A Year in Luke/ActsSample

Each of Jesus' various sayings “is a warning about rival teachings, rival visions of the kingdom, about ‘solutions’ which leave the depths of the problem untouched” (Tom Wright, p76, Luke for Everyone). In this sermon, Jesus is going to the depths of the human condition. Tom Wright continues, “Moral reformation that leaves the heart untouched is about as useful as tying bunches of grapes on to a briar bush” (p77, Luke for Everyone).

Jesus is discussing the problems not only in His generation in Israel but throughout all of human history. Each person, by being accepted into the Kingdom of God through repentance, now has responsibility to become a tree that produces good fruit, or a house built on a solid foundation. By leveling access to God, Jesus simultaneously raises the stakes for everyone.

This is important for us to meditate on. Up until now, we have highlighted how Jesus’ Message was bringing the outsiders in, but this was not at the expense of complete transformation. Jesus chose these people because He knew they would more readily accept the radical message of the Kingdom of God.