB)

         It is now the winter of 29 A.D. Jesus enters the Temple to teach, during the Feast of Dedication (an early version of the celebration of Hanukkah – celebrating the 165 B.C. liberation of the Temple, from the tyrannical occupation of the Syrian king, Antiochus IV).

            Christ was upbraiding the Jews who wouldn’t believe that He was the Son of God:

“I have told you so, yet you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me [they are My credentials and the evidence declaring who I am]. But you do not follow me [so you do not trust and follow Me] because you are not My sheep.

“The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever {by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are One [in essence and nature]. Jn. 10:23 – 30. AMP

(Zion says, “The LORD has abandoned me; the Lord has forgotten me!” …yet I will not forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands…I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Is. 49:14, 16 & 26. CSB)

            Jesus loves you so much; but you must sit up, take notice, and jump aboard His Love Train, because there is a definite end to time; and you must act while time is still ticking…

         Christ travels to the region of Perea, (east of the Jordan River) and preaches to another crowd about the final disposition of unbelievers:

“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’

But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.” Lk. 13:24-28. NLT (see also Mt. 25:1 – 13).

            You can say that you are a follower of Christ, but you must do the following. Everyone is invited:

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” Is. 55:3 NLT

         A group of Pharisees approach Jesus and told Him to leave the area, because Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, wanted to kill Him. (Why they told Him is a mystery; but if I had to guess, I would say that Jehovah put that unction in the Pharisees’ hearts, so that His plan would play out according to His design).

            Jesus responds:

“Go tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’” Lk. 13:32 NKJV

            He’s sending Herod a message that says God’s plan takes precedent over Herod’s; a plan that will be fulfilled – culminating in Christ’s resurrection. I think, that at this juncture, Jesus is seeing all the heavenly tumblers beginning to fall in place.

            Jesus knows that most of the people of Israel, (personified in the word ‘Jerusalem’ in the next Scripture) have lost their opportunity for salvation. You can feel His heartbreak as He laments:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let m. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!” Lk. 13:34, 35. NLT

         With or without you, all God’s words are true and come to fruition. Will you be afraid or jubilant on that day?

“Remember [carefully] the former things [which I did] from ages past; For I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose…” Is. 46:9, 10. NLT

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:3, 4. CSB

Goodnight and God bless.