Luke 13:10-13

Luke 13:10-13 

English Standard Version 

  Jesus sees this woman.  She'd suffered for 18 years, and likely blended into the scenery in so many ways.  I bet most people didn't even notice her.

  But Jesus saw her.  His compassion leads him to see people in ways that others do not.  He notices.  He cares.  It's remarkable -- we come across it over and over again in the Gospels, and we take it for granted, but most of us don't move through the world this way.  We don't notice a lot of suffering people, and even when we notice them, we don't really see them.  Sometimes, we just notice them and find a way around them, so that their suffering doesn't drag us down.

  But Jesus sees.  He cares.  Don't take this for granted... give thanks that you are seen by Jesus.

Luke 13:6–9

Luke 13:6-9 

English Standard Version 

  The lesson here is that God is patient.  The fig tree has had three years, and the world is impatient for it to produce.  "Cut it down" is easy to say... but patient cultivation is the path that is chosen.  It's harder work for certain.  But God has shown a willingness to invest, a willingness to work for our behalf, to do everything possible so that we might find our way into the welcoming Kingdom of God.  God is not indifferent -- we're called to produce fruit.  And yet, God will walk with us every step of the way, so that we might come closer to the life we are called to live.

Luke 13:1–5

Luke 13:1-5 

English Standard Version 

  When bad things happen, we immediately look to justify it.  If something bad happens, we try and find a reason, because if we can discover a reason, then we can act differently and feel like we're in control. 

  Jesus is telling his listeners that they're not in control.

  Jesus is telling us that we're not in control.  

  This is such a hard thing for us to hear, and so very challenging to accept.  We want to be in control.  We often need to be in control, to feel like what we do has an impact on what happens next.

  God is reminding us that we're not in control and that it's ok, because we can trust the one who is in control.  There is life beyond this one, so even when it appears that all is lost, we are safe in God's hands.

Sermon for Blessing of the Pets (June 14, 2026)