Betrayal

Luke chapter 21 contains an account of what is commonly referred to as the Olivet discourse, in which Jesus comments on the future of the world, Jerusalem, and those who have questioned Him about the things to come. Matthew 25:13 says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Jesus, though He indicates what signs to watch for, is more concerned about how His disciples face everything that God brings their way (trial, tragedy, judgment, redemption).

And so it is even for us today. He wants us to face the future, understanding the signs of the times, but undeceived by false interpretations. He calls us not to be terrified, but to trust in God and testify of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. He intends that we be not discouraged by the unfolding of the final events, but that we bear up under them because our Savior is drawing near. He cautioned, especially, against becoming complacent during the wait; such as carousing, drunkenness, and living as if the master will not return (Luke 12:45-47,21:34). Instead, we are to be watching for His coming, praying without ceasing, obeying His commands that He might find us faithful servants upon His return when He comes with “power and great glory.” (Luke 12:43,21:28&36)

Whether it is the final day and hour, or a daily trial, the principles are clear, Christians must understand and respond properly to the times in which God places them, for God’s glory and the sake of the gospel. “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39, NKJV)

Questions... questions

Questions...When the fullness of the times had come, God sent forth His Son...

Luke, chapter 20 records some of the final conflicts between Israel’s authorities and the Incarnate Son of the Living God. "And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them. So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor." (Luke 20:19-20, NKJV)

The chief priests and scribes sought to either excite government intervention or a popular rejection by laying before Jesus the landmine questions of their day:

~How are we to behave towards the Roman occupation? Pay their taxes or not? Is it religiously lawful? Answer ‘yes’; lose popularity. Answer ‘no’; be arrested.

~Why would any intelligent person believe in a resurrection? It isn’t reasonable; Moses didn’t teach it. With this question they hoped to portray Jesus as a fool before the crowds. Jesus, our Lord, deftly swept away their most clever challenges, exposing their false piety, false intellectualism, and their stubborn disbelief.

Although they were greatly concerned with the questions of politics and intellectual integrity, they were scarcely concerned with the most important question both in their day and in ours—who is the Christ, just a man or Lord of all? Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?" (Matthew 22:42-44, NKJV)

So who is the Christ--just a man or the Lord of all? Answer correctly by faith; inherit eternal life. Fail to answer; spend eternity in hell. Tragically they could not or would not answer that question...WILL YOU?

A Question of Authority

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." (Romans 13:1-2, NKJV) God is very concerned about authority because God is the source of all legitimate authority.

In Luke chapter 20 Jesus reveals some very important principles concerning God’s appointed authorities. Primary to all of those principles is Jesus’ words in chapter 19 “My house shall be...” God owns everything and God’s ownership rights supersede the rights of every other authority. He owns the temple, the priests are His servants. He sent the prophets (including John) because He owns the people; they are the sheep of His pasture and His vineyard. The leaders are merely vinedressers and shepherds. He made Jesus heir, exalting Him as Lord over all. He established government—it is to be honored. He gave His Word and it is not to be disregarded.

1 Peter describes what happens to us when we recognize God’s ownership becoming submissive to His authority, His messages, and His purposes. We desire the pure milk of His Word and seek to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him, proclaiming His praises, coming to Christ as to a precious living cornerstone as royal priests, a holy nation, a spiritual house—HIS OWN special people. Serving, suffering, submitting, and shepherding for God’s glory.

FRUIT FROM HIS VINEYARD!