What Jesus Did : Luke 13:28-30 - Tables Turned
by Phil Ware
Tables Turned - Luke 13:28-30
"You will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom. But you will be left outside. Then you will cry with fear and anger. People will come from the east, west, north, and south. They will sit down at the table in the kingdom of God. People that have the lowest place in life now will have the highest place in God's kingdom. And people that have the highest place now will have the lowest place in God's kingdom." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Luke repeatedly emphasizes a very convicting theme in Jesus' ministry: the religious tables being turned at judgment! Jesus repeatedly warns pretentiously religious people of their eternal destruction. These people make a big show of their religious dedication. They act like they are pious when they are not. Many of these folks look down on others out of their own self-righteousness while refusing to live with the love and the character of God. Great joy awaits God's children when his Kingdom is fully realized. Those who only appear religious will face a fearsome condemnation. Many who don't seem to be of the "right religious stripe" today actually have lived with Jesus as their Lord and have reflected the love and character of God in their daily lives. They will enjoy the bliss of the Father's eternal blessings. Great will be their joy!
Today's Prayer
Father, I want to live as a person of spiritual integrity. I want my life to reflect your love and righteousness. Reveal to me and take from me any hint of hypocrisy, arrogance, and self-righteousness. Make me genuinely holy, not just by grace, but also in my daily interface with others. May my life bring others to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with? God's kingdom is like the seed of the mustard plant. A person plants this seed in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree. The birds build nests on its branches." Jesus said again, "What can I compare God's kingdom with? It is like yeast that a woman mixes into a big bowl of flour to make bread. The yeast makes all the dough (bread) rise." Jesus was teaching in every town and village. He continued to travel toward Jerusalem. Someone said to Jesus, "Lord, how many people will be saved? Only a few?" Jesus said, "Try hard to enter through the narrow door {that opens the way to heaven}! Many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able to enter. If a man locks the door of his house, then you can stand outside and knock on the door, but he won't open it. You can say, 'Sir, open the door for us!' But the man will answer, 'I don't know you! Where did you come from?' Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you. You taught in the streets of our town.' Then he will say to you, 'I don't know you! Where did you come from? Go away from me! You are all people that do wrong!' You will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom. But you will be left outside. Then you will cry with fear and anger. People will come from the east, west, north, and south. They will sit down at the table in the kingdom of God. People that have the lowest place in life now will have the highest place in God's kingdom. And people that have the highest place now will have the lowest place in God's kingdom."-- Luke 13:18-30 (ERV)
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