Ep. 76: Preparations
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LUKE 13:23-35, 14:25-35, 17:1-10
From the parables, we now turn to some more interactions which Jesus had at this point of his ministry. A question was asked. ‘Lord, are they few, the saved ones that are being saved?’ The question, whether just a ‘few’ were to be saved, could not have been put from the Pharisaic point of view if we understood this as personal salvation. On the other hand, if taken as applying to the near-expected Messianic Kingdom, it has its distinct parallel in the Rabbinic statement, that, as regarded the days of the Messiah (his Kingdom), it would be similar to what it had been at the entrance into the land of promise, when only two (Joshua and Caleb), out of all that generation, were allowed to have a part in it.
Regarding entrance into the Messianic Kingdom, this Pharisee, and those whom he represented, are told that this Kingdom was not theirs, as a matter of course. This entering in through the narrow door, was in opposition to the many - the Pharisees and Jews generally - who were seeking to enter in, in their own way, never doubting success, but who would discover their terrible mistake.
The next teaching had been spoken ‘in that very day’. It was provoked by a pretended warning from ‘certain of the Pharisees’ to depart the area, otherwise, Herod would kill him. We expect there to have been secret intrigues, between the Pharisaic party and Herod but we see here a ruse to get rid of him as his works of healing were largely attracting and influencing the people. Pointing to their secret intrigues. He implored them to go back to ‘that fox’ and tell him that Jesus still had an appointed time to work, ‘and then I am perfect’. Jesus knew his appointed time … and it wasn’t to be now, at the hand of Herod!
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He knew what things could have been like and cried tears of anguish and love over what was yet to come. When Jesus departed from that place, with him ‘went great multitudes.’ People still followed him. It was then that he had to remind them of the cost of discipleship. What were they letting themselves in for? Substantially, it was only what Jesus had told the Twelve when he sent them on their first mission. Only it was now cast in a far stronger mould, as befitted the altered circumstances, with the near prospect of his condemnation, with all that this would involve for his followers.
It was now a serious business and discipleship becomes impossible, without actual renunciation of all other competing relationships and, more than that, of life itself. Of course, the term ‘hate’ does not imply hatred of parents or relatives, or of life in the ordinary sense. But it points to this; outward separation was before them in the near future, so, in the present, inward separation was absolutely necessary. They needed to be in a good place inwardly before they could deal with the trials to come.
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)