Advent Devotional: The Gospel of LukeUzorak

*Written by Betsy Fladland

On the Way

Jesus stayed on course from the manger to the cross, but even though He was resolved to reach His ultimate destination, He looked for every opportunity along the way. In this chapter, we see Jesus making the most of teachable moments, responding to a need, and reacting to a threat.

1. Responding to teachable moments

The latest headline got Jesus’ attention: Alert: Pilate has murdered some Galileans as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. He not only got the news, but He had the ability to perceive how the public was responding. What did they do to deserve this?

“Do you think that those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Not at all! And you will perish too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God” (Luke 13: 2-3).

Tragedy could hit at any moment, so Jesus warns His listeners that they should get right with God immediately.

Jesus seems to draw inspiration for teaching from the things around Him, like fig trees, mustard plants, and bread. As we seek to have gospel conversations, He is truly a role model for us. He also responds to a question: "Lord, will only a few be saved?" (Luke 13:23)

He replied, "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late” (Luke 13:24).

As we read on, we understand that proximity to Jesus or living in the same time period as He walked on this earth doesn't qualify someone to enter God's Kingdom. The way to God is narrow—only through Jesus, and many who lived at that time missed the way that was open right before their eyes.

2. Responding to a need

Jesus seems to stop mid-sermon to heal a woman (Luke 13:10-17). The woman doesn’t cry out to capture His notice; He noticed her. In the gospel accounts, women rarely approach Jesus directly with their needs, but that doesn’t keep Him from taking notice. He revives a widow’s only son, heals and speaks to a woman who suffered from constant bleeding, starts a conversation with a woman at the well, draws attention to a widow’s giving, and speaks to grieving women from the cross. God is responsive to us, even when we don’t come to Him directly. His attention span is unlimited, and we are always on His radar.

3. Responding to a death threat

We started this chapter with the news of Pilate murdering people, and we end it with Jesus receiving a death threat: At that time, some Pharisees said to him, "Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!" (Luke 13: 31). Jesus doesn’t seem fazed by this.

Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!” (Luke 13:32-33)

Jesus knows that it’s not His time to die. He’s not in Jerusalem yet, and His death will certainly take place in Jerusalem. At first, He will receive a warm welcome, but soon after that, the crowds will be crying out for His blood. He grieves for the legacy of a city that kills the prophets, stones God's messengers, and crucifies God's only Son. May our hearts, in contrast, remain a warm and receptive place for the Lord Jesus.

Let’s pray: Dear Lord Jesus, You are Lord. You are my role model and guide. Thank you for staying on track as you journeyed to the cross. I know that you did this for me. You said that "people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29). Thank you for opening the narrow way to God through your obedience. Lord, I'm humbled that your loving gaze is always fixed on me. Sometimes, you respond even before I've cried out; you often prepare my heart for what's coming next. I want to be responsive to you, too. I give you my allegiance and thank you again for all that you've given me—forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the Holy Spirit, the family of faith, and every spiritual blessing. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you made things right with God by turning away from Sin and redirecting your life toward Him?
2. Is anything hindering your relationship with God now?
3. How have you experienced God’s loving attention recently?
4. Can you think of a time that God prepared you for something that was coming or read your mind even though you hadn’t asked Him directly in prayer?
5. Are you open to the opportunities that God has given you? Who has God placed on your heart or in your circle of influence? Take some time to pray for them and ask God to open doors for meaningful conversations.

For the worship experience, mediate on the original poem below:

Make Room

When He came into our world,

there wasn’t room for Him in our homes—

Not one room,

so He was born into a barn.

When He came into our cities,

He was driven out with stones,

so He walked the countryside

and taught from hills and boats.

Only once was He welcomed

with worship, Hosanna, and dance,

and their coats paved the way

to Jerusalem and death.

With more shouts and cries, people said, “Crucify!”

and He was brought to a hill,

hung there and died.

He said, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests,

but I have no place to rest my head.”

But, finally, He was given a place to stay,

shelved away in a tomb—

His new home, a grave.

But the stone rolled away

and to heaven He went

to His Father’s right hand,

to be our Advocate.

Then God breathed His Spirit

into Jerusalem

and made a place for Himself

in the hearts of humans.

Before Christ left for home,

He made a promise:

that He was going to make rooms for us

until He comes again.