Purpose of a Debate

Comedians have a way of making us think, laugh, and relax. I enjoy listening to them or watching them on YouTube. Some comedians, however, are dirty in their language, imagery, and expressions; others insult their audience to bring a laugh. Don Rickles (for the older generation) and Jimmy Carr (for the younger generations) are examples of the latter. I don’t laugh at their dark humor.

As one reads the following verse in a standard English translation, one gets the impression that Jesus intended to embarrass and shut up his enemies.

“When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.” (Luke 13:17, NIV)

His smart answers in the previous paragraphs (13:1–16) were to humiliate and embarrass his enemies, although the people themselves were delighted at Jesus roasting his enemies. Such a misreading of the text arises because of verse division and the absence of key connectors in the text. You see, the next verse begins with the phrase, “Therefore, he said.”

Jesus wasn’t shutting up his opponents for no reason; he was debating with them because the growth of God’s rule was at stake. If Jesus didn’t argue with the leaders and show the truth, and if the audience didn’t see it and rejoice, God’s rule or kingdom wouldn’t grow.

Considering that, we may read the verses slightly differently.

“His words shamed everyone who opposed him, and all people rejoice in every glorious thing that happened to them because of him. Therefore, he said: ‘What is God’s kingdom like? To what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard, which a man taking and casting into his garden, and it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds of the heavens live in its branches.’” (Luke 13:17–19)

His defense before his opponents was like little mustard seeds. When people planted them in their hearts (gardens), they grew like trees that gave birds shelter. Think of people who thought that the Galileans whom Pilate killed were greater sinners than them. Now, they know that wasn’t true. No correlation existed between an evil dictator’s crimes and one’s sin. Similarly, there was no correlation between being victims of a natural disaster and their sinfulness. Knowing these freed people and brought them into God’s rule where peace and acceptance reigned. They no longer saw others as sinners and evil people but as people who needed God’s care. They became branches that gave rest to wandering birds. When they did, they didn’t want to cut and burn unfruitful trees or chase away an oppressed woman because she sought healing on a Sabbath. Jesus fought against his opponents not to roast or humiliate them but to show only when they had a proper theology of God could they be “shelters” for troubled souls.

We, too, can become legalistic or self-righteous so that we make unnecessary judgment calls about situations or want people to behave in certain ways to be “good Christians.” But only when we see God’s grace and extend it to others can we be shelters for troubled souls. May we always be people of grace, as our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus are.