QT 10/03/2024 Sunday Read Luke 13. In or outside the kingdom? 在国度境内还是境外？
QT 10/03/2024 Sunday READ Luke 13. In or outside the kingdom?
http://www.esvbible.org/luke13
As Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem to fulfill His kingdom mission, He reveals truths about the kingdom of heaven.
Firstly, people could cause themselves to be LEFT OUT of the kingdom and its mission if they refused to repent (Luke 13:3,5), failed to bear fruits (Luke 13:6-9) or failed to acknowledge Jesus for who He is (Luke 13:35).
They do not respond when the opportunity is given (Luke 13:8-9, 13:24-27) or respond in the right way: the negative example of the synagogue ruler (Luke 13:14-16). This is contrasted with the crippled woman who responded with praise (Luke 13:11-13).
Here Jesus speaks of Israel of Luke's time. Although she was in the line to receive blessings, she has missed out through unrepentance. Gentiles will take her place, she will be "forsaken" (Luke 13:35).
REFLECTION (1): Is an attitude of unrepentance, a life without fruits, or poor response to God and His call do do His work hindering you from joining and contributing to the kingdom mission?
Secondly, despite human stubbornness/opposition, the progress of the kingdom is UNSTOPPABLE.
Herod the Great tried to kill Jesus about 30 years earlier (Matt 2:16). His son, Herod Antipas, imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist, Jesus' messenger (Luke 3:20,9:9). Herod was seeking to kill Jesus too (Luke 13:31)!
These incidents and threats did not derail God's kingdom plan. Jesus calmly proclaims that His divine schedule continues AS PLANNED (Luke 13:32), just as a small mustard see will flourish (Luke 13:18-21).
REFLECTION (2): God's plans are unstoppable. Man's plans crumble when it is not in line with God's. Are your plans for life and ministry in line with God's plans?
REFLECTION (3): God is sovereign over all plans, successes and set backs. How does this impact your responses to life and ministry?
REFLECTION (4): If a personal "set back" ultimately advances God's unstoppable kingdom plans, are you willing to accept it as a mission minded disciple of Jesus Christ?
星期日 2024年3月10日 今日读经：路加福音13章。在国度境内还是境外？
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Luk/13/
当耶稣往耶路撒冷去完成祂国度的使命时，祂揭示了有关天国的真理。
首先，如果人不肯悔改，不结果子(路13:6-9)或不肯承认耶稣(路13:35)，他们将不会被纳入天国和它使命当中(路13:3,5)。
他们在时机来的时候不作出回应(路13:8-9,13:24-27)或正确地作出回应:如会堂主管的负面例子(路13:14-16)。这与那瘸腿的妇女以赞美来回应成了对比(路13:11-13)。
在这里耶稣说到路加时代的以色列。她本应是下一个承接祝福的，但却因为不肯悔改而错失了。外邦人会取代她的位置，她将被“遗弃”(路13:35)。
反思(1)：不悔改的态度、不结果子的生命或不正确地回应神和祂的呼召，这些是否成了你参与和对天国使命的贡献的障碍？
第二，尽管人类固执/抵抗，天国的进度是无法停下的。
希律王早在三十年前就想杀害耶稣(太2:16)。他的儿子，分封王希律，监禁并砍了耶稣的使者，施洗约翰的头(路3:20,9:9)。希律也追杀着耶稣(路13:31)!
这些事件和威胁并没有影响到神国度的计划。耶稣平静宣告祂神圣的计划照常进行(路13:32)，就如一粒芥菜种会长成大树一样(路13:18-21)。
反思(2):神的计划是无可抵挡的。人的计划如果与神的不一致，就会垮掉。你对人生和事奉的计划与神的一致吗？
反思(3):神在所有的计划、成败上掌权。这样的认知对你在生命和事奉上，有何影响呢？
反思(4):如果个人的“挫折”最终能够让神国度的计划跃进，身为耶稣基督的门徒，你是否愿意接受这个使命?
