The Kiss

While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” Luke 22:47-53



"Still speaking" to his sleepy-headed disciples. Those who should have been awake and praying for their own strength and stability in the coming calamity. In their human weakness, they had succumbed to physical and emotional exhaustion. Well, they're awake now, and the calamity has descended upon their Master. The crowd was approaching, led by Judas, the traitor. Of course he would know where to find Jesus: in His customary retreat, alone and praying. And he greeted Him with a kiss.

Jesus noted the irony in this act of betrayal, just as the disciples' heads cleared enough to see what was going on. Of course, being men, they entered battle mode, at least mentally, and Peter began swinging the sword. Jesus never intended for them to try to prevent His arrest, so He corrected Peter and repaired the slave's ear. He noted, also, that these people knew Him from their daily discussions in the temple, and had never attempted to arrest Him there. Ah, but this was their time of revealing who and what they really were. This was their hour of brief victory. Now, under the power of darkness, they would have their evil moment of triumph. But had they known the consequences of this dark deed, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory (I Corinthians 2:8).

Not My Will

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Luke 22:39-46


TWICE He said it: "pray that you may not enter into temptation." The temptation would be to panic and flee in fear. This was not a time to relax and drowse, but in their state of stunned exhaustion, they were overcome with lethargy ("sleeping from sorrow"). Too dull and drained to concentrate. Stunned and exhausted from the fast-paced ministries they had been attending to throughout the region with their Master. Stunned and exhausted from the new doctrines and dire prophesies they had been hearing from Him. Overloaded with anxiety for Him and themselves, after the predictions of arrest and death that they couldn't seem to comprehend. They truly had left all and followed Him (Luke 18:28, Peter). And now He tells them He will soon die and they must go on in this hostile world without Him, not yet having received those thrones He has promised. They should have been awake and praying for God's strength to support their weak wills in this, their greatest crisis.

Jesus did pray, fervently, to the point of bloody sweat. This was His greatest agony. He, Himself was being tempted to resist the Cup of Wrath He had been sent to drink. His whole objective in becoming a man was just hours away, and He foreknew the pain and fear that would come upon Him as He was separated from the Father and the Holy Spirit. If there could be any other way, Father, let this cup pass. Luke tells us an angel came and ministered to Him as He pleaded before the Father.

"Why groans he so tonight? Is it not plain
He's tormented by a fear he can't erase?
Some deadly grief the heart cannot contain."

-from Root Out Of Dry Ground by Gilbert Morris

Knowing, however, that there could be no other way, the Son submitted to the Father's will. Now He had endured His agony of fear and dread before the Father. Now He was resolved to enter the winepress. It was coming soon and He was ready. In that moment, the deed was essentially done. The disciples, however, were still sleeping. All except Judas. Jesus had earlier dismissed him to carry out his evil deed.

Final Preparation

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” Luke 22:25-38

Another lecture on humility. In God's Kingdom, servitude is the rewardable virtue. Really, this chiding from Jesus seems more like a gentle reminder of Whose they were. He, their Lord, modelled the life of service. This squabbling was beneath them, and completely unnecessary. He told them that they were those "who have stood by me in my trials," and could expect to dine with Him and reign with Him in His coming Kingdom. Stay focused, guys. We're almost there, and it is about to get rough.

Then these frightening words to Peter (v. 31): "Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat" ! Satan demands? From the Father? From the Son? And apparently, he was given this permission. Remember Job? Satan also had permission to put him through the wringer. It is a test of faith. Actually, it is a demonstration to Satan and to the believer that his faith can withstand the evil pressures designed to make him denounce God. God had confidence in Job's faithfulness under extreme pressure. It is also a demonstration of the total forgiveness of the Savior for His weakling believers who do sometimes succumb to fear. Jesus had confidence that Peter's faith would survive the coming ordeal and that he would become a source of strength to his brethren. This is a momentary glimpse into the innerworkings of the angelic conflict. Satan is an archangel. The most evil one, to be sure, but still an angel in communication with the Godhead. There is much more to our lives than what we can see, hear or touch. There are forces watching, scheming and manipulating our circumstances to confuse us and embarrass us and to belittle our relationship with our Lord. Peter is about to undergo a gruelling test, and he will fail that test. But Jesus knows the end from the beginning, and He knows Peter will come through it chastened, humiliated, but stronger than ever. Jesus' statement about having prayed for Peter illustrates the doctrine in Hebrews 7:24-25. He is our high priest Who makes intercession for us.

Over Peter's declaration of absolute loyalty, Jesus simply told him "you will deny three times that you know me." And this would happen within the next few hours.

On their earlier mission, He had sent them out with no supplies, weapons or equipment. This time, He says, equip and arm yourselves and take some money. Jesus was about to be arrested and prosecuted as a criminal, and executed. He knew His men would be frightened and scattered, and thoroughly confused by the events about to take place. At least they could fend for themselves until the smoke cleared. How He must have grieved for them as the time drew near.

The Lord's Supper

Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. Luke 22:7-24


It was Thursday of Passion Week. Jesus was almost there. A couple of details were yet to be attended to, beginning with celebrating the Passover meal with his disciples. He gave them instructions about how to prepare for it. They rented the room and set up the meal. He told them this would be His last Passover until the final fulfillment in God's Kingdom. There is profound symbolism in all the elements of the Passover meal. Everything about it represents the perfect person and perfect sacrifice of Him, God's Passover Lamb. These elements were introduced to Israel on the night the death angel passed over them as the firstborn of Egypt were destroyed, bringing about their release from Pharoah's control. Lesson: there is freedom and security in believing and obeying God's instruction. "Do this and live. You are My people. I AM your God.

The unleavened bread represents His body. His perfect body, uncorrupted by sin because of His virgin birth. His perfect, sinless body which was broken for us. It is important to know Jesus as a real man, true human in every sense of the word. He is God, He is Spirit, but to purchase our salvation, He had to be truly human, capable of dying, hence the birth and upbringing of a regular Jewish male, under the Law of Moses. Eating the bread, which symbolizes His body, indicates belief in His perfect person, and taking into ourselves that person by faith.

The "cup" (wine) represents His blood, which is shed for the remission of our sins. Jesus did not bleed to death. He dismissed His spirit, remember? He said "it is finished" and THEN died, because His work was done (John 19:30). The Blood of Christ means His spiritual death, in being separated from the Father and Spirit while He bore the burden of our sins on that cross. That was His agony, which no other human has ever or can ever experience. Those sins were saved up for Him from the beginning of mankind, and included all future sins of mankind. The "cup" of man's sin was poured out on God's perfect Lamb, and He writhed and screamed in agony until it was all paid. He was not just a kind man and a capable teacher, He is the Only Savior. The Blood is our symbol of His finished work. We drink that cup because His Blood gave us our eternal life.

We are commanded to eat the bread and drink the cup "in remembrance of Me." It is a memorial to His death. It is one of only two rituals He commanded for the Church. The other is baptism, which occurs spiritually in each believer at the moment of salvation and is portrayed by immersion in water, demonstrating our identification with Him.

There was also the matter of the one who was about to betray Him. He announced to the disciples that that person was receiving from Him now, at the table. His destiny had been determined, He said, but "woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" Woe indeed.

Then these clueless men went from questioning each other about who that traitor might be to which of them He regarded as greatest! Looks like these guys were about to receive another stern lecture. The worst experience of their lives was about to happen and they were squabbling about who was the favorite. They would soon get over that, for they were headed into the heat of the battle. Jesus tried yet again to prepare them for reality. Oh, well, they were only human, and weak. Like us.

Awaiting Opportunity

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:1-6



Satan always has tried to prevent, then to destroy Jesus. Satan had mankind in his grip. We are born sinners because of Adam's sin, initiated by Satan's enticement of the woman. He is the great enticer. He's always scheming, plotting to thwart the plan of God. Throughout history, the great spiritual conflict has raged between God and Satan. Humanity is the battleground. He began by deceiving the woman in the garden, he infiltrated the human race in the pre-flood sexual invasion, which produced a race of super-humans (Genesis 6). The Savior must be born truly human, in order to execute the perfect plan of God. Satan continually tried to destroy the Christ from the time of His birth in Bethlehem. Without the perfect atonement of the Lamb of God, humanity is doomed to eternal condemnation. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Salvation cannot be earned, because no human is pure enough to completely carry out the will of God. No human, that is, except Jesus, the God-Man. Born without sin, because of the virgin conception by the Holy Spirit. He lived to physical maturity without committing sin, and was therefore qualified to pay the full penalty for all our sins. That was the doctrine being illustrated all those generations ago by the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb as the Israelites were being liberated from Egypt. That was the doctrine being illustrated by the blood sacrifice of Abel which incurred the wrath of his brother, who brought a different offering and was rejected. From the beginning, God killed animals and provided their skins as a covering for the nakedness of Adam and Eve, symbolizing the blood atonement of the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). The death of the innocent to cover for the sins of the guilty. Grace. God's Plan. We cannot earn. We can only receive.

This determination of Satan to short-circuit the plan of God carries on into the Jewish race, because if he can eliminate them, he has prevented the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. That explains all the persecution of the Jews down through the ages. It is not simply human bigotry at work, but a full blown Satanic conspiracy. It explains Hitler, if we need an explanation for the unspeakable atrocities committed by that demoniac. Whenever Jesus taught about these persecutions, He said it is "because of My Name."

So, of course, Satan MUST get rid of Jesus before He fulfilled God's plan. Somehow, though, Satan must have missed a lecture, because he didn't seem to realize the crucifixion was one of the components in the salvation of humanity.

Judas just never understood Who Jesus really is, or he was such an evil individual that he was a willing participant in Satan's conspiracy. It's hard to tell, except by the testimony of the gospel writers. He seems to have been just as faithful in attention and just as capable in service as the other eleven, during their sojourn with Jesus. But now we see his shocking bargain, apparently proposed by himself to the chief priests, to betray our Lord. For money. We know from scripture he never truly believed in Jesus' deity, and was referred to by Jesus as the "son of perdition" who was the only one lost among Jesus' disciples. He was simply used in the interweaving of circumstances that brought about the arrest and execution of the Christ. Used by being Satan-possessed with evil intention; used by being in the time and place to volunteer for this malicious mission. Whatever his motive really was, he was the loser. Judas is an example of many unsavory things, chief among which is the reality of unbelievers feeding with the flock of God. There seemed to be no difference between him and the other eleven, unless it was that he seemed nicer and smarter than the rest. After all, it was he who "kept the purse" (John 12:6). That was most likely by approval of the eleven. Perhaps he seemed the most trustworthy or the most fiscally responsible. You cannot tell by a person's outward behavior what his spiritual condition really is. Only God knows that. Judas never surprised Jesus. Perhaps he did surprise himself regarding how low he could go.

There always has to be a willing human dupe in these schemes, and of course, there is no shortage of opportunist dupes in humanity. These people will sell their souls for whatever they lust after. In this case, it was probably politically motivated, and the money only sweetened the deal. It was, by the way, the going price of a slave. The story of Jesus' betrayal and death is stupefyingly brutal. It is also poetic in its symbolism. He came into humanity as one of us and took upon Himself the burden of our sins which made us slaves to Satan, until the redemption of our souls through Jesus' atonement on that cross.

That was not the result Satan could foresee in executing Jesus. Judas simply didn't see the impact of this sinister deal. So he made it. And he waited for the right moment....

This Generation

“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. Luke 21:20-38



In the earlier part of this discourse, Jesus told the disciples that the ongoing stresses and natural disasters that were happening and were soon going to accelerate in the earth were NOT indicators of the end. Those are the normal groanings of an accursed earth, in which evil seems to flourish as populations increase. There was a terrible calamity coming soon for Jerusalem, but that would be just one wave of the discipline that would be administered to Israel, because of their rejection of God's Messiah.

In the latter part of the discourse, though, that we see here, He told of the great tribulation, which will occur immediately before His second advent. It is not a pretty picture. It is frightening and dreadful to think about. He addressed it to "this people," the Jewish nation, to whom the Old Testament prophets had issued these dire warnings over and over, throughout their rebellious existence. And it had happened before, on a lesser scale. The nation had been besieged, and the people taken captive, dispersed into other countries as slaves and had lost their national identity. They would be restored and prosper for a period of time, until the rebellion again reached maximum saturation. Then the cycles of discipline would bring about their destruction yet again, but God never abandons His people! There are promises He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and God keeps His promises. So they undergo these horrendous punishments, but a remnant is always preserved, who do believe in the faithfulness of God.

In verse 32, "this generation" did not refer to the people living in Jerusalem at the time Jesus spoke these words. The Greek word used here can mean "race" or "family" and is indicative of the Jewish people, whom God has preserved in spite of terrible persecution, through the ages. And this promises their preservation until the Lord returns. "The times of the Gentiles:" the period of Gentile domination of Jerusalem, from before the first advent of Christ through the rapture of the Church and the great tribulation. Israel is a nation today, but not the priest nation to God that it was in the Age of Israel, when Saul, David, Solomon and their offspring were the kings over a prosperous and influential people. They are largely dispersed among other nations throughout the globe and are treated as a racial and political minority. Interestingly, however, they never completely lose their identity. Jews are Jews wherever they are in the world. That is evidence of God's preservation of His people. Satan needs to eliminate them from humanity for that very reason. As long as they exist as a people it is proof of the grace provision of God, and that God keeps His promises. This Satanic conspiracy to annihilate the Jews is the reason for the intense persecution they have always suffered. Their own disobedience and rebellion against God is the reason for their intense discipline from God in times of judgment.

So, Jews, when you see THESE THINGS (verses 20-30) happening, you'll know the kingdom is near. And these things will happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus' words will not pass away (verse 33). Count on it. Watch for it. Be ready.

And the people were getting up early each morning and coming to the temple to hear Him!

Logos

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

"Word:" Greek-Logos. Expression of thought. Romans, Jews and Greeks of John's time understood perfectly what this meant. It also means order or reason, and is the basis for our familiar term, logical. Very early, this term was used to refer to the principle which maintains order in the world.

Logos is from lego; to speak, declare or say. Jesus is the manifestation of the invisible God, like spoken word is to thought. Jesus is the Word. "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." John 1:18

That's Who Jesus is. When did this Logos exist and do whatever it was He did?

"In the beginning was the Word....He was in the beginning with God." Before there was anything, there was a person. John must have had a reason for starting his gospel with these familiar words. He made it absolutely clear that Jesus is eternal God. John stressed the deity and eternity of Jesus. To give these essential truths the most impact, he used the first words of the first verse of the first book of the Old Testament, which looks back into eternity. What do we find back there? "In the beginning, God." The same God who was "in the beginning" of Genesis "became flesh and dwelt among us" in the fullness of time. "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." John 8:58

John 1:3-5 tells us what is so significant about Jesus. John identifies Him as the Creator, Animator and Illuminator. He created everything that exists, ever did exist, ever will exist, including Satan and the angels who rebelled against Him; Adam and his offspring who have rebelled against Him, the very tree upon which He was crucified. "All things have been created by Him." Colossians 1:16 The Father is the designer and planner, and the Son is the executor of the plan of God. If it exists, John says, Jesus created it. He is the Creator. "All things came into being by Him...In Him was life... the life was the light of men." I Corinthians 8:6

He made us. He gives us physical life and spiritual life, which is fellowship with the Father. He gives us "light" which is the ability to comprehend God's Will and God's Way.

Only He can.

Not Yet

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:7-19


Jesus' statement about the destruction of Jerusalem had the disciples in a bit of a dither. Other gospels indicate that they thought that would be the end of the present world and the beginning of the eternal kingdom, which they expected to happen very soon. They didn't realize, just as the old testament prophets didn't, that there was to be a great interval between the two advents of Jesus, as well as between the two coming great judgments.

He didn't tell them when it would be. He told them instead that it would NOT be, until certain things were manifested in the world and in the believers' experience.

1. There will be many false Christs, proclaiming "I am he. The end is near." Don't believe them. There are other things to be fulfilled first, beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem. Having been so warned, His disciples were therefore not deceived by the impostors, who did come on the scene very soon.
2. There will be wars, talk of war, upheaving of nations, declines of empires, risings of new ones.
3. There will be what we call natural disasters. Over and over again. These are signs that the end is not yet.
4. Persecutions. Oh, yes. "Christians must undergo a discipline of hatred among the nations because of the Name they bear" (A.B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve). These charges that will be brought against the Christians will give opportunity to publicly witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some will betray Him, but others will persevere in the faith, to the glory of God.
5. Jesus will give the persecuted ones the words they need to speak in their hour of testimony. It will be such a powerful witness, there can be no credible contradiction. Even so, members of ones own household will often betray the believers. Some will be martyred for the faith because of this. The hatred for the believers will be "because of Me (Jesus)."

Nevertheless, God's provision for His own is always perfect. Whatever evil we receive from the world, God knows about it and has provided for our peace and our spiritual strength throughout the ordeal. Our position is permanently IN CHRIST, and that means we have eternal life right now and forever.

There is much more to this eschatological discourse (things to come--last things) in the following verses, and we will examine those teachings very soon. Suffice it to say right now that those of us who believe the Word of God and take its teachings literally have our times of excitement and despair regarding the prophecies of the end times. We, like the disciples in those few days before the passion of the Christ, have lots of questions, lots of expectations, sometimes we foolishly misinterpret current events to mean more than face value. One thing genuine Bible believers know very well: when some deluded preacher or false prophet tries to fix a date for the rapture of the Church, he's either sadly confused, or lying. Either way, we are not deceived. We know the end is not yet. And we know we will know when the end IS. Meanwhile, we wait and watch, and conduct our daily lives as unto the Lord.

David's Son

Then He said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms,
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”’
Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”
And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Luke 20:41-47, 21:1-4

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

Quoting Matthew Henry's Commentary: "It was plain by many scriptures that Christ was to be the Son of David; even the blind man knew this (ch. 18:39); and yet it was plain that David called the Messiah his Lord (v. 42, 44), his owner, and ruler, and benefactor: The Lord said to my Lord. God said it to the Messiah, Ps. 110:1. Now if he be his Son, why doth he call him his Lord? If he be his Lord, why do we call him his Son? This he left them to consider of, but they could not reconcile this seeming contradiction; thanks be to God, we can; that Christ, as God, was David's Lord, but Christ, as man, was David's Son. He was both the root and the offspring of David, Rev. 22:16. By his human nature he was the offspring of David, a branch of his family; by his divine nature he was the root of David, from whom he had his being and life, and all the supplies of grace." Psalm 110:1 "the Lord said to my Lord..." The Son of David was also the Lord of David. The Messiah was David's human descendant and divine Lord. We'll learn more about that footstool.

Almighty God, Sovereign of the universe, creator of all that is, became human in order to be our Savior. This was decreed in eternity past by the God the Father, enabled by God the Holy Spirit and executed by God the Son. The One presenting this seeming contradiction to the scribes in the presence of His disciples was eternal God. Of course He was David's Lord. In the incarnation, He became David's Son, as the New Testament geneaologies demonstrate. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the Jewish Messiah. He is the passover Lamb. He is the final Judge.

Having delivered this question to the religionists, Jesus issued a warning to His disciples about the scribes. They were the students and expositors of the law. They had reputations of wisdom and honor, but were enemies of Christ and His gospel. Jesus' warning: do not emulate the scribes. They were pompous, arrogant hypocrites. They enjoyed all the perks of high society, but were complete phonies in reality; blind to the truth of the gospel. Ignorant of the evidence of the Messiah. Taking advantage of widows who depended on their help. Pronouncing long public prayers to impress the commoners, and each other. They will be held to a higher standard of responsibility and receive a greater condemnation than those who are only following their false religion.

Then He called attention to the wide gap between the relative pittance the rich were contributing to the temple treasury and the comparatively enormous offering being given by the poor widow. They gave a small portion of their riches. She gave all she had. The offering is evaluated on the basis of spirit and motivation, not on the basis of "dollar" amount.

Hypocrisy performs. Love gives.

Whose Wife?

Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES, having a wife, AND HE IS CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. Finally the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.”
Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB. Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.” Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything. Luke 20:27-40



Sadducee: a member of a Palestinian sect, consisting mainly of priests and aristocrats, that flourished from the 1st century b.c. to the 1st century a.d. and differed from the Pharisees chiefly in its literal interpretation of the Bible, rejection of oral laws and traditions, and denial of an afterlife and the coming of the Messiah. They were much too intellectual to simply believe the Word of God. They sarcastically quoted Moses regarding the law of widows' marital union to their brothers-in-law, designed to continue family names and heirships. They posed a ridiculous line of successive husbands for one wife. "In the resurrection (which they did not believe would happen), whose wife will she be?"

Natural men. No sense of the spiritual, no understanding that the resurrection life is another dimension. We are here in physical bodies on the earth like tadpoles in a pond. We can't comprehend the resurrection life, except what we have been told in God's Word. And what we've been told is that we wouldn't understand, even if we could see it from here. All of physical life is representative of the spiritual, even the laws concerning marriage. It is identification. Relationship. Oneness. It illustrates our position IN CHRIST. It provides for procreation of the species. There is much, much more to the marriage relationship than sex, although that is exactly what these natural men had in mind when they presented Jesus with this little problem. When sex is the only frame of reference a people has for their religion, you know they are a cult. They are operating from the lust pattern of their Old Sin Nature. Their philosophy is human viewpoint.

These are the people Jesus referred to as a "generation of vipers;" " hypocrites" and "a wicked and adulterous generation." Matthew 3:7, 16:1-4, 22:23. Yes. Our gentle Savior said that.

Jesus told them marriage and procreation are not issues in the resurrection, just as they are not issues with the angels, in whom the Sadducees also did not believe. Well, the creator of the angels and the designer of both the earthly and the resurrection life was standing there, speaking with them. He also confirmed the truth of the resurrection by Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. That's the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Living persons. That's the God speaking with them now, and Who has an ongoing relationship with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And Moses.

Once again, the hypocrites had been stifled. He had answers. THE answers, for all their silly debate tactics. They did not really want answers. They were blinded by their unbelief and their game was always attempted entrapment. We know unbelievers today who think they know about the Bible and its history. They throw out these same kinds of arguments, trying to distort the Word of God and deny the deity of Jesus Christ. They, too, do not want answers. They want to ridicule and intimidate God's people by demonstrating their "superior" intellect, not realizing that with every offensive statement they make against Christianity they expose their own spiritual blindness and self-righteous hypocrisy. They are not willing to learn. If they were, they would know. It is a principle of spiritual understanding: "If any man will do God's will, he shall know of the doctrine..." John 7:17.

The cowards' reply: "that's a good answer." Thank you. No further questions.

Unto Caesar

The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them. So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But He detected their trickery and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent. Luke 20:19-26


Oh, the richness of Christ's wisdom! Not only could He not be tricked, He had a way of handing back to the hypocrites their own trap. These exchanges with the Jewish leaders are priceless.

They knew the parable of the vineyard was about them. They knew the people knew it. It could be only a matter of time before they lost all credibility with the people of Israel. There had to be a way to ensnare this Person who threatened their power base. Ah, yes. We'll send phony flatterers to butter Him up and get Him to incriminate Himself by defying Caesar. That would be the politically popular position to take. The following conversation with Jesus is one of my favorites, because it has such poetry and such broad spiritual application.

"Teacher" (Greek-didaskalos: instructor), we know you are teaching God's truth, without partiality (see Nicodemus in John 3:2). It seems these leaders of Israel had aced their graduate course in flattery. Remember, Jesus knows every heart. He knew what was really going on with these men. So, "do we really have to pay taxes to Caesar?" I know some modern Americans who deny the necessity to pay federal taxes. I know some who have done prison time rather than pay, and will never admit their mistake. They tend to try to ignore or explain away this teaching of the Savior. It is deliciously simple: "whose picture is on the money?"

There are earthly obligations in being citizens of a country. Taxation is one of them, for the support of the government. Jesus never exempted anyone from their genuine duties in the human realm. If Caesar's face is on the money, then his claim on a percentage of that money cannot honestly be denied. But the important statement is what followed: "to God that which is God's. (!)" What part of my money, my life, my person is God's? Whose image and superscription do I bear? It is a question I like to ask myself from time to time, when struggling with questions concerning my own responsibilities, as well as my behavior.

What could the hypocrites say in response to that? They said nothing. Their response was stunned silence. I love it. Thank you, Lord, for always stating, never debating, the Truth You came to teach.

Chief Corner Stone

And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send a third; and this one also they wounded and cast out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!” But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone’?
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” Luke 20:9-18


After the temple confrontation with the chief priests, scribes and elders, in which they could not answer His question regarding who authorized John's baptism, Jesus began to instruct the people who were listening to and observing this exchange. The ignorance and hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders had just been exposed for them all to see. He had begun to spell out their failure to fulfill their duty to God's people. He explained it in a parable of a vineyard.

The vineyard represents Israel. God (the man) planted that vineyard, left it in the care of others and went away for an indefinite time. The owner, at harvest time, sent a slave (an Old Testament prophet of God) to collect His portion of the fruit. The prophet was mugged and thrown out empty-handed. As was the next, and the next. Finally, God sent His Son, hoping He would be treated with respect. Not so. They only saw the Son's visit as an opportunity to get rid of the Lord's heir and take the vineyard for themselves. They killed Him and congratulated one another.

What would God the Father do about this? What would any loving, powerful father do about this? He personally came, took the vineyard from the usurpers, destroyed all of them and gave the vineyard to someone else. The people were horrified at this illustration. Surely, this would never happen. Jesus made it clear it WAS happening.

There was about to be a change of dispensations. Israel, the vine-growers of the Old Testament, had had their stewardship and had let greed and power lust distort everything God had purposed for His people. Not only were they not ready for the Messiah, they were hostile to Him when He appeared. Now it was time for a new stewardship, a new covenant, which would be entirely spiritual in nature and would encompass the whole of humanity. God had decreed it, and it would be so. Very soon. The Son was here to make it happen. It would mean His death; but in His death, burial and resurrection was the guarantee of New Birth to Eternal Life for those who believe.

Psalm 118:22: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. There is no Kingdom without God the Son. They not only need to recognize, acknowledge and respect Him; they must totally depend on Him for their salvation. He is the only way. They who don't know the Son don't know the Father. If they stumble on the Son, they are broken to pieces. If He strikes them, they are demolished. He is the Rock of Offense Who cannot, Who will not be ignored. Without Jesus means without hope.

What Authority?

On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8


The chief priests, scribes and elders were working hard at trying to find something that would condemn Jesus. They constantly schemed, plotted, questioned and tried to trip Him up in His daily temple ministries. They were so consumed with getting rid of Him they couldn't listen to the truth He taught. This is so typical of the politico-religious mindset. The debater isn't interested in the point being made by the opposition. He is too busy formulating his own preconceived argument to pay attention to the logic being presented.

These leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their comfortable positions in the system. They were right, of course, because they were using those positions to control and intimidate God's people, getting rich off the people's superstitious obedience to manmade rules and traditions. They were so greedy for power that they dared to defy God's Messiah as He lived and worked in their presence. They could have been, should have been teaching God's people the truth and preparing them for the coming of the Kingdom. Instead, they were using them for monetary and political gain.

So, the question: "by what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?"
This tells me they recognized His authority, just were not willing to acknowledge it. This is downright scary. These were the men who were supposed to be representing that authority. Jesus' counter question to them exposed their ignorance of God's truth as well as their own hypocrisy in religious practice. "Who authorized the baptism of John?"

They were always reasoning among themselves, calculating, figuring the angles, hedging their answers, so as not to entrap themselves with their own snare. They couldn't answer Him, because either way they were caught in the magnificent logic of God. If they try to appease by crediting heaven with John's baptism, why didn't they believe John? If they say it was humanly devised, they feared the people would stone them, for the people respected John. There they were with their faces hanging out and with no answer for the One they were trying to trap. He didn't answer them, because they, of all humanity, were supposed to know by what authority He worked. If they didn't know, it was to their own shame. If they did know, it was to their eternal condemnation, for they were openly rejecting the Only Savior.

MY House

Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, “It is written, ‘AND MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER,’ but you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”
And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said. Luke 19:45-48


In these last few days before Passover, Jesus had been staying at Bethany nearby (we learn from other gospel writers), and making daily visits into the city, preparing for the objective of His mission into humanity. The temple was located at Jerusalem, of course, and He went inside to teach and observed the activities there.

The activities going on there were not spiritual in nature, but highly commercialized, in anticipation of the coming Passover. This major annual event for Israel was bringing in Jews from all around the country, to be present for the great celebration of their miraculous emancipation from Egypt. What an opportunity to sell, likely at inflated prices, the sacrificial animals to be offered by the worshippers at this holy event. It was a convenience for the out-of-towners to buy on site rather than bring from home, somewhat like a bazaar, it seems, within the temple walls. Ryrie Study Bible notes that "the merchants would guarantee their animals to be without spot or blemish. They would exchange the Greek and Roman coinage into the half-shekel required for the temple tax. They were guilty of profaning the temple and of excess profiteering." What an insult to the Lamb of God! What a distortion of plan and purpose for such a meaningful memorial. How typical of political, hypocritical religion. And these men thought they were better than publicans.

So, Jesus drove them out. This same hypocrisy was denounced by Jeremiah before the nation went into captivity. Using God's house for monetary gain would not be tolerated by the One represented there. Those who want to envision God the Son as a pacifist wimp with no inviolable standards need to pay attention here. There are behaviors He will not abide, especially in those who claim to represent Him. Such as legalism, hypocrisy, and commercialisation of His Name. "Blessed is he who is not ashamed of Christ's sternest words" wrote A. B. Bruce (The Training of the Twelve), calling this "a religious system which the Lord Jesus Christ could not endure, or be on civil terms with."

As He drove them out his denunciation was not one of human opinion, but as always He quoted the written Word: "...mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7). "Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 7:11).

Oh, how the politico-religious leaders wanted to be rid of Him! They just couldn't find anything, yet, to destroy Him with, and the people adored Him. They were persistent. They would keep trying.

Euphoria and Grief

After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord has need of it.” They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it. As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting:
“BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:28-44


"These things:" the lecture regarding spiritual investment and rewards in vss. 11-27.

The time had arrived for Jesus to make His entry into Jerusalem. He sent two disciples ahead to commandeer an unridden colt, with instructions on how to answer those who would question this. So the grand entrance began, with the whole crowd cheering and spreading their garments for the colt to walk on, bearing their Lord. They sang as He entered, the Psalm of pilgrimage: 118:26 "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" What a glorious scene it must have been. Emotions and expectations were high that day.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Some of the Pharisees, alarmed at the frenzied adoration, advised Jesus to quiet the crowd. That wouldn't happen. This was the moment for adoration of the King. If the disciples were silenced, the very stones would have cried out the blessings. The King of Israel was arriving at His date with destiny. He'd been preparing His disciples for this event for over three years. They were not prepared, however, because of their own weakness, but they knew this was big. He allowed the crowd their euphoria, knowing it would soon turn to wholesale rejection as He faced the wrath of religion.

He, Himself was grieved as He approached the city, because He knew how clueless they were and how severely they would be disciplined in the coming days and years because the people as a whole were rejecting their King. He wept over it. (Greek: klaio. To sob, wail aloud. Intense grief.) Indeed, there was coming a terrible judgment on Jerusalem in their near future, after their arrogance had so thoroughly blinded them to the visitation of their eternal King. Knowing this, He came anyway, to fulfill the prophecies and to pay the penalty for all their sins. They were not condemned because of their sins. He would pay in full for their sins. They were condemned because they rejected Him, their only hope.

Equal Opportunity

While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’ He *said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” Luke 19:11-27


It was time for a lesson in service and rewards. The disciples needed a better perspective on the upcoming Jerusalem experience, and what it would mean to belong to Jesus in His absence. Mina: about three months' wages. Represents opportunity in life. In this parable, each was given an equal amount. Each has the same opportunity in life to heed or ignore, learn or stagnate, believe or reject, share or horde, succeed or fail at investing and multiplying the spiritual assets we have been given. We are not born equal by earthly standards in size, sex, birth order, mental capacity, socio-economic status, or physical abilities. We are equal, however, in the provision God has made for each of us to come to know Him and to share His Truth in our environment. And being invested, that Truth multiplies and brings dividends.

Why do some not make the investment? Because they are negative to His Truth. They are rebellious against His authority. They "do not want this man to reign over us." Please don't miss this point. They have been given the Truth. They reject it. Some do bring in a return, based on their various abilities and the response of the souls in whom the Truth was invested. They are rewarded according to their increase. But the ones who, knowing the authority of this "exacting man," hide the Truth away, afraid to invest it at all, will have even the one mina taken, and given to the one who understood the issue and made the most of his opportunity to invest what he has received. Human viewpoint does not grasp this. The more we learn the more we know. The more we know the more we grow, and spiritual growth is not an accident. It requires an investment of our time and attention, as well as a sharing of what truth we have received. Those who squander the truth they've received, or just sit on it, do not learn, do not know and do not grow.

Once we learn a point of Bible doctrine and apply that knowledge to our own soul, we are given more doctrine to learn, regarding the plan and purpose of God (precept upon precept, line upon line -Isaiah 28:10). The doctrine we reject or ignore stops us cold. There is no growth beyond that point. Others who are positive and willing to learn and obey will pick up the torch and run with it, leaving us on the sidelines, wondering what happened, and trying to blend in with the world. It won't work, by the way. The one who belongs to Jesus will never again fit in with that crowd. He's a man without a people until he decides to get with God's program and use his divine resources as God intended.

Such was the state of Israel, during Jesus' incarnation, and even to this time in the Church Age. They shirked their duty to the King. The Truth that had been given to them has been reassigned to the Church. Now it is ours to invest, to the glory of the Kingdom. The rejectors must pay the price of their hostility. Oh, yes it IS fair. They are without excuse. The nobleman is an equal opportunity Master.

Wee Little Man

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1-10


We've all heard about Zaccheus, the "wee little man." Jesus got ever closer to Jerusalem, going through Jericho. The crowd was gathered in, as usual. Everyone in Jericho had heard Jesus and the Twelve were headed this way. Everyone wanted to at least see Him. Zaccheus made special effort to see Jesus, because he was short. We shorties have to do that sometimes. So he ran on ahead and climbed a tree to enable better viewing. He made it just in time for Jesus to spot him and ask him to come down. Jesus wanted to go home with this rich tax collector! Imagine that.
The crowd couldn't imagine it. They were offended by Jesus' choice of luncheon hosts. Jesus will always accommodate those who want to see Him. He first came to my house many years ago, and He'll go home with you, too, if you like.

There are several contrasts between the "ruler" in the previous chapter and Zaccheus. Of course, the Ruler was a religious leader and a legalist, with a smug satisfaction concerning his own good deeds. He really just wanted to call attention to his own "goodness" when he approached Jesus. Zaccheus, on the other hand, was so eager to see Jesus that he forgot all dignity, running and climbing to get a better look. He had no illusions about his own worthiness. He actually seems childlike in his desire to be near the Lord. And he hurried to receive Him "gladly!"

Jesus didn't have to instruct Zaccheus in a humble and gracious attitude, for Zac immediately volunteered to share his fortune with the poor, and "IF" (!) he had defrauded anyone, he'd return it fourfold. Well, we know he was a tax collector, don't we, and we know that fraud was characteristic of the tax collectors, hence the hatred they received from the Jewish public.

This Person whom Ruler had addressed as "good teacher," Zac called "Lord." Well, it looks like the needle's eye was about to be traversed. This rich man was coming through. How do we know? Because the Son of Man declared it. Himself. The One Who came to seek and save that which was lost. Welcome aboard, Zaccheus!

Blind Man Begging

As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God. Luke 18:35-43


Blind man begging. Seems to have been a common sight in that time and place. Destitute. Unable to provide for himself. Constantly depending on the mercy of strangers for sustenance. When he heard the commotion of the crowd accompanying Jesus, he wondered what it was all about. It was about Jesus of Nazareth. That was all he needed to hear. He knew this Man's reputation. Everyone did, by this time. If Jesus was near, help was actually possible. Hope was within reach. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Simple, but urgent request from one who, though physically blind, knew about the Son of David. That term meant "Messiah." The eternal king of the Jews. Others tried to shut him up, but he was persistent.

This man already knew about Jesus of Nazareth, Who He was and that He represented God the Father. He knew that the Son of David could heal him, and apparently believed He would. Jesus knew what the man needed, but the question was "what do you want me to do?" Jesus dealt differently with each person He encountered in these situations, because He knows the heart of each individual. There had to be a reason he would require this man to vocally express his petition. Of course, He granted it, and the man followed Him, rejoicing and glorifying God.

Clearly, this formerly blind man had been a believer in the coming Messiah before he ever met Him. Clearly, he expected to be healed just because he asked. Clearly, he addressed Jesus of Nazareth as "Lord," and was not embarrassed to plainly state what he wanted from the Lord. Clearly, such faith was rewarded as a blessing to the one in need, and as a testimony to those who were observing as the Son of David moved on toward Jerusalem. The people didn't miss the message. They saw it and gave praise to God.

Everything That is Written

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. Luke 18:31-34


The time was drawing nigh. Jesus was speaking clearly, now, about exactly what He and they were about to face in Jerusalem. No more soft preparation. They'd been with Him for three years, observing and participating in His ministries throughout the region. He taught them diligently about the Kingdom of God and demonstrated His power by the miracles they saw Him do. He'd been telling them the life would not be easy for His followers in this world. He had told them there would be unanticipated hardships. He had made it clear to certain wannabees that they must seriously examine their willingness to commit to Him before signing on.

"Everything that is written by the prophets" including the horrors of Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 would be fulfilled in Jerusalem. They knew these prophecies, but He spelled it out: delivered over to the Gentiles. Mocked. Insulted. Spat upon. Flogged. Killed. Raised the third day.

They just didn't get it. Apparently, they thought their arrival in Jerusalem would usher in the Kingdom and they would be granted their thrones that were promised in an earlier discourse. In The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce states: "The twelve were yet but crude Christians. Their minds were completely possessed by romantic expectations, their heads giddy with the sparkling wine of vain hope."

A people who had, for generations, looked forward to a Champion-Redeemer who would burst on the scene and overthrow their oppressors, setting up His eternal kingdom at Jerusalem (2nd advent prophecy), simply were not prepared to understand that their Redeemer must first suffer and die, spiritually and physically, for their sins and the sins of all mankind. Then He must be resurrected and ascend to the Father as the firstfruits of restored humanity. Even after He told them and told them and told them.....

Eye of The Needle

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:18-30

There was a common belief among the religious Jews that each person had one specific work he must do to guarantee eternal life. The pompous and self-righteous took great pride in itemizing their deeds and totalling their points. By this time in Jesus' ministry, He had become widely known as a healer and teacher. The Pharisees and lawyers had dogged His every step, commenting, questioning, debating, trying to trip Him up in His doctrine. This one may have been more sincerely seeking, in the sense of not wanting to leave anything important undone. Hence, his question: "what must I do?" Addressed, not to "Lord," but to "good teacher." This self-assured legalist wanted confirmation of his own worthiness.

Jesus noted that the man called Him good, but only God is good, so of course the term was just for flattery. The rulers were quite practiced in such tactics. Jesus' challenge to him was: how do you think you're doing? The specific commandments Jesus mentioned all have to do with outward behaviors toward other people. The ones not mentioned have to do with inner, spiritual condition and attitude. Relationship with God. Well, Ruler was confident he checked out in all those mentioned, "from my youth." Jesus didn't correct him and didn't commend him, but simply said there's more that a truly committed, obedient child of God could do, if he wanted to identify with the kingdom: get rid of all the baggage that keeps you preoccupied with worldly riches. Give it to people who need it and come with me. Your heavenly treasure will be much more than you have here. "How badly do you want it, Ruler?"

Ruler couldn't even reply. He was stunned by the suggestion that he give up his wealth. We don't know where he went from here, but at that moment Jesus' challenge to him did not compute. That's why Jesus said it is almost impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not because it is sinful to be rich, but because rich men are often blinded to their own spiritual poverty. Riches hinder by distraction. Riches must be protected, attended to, invested, accounted for. Being rich is a way of life, not usually compatible with spiritual sanctification and growth to maturity. But there is a clause: nothing is impossible with God. Even a rich man, who believes and receives the atonement of Jesus Christ for his sins, will be saved. And anything that is left behind in order to seek and serve the kingdom of God will be more than compensated for now and in eternity. We who are rich in the fellowship of like-minded believers have long since learned that, and we cherish the relationship we have with Christ and our fellow believers as we navigate the pitfalls of this earthly pilgrimage. Those riches are much more precious than gold.

Little Children

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17

Let the little children come to Jesus! He welcomes them. They are without pretense in their innocent response to His love for them. They are not ashamed to ask him for what they need and want. They are not skeptical of the provision He has made for them. they do not question His love, or His authority. They are eager to please Him, to be where He is and to learn what He teaches. They are proud to acknowledge that they belong to Jesus.

These are the characteristics of those who make up the kingdom of God. Honesty, humility, trust, obedience, faith, fellowship, positive volition to His plan, identification with His person. The exact opposite of the characteristics of the natural adult. Children don't ask "what's expected of me? How can I earn salvation? What will make up for my sins?" They just want to be with Jesus. Children don't try to bargain. They just receive.

These are the characteristics imputed to the believer in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit when we believe on His finished Work. Simple, childlike faith. He made provision. We receive Him. We are then IN HIM for all eternity. Until we come to Him in that manner, we will never comprehend the perfect plan of God, because we are not naturally equipped for it (I Corinthians 2:14). Sin has hardened our hearts and obscured our understanding of Who He is. It is called spiritual blindness, and there is only one cure: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

Me, the Sinner

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:1-14


Keep on asking God for what you need. Jesus gave an illustration of a judge who had no respect for God or man, but who became so wearied with the constant petitions of an oppressed widow that he granted her request just to get rid of her. God is much more compassionate on His elect, who cry out to Him for help. He will make short work of those who oppress us, because we are His. And yet, mankind chooses to ignore the Sovereign Creator of the universe, in favor of their own schemes and devices.

Some people 'trust in themselves," Jesus said, and view others with contempt. Oh boy. We know some of those people, don't we? They are self-righteous. They consider themselves good. Why are they good? Because of the many bad things they don't do. And because they are not like "this tax collector." Why are they good? Because of the many points they think they have accrued by such things as fasting and tithing. When they stand before the judgment seat of Christ, their trust in themselves will be totally worthless, because those works are not what saves. Jesus Christ's perfect atonement is what saves.

The tax collector, however, who acknowledges he is THE sinner, knows his only hope is in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. God's provision. All he asks is mercy. He has nothing to brag about, and he very well knows it. His hope is only in the Lord, Who is in charge of his eternal fate. That humility will bring him justification. We have nothing to offer. We can only RECEIVE what God has provided. What He has provided is eternal life for those who believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Thereby, we are exalted IN HIM.

The Coming of the Kingdom

Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” And He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them. For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.” And answering they *said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.” Luke 17:20-37

The Pharisees were questioning Jesus about the coming of the Kingdom. They obviously expected some fanfare. Jesus said, no, there is no inaugural parade. No coronation. Actually, the Kingdom is here. Now. Jesus' first advent was as an ordinary human with an extraordinary work to do. The Pharisees were thinking second advent prophecies, which they were not seeing.

Jesus understood their confusion. He knew His own disciples would hear rumors and false reports about His second advent, after He was ascended. Don't fall for it. When it happens, everyone will see. Like lightening. That is second advent. The return of Christ in glory. Before then, several things must happen: He would "suffer many things" and the Jews would reject Him.

There will not be a global alert, regarding the second advent. Just as it was in Noah's day, normal activities will continue day by day, even though those who have the Word are constantly proclaiming it. The general population is ignoring the message and going on about their business. Then the flood came, just as will the return of Jesus Christ for His own. Likewise, Lot. The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were only interested in satisfying their lusts, and were busily doing just that, when the fire and brimstone began to rain down.

Certain individuals will be "snatched out" of the earth, and others will remain. When Jesus returns for His own, it will be too late for unbelievers to "tie up loose ends." They'll know what has happened, because we have continually warned them about it. There will be no question in that day, where the Lord has arrived. That's where the "vultures" will be gathered. At Armageddon. The site of the great final conflict of Jesus Christ, the LORD of the Armies, against Satan and his unbelieving hordes.

There are times and seasons; dispensations, in the plan of God. All were decreed before the foundation of the earth. Israel rejected the Messiah at His first advent. He knew they would, but He provided for them and the gentiles by His perfect propitiation for all our sins. He's coming back. Some will be awaiting His return, others will be taken by surprise, because they are not interested in the Plan of God, but in their own personal and political agendas. They have been and will be continually warned. They are without excuse. His first advent is history. His second advent has been foretold, in detail. He's coming back. Be ready.

The Tenth Leper

While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19


Headed onward to Jerusalem. Walking along the border of Samaria and Galilee. As we keep seeing, the people in the villages knew when Jesus was coming their way. His reputation preceded Him as a healer and teacher. These ten lepers seem to have been waiting for Him to approach. Of course, they had to keep their distance. Leprosy was a devastating disease and thought to be brought about by some sin in the person so afflicted. The law required that they stay separated from the community, so the only social interchange the leper could have was with other lepers. They became a society unto themselves, isolated from everyone else. So they stood afar off and cried out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus is in the mercy business, and this meeting with these wretched men was not an accident.

"Jesus, Master (authority, commander), have mercy on us!" He was their only hope. In the law, a leper who was cleansed was required to show himself to the priest to be certified as cleansed before he could return to normal society. This was a special duty of the priesthood, and Jesus was ministering under the system of the Mosaic Law. He respected the Law that He authored and came to fulfill, and the priesthood that represented it. So, since the healing was a done deal, though not yet obvious, He sent the ten to the priest to receive their certification. This was a powerful witness, to the ten AND to the priest, who would pronounce the healing.

"As they were going." That shows some faith that they believed they'd be healed, but what else could desperate lepers do? The Master bade them go. They went. And they were cleansed. There was never any question about it. As they trudged along, one noticed that his body was cleansed. He didn't wait for the presentation to the priest. He wanted to give immediate credit to the One Who healed Him. And he did so, falling on his face, glorifying God with a loud voice!

Interesting thing about desperate outcasts: their prejudices don't matter anymore. They're in this nightmare together; in this case Samaritans and Jews. And wouldn't you know? It wasn't one of the Jews, or nine of the Jews (God's chosen people, Jesus' racial brethren), shouting praises in gratitude to Jesus. It was the Samaritan! The Jews were not only prejudiced against Samaritans, they also had an unbelieving and ungrateful mindset toward this Jesus, who came to cleanse not only their diseased bodies, but primarily their eternal souls. Jesus made note of the fact that "only this foreigner" turned back to give glory to God.

I've heard comments that this leper represents the maybe ten percent of humanity who do recognize and appreciate God's blessings. That is arbitrary and unprovable, but it's true that not everyone acknowledges our Lord's wondrous mercies to us all. This Samaritan did, and Jesus commended him, telling him to get up and move on. Jesus' authority had healed his body. His faith in Jesus' authority had healed his soul.

Unworthy Slaves

“Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’” Luke 17:7-10


This one is difficult for me to relate to, being a "peon" myself and having never had servants. Jesus, however, spoke of the cultural realities of the time in which He ministered. There were well-to-do people among the crowd who gathered around Him, and they would have immediate understanding of this illustration. Notice, He did not condemn the ownership of slaves or the employment of servants. Those people had their jobs to do, and landowners had to have help tending their property.

His message here was about the attitude, not of the master, but of the servant. Yes, it was their job. They did not receive commendation for doing what was expected of them. The slave-masters should understand that concept, since it was their way of life. In my relationship with God, He is the Master. I am the servant. No matter my socio-economic status. There are things I am commanded, and expected, to do for the Kingdom of God. My job is to learn those expectations and do the best I can to fulfill my responsibilities, not anticipating thanks, but knowing it is the very least I could do for my Lord; my "reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).

God has His servants in every dispensation of history. They were Nation Israel, Priest nation to God. There were duties to be performed to prepare the way for their King. As a nation and as a religious system they failed in those duties, because of their unbelief and arrogance. They not only didn't teach God's Word, they distorted it, keeping His people in blindness. Ah, but proud they were, and expecting to be stroked. Now it is the Church with His Word to disseminate. We have nothing to boast about. Freely we have received. We must freely give. It is the very least we can do.

Offenders and Millstones

He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you. Luke 17:1-6


The stumblingblocks (offenses, temptations to sin, causes for discouragement and doubt) are going to occur in the lives of believers. We have to learn to expect them and to navigate around them. What you don't want to ever be is the one through whom the offenses and temptations come. You'd be better off with a millstone around your neck and be cast into the deep. I'm not sure exactly what kind of fate awaits the offender Jesus is speaking of, but I'm sure I wouldn't want to be that person. Jesus is Love and Compassion and Grace and Forgiveness. He is also perfect Righteousness (always good) and perfect Justice (always fair) and the Sovereign Lord of the universe (His universe, His rules). As the Good Shepherd, He is the protector and provider for His flock of "little ones" who are depending on Him for their eternal salvation.

We are instructed not to simply tolerate our brothers' sins, but to try to correct him. If he repents (changes his attitude), we must forgive him. Over and over and over. Well, after all, God does that for you and me, doesn't He? Over and over and over.

It is a matter of faith in the One Who has atoned for all our sins. There is no sin Jesus hasn't paid for. Faith in His finished work is our power and authority; our assurance that whatever has offended us has been dealt with on the cross. When He spoke these words, Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, but that event was a fact certain from eternity past. He was here in the flesh to live out the Truth that had been decreed from before the foundation of the world.

The mulberry tree was firmly rooted; almost impossible to uproot. This is a natural characteristic of that plant. But Jesus , the Creator of the mulberry tree, said that with even a small amount of faith (what one knows about the power and authority of Christ), we could command that tree to be uprooted and dumped into the sea. Faith is our confidence in the perfect provision of our Lord. What He has promised, He will do. I can totally relax in that knowledge, no matter the circumstances; no matter the offenses. Jesus Himself will deal with the offenders. Any hindrance to my service for Him will be removed.

Rich Man and Lazarus

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And [a]besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

A parable is a fictional, though commonly understood illustration of a principle of doctrine. Jesus made good use of parables in His teaching. Scholars think this is not a parable, but a true event, because proper names are given, which is not done in the other parables.

The rich man's opulent lifestyle seemed sufficient for him. Fine clothing, splendid surroundings, upbeat mentality. The beggar at his gate was sick, destitute and starving. And Rich Man knew him by name. Well, they both died. (Old Dogs: "You're Still Gonna"). All of us will. Death is final. When one wakes up in Hades, as did Rich Man, it is too late to make adjustments in one's spiritual identity. Hades is the abode of the unbelieving dead. A holding tank, so to speak, and a very unpleasant condition to be in. Please keep in mind Jesus Himself is telling this. He knows whereof He speaks. Rich Man was not in Hades because he was rich. He was there because he had not identified with the plan of God while he still lived.

Lazarus, however, went immediately to the Bosom of Abraham; figurative speech for paradise, or the presence of God. Heaven. Whatever time he spent on earth in his miserable body, it was over now, and he has eternal bliss with the Lord.

Now we see that there is consciousness in the afterlife, wherever the soul spends it. Rich Man was aware of his personal torment and he knew where Lazarus was. Apparently there is visual contact between the two compartments of Tartarus (the abode of the dead), while they await the Judgment. So, he asked for help. "Please send Lazarus with water. I'm in agony IN THIS FLAME." Does anyone think Jesus would have mentioned flames if there were none? Ironic, isn't it? Remember the crumbs that Lazarus desired from RM's table? But this decision is not up to Lazarus. His earthly issues are passed away. Father Abraham is the authority in charge of this request. And the answer is: not a chance. You had your pleasures in physical life, to the exclusion of all spiritual concerns, as well as the absence of compassion on the needy at your gate. Now he is comforted forever, and your agony will not end. There is no crossing over. The boundries are fixed. You decision has been made.

Well, at least send Lazarus to my brothers, to warn them not to come to this place. Thoughtful, now, isn't he? It's too late. I love Abraham's answer: "They have Moses and the Prophets (Old Testament Scripture). Let them hear them." There is nothing more powerful than the written Word of God. If one rejects the written Word, nothing more can be done for him. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

But, please. If someone goes to them from the dead, they'll REPENT! No. If they reject the Bible, they will not believe, even IF SOMEONE RISES FROM THE DEAD. Again, keep in mind: the One telling this story is the One Who came to die and rise again, for the propitiation of our sins, and Lazarus' and the Rich Man's. He knows the hearts of men. He knew that some would not believe the written Word or the Incarnate Word. Nevertheless, He died for them, too. No one is in hell because of his sins. The sins have been atoned for. People are in hell for one reason only: rejection of the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. There's nothing more He can do for them. It is finished.