Note for 20250505

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to Luke

Part 105 - Luke 13 - Vain Pursuits

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250505 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 105 - Luke 13 - Vain Pursuits

Luke 13:10-30 KJV

[10] And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. [11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. [12] And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. [13] And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. [14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. [15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? [16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? [17] And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. [18] Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? [19] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. [20] And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? [21] It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [22] And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. [23] Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, [24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: [26] then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. [27] But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. [28] There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. [30] And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Included for the sake of reference

Luke 13:31-33 KJV

[31] The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. [32] And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. [33] Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Think a little about all that you have just heard and read.

Of the Sabbath, being loosened, indignation, what the kingdom of GOD is like, who will be able to enter in, how many will be saved and the sayings of the third day. Truly, a great deal was said. Regarding the heading of today, read this once more and note the ending of the verse.

Luke 13:24 KJV

[24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

They shall not be able to enter into the Kingdom of GOD, though they seek to enter in. This brings us back to the fact that there is indeed a standard to be allowed into the Kingdom. Now, Christ does speak about His perfection on the third day, and today we know that He was speaking of His resurrection, which the believers have a hope for too. Shall I say it? It is the believer that seeks to enter into the Kingdom of GOD. The wicked have no such intention. No! Instead they wish to turn this material world into a kingdom for themselves. What a vain pursuit, and yet, so to are the pursuit of those who seek to enter the Kingdom of GOD who shall not. Please note very carefully, friends; it is not I that said it, but Jesus Christ.

Would you say this leader of the synagogue was offended, speaking in indignation? What is so upsetting about someone being healed? You know, the vanity of this cannot always be perceived in full, but bring it to our modern day and turn all ventilators in the hospital off on the Sabbath, how many would meet the next day?

How often is scripture read and the message in it passes us by altogether, for a lack of perspective; or worse, for a lack of interest. These days there are few that understand that people are not interested in a message until they need it. What is vanity? What is a vain pursuit? This text today also covers those that attend the church every Sunday, as much in comparison to attend the synagogue every Sabbath; but they never enter into the Kingdom of GOD. Who met with Abraham before the destruction of Sodom? Who wrestled with Jacob and called him Israel? Who delivered Isaac from the bonds upon the altar? And are they mentioned here to be in the Kingdom of GOD? Who then is thrust out?

Be careful of soothsayers, who coat the ear in honey. Their words are sweet, their considerations of reward without devotion to the Most High GOD. What is the straight gate, friends? Do you consider the standards of entering in it?

Luke 21:36 KJV

[36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Not all who seek the Kingdom of GOD will be able to enter, my friends. Not by my words, but by the Words of Jesus Christ. These here, also spoken by Jesus, so don't count me as an enemy, neither be offended that I repeat the Words of Christ. Who will you have indignation with?

The question I want to ask you today, and yes, it is I that asks it? How do you walk the narrow way and enter in at the straight gate if there is liberal standards for it? Will all not enter then? And, is it "fair" towards those who have died for the message of Jesus Christ, that loafers be permitted in? For the same reason, who will be counted worthy to escape the judgment of GOD? Have you never read:

Philippians 2:12-13 KJV

[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Whose standards are we then measured against? All other pursuit will be in vain. Can we look at what may be said is obvious now? What say does man the have in your salvation? Is it for a meeting with a man or a meeting with GOD? Did Christ not appear to Paul on the road to Damascus? Did Christ not return again, so Thomas could see and believe?

But men will say, "You'll be okay, regardless of what you do and say." Soothsayers, all of them, for it is not what is written in the Word of GOD. These here are just a few verses, how many more can be found if you search the scriptures out? It is few that shall be saved, and man is saved by GOD, and He sets the standards. Man wants you to feel better, while GOD wants you to become better. Did Christ not heal this woman held in bonds for 18 years? Man hopes and confides in one another to feel better, but GOD delivers. So, might it serve you well to ask, "Is this from man or GOD?" Was Jeremiah not brought to the dark pit? Was he not taken to Egypt by the hoard that stood with Johanna, son of Kareah and did Baruch not go with him? Did Jeremiah not die in Egypt? Did GOD not instruct Hosea to marry the promiscuous Gomar, a harlot? What of this is standard according to the traditions of man? Who ministered to the Gentiles before Paul was called and how have most of us been included in, if not for his first efforts. The man that persecuted the church, brought the message of Salvation to the Gentile Nations. Was Jeremiah not brought, as a child, to speak against Israel? Workout your own salvation before the Lord in fear and trembling, for entry to the Kingdom is granted by Him and no other.

Do you remember yesterday's note, "Without Pretence?" Can man be honest before the LORD their GOD? How much Pretence is needed to be accepted by mankind? Are you moved to be accepted by man, or GOD? I would rather be forsaken by man and accepted by Jesus Christ, how about you? Which standard shall we then follow, Christ's or man's vain opinions? Do not make a vain pursuit, for there will be those who sought the Kingdom of GOD that shall not enter in, by the Words of Christ, that is confirmed.

Selah, Shalom

The House of Bread

(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio and Video Versions of the Daily Notes)

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Extended from verse 4)

1 John 4:4-6 KJV

[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. [5] They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. [6] We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.