Explanation: In Luke 13 Jesus spoke to his listeners about two groups of people who experienced sudden, violent death. He said that they were not sinners above everyone else. But he warned his hearers that unless they repented they would likewise perish (1-5). Jesus then told the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. It had not borne fruit for three years; and the owner wanted to cut it down. But the caretaker asked to give it one more year to produce fruit by fertilizing it before the owner cut it down. This parable, connected with Jesus' previous words, would seem to indicate that Jesus was giving his hearers a final chance to repent before they would be cut down by God's judgment (6-9). Later, when he was teaching in a synagogue, he healed a woman who had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. The synagogue ruler complained that work should not be done on the Sabbath. But Jesus pointed out that the ruler and others in the synagogue led their animals out to get water on the Sabbath; and she deserved to be released from Satan on the Sabbath (10-17). He then compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which grew to tree size and housed the birds of the air. He also compared it to leaven which permeated the whole three measures of flour into which it was placed (18-21). When his disciples asked Jesus if it was true that only a few would be saved, Jesus confirmed it with the Parable of the Narrow Door. He told them to strive to enter the narrow door (while it was open), because many will attempt to get in but will not be able to do so. He said that once the master shuts the door no one else will get even though they claim to know the master. They will be sent away into weeping and gnashing of teeth. But many from the East, West, North, and South will be with him. The point of the parable is to be diligent and persistent in seeking God's Kingdom (22-30). Some Pharisees attempted to frighten Jesus away by warning him that Herod was seeking to kill him. Jesus told him that he would persist in his work and die in Jerusalem. And he lamented over Jerusalem, stating that he often wished to gather them under his wings as a hen gathers her chicks. But it was too late for them. Their house was about to be left desolate (31-35).
     [Sermons: John Macarthur. Sinclair B Ferguson. Various. ].
     [Illustration: The events depicted in today's painting were yet to come for Christ. The painting depicts great hardships (on the road to crucifixion). Christ warned his disciples that similar hard things lay in their future; but great blessing would follow (verses 24-30). ]

     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. ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! ³⁵ Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

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