Burunche’s Blog

Luke 12:49-53 Christ Brings Division

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

First, Jesus predicts his upcoming death as a form of baptism. We under-value baptism if we fail to realize that the act of baptism is a re-enactment of Jesus’ death and resurrection. While many denominations practice infant baptism as a form of dedicating the infants to Jesus, there is something particularly significant about adult baptism. Adults should understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. Sometimes, adult baptism is also employed as a form of re-dedication. Although I had been baptized as an infant, later when joining a church that practiced adult baptism, I went through the ritual and found it very meaningful. On two separate occasions my husband and I have undergone baptism while prayer warrior friends have laid hands on us, re-dedicating us for new work. In both those cases, the friends approached us, feeling led to do so by God.

Jesus knows that his baptism is going to be a baptism of spiritual fire. It is from these verses that we derive the expression of “baptism by fire” to indicate the experience someone undergoes when taking on a new position that proves to be incredibly difficult.

Jesus continues to warn the disciples what they will face so that when he is no longer present, they will not falter. Make no mistake! Even in Jesus’ lifetime, following him is a costly decision. Jesus has already angered the ruling Jewish religious authorities, and if the Romans choose to do so, they can wipe out all the disciples by crucifixion. Even though Judas thinks he’s cleverly hiding his betrayal of Jesus, his fellow disciples sense that something is terribly wrong. But here Jesus is warning about something even more painful than treachery by a colleague.

In Jesus’ role as prophet, he is foretelling a time when entire families will split over his teachings, with some family members holding fast while others violently oppose them. Ever since Christianity has come into existence, this prediction has come true. Even today, former Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus who accept Christ may live in danger of being killed by their own family members as heretics. The very relationships most of us hold dear may lead to our deaths if family members oppose us.

If following Jesus can lead to such horrible results, why would anyone choose to do so? Jesus himself gave the answer when counseling his disciples. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, except by me.” (John 14:6) When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, he changes our hearts and the Holy Spirit begins to work in us. Galatians 5:19-23 tells us “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Who among us wants to suffer? Who among us wants any of the horrors described to characterize their lives? Once you have experienced the love, the joy, and the peace of knowing Jesus, you are willing to sacrifice.

There is a video, a one-man show, in which a skilled actor portrays the disciple John as an old man on the Island of Patmos, describing his visions that he records in the  Book of Revelation. One of the most touching scenes comes near the end of the video. Obviously, John has been witnessing to the Roman commander, who has hitherto ignored all his efforts. But as the video is ending, the commander summons John to his office, and the video closes with John beginning to tell the commander about Jesus.

Tradition tells us that John was not martyred, nor did he die on Patmos. John likely died in Ephesus as a very old man. But the other disciples all will die as martyrs. Here is the list:

1. Saint Peter
   Crucified upside down in Rome. His remains were buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican.
2. Saint James the Greater
   Beheaded. His remains were buried in St. James Church, Compostela, Spain.
3. Saint James the Less
   Stoned and beaten to death. His remains are buried in the Holy Apostles Basilica, Rome, Italy.
4. Saint Jude Thaddeus
   Beaten to death with clubs and hacked with an axe. His remains were buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican.
5. Saint Philip
   Crucified by soldiers. His remains are buried in the Church of the Dodici, Rome, Italy.
6. Saint Thomas
   By blows of spears. His remains were buried in St. Thomas Cathedral, Mylapore, India.
7. Saint Simon
   Stabbed with a sword. His remains are buried at the Altar of Crucifixion, Vatican.
8. Saint Bartholomew
   Crucified. His remains were buried in St. Bartholomew Church, Rome, Italy.
9. Saint Andrew
   Nailed to an “X” shaped Cross. His remains are interred in the Cathedral of Amalfi, Italy.
10. Saint Matthew
    Crucified. His remains were buried in St. Matthew Cathedral, Messina, Sicily.
11. Saint John
    Died of natural causes. His remains were buried in St. John Basilica, Ephesus, Turkey.
12. Saint Mathias
    Crucified. St. Mathias is the replacement of Judas Iscariot who committed suicide after betraying Christ. His remains were buried in St. Mathias Abbey, Trier, Germany.

As we approach Easter, let us remember Christ’s death and resurrection and let us remember that as Jesus’ followers, we too may have to undergo baptisms by fire.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, keep us true, no matter what! In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 12:35-48 The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.”

As Jesus’ time on earth is dwindling, he continues to warn his disciples. Today Jesus tells the story of servants waiting for their master who has gone to attend a wedding feast. Typically, these feasts last several hours, with the master returning late at night or early in the morning. The second watch is from 9-12 PM. The third watch is from 12 PM to 3 AM. Most masters expect the servants to snap to it, open the door, and take care of them. Faithful servants will have towels girded around their waists in preparation for washing the master’s feet and tending to his other needs as soon as he returns home, no matter how late the hour. But Jesus puts an extra twist on the story. Jesus is promising that if his servants are faithful, he will gird himself and serve his servants, no matter the hour.

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus is quoting a local proverb about being watchful. Now Jesus continues.

Jesus describes an evil servant who begins misbehaving as soon as the master leaves the house, getting drunk, beating his fellow servants, and generally misconducting himself. Not only will such a servant be severely disciplined, but Jesus warns that such a servant might even be cut in two! Jesus ends by saying, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

Jesus knows that very soon his enemies will catch up with him. At that point, Jesus will undoubtedly die. Even though Jesus knows he will be resurrected, he can’t control the disciples but can only rely on teaching them as much as possible while he still has time and pray that they are listening and that it will be enough.

What about us? Are we ready? It’s tough to be faithful. Many of us are overwhelmed with minutiae, feeling as if we are being stoned to death with popcorn. It’s difficult to focus on God’s will when our jobs, our families, our health, our finances are all screaming for attention. As one veteran missionary was fond of saying, “I feel as if I’m a Coca-Cola and everybody has a straw.”

Recently, we learned that someone has misrepresented a situation and has proven faithless. How can we remain faithful in a faithless world? Jesus provides us the answer.

1. Servants are to be ready, no matter the time of day or night. When we are living for God and not for ourselves, even when things become difficult, we still will respond appropriately. Forty years ago, my husband and I were on our way down I-55 heading toward Memphis when we came upon a road traffic accident just after it occurred. A sedan car with five people in it had crossed the median, plowing into a motor home driven by a man who had just retired. The man was towing a small car behind the motor home. His wife was driving a pickup and towing a large boat behind it. As an EMT, my husband rushed to the car that had caused the accident in the first place. Unfortunately, everyone in that vehicle was dead. I rushed to examine the driver of the motor home. With help from the local ambulance service, I was able to speak with a surgeon at the nearest hospital, warning him that I thought the man had an injury to his small intestine from his seatbelt. (I was correct.) The ambulance transported the man, who was uninjured. I drove the pickup towing the boat, and my husband drove our vehicle to the hospital.
2. Servants must wait patiently. One of the many life lessons my husband and I have learned is that no information is ever wasted. My husband learned to bend metal while he was in junior high and high school. More than 30 years later, he was able to create a blunt curette from a chromed bicycle spoke using the brass valve stem from a large lorry tire as part of the handle so that I could remove retained products of conception and save a lady’s life. I worked in a hospital laboratory in the summer of 1969. 24 years later, I established the first laboratory at what is now the Assemblies of God Hospital, Saboba and developed a transfusion service.
3. Servants don’t get to choose the time and place of their service. It was a blistering hot summer day in New Orleans, Louisiana, and we were driving on the interstate highway that crosses the town. Suddenly, we saw an elderly African-American lady parked at the opposite side of the road, obviously in need of assistance. We had to get off at one exit and then re-enter the highway in the opposite direction to reach this lady. This incident took place in 1997, well before the time when everyone carried cell phones. We rescued this lady from her overheated vehicle, and my husband was able to drive her car while I drove ours as we took her home. We learned that this lady was a fervent Christian and that she had been praying for God to send help when we appeared. This lady’s name was Margie and she became a close friend and prayer partner.
4. Servants must serve with no thought of recompense. God keeps the books. Service that demands praise is not service but manipulation. One of the key points of Jesus’ story about the Good Samaritan is that the Samaritan never demanded anything from the man whose life he saved, nor from the inn-keeper. The Samaritan simply cared for the man, brought him to the inn, and even left money to care for the man while he continued his journey. One of the struggles we continually face as missionaries is choosing information about our efforts to share with people. We need as much help as possible, but at the same time, we are not sharing details to glorify ourselves but only to describe what God is doing. Sometimes the line between information and self-aggrandizement is a very thin one!

May God help us to be faithful in small things as well as great ones. May we remember that Jesus promised that even cups of water given in his name still count in the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and to serve out of love for You, not looking to see how we will benefit. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 12:13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool

“Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Hoo-boy! Jesus is forever getting requests for help, and this morning’s request is a doozy! A young man pushes his way to the front of the crowd with a demand. “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” As the Son of God, Jesus probably looks at this man and knows the whole situation-the father’s death, the struggles over the inheritance, the sibling rivalry that has gone on for years. But Jesus also is wise enough to keep the main thing the main thing. If Jesus assists this man, he will be overwhelmed with others bringing similar complaints. Calvary is fast approaching and Jesus doesn’t have time to settle petty squabbles. Besides, there are already long-standing traditions regarding inheritances. There is no reason for Jesus to become embroiled in this situation.

David Guzik in his Enduring Word Commentary says this: “According to the law of the day, the elder brother received two-thirds of the inheritance and the younger brother received one-third (Barclay). This man did not ask Jesus to listen to both sides and make a righteous judgment; he asked Jesus to take sides with him against his brother.” Guzik goes on to point out that if both brothers were truly following God, the elder would be willing to share while the younger would be more interested in God’s Kingdom than in earthly riches. But obviously, this young man doesn’t see things that way, so Jesus tells one of his most memorable parables.

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Jesus wants this greedy young man to realize that being rich toward God is an eternal condition, while being rich on earth is a temporal one. Accidents, health problems, illnesses-all sorts of tragedies can hit while we’re busy gloating over riches or plotting how to get even more.

There’s a story about two men watching as a hearse bearing the body of the local millionaire passed by. One man asked the other, “How much money did that man leave?” “All of it,” the second man replied simply. We came into this world with nothing, and when we die, we will leave everything we have amassed behind. Paradoxically, the only treasures we can lay claim to are heavenly ones, and that leads to Jesus’ second story.

Luke 12:14-34 Do Not Worry

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why [d]are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus fully realizes that even though his disciples may not have said anything, they too are concerned about the costs of living. After all, it’s the group of women following Jesus who have been helping provide for his needs as well as for the disciples. What happens if Jesus is taken away? What will they do? How will they survive? True, the disciples have left their homes and businesses, but these men are practical, and they must think of their futures…or must they? Jesus’ answer to that question is simple: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Trust God and He will provide for you. Notice what Jesus is NOT saying. Jesus is NOT saying, “Sit down, fold your hands, and refuse to work.”

John Wesley repeatedly told his followers to “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” When the quiet revolution called Methodism swept through England, former alcoholics stopped drinking and began working industriously. The Methodist movement was noted not only for its piety but also for its practicality, for these people from humble backgrounds became industrious workers, helping those around them. Rather than focusing on personal gain, these people were now magnificent benefactors, despite their humble situations.

There is a glorious old hymn penned by Paul Rader. Paul Rader was one of the foremost evangelists of the early twentieth century, pastoring and founding churches and going on radio in its infancy. Please consider these words:

1. Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, From death into life He went for His own;
All power in earth, all power above, Is given to Him for the flock of His love.

Refrain:
Only believe, only believe; All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe; All things are possible, only believe.

2. Fear not, little flock, He goeth ahead, Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread;
The waters of Marah He’ll sweeten for thee, He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.

3. Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot, He enters all rooms, “the doors being shut,”
He never forsakes; He never is gone, So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, many of us are suffering financially and we are struggling to believe that You will provide for us. Please help us not to overlook anything You have already built into our situations, since any detail might lead to relief in our situations. We ask all this in the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 12:8-12 Confess Christ Before Men

“Also, I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

“And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.”

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Jesus is teaching urgently. This morning, after rebuking the Pharisees for hypocrisy, their hostility is so obvious that even the very air is charged with their indignation. Make no mistake-these men are going to bring Jesus down by any means possible and they don’t care who suffers with him. Many of the religious leaders feel that if they can just eliminate Jesus, all will be well. Who knows when the Romans will also take offense and begin slaughtering Jews for no reason?

While religious leaders are fuming and scheming, Jesus is challenging his disciples. “Also, I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” At this point, the disciples are likely gazing in confusion. When the disciples began following Jesus, they were entranced by the beauty of his teaching and the purity of his personality. No sacrifice was too much for the privilege of following Jesus and being part of his inner circle. But things are becoming difficult. Now Jesus is speaking as if not only he but also the disciples are going to be on trial. The disciples have never expected anything remotely like this! And now Jesus is threatening to denounce anyone who refuses to bear faithful witness to the angels….to the angels!  

If the disciples are worried, Jesus is about to give them even more about which to worry. “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” “Blasphemes against the Holy Spirit?” The disciples aren’t even certain who or what the Holy Spirit truly is. Presumably, Jesus has been teaching the disciples that the Holy Spirit is the unseen presence of God, for now Jesus makes a final statement.

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Now the disciples are really worried! Nobody wants to be hauled into the synagogues or before magistrates and authorities. These men have been willing to cast out demons and heal the sick; they have walked long distances to preach about the Kingdom of God. Nobody wants to be interrogated, but it looks as if interrogation is going to come, no matter the circumstances.

It’s too bad that nobody has recorded the rest of Jesus’ explanations. Undoubtedly, Jesus wants to encourage his men, not to discourage them. We might wish that we could hear those explanations. But even without further explanations, these verses have comforted and encouraged believers for thousands of years.

Reading these verses, I am immediately reminded of the many times in my life I have had to face unfriendly critics. As the head of two different mission hospitals, I have weathered many meetings with unfriendly local leaders and politicians. I have been accused of all kinds of misconduct, despite the fact that I have always been innocent. Each time I have needed words or composure, God has graciously given it to me. And each time I have found myself surviving and being encouraged as the Holy Spirit has given me words and courage.

Helen Roseveare was a WEC missionary doctor who served in Belgian Congo as it gained its independence and became Zaire. During the upheavals that followed, roving bands of terrorists descended on the mission hospital and school where Roseveare was working. Roseveare describes a critical situation in which these verses came true. One bright boy realizing that the terrorists would destroy everything in the school room, chose to remain and pretend to be deaf and mute. As the terrorists queried the boy, he kept his hands behind his back, repeatedly making the sign of the cross, taking courage from the Holy Spirit. Not only did the boy save the school supplies, but he also saved numbers of people who had escaped into the jungle.

Today, you might be facing a difficult situation. Perhaps you too are about to undergo interrogation by those who hope to discredit you, even though you have done nothing wrong. Take courage! The same promises Jesus gave the disciples are still available to you. God doesn’t play favorites and the Holy Spirit will help you and give you the words and the courage to face all your troubles.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You and to remember that You are the One who gives us the words and that if we bear witness of You before men, You will tell the angels about us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 12:1-3 Beware of Hypocrisy

“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 

Therefore, whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”

Luke 12:4-7Jesus Teaches the Fear of God

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

It’s another grueling day of ministry. The disciples are worried because the crowds are pressing in so tightly that those in the front are about to be trampled. And Jesus is not preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee; otherwise, the disciples could have gotten him-and them-into a boat and pushed off into shallow water for some relief. But Jesus doesn’t appear worried; in fact, he is calmly proceeding with his teaching.

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.”  Anytime someone mentions leaven, we need to take note. Originally, leaven was used to brew beer in Egypt and the term has become a symbol for something pagan and evil. Leaven is also used to cause bread to rise, and a very small amount of leaven will result in several loaves of bread. For leaven to work properly, it must be thoroughly mixed in with the dough. This mixing means that once the leaven has been added, you can’t separate the leaven from the rest of the dough, for it spreads throughout the entire ball of bread dough.

Jesus is doing his best to instruct his disciples while he remains with them. One of the constant dangers for anybody working in religion is hypocrisy, appearing to be one thing while actually being the opposite. The scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers are perfect examples of such behavior because they are forever criticizing others with no thought to their own vicious natures. Professing to teach about a loving God, these men are merciless, issuing scathing edicts and generally making others miserable, all in the name of a God whom they don’t really know.

“Therefore, whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” Now Jesus is warning his disciples that every action they take is already known to God and there is nothing they can hide from God. Those of us who have grown up in small towns have learned this lesson early. There are no secrets in a small town, for no matter how circumspectly you might behave, the neighbors will still notice everything and talk about it. Now Jesus is advising the disciples that an all-knowing, all-wise Heavenly Father will certainly see and hear every word we utter and everything we do, even if we try to hide from everyone. And wrong-doing will certainly become apparent, to the point that people will stand on one flat roof, shouting out gossip to the neighbors.

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” God is the only Judge who has the power to cast sinners into hell; therefore, we should all fear Him. Frightening, isn’t it, to think of someone who knows everything about us and who can cast us into hell? But wait, for Jesus isn’t through.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Here Jesus is quoting a common proverb, but turning it on its head. Jesus is reminding his audience of how cheaply sparrows are sold; yet, God knows each one of those sparrows. Now Jesus is reassuring the audience that the same God who counts the sparrows and who knows each of them will also take care of those who believe in Him. The key is to truly worship God and not to slide into hypocrisy.

One problem with hypocrisy is that it’s so easy to become a hypocrite-a little joking, a little criticism, a few snide remarks, and you too can find yourself looking down your nose at people who sin just the way you do yourself. Jesus wants his disicples to be whole-hearted followers of God, for anything less will lead to disaster. At the same time Jesus is warning that there are no secrets hidden from God, he is also encouraging his listeners that each of them is precious to God. A God who keeps track of sparrows can certainly keep track of individuals.

The title of this series is “It was always about Calvary.” That title has been given because everything that Jesus did during his time on earth was focused toward a single goal: preparing his disciples and himself for the events of Good Friday and Easter and preparing the disciples to carry on the Gospel, the Good News, after Easter. Each time Jesus teaches, he is teaching the disciples and his listeners for today, but he is also teaching them for eternity, so that when he is no longer present physically, they will still remember.

This morning, you might feel as if nobody understands your situation and nobody cares. Troubles are about to overwhelm you and you feel as if you are drowning. But I tell you now that the same God who counts the sparrows and who knows each of them also knows you and the problems you are facing. Nobody is so small that they escape God’s notice. And the same God who counts the sparrows stands waiting to listen to your problems and to help. Why not call on Him?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us feel completely overwhelmed! Family problems, problems at work, financial challenges, health challenges, friends who have deserted us-Lord, it all feels like too much for us to bear. But You are the One who can bear our burdens far better than we can. Father, this morning we beg you to take our burdens and help us to realize we are not alone. Give us the strength and the courage to trust You and to do the little we can, depending on You to make up for our deficiencies. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 11:33-36 The Lamp of the Body

“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 11:37-54 Woe to the Pharisees and Lawyers

“And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So, He went in and sat down to eat. When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.”

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

“Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”

And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore, the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.”

“Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.”

 “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.”

Well, Jesus is at it again. As Jesus is finishing his teaching, he speaks about light and darkness. In humble homes, families might light a single lamp and place it in a lampstand where it will give light to the entire room. Everybody is aware of this practice and nobody in their right mind will light a lamp, only to hide it. What would be the point? Now Jesus is advising that his listeners must take care so that what they think is light in their souls does not prove to be darkness. How disappointing for someone who is looking for a person to behave virtuously, only to find the individual cannot be trusted. In that case, there will be no light, but only darkness.

Yet another Pharisee invites Jesus for a meal. Upon entering the home, Jesus deliberately passes up the opportunity to wash his hands before eating, even though he is an observant Jew. The Pharisees immediately pounce on this failure but soon realize they have made a ghastly mistake. “Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.”

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

OUCH! Now Jesus has really insulted these men! No observant Jew will knowingly walk over a grave, for in so doing, they will become ritually unclean. The lawyers at the table might be silently chuckling to themselves, but now it’s their turn. Jesus reproves the lawyers for hypocrisy and for throwing up barriers to people desiring to enter the Kingdom of God by their many arguments. At this point, the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers want nothing so much as for Jesus to die a swift painful death. But how can they do it? Each time someone thinks they have found a means of tripping Jesus up, they come off looking foolish.

These verses describe Jesus’ reproaches to the religious experts of his day. The Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers have become so besotted with dreaming up new regulations and trying to force people to follow them that they have totally lost sight of the God they claim to serve. Such merciless enforcement of ridiculous rules leaves the common people with no hope, for how can they possibly follow God when they can’t follow all these regulations? Truly, the light in these men has become darkness and they are spreading that darkness to all those they teach.

Later, St. Paul will tell the Romans, “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.” (Romans 14:16-18) Paul is writing to the Romans at a time when the Roman believers are beginning to argue over some of the same petty things that were promoted by the Pharisees.

“Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” should characterize our lives as believers. When we insist on judging others and criticizing them, we wind up as merciless Pharisees and our light turns to darkness.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please help us to follow You and Your mercy and love and not get bound up in petty regulations. Help us to remember that You have freed us from the curses of sin and death and that You only ask us to love You and obey You, not to follow senseless rules. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 11:29-32 The Sign of Jonah

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.”

To understand this passage, you need to remember the story of Jonah, the prophet. God called Jonah to travel a long distance east to witness to the pagan city of Nineveh; however, Jonah hated the Ninevites and had no desire to see them repent. Jonah boarded a ship bound for Tarshish (Spain), only to have the ship caught in a terrible storm. Finally, Jonah realized that he was the problem and had the sailors throw him overboard. As soon as Jonah’s body hit the water, the storm ceased; meanwhile, God allowed Jonah to be swallowed by a large fish. Jonah lived in the belly of that fish for three days, with the fish finally spitting him out on the beach on the third day. By the time Jonah made it to the beach, he was so happy to still be alive that he traveled to Nineveh post haste, although he was still hateful about the Ninevites.

Jesus is predicting his death and resurrection, for Jesus will die and arise on the third day. Although Jonah’s experience was miraculous, what will happen to Jesus is even more so, for Jonah remained alive during his ordeal while Jesus will die and be resurrected from the dead.

“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.” The Queen of the South is the Queen of Sheba, who came to listen to Solomon’s teaching and was completely in awe of what she witnessed.

 “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.” Jonah 3:1-10 “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:“Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you. ” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”

The Ninevites enjoyed a horrific reputation for idolatry and cruelty; yet, they repented and God pardoned them. Now Jesus is prophesying that the men of Nineveh will stand as witnesses against the people listening to Jesus because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, a mere man, while these people are privileged to listen to Jesus, the Son of God.

We read these words and think, “Well, if I were listening to Jesus, I would certainly believe in him!” Oh? But we have both the Old and New Testaments, and both tell us about Jesus. We don’t have to join a crowd in Galilee, for faithful witnesses have recorded Jesus’ teachings while they have also recorded the story of his death and resurrection.

Charles Colson was an atheist lawyer working for President Richard Nixon during the Watergate episode. After entering prison, Colson began re-examining his life and became a Christian. Here’s what Colson has said about the resurrection: “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”

When Jesus is crucified, buried, and rises from the dead, he demonstrates to the world that he is truly the Son of God. If we take the Scriptures seriously, we have all the proof we need for us to accept the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. If we ignore these proofs, some day the Ninevites may stand in the judgment with us and condemn us for failing to believe. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. Let the truth of Your ministry, death, and resurrection dawn in our hearts. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 11:14-28 Jesus and Beelzebul

“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.”

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.”

Make no mistake; every miracle Jesus performs, every demon he drives out of a sufferer, every move Jesus makes and every word he utters are intended to help the needy and to train the disciples. Jesus has Calvary in view and he wants to ensure that the disciples will have received every bit of instruction they require. Jesus’ time on earth is short and the needs are great.

Here Jesus not only delivers a poor man from being unable to speak but he also gives a profound teaching on spiritual warfare. Now religious sceptics in the crowd are raising accusations.

1. Jesus must be using demonic power to drive out demons. What a ridiculous argument! Demons never want to leave the subject they are inhabiting. Jesus answers, “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.” Notice that there are already itinerant deliverance practitioners. Where have these men gotten their power? Only God can give power over Satan, so these men must be serving God; otherwise, the demoniacs would have torn them to pieces. In the same way, Jesus gets his power over demons from God.
2. Praying over someone for deliverance is just like plundering someone’s house. “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.” Only the power of God can conquer Satan.
3.  Those criticizing Jesus must realize that they are opposing a man sent from God. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” These men fail to realize that they are opposing God when they oppose Jesus.
4. Deliverance from demons is worthless, unless God’s Holy Spirit comes to live in a person. Otherwise, that individual may end up in even worse shape. “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.”
5. Pious sentiments are worthless! “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.”

Is Jesus trying to deny the value of his mother by his reply to this woman? No. The woman has uttered a common blessing, and now Jesus is turning that statement on its head so that his audience will never forget his answer: obedience to the Word of God is of paramount importance.

In an age that caters to individual preferences in every sphere, the quality of obedience has lost much of its value. But the Bible teaches us differently. 1 Samuel 15 tells the story of how King Saul lost his kingdom by failing to carry out God’s instructions to completely wipe out the Amalekites. Saul obeyed partially; however, he saved the Amalekite king, the plunder, and the best animals. Hear Samuel’s words to King Saul: “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

Jesus’ point to his audience is simple. Jesus must remain obedient to his Heavenly Father to be able to cast out demons and to work other miracles. Those who claim to follow Jesus and support him must also hear the Word of God and obey it. Disobedience is tantamount to witchcraft, and God hates witchcraft. All witchcraft is aimed at taking control of something-events, the weather, other people-rather than trusting God to handle things. Such acts are acts of rebellion against the One True Living God. This is why disobedience and control are the two sides of the witchcraft coin. Those of us who claim to follow Jesus must constantly watch, lest we stray into disobedience and rebellion.

May God help us, so that we will be obedient and watchful, rather than disobedient and rebellious.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives, studying Your Word, implanting it in our hearts, and obeying You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 11:1-4 The Model Prayer

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

So, He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Luke 11:5-8 A Friend Comes at Midnight

“And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Luke 11:9-13 Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

“So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

All this time, the disciples have been watching Jesus pray and get answers. Although the disciples have ministered successfully, they realize that there’s still more they need to learn. Why hasn’t Jesus taught them these principles before now? Timing is everything, and before this, the disciples probably weren’t ready emotionally or mentally. Now Jesus knows the disciples are ready and receptive.

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” This prayer is probably one of the simplest ones ever prayed and yet one of the most profound. People have written innumerable books about this prayer, have taught about this prayer in countless meetings, and continue to do so.

While teaching about this prayer, Jesus gives several explanations, and it is those explanations that we will look like. “And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.”

Jesus uses a common situation; a family receives a visitor at midnight and must beg for help from the neighbors. The neighbors are prepared to give whatever they have because they know next time it might be their turn. Jesus’ point is that if human neighbors will respond in emergencies, an Almighty God will do even more.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Jesus wants the disciples to know that success in prayer includes persistence and continued praying. God will bless those who are fervent in prayer and who refuse to give up. Jesus also assures the disciples that God will give good things, including the Holy Spirit, to those who ask Him. But success in prayer demands refusing to give up

One of the greatest stories Jesus tells his followers is found in Luke 18:1-8.  “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

George Mueller was a man of great prayer and faith who built orphanages handling thousands of children, supported ministries, and produced Christian literature for international ministries. When one of Mueller’s close friends begged him to pray for the friend’s son’s salvation, Mueller began and continued for the next fifty years. Meanwhile, the son fled to Canada in hopes of outrunning his father’s prayers. But after Mueller’s death when the news of his demise reached Canada, that man fell to his knees and repented, becoming a fervent Christian.

Prayer and faith-the two-fold approach to success in prayer Jesus is teaching his disciples. The later success of the early church has its beginnings in these quiet talks on prayer Jesus gives his disciples. No matter what happens, Jesus always continues to prepare the disciples. Jesus always has Calvary in mind.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Please help us to persevere in prayer and to trust that You are a prayer-answering God. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.