The Lord's Banquet

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” Luke 14:16-24


After yet another Sabbath day healing and a stern lecture from Jesus, the leaders of the Pharisees were watching Him closely, but not as prepared to challenge Him as they had been earlier (Luke 14:1-15). He lectured them about their pride, arrogance and self-promotion. He said "you're exalting yourselves now, but you will be humbled. You will find blessing only in being charitable to the poor, who cannot repay you."

Then there was the parable of the banquet. In this parable, certain ones (the Jews) were invited; consistently, urgently, "come now!" The dinner was prepared, the hour was late. But they "all alike," in a conspiracy of rejection, gave excuses why they just couldn't make it right now. We've seen similar excuses before, in Jesus' calling out disciples. Need to check out newly purchased land, need to test a yoke of oxen, just got married. They just didn't have time for socializing with the host. Sorry. It is always a matter of priority. Jesus wasn't on their a-list. They'd really rather not be identified with Him.

So the host sent out his servant to bring in anyone he could find, no matter their circumstances (gentiles). This he did, and yet there were still seats at the table. Oriental etiquette required that the feast couldn't begin until all the places were filled. So go out there and "beat the bushes" for bodies to fill my banquet table. Bring them in. Those who were invited and rejected my invitation will be excluded from the feast. Jesus brought His message of salvation to the House of Israel first, knowing they would reject. When they did, He directed His invitation to the gentiles. His propitiation would negate everyone's sins, but the Kingdom was offered first to His People. They were not ready for the Kingdom and were suspicious of the King. He would soon fulfill His destiny at Jerusalem and then establish His Church upon faith in His finished work. God's plan is perfect. His provision is eternal salvation. His policy is grace. All are invited. Some will receive.

Oh, Jerusalem!

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Luke 13:31-35


Now we see that there were some closet believers among the Pharisees. Nicodemus comes to mind, and Joseph of Aramathea, who we know have had intimate dialogue with Jesus, and who helped with His burial after His Crucifixion. They are not named here, so possibly there were many more. These men were religious leaders; teachers, and would have had connections with the political system, for that is usually the way these prominent religions work within a nation. It is all about power and influence. And they would have kept their discipleship quiet, or they would no longer have been Pharisees. Closet believers are still believers, and they serve a purpose, too. We know some of these men were more open in their faith later on, which would be our expectation of real faith. Some folks are slow to declare their loyalties. Jesus knows who they are.

These particular Pharisees came to warn Jesus that Herod was closing in on Him and meant to kill Him. This didn't take our Lord by surprise. Nothing does. He had a pointed message for "that fox." Here's the message: I have important work to do on my way to Jerusalem. I will not break stride, for Jerusalem is my final earthly destination. There is an appointed time for My perfection.
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Hebrews 2:10
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him...Hebrews 5:8-9
There was no question what awaited our Lord in Jerusalem. That was His whole objective.

And then the lament: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" (The national capital and Holy Sanctuary of Israel.) I have reached out to you and you have rejected me over and over. I have loved you and longed to cover you with my protection and you will not let me. I must go forward now, and leave you to your rebellion. You see me now; you have seen me these three plus years in ministry for you, and you still reject. You will not see me again until I come back in glory. You will recognize me then and you will welcome me with tears of joy and shouts of praise for the One Who has always been your Only Hope.

Narrow Door

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:18-30

In yet another confrontation with the legalists about healing on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17), Jesus humiliated them with simple logic and common sense; something legalists just don't possess. Of course, the multitudes were becoming even more delighted with His glorious works.

Then He began to teach them about the the kingdom of God. It starts with a very small seed, but grows and expands quickly into a tree. The tree itself is pure, but the birds of the air (symbolic of demonic evil), will flock to it and use it as much as they can for their own purpose. Unbelieving opportunists have always done this and will continue to until Jesus returns to set everything in order. We may sometimes be confused about who's who in the Church, but Jesus knows everyone's heart. He'll have no problem sorting us all out in the end. Likewise, the principle of the leaven, which symbolized impurity or evil. Notice, a woman (in reference to spiritual leadership, usually synonymous with Jezebel, as in Revelation 17). Incorporates the leaven into the meal. "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," Galatians 5:9. This indicates the infiltration of false doctrine into the teachings of the Church. This is why we must stick purely to the written Word of God as our authority on spiritual matters. Any other source will be false and will distort the truth we have learned. Human viewpoint, human goodisms, man-made morality, mysticisms, any other teaching than the Holy Bible will obscure the person and work of Jesus Christ for our salvation. If it contradicts the Word of God, it is a lie. No matter how nice and attractive the person is who "shared" it with you. No matter how sensible it seems.

Jesus' followers began to worry about how exclusive this kingdom must be. Will there be only a few saved? His answer was sobering, and demands our undivided attention. There is one narrow door into the kingdom of God. He had spent His ministry on earth going through towns and villages, teaching truth to all who would hear. There can be no mistake about this. Everyone has opportunity to be saved, but not everyone will pay attention to His instruction: go in at the narrow door. All paths do NOT lead to God. All those birds in those nests do NOT belong to Christ. That leaven in that dough is NOT the true gospel. John 10:9: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Let's be clear, Jewish person (first, v.30): just because you're of Abraham's seed, that doesn't get you in. There will be souls from every geographical area and every people group (last, v.3o) who will be admitted while you plead to come in, because you ignored the ONLY provision for admittance: the Blood of Jesus Christ. He's the Door. And He told you so.

Judgment and Patience

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 13:1-9


There are always stories of terrible atrocities. This one sounds especially bad, and there seems to be some implication that the Galileans in question somehow deserved such a fate. Jesus' response: things like this happen to people in this world, whether they deserve it or not. The issue is YOU repent! Death will come (thanks to Adam), either by normal or violent means. Each of us must be prepared to face eternity. That means repent: turn around. Change direction. Change your attitude. You are an unbeliever now, believe in God's perfect plan. You are a child of Satan now, you can instantly become a child of God. You are skeptical of Jesus' claim to Messiahship, accept Him as the Messiah. He came to be your Savior. Believe and receive eternal life. You still may die just like those Galileans did, but you will die IN CHRIST, knowing your eternity with God is secure.

The Jewish people were symbolized by the fig tree. It was fruitless, thus useless. Taking up space and nutrients, but producing nothing. The "man" is God the Father. He was ready to simply remove the tree and be done with it. But the gardener asks for one more year. I love the KJV rendering of v.8, "I shall dig about it and dung it," and let's see if it will begin to produce. The Jewish nation had not fulfilled their responsibility to demonstrate God's grace in the world. They had not added souls to the Kingdom of God, in spite of being a priest nation with all the goods (the written Word, the Temple rituals and furnishings, which all symbolized the Messiah, the long history of God's gracious dealings with them). And here He was among them, in human flesh, being rejected by His own people. Their time of stewardship would soon expire and a new dispensation, the Church, would be given the mission to evangelize the earth. God's judgment is sure. God's patience is great.

Division

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” Luke 12:49-59

There is no compromise with our Lord. He came into humanity knowing that His very presence here would cause raging conflict, not only among the religionists, but also within families. How could it not? He presented Himself as God. He made His mission clear: to save humanity from our sins. He disdained the legalisms and traditions of the Pharisees. He called people into full time service in His Kingdom. We've seen in Luke's gospel that Jesus didn't operate under the radar, but made His power known throughout the land. He challenged the crowd to use their common sense regarding what they had seen in Him, and in their nation. You can read the weather patterns. Why can't you read the evidence of the Savior present among you? Why can't you understand that His time has come?

Many who have truly believed in Jesus Christ for salvation have experienced the resistance of friends and family members. That is an emotionally painful situation, difficult for everyone involved. Separation from loved ones is often the cost of discipleship. Those who don't know Him as Savior are fearful of just what has happened to the believer. If the family is religious, they accuse the Christian of joining a cult. If they are agnostic or claim to be atheist, they react with open hostility to the Christian in the household. If the Christian is truly abiding in Christ and continuing in His Word, he will be ridiculed as a Bible-waving fanatic. Unbelievers despise and resent the real Jesus Christ, though they will claim some admiration for the Jesus they think they know about. That Jesus is a pacifist and a compromiser without authority or power. That Jesus has no direct relationship with God the Father or the Old or New Testament. But the real Jesus, God the Son, is the creator and sustainer of the universe, the Word Incarnate and the only Savior. No one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). The real Jesus will be the Judge of those who have rejected His perfect atonement for their sins. The real Jesus is the very life of the born-again believer. Family conflict can be extremely painful, but He is worth it.

Be Ready

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:35-48

Well, we have been warned. By the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. There is no excuse for laziness or negligence in the absence of our Master. He will return, at His own good time. Those who are watching and ready to greet Him will be rewarded by His service to them. That is the order. Be dressed appropriately for action (filled with the Holy Spirit). Be watching for His return (occupied with Christ). Don't fall into apathy. Don't take advantage of your position by being abusive to the other servants. The one who does so is certain to reap stern discipline from the Lord. We've been called to a life of humility and service, in the manner of our Lord. People tend to quickly become disillusioned by delay of expected events. It is a weakness of humanity that we want it now. We will stay alert as long as we are seeing action. Sometimes God's order is to wait.

The nation Israel had become weary of waiting for their Messiah and irresponsible in their assignment as the priest nation to God. They failed to be ready when He presented Himself to them. In His incarnation, He was establishing a foundation for His Church. The Church would be built on the foundation of faith in His finished work, with trained leadership in the persons of His Apostles. The Church, too, would be required to work and serve until His return in the future. We have the completed canon of scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit to enable us in our service. Those who are mature in the faith know our Master's will and cannot claim ignorance of our duty. Those who are young in the faith are still learning what the duties of the Church are, and perhaps can plead lack of knowledge in some things. We all have a responsibility, however, to the work we were called to do. Some have been given much: spiritual gifts, Bible Doctrine, access to resources, time and opportunity to pray and evangelize. Much will be expected of those who realize and use all the divine operating assets available to us today. If we fail in that mission, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Where Is My Treasure?

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:22-34

The message here is unmistakable. God loves His creation. God has provided for every need in His creation. Our anxiety about our circumstances will not change those circumstances. Our attitude adjustment about Whose we are will change how we deal with our circumstances.

Our Father knows exactly what we need and has provided for that need to be fulfilled at exactly the right time, because it pleases Him. We parents understand this perfectly. We are always pleased to provide for our children, even the things they don't know they need. Our priority must be to focus on God and His Word and His plan. Oriented to God's perfect plan, we can be relaxed about our personal needs. We will be fed. We will be clothed. Even Solomon wasn't decked out like the wildflowers, which have no consciousness of any need! First things first: Seek His Kingdom. He will not allow you to be in need.

By making God's Word and will our priority, we are amassing treasure in heaven. Nobody can take that away. There can be no deterioration or thievery of the eternal reward awaiting the child of God. It is a fact of human nature that whatever we value the most will occupy our heart (thinking part of the mind). People plan for and orient their lives to whatever is most important to them. If your priority is Bible Doctrine, that very doctrine will stabilize your soul. Then you can deal with the details you face in life with the mind of Christ. There is no greater council or comfort than knowing that no matter what, I am forever IN HIM.

Bigger Barns

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21

I find it fascinating that whenever someone came to Jesus demanding that He correct the behavior of another, the complaint backfired on the complainer (see Luke 10: 40-41, Martha). The reprimand was always directed to the one doing the whining. OOps! There are lessons to be learned here, but perhaps not the ones we anticipated.

Lesson #1: Jesus was not here to arbitrate earthly disputes. His mission was of eternal consequence and entirely spiritual in application.
Lesson #2: This dispute was all about greed. The brother who controlled the inheritance apparently didn't intend to share. The younger (?) brother probably couldn't think of anything else. Greed has a way of consuming those who indulge in it. Both were "me-firsters." Each category of lust develops its own personal characteristics. People who lust after money will usually justify anything to get it and organize their daily lives around acquiring it. The love of money is a 24/7 way of life.
Lesson #3: We don't know what tomorrow will bring. So you're rich, your crops have yielded abundantly. How will you conduct your life in view of this good fortune? By hoarding the produce for yourself? Building bigger barns? Opulent self-indulgence? Counting your money rather than seeking the Kingdom of God? Securing your wealth rather than securing your soul? Well, you're a fool. You will die tonight, and then all your hoarded treasure will belong to someone else, to do with as he pleases.

Lesson for me: be careful what I whine to Jesus about. He's likely to show me my own shortcomings rather than give me satisfaction regarding my complaints of others. So far, in following Him around the gospel of Luke, that is what I've observed. A favorite Bible teacher of mine used to admonish: "the place you don't wanna be is between God and the one He is disciplining. In that position, the discipline will come directly to you" (my paraphrase, of course). Thank you, Lord, for putting the petty details of my life into perspective for the long term. We sheep need your constant care and correction.

Hypocrisy

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:1-12

The conflict between Jesus and the legalists had become open and constant, and the crowds were still thronging in. They had probably never before heard anyone dispute the Pharisees about their phony religious practices. Jesus made it clear the Pharisees were not to be emulated. Their hypocrisy would be exposed. They were wielding their political power on the earth, but they were destitute of eternal relationship with God. They were getting away with it now, but they would not get away with it much longer. The things they said and did in secret would eventually be headline news.

Jesus' statements in vv. 4-5 are very telling in view of the common practice of modern agnostics who ironically like to quote Jesus in matters of loving everyone but who steadfastly deny the reality of hell. Why would Jesus warn people to fear Someone Who could send them to hell if such a place did not exist? The One to fear is not the Pharisee who can have you killed, but the God of the Universe who controls your eternal destiny. And He has only the best intentions for you. He knows everything about you and you are valuable to Him. He's the One Whose standards you should heed.

Those who believe in Jesus will confess Him before men. Why wouldn't you? He is the One Who purchased your eternal life. He is the One Who speaks for you in heaven. Those who deny Him before men do not belong to Him and will have no representation in heaven. In these passages we are reading, the Pharisees and lawyers were denying Him. As they pretended to represent God. Jesus paid for all the sins of mankind. Those who go to hell will not go there for their sins, because He settled that debt in full. There were, however, those in the crowds and in the religious system who so bitterly hated Him that they not only denied Him, but attributed His works to Satan. Only hopelessly evil, unsalvageable unbelievers would do that. The kind who could not be forgiven, because they totally rejected the finished work of God the Son. God forgives sin on the basis of Jesus' blood atonement. God cannot forgive the rejection of His Son.

So, WHEN (not if) they bring you before the religious authorities, remember Who you trust, Who you believe, Who loves you, Who is on your side, Who has your eternity in His control, and be relaxed. Speak what you know. No need to worry. What you know is God's Word, God's work and God's will. You've been learning and storing Bible Doctrine. You've been witnessing miracles. You know the battle is the Lord's. The Lord of Hosts is His Name. The Holy Spirit will bring to your mind and tongue exactly what you should say in that situation. No rehearsal necessary.

Woe To The Legalists

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.
“Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”
One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”
Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
“Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.
“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say.
Luke 11:37-54

Pharisees sometimes invited Jesus to a meal, most likely to get a feel of exactly what He was about and find a way to sabotage His mission. Jesus accepted, because it gave Him opportunity to make His mission clear to even the most negative religious leaders. They were without excuse for their rejection of the King of Israel. Also, they seemed to enjoy heckling Him about false religious practices He paid no attention to. Such as not ceremoniously washing before the meal. These washings were not law, but "tradition of the elders" as described in Matthew 15:2. This did not mean dirty hands, but hands not cleansed in the Pharisaic method to free from ceremonial defilement. As always, the legalists keep adding prohibitions and rules, complicating the law.

Jesus' response was a series of woes: upon Pharisees who made a to-do of unnecessary washings, when a right attitude toward God and fellowman would make everything clean for them; upon Pharisees who meticulously paid tithes of the smallest herbs, not required in the Levitical tithes, yet they disregarded God's justice and love, which is the basis of the tithe system. That system was established for the support of the priests, Levites and the poor (Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:12, Deuteronomy 14:22-23) and sometimes for the tither himself to enjoy as a feast, in the sanctuary! (Deuteronomy 14:26-27). The tithe was a national obligation, similar to our income tax. It was not an indicator of spirituality. The important thing, Pharisee, is to demonstrate God's love to those in need, and while you're at it pay the correct tithes, not the contrived ones.

More woes (!) in verses 43-52 on the Pharisees for their phony self-righteousness, their pretentiousness, their materialism. They were like camoflaged tombs. The people who encountered them didn't realize they were dealing with death. Woe to the lawyers who were heaping burdens upon the people that they themselves had no intention of carrying.

These were the offspring of all the generations of evil men and false religionists who were directly responsible for the deaths of all of God's representatives, from Abel in Genesis to Zechariah, whose murder is described in II Chronicles (the last book in the Hebrew Bible). Now, in the generation of Jesus' incarnation, all the blood of all those prophets and apostles would be called into account. The lawyers who should have been teaching the people the Word of God not only didn't avail themselves of that knowledge, but hindered the people from aquiring it.

From that point on,the heat was getting heavy on the Pharisees to entrap Him with His own words. Their hostility was reaching the boiling point. This Man's grace and freedom simply could not be tolerated. He'd have to go.

Here's Your Sign

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” Luke 11:27-36

There is nothing more important than learning and obeying the Word of God. Not even your mother. Not even Jesus' mother. We mothers know what the lady meant, when she cried out in ecstasy to glorify Mary. We also know what Jesus meant when he made the issue clear of which is more important in life. His mission was the salvation of His people. That could only happen if they heard His Word and understood that He was the only way of salvation. Who His mother was was incidental to His humanity. Who His Father was was creator of the universe, the planner and provider of our eternal life.

The unbelievers want a "sign." Prove yourself to us. Why should we believe you are who you claim to be? Well, actually there had been many signs in His ministry. People who do not want to believe will simply reject all evidence. So remember Johah. He was sent to an unbelieving people, and he didn't even want them to be saved, but God sent through him the message and they DID believe! A pagan Queen came from afar to learn wisdom from Solomon, who had the Word of God to impart. Over and over we see: where there is positive volition to Bible Doctrine, the people are ready and willing to believe. The negative ones will not believe, even with God the Son standing before them.

Jesus, and we, have the truth to proclaim. He is our light. He is the light of the world. One doesn't light a lantern and place it undercover. The purpose of the light is to reveal, to show, to teach. We take in the light and retain it in our souls. What we see and hear of God's Word with our healthy (positive) senses enlightens our innermost being. We must guard against the darkness of false doctrine and negative volition. We see and absorb the light, we store it up and carry it in our souls and are able to share it with others who are drawn to the light.

How miserable it must be to constantly be hovering in the darkness. Hating, rejecting, contradicting everything that is good and true. Despising those who try to share their light. What a dismal, dreary existence, built on lies and deceit and shameful rebellion. Jesus offers them light and life. They continue to choose darkness and death. And they ask for a sign.

MORE Wicked?!

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11:14-26

More demons. Everywhere Jesus went, demon-possessed people were desperate for His help. And He helped. The unbelievers, since they couldn't deny the reality of what they saw, attributed the healings to Beelzebul (Lord of the Flies; Satan). This was blasphemy of the worst kind (unforgivable sin: Mark 3:28-29). Some, however, were curious enough to ask Jesus for a sign (!). Huh?

Actually, demons can cast out lesser demons and sometimes do, adding to the confusion of the ignorant and unbelieving. They simply remain enslaved to Satan's hordes, while frantically seeking help from any source except the source of all life, God the Son. This would include occult practices, spell-casting, false religions, mysticism, New Age holistic nonsense, etc.

This incident prompted the famous quote most often attributed to Abraham Lincoln: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Jesus Himself said that, in response to the blasphemers. If Satan casts out devils, then his kingdom is doomed to failure. Satan's kingdom is in constant turmoil, from eternity past. That's why evil is so utterly senseless. You can't find logic in irrationality. When Jesus casts out devils, it is THE SIGN that the Kingdom of God has come. These people knew Whom they were insulting. Just as blasphemous unbelievers of our day know exactly Whom they insult when they ridicule the Word of God. They've seen the sign. They rejected it.

There were others exorcising demons, but not in the Name of Jesus, and not for the purpose of promoting His Kingdom. They had ulterior motives, usually involving money and power. They were working against Him and "scattering abroad." He illustrated with the example of an aimless, wandering demon who has been cast out of a man. Demons don't like to be bodiless, so he decides to go back to the house he's been evicted from. There is nothing there. No good has replaced the former evil. No Holy Spirit has set up housekeeping in the vacancy. Aha! I'll go gather up my homeless friends and we'll party down. The poor, demented creature who sought help from the wrong source is more miserable than ever before. The issue is not just to clear out the demons. The issue is to receive Jesus Christ. Then, no demons can reoccupy. Godliness has no fellowship with evil.

On Prayer

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacityhe will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:1-13


After demonstrating to His disciples the model prayer (v. 1-4), Jesus went on to emphasize the personal application. It was customary for rabbis to compose special prayers, which apparently prompted this request from a disciple. His advice: don't give up. Keep on asking for what you need, even if you think God is getting tired of hearing you ask. If a human friend will grant your wish just to get you out of his hair, how much more likely will God give to you because He loves you? God has His reasons and His timing, but He does not want us to think He isn't interested in our needs. I love the comparison here to shamelessness in pressing on with our petitions to the Father. I've been shameless. He hears. He WILL answer. Actually, the provision has already been made. We just haven't realized it yet.

The grammatical construction of vs. 9 reads: "ask, keep asking...seek, keep seeking....knock, keep knocking..." You will receive, you will find, the door will be opened to you.

Jesus illustrates with reference to human fathers. If your child asks for a fish, you won't give him a snake. That would be cruel, and even an evil human father wouldn't be so mean. Even the worst of us know how to give good gifts. We Church Age believers have had the Holy Spirit since the Day of Pentecost (Acts 10:45, Romans 8:9), but Jesus was on the earth during the Age of Israel. The Holy Spirit was given for special service during that time, and granted by special request. Hence, the comment in v.13.

So, child of God, He is listening. He has provided for your every need. Why, then, must we ask? To orient our thinking to the source of all good things. To understand and appreciate the One Who gives, and has given our daily sustenance. The One Who does far more abundantly than we can ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) is waiting to pour out His blessings on us day by day. As we ask, our attitude becomes adjusted to the mind of Christ. Is this His will for me? Is it the right time for this thing to be a part of my life? I find my most fervent prayers are on behalf of others whom I love and want good things for. I do ask shamelessly for those gifts and blessings. Then, oh Lord, do your will in me. Whatever that is. Your will. In me. Always.

The Good Part

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

As they were traveling to Jerusalem, remember, Jesus was on the way to become the propitiation for our sins. They entered the village of Bethany. We know about Bethany. His friend Lazarus lived there, with his sisters Martha and Mary. Nothing with Jesus' journey was by happenstance. This was a divine appointment. Martha welcomed Him and began bustling about. Mary sat at His feet, mesmerized.

We know these women. At some point, each of us has been each of these women. There are personality traits displayed here, though, and it seems Martha was a fussbudget. She overprepared a huge spread when a simple dish would have sufficed for these hungry travelers. Not only did she overdo, but she insisted that her sister help with the kitchen work, and wanted Jesus to order Mary to help. Well, it backfired. Martha was allowing the details of life to distract her from the most important event in her life, at least so far.

Jesus had things to tell them. Truth to teach. Doctrine to impart. A limited time to share these treasures with His friends. Mary, as with all who are positive to God's Word, instantly realized how important this time with Him would be. We've got the rest of our lives to cook and eat. This may be our last opportunity to learn from the Lord, face-to-face!

Mary chose the good part. It will never be taken away. What a magnificent promise! We who love the Word of God always do recognize it's truth, whenever and wherever it is being taught. We recognize others who share this love, whenever and wherever we meet them. It is a bond that transcends all other human relationships. Koinonia. A sharing in common. Fellowship. We have a fellowship with Enoch, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Elijah, David, Jeremiah, The Twelve (except Judas), Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany, our deceased Christian relatives. When you know and share a person's beliefs, you know the person. Even over centuries of history. He is our brother. IN CHRIST.

Martha, a few sandwiches will do nicely. Come sit with us while we share the Word of God.

My Neighbor

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

This familiar parable is recorded only by Luke, but seems to be universally known and is frequently taught as Christian principle. It is an impressive story. The "expert" in the Mosaic Law was attempting to entrap Jesus, as was a common practice among the scribes who watched Him. His question was: "what shall I Do?" Seeking self-justification. Thinking he had the goods, already.

Well, scribe, you know the Mosaic Law. Can you love God totally, with your entire being? No exceptions. No hesitation. No excuses. If you can do that, you're in.

We see once again that religion cannot meet the requirement of the Law. Religion cannot produce that kind of love. One cannot love whom one does not know. We can only know God the Father through God the Son. That kind of love comes from God Himself. "We love because He first loved us" (I John 4:18). God the Holy Spirit produces that love in those who are His. Then we are equipped to reflect God's own love back to Him and project God's unconditional love to others.

When I (humanity) lay wounded and dying in the ditch (from sin), in no position to even ask for help, the priest (representing religion) passed by on the other side. He is not my neighbor. The Levite (representing the Law) also avoided contact and went on his way. He, too, is not my neighbor. Religion is indifferent to my helplessness and the Law is incapable of helping. The Samaritan demonstrated God's grace to me, no questions asked; cleaned me up, tended my wounds and payed in full all my obligations. That kind of compassion reflects the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son. He's the neighbor who showed mercy. We who are His, BECAUSE we are His, can show that kind of mercy for our fellowman.

"The only way I can love my neighbor as myself is by having the love of God shed abroad in my heart, then I can love others with that same love." "The measure of our growth in grace is our attitude toward other people." Oswald Chambers

What must I DO? What the Law requires, only Jesus Christ has provided. For you, for me, for the scribe. "Christian living is not our living with Christ's help, it is Christ living His life in us" (J. E. Conant). We can appropriate the love of God, and share it with our fellowman, by one means only: by abiding IN CHRIST and allowing His mercy to flow through us.

Hidden things Revealed

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Luke 10:17-24

What a thrilling victory the seventy-two had in their mission to preach and heal throughout the cities as forerunners of the King. He was going to Jerusalem to fulfill His destiny. He would pass through these cities and now there would be people along the route, prepared to receive Him and to tell others about His Kingdom. His men were SO excited about being in authority over demons. Jesus was happy for them, too, in their sense of accomplishment, but the real rejoicing should be over their eternal salvation. That was the whole reason for His incarnation: providing the way for mankind to have eternal life. And that was their job: make that issue clear to whoever will listen. Religion is not the way. Jesus is the Way.

In a moment of spiritual joy for His men and His approaching climactic event, Jesus praised the Father for bestowing understanding of His person and work to common people, even children, rather than the "wise and learned." Just because it is God's pleasure to do so. Look around. The "wise and learned" (arrogant intellectuals) are still clueless when it comes to the things of God. They worship at the shrine of humanism. They judge morality on the basis of human viewpoint, rather than God's divine standards. The religions they practice are legalistic or pagan. They even presume to reference the name of Jesus as they judge people and circumstances about which they know nothing. Only the Father really knows the Son. Only the Son really knows the Father, and those to whom the Son reveals Him.

These men with Jesus had been given knowledge and authority that prophets of old could only anticipate afar off, and kings heard about but couldn't really comprehend. Jesus' apostles and we, Church, have knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; understanding of the doctrines of the Church Age which gives us confidence to face the future with complete trust in the One who holds the future. Our faith is in Him Who executed the requirement for our salvation. We are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, Who also has given us the capacity to know these things.

The Seventy-Two

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me. Luke 10:1-16

Now the mission was fully underway. Jesus by now had perhaps thousands of followers, so he could pick out some really dedicated ones to be his forerunners into the cities He would visit on His way to Jerusalem. This was intense. There were souls to be harvested in these cities, and there needed to be more workers for that job. There must be no nonsense about their objective: no extra baggage, no dawdling or fraternizing along the way. No distractions, no encumbrances. You are lambs going among wolves. Where you find positive volition, stay, accepting the hospitality of the householder. Whatever food and drink they offer, receive it graciously and without criticism. Do your job: heal their sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God, Keeping the message clear:"The Kingdom of God has come near to you."

Where you are rejected by negative volition, just keep moving on, after proclaiming the Kingdom message clearly as you wipe their dust off your feet. These cities: Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum have had miracles performed in their midst, the likes of which would have brought the condemned cities of old to repentance.

Here is the authority of the messengers of Christ: whoever listens to Christ's messenger listens to Christ. Whoever rejects Christ's messenger rejects Christ. And whoever rejects Christ rejects the One Who sent Him (God the Father). If we have God's Word, we are His messengers. We do speak on His behalf in the world. Our message is accepted or rejected on a daily basis by whoever hears. Our job is to proclaim. Make the issue clear. Their response is a matter of individual volition, and they bear the consequences. Lay it on the line. They will take it or leave it. Jesus, the Savior will also be their judge.

On to Jerusalem

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:51-62

The time was growing short. The Galilean ministry was done. The destination: Jerusalem. By way of Samaria. Samaritans were hostile to all Jews and knew no reason to make an exception for Jesus and His men. There was a long history of animosity between these two peoples, having to do with pagan practices and counterfeit, corrupt religion as well as intermarriage with worshippers of Baal. Therefore, Jesus' company was not welcomed in that village. James and John, "Sons of Thunder" knew just what needed to be done about that. They had apparently become a little heady with Jesus' delegated authority, but didn't yet have the maturity to apply that authority with the grace of its originator. Having come so far with Him, they were still quite emotionally volatile in their responses to circumstance. Shallow. Reactionary. Prejudiced. Jesus corrected them about it and they moved on. The opportunity was offered and rejected. Jesus doesn't force Himself on those who are negative to His grace.

There were hangers-on, groupies, as His celebrity grew throughout the area. There were enthusiastic but insincere people such as the man who vowed to follow Him anywhere. Jesus informed him it was not an adventure, but hardship, with uncertain accommodations.

There was the hesitant believer, called by Jesus, who needed to first "bury my father." The father wasn't being prepared for burial, but the man meant he must take care of his father until he died. Then he would be willing to go with Jesus. He was told the (spiritually) dead could take care of the end of life details. Now is the time to proclaim the gospel.

The third man wanted to go, after he went back to settle up things at home with his family. This was no time for looking back. If the plowman looks behind himself, the furrow will be crooked. (The burden of discipleship: not what it costs me, but what it costs my loved ones-- Oswald Chambers).

The pace was picking up. The apostles were loyal, but immature. The crowds were interested, but mixed in their responses. Nevertheless, it was onward to the destiny He came to fulfill. No time for coddling wannabees. Jerusalem was His point of departure. At Passover. Moving on.

Down from the Mountain

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” Luke 9:37-50


After soaring to spiritual heights, there is almost always the rude slap of human weakness and failure waiting at the foot of the mountain. It awaited Moses as he descended Mt. Sinai, after receiving the law (Exodus 32). It awaited Elijah when he descended Mt. Carmel, after demonstrating the power of God to the priests of Baal (I Kings 18-19). And here it awaits Jesus, Peter, James and John after the transfiguration. The crowd is gathered, and there is great need. The Lord exhibited a bit of human exasperation with the shallowness of the disciples' faith to exercise the authority He had delegated to them previously. He graciously healed the demon possessed boy and continued to try to teach the apostles that they must prepare themselves for His death! They weren't getting it, and were afraid to ask Him for further explanation. It seems they really didn't want to understand what He and they were about to face. I've done that, when I think the explanation is something I'd rather not understand and deal with, haven't you? If I just ignore this, maybe it won't happen. This is too much information for me right now.

Let's just think of other things, such as: which of us is more important to Jesus! In their weakness and confusion, the apostles were reverting to childish competitiveness. Jesus simplified it for them. Whoever welcomes this little child in My Name welcomes me. You represent Me and I represent the Father, and the innocence of this child is greater than all of you.

Well, what are we gonna do about the guy who was driving out demons in Your Name? We tried to stop him. Jesus said let him do it. He isn't working against us, so he is working for us.

The time is approaching that these men will face the worst experience of their lives. And the simple truth is, they don't want to face it. There will be no opting out.

The Christ of God

And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?” They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:18-26

From the prophets of old until the first advent of the Christ there had been 400 years of silence from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God's people had been severely disciplined by being sent into exile. They had suffered for their adoption of the pagan practices around them and for intermarrying with the heathen. Result: perfunctory, ritualistic religion in keeping the letter of the law, but not comprehending the reality behind those rituals and behaviors. There was very little real faith, just tradition-keeping, under the bullying control of the Pharisees who despised Jesus' person, resented His popularity and feared His power. All they could think of was finding a way to legally get rid of Him. Such a spiritually misled people wouldn't have an accurate frame of reference by which to evaluate the ministries of this Jesus of Nazareth. They were mostly poor, mostly uneducated, just plain folks trying to make it through each day with body and soul intact. They knew of the prophesies of the Messiah, who was to be a great military and political champion for Israel. They were in no way expecting a common man, a servant-teacher of humble circumstances. Such people let superstition rule their lives. Such people might attribute His deeds to a risen John, or Elijah or one of the other old prophets.

But His men knew. They had been with Him as He worked, prayed, taught, healed, raised the dead. They had seen His perfect character in every act and word. They had learned His love. They had witnessed His grace. They experienced His power and His strength of will, even as it manifested in humility. When I was under conviction at age 20, the mother of two small boys, I read the New Testament alone every day. I saw what these men experienced with Jesus, and my own soul was prepared to receive and believe this statement of Peter: "The Christ of God." That was the moment of my eternal salvation, though I didn't comprehend what all that really meant at the time. I don't think the Twelve comprehended it, either, but it expressed their commitment to The One they knew was Israel's only hope. Jesus wanted them to recognize that truth, but it was too soon to broadcast it to the world. They would have unknown pressures to endure, and it was time to begin preparing them for that.

So He warned them of His suffering that was to come. He told them they would face harsh and difficult decisions in loyalty to Him. He mentioned taking up the cross in identification with Him, day by day! They very well knew the cross as an instrument of torture and death; an end to the present circumstances and a journey into uncharted territory. Get ready, men. This will not be easy. It will, however, be worth it to you, and to those who come after you. You will lay down your lives daily by acknowledging and honoring The Christ with no regret or embarrassment. You will be greatly rewarded for your faith and obedience, in ways that cannot be imagined.

Each believer has a cross. It is the cross of Jesus Christ; our testimony that He is the Only Way of salvation and there is no other. No ifs, ands, buts or maybes. Jesus is The Christ of God. That cross is an offense to the world, and our badge of honor. Hold it high.

The Feeding

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.”They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.)But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Luke 9:1-17

Grace is multiplied! Never divided.

After the excitement and plain hard work of the previous days' ministries, Jesus and the Twelve must have been exhausted. It's tiring to keep up a kind public persona day after day, with people expecting more and more of you, needy for your attention. You want to keep helping them, but the body needs rest. I once was told by a neighbor who was an insurance agent that he enjoyed visiting with me at the end of a work day, because he could relax his "niceness" and just be himself. I didn't want anything from him.

So the Savior and His team retreated to Bethsaida for a bit. Not much rest. The crowd found Him and gathered in. Our wonderful Savior WELCOMED them and taught them and healed them. They were out in the boonies, however, and the apostles realized they had brought no food. "Lord, let's wrap this up and send them into town to get food and lodging." What a lesson these men were about to learn. He ordered them to feed the crowd. Luke says there were about 5,000 men. The Bible accounts usually don't mention women and children, so we must assume at least triple that many mouths to feed. Uh-oh. Five loaves and two fishes. No matter what kind of loaves and fishes they were, this would not suffice. Unless they were surrendered to the omnipotent Lord of the universe. The disciples distributed the broken and blessed food to everyone there. Everyone ate and was satisfied. Then we have this:

Each disciple picked up a basketful of food that was leftover! Each man had his own basket of miracles to carry with him and remind him of the power and grace of His Master. And of the multiplication of grace. Remember, He didn't create bread for Himself in the wilderness at the challenge of Satan. That was not the proper action at that time; but NOW He creates bread to distribute to the hungry followers, because of their need and because of His purpose: to demonstrate His power to those who are seeking truth.

Delegation

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. Luke 9:1-9

After another miraculous healing of a hemorrhage incurable by normal medical means and the raising of Jairus' dead daughter (Luke 8:40-56), Jesus sent His disciples out to put into practice the things they'd been learning from Him. Notice, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases! Power and authority. From the ultimate source of power and authority. These guys were spiritually immature and inexperienced, but they were His chosen and they could perform these ministries in His authority alone, without personal qualification.

The Twelve were sent. That would have to include Judas. There is no indication Judas did not have the same success as the other eleven. Conclusion: Jesus' authority and power, not the goodness or spirituality of the Twelve gave the people healing and redemption. Quoting A.B. Bruce in The Training of the Twelve: "Usefulness does not necessarily imply goodness, according to the teaching of Christ Himself. 'Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name and by Thy name cast out devils, and by Thy name do many wonderful works?' His answer is not 'you didn't these things,' it is: 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'" (Matthew 7:22)

He gave them careful instruction on these first missions of mercy and evangelism. They were green, but they were sent to give aid and comfort to a desperately lost and hurting people. Where they found positive volition to their message and ministry, they were to abide. Where they were rejected, they were to leave with no apology or regret. They were to accept the hospitality of those they visited, since they took no provision for themselves, this trip. This probably limited their contacts to the particular area Jesus sent them into. No venturing out of the assigned field. There was a plan and purpose to the way Jesus evangelized first the Jewish, then the gentile world.

All this had Herod in a frenzy. It couldn't be John, because he had been beheaded. An Old Testament prophet, revived for this purpose? Who could this be, about whom such stories were being told? Herod wanted to see for himself. This could be difficult to handle.

Storms and Demons

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39

Luke is meticulous in detailing many of the miracles that displayed the power of Jesus. After calming the storm in vs. 22-25, He encountered another demoniac. The reaction here was like that of previous demons: hatred and fear of God the Son. There is clearly no commonality between perfect righteousness and pure evil. The two conditions are mutually exclusive. This poor miserable creature was naked, wild, filthy and self-injurious. Jesus simply ordered the demons out of the man. His name was Legion, he (the demons) said. A legion was the largest unit of the Roman army. Apparently thousands of demons can inhabit one individual human body. They disturb the one possessed physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. They destroy the life of the one possessed. They recognize and fear Jesus. These begged not to be sent into the abyss (bottomless pit, where the demons of the pre-flood infiltration are incarcerated. See Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4, Genesis 6:1-4). Demons are the prehistoric fallen angels who joined Lucifer in his rebellion and attempted a coup against God and were cast out of heaven. Those in the abyss were involved in a particularly heinous attempt to corrupt the human race by procreation with human females. Those are in chains of darkness, and apparently the ones who are at large today are incapable of that same assault on humanity. God's only Son had to be born truly human in order to be the propitiation for our sins. The infiltration was an attempt to prevent His true humanity.

Jesus, in full control, allowed the terrified demons to enter into a herd of pigs instead. The pigs then, being "spooked" to say the least, went headlong into the lake and died.

Well, now. The pigherders didn't take kindly to this loss of income. The Gadarenes were frightened, also, when they saw the demoniac "clothed and in his right mind." This all did not compute. They didn't want to deal with any of it. Jesus should please leave. His power terrified them, yet the one whose need had been met begged to go with Him. He said, No, you have a testimony. Proclaim it to those back home. Jesus left, and there is no record that He ever returned to that place. Demon possession is real. It is destructive in every way. Only Jesus Christ can deliver from the power of demons.

My Family?

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” Luke 8:16-18

It just doesn't make sense, believer, to receive Jesus' light (salvation) and try to keep it hidden. There can be no growth or production that way, no sharing of the truth of the gospel with those who are living in darkness. The light is meant to illuminate the soul, to penetrate the darkness of the world. The grace we are given is to be multiplied and fill the earth with God's love. Raised high, our light serves as a beacon of hope to those who are lost, seeking, wandering the world in search of meaning and purpose. If you are a child of God, you really can't hide it forever. You will be outed at some point, and your secrecy will bring shame for your negligence of Bible Doctrine; your lack of appreciation for the price Jesus has paid for your salvation. There can never be any contentment as a cowardly, selfish prodigal. What you have squandered will cost you the little discernment you may have started out with. Use it or lose it. Not your salvation; that does not depend on you, but your assurance, confidence and peace of mind in grace thinking and doctrinal orientation, maintained only by daily fellowship with God, prayer and advancing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is never too late, though, as long as you're breathing. You can pick up the harness at any time, and move forward with the Holy Spirit as your mentor. As you learn and grow, doctrine will be added to doctrine; faith will be added to faith. When we apply what we have learned, doors are opened to more knowledge and greater understanding of God.

Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Luke 8:19-21

The crowds were pressing, clamoring to see, hear and touch Jesus. He had been away from His mother's house for a long while. Mary and her sons were hearing stories; some truth, some gossip, about the astounding deeds of the firstborn. Mary needed to see for herself, and try to influence Him to come home and rest awhile. Eat. Sleep. Refresh. Maybe He'd lost His mind, from so much work and such frenzied attention (Mark 3:20-21). They couldn't get through the crush of bodies to speak with Him, so sent someone to fetch Him. His answer was classic. His mother and brothers are those who belong to the family of God. He was not disdaining His earthly family, but stressing the importance of the spiritual brotherhood of believers. Jesus' work was more important at this stage of His incarnation than the natural family connections. He wouldn't walk away from it. His brothers up to this time remained unbelievers, so they could not comprehend the necessity of His work. The people who believed in Him did comprehend, through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, that His work was more important than anything else in His life. The salvation of mankind hung in the balance. Fulfillment of the Father's plan was His mission. The time was growing short. Mary, did you know? Yeah, I think she knew.

The Seed and The Soil

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:4-15 ESV


My favorite parable: The Sower. What a beautiful illustration of how God's Word is distributed throughout all humanity, and how different individuals receive it. Or not.

Four categories of hearers:

Category 1: Along the path--unbeliever; never understood the issue. Negative volition at God-consciousness. They hear the word, but it makes no impression. It sparks no interest in their soul. It just falls rejected and the "birds" (symbolic of demonic hordes) snatch it away before it can penetrate.

Category 2: Rocky ground--shallow, emotion-driven believer. The word briefly penetrated, but was not appreciated and cultivated in this bored, indifferent soul, so it soon withered away. No production. Seeking entertainment. Needs strokes. Falls apart at the first test.

Category 3: Among thorns--the "just-too-busy-for-this" believer. He heard. He believed. He was intrigued for a while, but details of life (politics, traditional religion, business, entertainment, family struggles, THORNS!) were just "too much on his plate." Are you tired of that phrase? I am. Something has to go. Doctrine goes, and there is no divine production.

Category 4: Good soil--positive, loyal, steadfast believers. The first time they heard the Word of God taught, they knew "this is it!" This is what they've been waiting their whole lives to learn. They cherish it, nurture it, savor it and share it with others who love it also, and with anyone who will listen. These solid, stable, loving believers recognize that same quality in others they encounter and they have a common bond with those like-minded brethren that is not shared with anyone else. They are the "jewels" of Malachi 3:17. They are the true disciples of John 8:31; abiding in His Word and knowing the truth.

They are the ministering, productive believers of the Church Age.

Ministry Support

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3

How do itinerant preachers who have left their jobs support their ministry? With the help of dedicated supporters, of course. After Jesus got His men chosen for training, the pace seems to have picked up. They went throughout the cities, preaching the gospel message and instructing in doctrines pertaining to the new covenant. Human bodies require food, clothing and other necessities of life, but a fast-paced ministry demands all of ones time and energy for travel, teaching and healing. The message they brought was life itself to those who were otherwise without hope for a relationship with God. Such had been several women whom Jesus encountered in His early ministry. We see throughout the gospels that Jesus depended on the providence of the Father for all His physical and spiritual needs. The Father certainly does provide for those needs, usually in the form of benevolent supporters. Among His female disciples were those mentioned here: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and "many others," who apparently were women of some means. They were deeply grateful to Jesus for His ministry to them. They had been healed of demons and physical sicknesses. They knew how important His work was, and were in a position to assist Him and the twelve, and God gave them that opportunity to be of service to the Kingdom.

It is commonly believed in Christianity that Mary Magdalene had been a prostitute. Maybe so, but the gospel accounts of her do not state that. This is not, according to scholars I read, the same "sinful woman (prostitute)" who anointed Jesus' feet at Simon's dinner party, although that woman obviously had a great deal to be grateful for, as well. What the gospels do state, regarding Mary Magdalene is that she had been cleansed of seven demons. This detail is emphasized, indicating a severe case of demon-possession, whatever manifestations that entailed. We see her throughout the life, death and resurrection accounts of Jesus, always close by and always in attendance to Him in any way she could be. There is no reference to her having a family, so no obligation there; and her positive volition to true doctrine, the will and the means to be of assistance to this travelling band of preachers gave her her mission in life.

Joanna was a nobleman's wife who had also been healed and was deeply devoted to Jesus, as was Susanna. The "many" other women of this company remain nameless, but their devotion to Jesus and His message was their calling, also, and these redeemed and liberated ladies had every reason to share their substance with the Savior.

Just a comment about women. We are born responders. That was part of the curse on Eve in Genesis 3:16 "your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you." She had enticed her husband to disobey God's command. We can still do that, ladies, but we very well know it is sin. My point is, in our genetic code, females have a built-in humility which gives us an edge over men in spiritual and emotional comprehension. I believe humility is harder for men to cultivate. Humility also helps us to keep our domineering tendencies under control. The mothering instinct is part of this mechanism, because a mother must be everything to her child and meet his every need. Men have to LEARN humility, and it is not easy for them. They must be highly motivated to even realize the need. Women are programmed to serve and assist. Adam needed "an helpmeet" and believe me, he still does. I must share Oswald Chambers' comment on the spirituality vs. carnality of a woman: "a man can neither rise so high nor sink so low as a woman." I agree with that opinion. In spirituality we are more spiritual than our men. In carnality we are the meanest, sorriest, most devious creatures on earth. If you haven't read "The Female of the Species" by Rudyard Kipling lately, I recommend you do so. It's a great read. But we're studying about spiritual women here, who have been healed and saved and love the Lord Jesus Christ and His work.

Thinking about the contribution these women made to the earthly ministry of Jesus and the twelve, I have great admiration and respect for their willingness to serve in this way when our Lord needed that kind of assistance for His work. Their faith resulted in advancement of His Kingdom, and became a legacy for all of us in the Church.

Forgiven Much

Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:31-34

The unbelievers of Jesus' generation and every generation are like spoiled brats (children). They have their expectations of God's man. If he abstains from food and drink, he's considered weird (has a demon). If he is grace oriented, eating and drinking with the hoi polloi, he has questionable moral character. We have a popular phrase for this common assessment of the behavior of others. "Wrong if you do and wrong if you don't." You get my drift. The world has no clue what God expects from His messengers, but they have their standards of human good by which they love to judge the servants of God. Those who have believed God, however, can discern divine good and judge accordingly.

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:35-50

The Pharisee apparently thought he had done Jesus a favor by inviting Him to his table. Yet he didn't offer Jesus even the most basic hospitality (footwashing, kiss of greeting, anointing; all customary social graces of the time). How could Jesus be Who he claimed to be and not know this woman is a sinner? Why would He allow her to touch Him in this way? This prostitute, who had heard His grace teaching and had witnessed His miracles knew He was her only hope. She was here to honor Him. It was her great pleasure and privilege to anoint His feet with the expensive perfume as she shed tears of love and gratitude for Him. Which debtor will love more, Simon? Simon wasn't a stupid man. He knew the one who was forgiven the most would love the most. The woman's faith was rewarded as Jesus pronounced forgiveness of her sins. She was forgiven much. She loved much.

No One Greater Than John

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) Luke 7:18-30

"All these things:" The unlimited display of power and authority reported in vss. 1-17. John (the Baptist) had been imprisoned by Herod Antipas, and he was still lingering there. His disciples were observing the suddenly accelerated ministry of Jesus, who healed a centurion's servant even from a distance, if you please, because the gentile officer understood the authority with which the Messiah could control all things. He understood and believed Who Jesus was, even if the Jews didn't, and his faith was rewarded. Another remarkable "thing" was the resusitation of the widow's son who had died; actually raised out of his coffin by the word from the Lord. (Just a comment here; Jesus Himself was the first, and so far only, human resurrected in an immortal body after having died. He is the firstfruits. The deceased people He raised in His earthly ministry were brought back to their original mortal bodies, and would eventually die again. He gave them their breath back. Their resurrection bodies will come when He restores all things, at the 2nd advent.)

Well, apparently John's disciples were confused. Why has Jesus allowed our Master to remain in prison? Maybe John was mistaken. John sent a delegation to ask the Messiah Himself: "are you the One?" John functioned in the Holy Spirit from before birth, remember, so let's assume he knew the answer. This was for the reassurance of his disciples, who needed a stabilizing focus as the time of his own departure was coming soon. Jesus sent them back with a laundry list of the qualifying evidence of Messiahship (Isaiah 61:1-3), which they themselves had been witnessing in Him. Jesus had great esteem for John, and pointed out that John was not the usual teacher, but had an austere style, setting him apart from his contemporaries. John was the messenger sent to prepare the way; to introduce the King and His Kingdom. It was a transitional ministry. John lived and died under the old dispensation of Israel, but had a role in bringing in the Messianic Era. It was an enormous responsibility, and he handled it. There had been no human born in John's time who was greater in spiritual stature than John, but those who would be born again in the Church Age would have greater position (IN CHRIST) than anyone before. Those who had been taught and baptized by John were prepared to understand this statement, but the Pharisees and lawyers didn't have a clue. They just kept stumbling over The One (v. 23, Isaiah 8:14-15).