Life of Christ (in progress)
TFRDN7@gmail.com
July 01, 2023
Contents
1 §110. The Parable of the
Householder (Matt 13:51–53)
Introduction
51. Jesus said to them, “Have
you understood all these
things?” They said to Him,
“Yes, Lord.” 52 Then He said
to them, “Therefore every
scribe instructed concerning
the kingdom of heaven is like a
householder who brings out of
his treasure things new and
old.” 53 Now it came to pass,
when Jesus had finished these
parables, that He departed
from there.
-
1.
- The
background of this passage is
important to understand this
Parable.
-
2.
- If I ask you
why Jesus spoke in parables?
Most popular response would
be some thing like this” ’Jesus
spoke in parables because it
was easier for common people to comprehend complex
spiritual truths.
-
3.
- The same question was asked
to Jesus by his disciples
and what was his response?
Mat 13:11. He answered and
said to them, “Because it
has been given to you to
know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to
them it has not been given.
…13 Therefore I speak to them
in parables, because seeing
they do not see, and hearing
they do not hear, nor do
they understand. Though it
may look strange, Jesus spoke
parables to so that people will
not understand. Why is it so?
Let me explain quickly.
-
4.
- Look at Matthew chapter 12
and we see that in spite of
clear teaching and numerous
miracles, the multitude
refused to accept Jesus as the
promised Messiah.
Jesus, therefore, reveled the
mysteries only to the disciples
and not to the multitudes.
Obviously, the mystery he
reveled through the seven
parables in Mathew 13 refers
to the church.
-
5.
- This is the context of the text
for this talk.
Exposition
51. Jesus said to them, “Have
you understood all these things?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
-
1.
- After giving these parables
and explanation of some of
them, Jesus ask the disciple
the question: ”Have you
understood all these things?”
-
2.
- The first point that I want
share is the importance of
understanding God’s word.
It is of no use to read or
even memories Bible with out understanding what the Holy
Spirit want to communicate
through what we read or
heard.
-
3.
- What was
the response of the disciples?
They said: ”Yes,Lord”. Did
they understood all
things? The rest of this gospel
clearly shows that they did
not understand many things.
Then, where these disciples
telling lie? No at all.
-
4.
- The second point
I want to share is that just
like these disciples eventually
grow mighty in the word, so
is also our growth progressive.
so take effort to grow in your
understanding.It involves life
long devotion to the word.
52. Then He said to them,
“Therefore every scribe instructed
concerning the kingdom of
heaven is like a householder
who brings out of his treasure
things new and old.”
-
1.
- This
parable speaks of the scribe of
the kingdom of heaven. Who
is scribe? Scribe is a man
learned in the Mosaic law
and in the sacred writings, an
interpreter, teacher. Scribes
examined the more difficult
and subtle questions of the
law; added to the Mosaic
law decisions of various kinds
thought to explain
its meaning and scope. Since
the advice of men skilled in
the law was needed to find
the solution of the difficult
questions.
-
2.
- The term instructed is the
verb form of the
noun ’disciple’ in the original
language: (matheteuo). This
means that the scribe which
Jesus refers is a disciple of the
Lord who is instructed by the
Lord. It speaks of disciple of
the Lord, who is instructed by
the Lord.
-
3.
- The third point that I want to
speak is that we
must be taught by the Lord
concerning his church and the
ministry of the Word.
-
4.
- The second part of this verse
is a small parable: like a
householder who brings out of
his treasure things new and
old. NT teacher or disciple is
likened to an owner of house
who give food to the members
of the house.
-
5.
- Some
food is old: like oil, wine, nuts,
grains, etc. Some are new:
like fruits and vegetables. A
healthy meal comprises of
both. A good house owner will
ensure balanced diet.
-
6.
- The fourth point that I want
to tell is that, similarly, the
Lord expect his disciples’
teaching should involve both
old revelation as well as
new. Both are ’connected’ but
’distinct.’ What does it mean?
-
7.
- Let’s look at Jesus himself.
He was the promised Messiah
of the OT. Jews expected a
reigning king like David or
Solomon. This is true also.
However, it also has a new
perspective. He is also a
suffering servant. Both these
revelations are connected, but
distinct.
-
8.
- The entire OT revelation and
the NT revelation needs to
be combined to have a health
understanding of the Word
of God. I will give three
examples:
-
9.
- (A) Peter say’s in his epistle
that we are the royal priest.
NT does not define who is
a priest and what are his
functions. Whereas the OT
give details of who is a priest
and what are his functions.
In the OT only the sons of
Aaron will be the priest and
they ministered in the temple performing the sacrifices for
the rest of the Israel. Today
we are his priest and should
intercede for the people of
this world and perform the
’sacrifice’ of Christ to the
world.
-
10.
- (B) Paul says concerning the
wilderness journey that: 1
Co 10:6. Now these things
became our examples, to the
intent that we should not
lust after evil things as they
also lusted. So every event
and every instruction in the
OT is relevant to us, but
distinct. Christian journey is
like the wilderness journey:
the danger, the warning, the
insights, and the direction
that we require in our daily
life is there in the OT.
-
11.
- (C) The dietary laws: How
does we understand the OT
dietary laws
which says you should not eat
unclean animals but only the
clean ones. Many think that
these are not applicable and
do not read those portions.
How should a NT believer
understand this? First ask
this question. Why the Lord
gave such a rule in the OT?
It is to show that His people
are different from the rest of
the nations. This principle is
applicable today also. But our
life, we should show that we
are different from the people
of the world.
-
12.
- So the fourth point is that
our teaching should blend or
combine both OT and NT.
53. Now it came to pass,
when Jesus had finished these
parables, that He departed
from there.
-
1.
- .
Application
-
1.
- Understand: Understand
what the Holy Spirit is teach
us from every time we read or
hear the word of God.
-
2.
- Progression: We also needs
to Progress
in our understanding of the
scripture.
-
3.
- Instruction: We need to be
instructed or discipled by the
Lord with insights about life
and ministry from his word.
-
4.
- Blending:Our teaching and
learning must involve every
blending both OT and NT.
-
5.
- Example: Ezr 7:10. For Ezra
had prepared his heart to seek
the Law of the LORD, and to
do it, and to teach statutes
and ordinances in Israel.
F. Rewards for Assisting the
Ministry (Matt 10:40–42)
Introduction
-
- Discipleship is very costly and
it even demands our own life.
-
- Disciple will receive nothing
but rejection, shame and
persecution
-
- Why a good God allows
His disciple t undergo such
suffering?
-
- its answer is important to the
integrity of Jesus
Exposition
10:40. “He who receives you
receives Me, and he who receives
Me receives Him who sent Me.
-
1.
- receives you
-
(a)
- We are ambassadors of
Christ or agents of
bringing salvation
-
(b)
- We cannot forgive sin,
but can announce the
forgiveness in Christ
-
2.
- receives Me
-
(a)
- Messianic claim that the
Father has sent Him.
-
(b)
- Faith in God is
impossible without faith
in Jesus.
-
(c)
- See the progression:
Father, Jesus, Prophet,
Righteous, and Little
ones.
10:41. He who receives a prophet
in the name of a prophet shall
receive a prophet’s reward. And
he who receives a righteous
man in the name of a righteous
man shall receive a righteous
man’s reward.
-
1.
- Receive a Prophet:
-
(a)
- Prophet is a messenger
of God, not necessarily
telling future.
-
(b)
- Indirect reference
to John the Baptist:
He never performed any
miracle nor any future
prediction.
-
(c)
- John’s life and ministry
is
a proof to the Messianic
fulfilment in Jesus.
-
(d)
- These disciples are future apostles and
prophets.
-
(e)
- Receiving
prophet means, giving
hospitality to them
because they belong to
Jesus, especially in the
time of persecution.
-
2.
- Reward:
-
(a)
- If there is reward for
such a small thing, what
will the reward for great
things?
-
(b)
- Everything, even the
insignificant things done
by
insignificant disciple will
be counted for reward.
-
(c)
- God keeps an account of
every minute details of
our ministry.
-
(d)
- Persecution is an
immediate reality while
the Reward is an eternal
hope
-
3.
- Prophet’s reward
-
(a)
- What an encouragement
to those who are not
prophets!
-
(b)
- John Calvin was
banished from Geneva
for preaching the full
truth from WoG. In
response he said, “Most
assuredly, if I had merely
served man, this would
have been a poor reward.
But it is my happiness
that I have served Him
who never fails to reward
His servants to the full
extent of His promise.”
10:42. And whoever gives one of
these little ones only a cup of
cold water in the name of a
disciple, assuredly, I say to you,
he shall by no means lose his reward.”
-
- Whoever
-
(a)
- Lord is gracious and He
is eager to give reward
-
(b)
- The reward is much
higher than the work
-
- little ones
-
(a)
- believers
who are insignificant to
the human eye
-
- cup of water
-
(a)
- No one can give an
excuse that he is not able
to do this
-
- Reward
-
(a)
- Doctrine of eternal
reward is essential to
understand the Love of
God
Application
-
1.
- Expecting reward from the
Lord is a reflection of faith
because the reward is now
invisible
-
2.
- Work
hard for the Lord because the
reward is proportional to the
work
-
3.
- Realize the suffering involved
in following Jesus is actually
an advantage in eternity
-
4.
- In God’s magnificent grace,
even the least believer can
share the blessings of the
greatest, and everyone’s good
work will be rewarded
2 Jesus Goes to Jerusalem!
(Luke 9:51–56)
Introduction
Lord
completes His Galilean
ministry and started His
final
journey to Jerusalem. He
left Galilee and entered
Samaria and faced
rejection there. Lord uses
this as an opportunity
to teach his disciples
that the ministry should
characterise grace and
mercy of the Lord even
when it is rejected.
Exposition
51. Now it came to pass, when
the time had come for Him
to be received up, that He
steadfastly set His face to go to
Jerusalem,
-
- When time had come:
Jesus waited on the father
for all his action. He is
dictated not by human plan
and suggestion.
-
- Steadfastly set His face:
Determination of the Lord to
accomplish the task
before Him. The word face is
repeated three times in this
passage indicating his focus.
52. and sent messengers before
His face. And as they went,
they entered a village of the
Samaritans, to prepare for
Him.
-
- Sent messengers shows
that the ministry of Jesus was not random or impulsive.
It was carefully planned and
meticulously executed. These
messengers were probably
some of his disciples who went
ahead and made preparations
for his ministry.
-
- Samaritans: are half Jews.
They belong
to the ten northern tribes
who went to captivity during
Assyrian aggression. They
consider only the Pentateuch
as authentic, they think the
place of
worship is mount Gilgal and
not Jerusalem. They mingled
with many gentile nations.
Hence, Jews will not associate
with Samaritans. They will
not normally travel through
Samaria to go to Jerusalem.
-
- Samaritans: spiritual state
is well described by 2 Kings
17:24–33. Then the king of
Assyria
brought people from Babylon,
Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and
from Sepharvaim, and placed
them in the cities of Samaria
instead of the
children of Israel; and they
took possession of Samaria
and dwelt in its cities. 25 And
it was so, at the beginning
of their dwelling there, that
they did not fear the LORD;
therefore the LORD sent lions
among them, which killed
some of them. 26 So they
spoke to the king of Assyria,
saying, “The nations whom
you have removed and placed
in the cities of Samaria do
not know the rituals of the
God of the land; therefore He
has sent lions among them,
and indeed, they are killing
them because they do not
know the rituals of the God
of the land.” 27 Then the
king of Assyria commanded,
saying, “Send there one of
the priests whom you brought
from there; let him go and
dwell there, and let him teach
them the rituals of the God
of the land.” 28 Then one of
the priests whom they had
carried away from Samaria
came and dwelt in Bethel, and
taught them how they should
fear the LORD. 29 However
every nation continued to
make gods of its own, and
put them in the shrines on
the high places which the
Samaritans had made, every
nation in the cities where they
dwelt. 30 The men of Babylon
made Succoth Benoth, the
men of Cuth made Nergal,
the men of Hamath made
Ashima, 31 and the Avites
made Nibhaz and Tartak;
and the Sepharvites burned
their children in fire to
Adrammelech
and Anammelech, the gods
of Sepharvaim. 32 So they
feared the LORD, and from
every class they appointed
for themselves priests of the
high places, who sacrificed
for them in the shrines of
the high places. 33 They
feared the LORD, yet served
their own gods—according to
the rituals of the nations
from among whom they were
carried away.
53. But they did not receive
Him, because His face was set
for the journey to Jerusalem.
-
- They did not receive Him:
This reminds of the reception
Jesus received two year back.
We read that in John 4:39–42.
And many of the Samaritans
of that city believed in Him
because of the word of the
woman who testified, “He
told me all that I ever did.”
40 So when the Samaritans
had come to Him, they urged
Him to stay with them; and
He stayed there two days.
41 And many more believed
because of His own word. 42
Then they said to the woman,
“Now we believe, not because
of what you said, for we
ourselves have heard Him and
we know that this is indeed
the Christ, the Savior of the
world.”
-
- Jerusalem:
Reason for rejection is that
Jesus was going to Jerusalem.
The Samaritans limited the
canon to the Pentateuch. As
a result, they accepted as
authoritative only Deut. 12:5.
“But you shall seek the place
where the Lord your God
chooses, out of all your tribes,
to put His name for His
dwelling place; and there you
shall go.. For a Samaritan,
”the place” had already been
chosen by God and the
identity of the location would
be found in the Pentateuch
itself. The Jews, on the other
hand, viewed the statement
as forward-pointing to future
revelation.
The Jew concluded Jerusalem
was the place: there David
determined to build a temple
to God, and God solemnly
authorized his son Solomon to
do so.
There sacrifice was divinely
sanctioned, the temple site
retaining its significance when
Zerubbabel rebuilt it after it
was destroyed, and when later
still Herod rebuilt it. The
Samaritans used the following
Pentateuch-based logic to
support their identification of
”the place” as Gerizim:
-
(a)
- The first place Abraham
built an
altar after entering the
Promised Land was in
Shechem, overlooked by
Mount Gerizim
-
(b)
- God
instructed the covenant
community to shout the
blessings from Mount
Gerizim once they had
entered the promised
land (Deut. 11:29. “And
it shall come about,
when the Lord your God
brings you into the land
where you are entering
to possess it, that you
shall place the blessing
on Mount Gerizim and
the curse on Mount Ebal.)
-
(c)
- Both instances of the 10
Commandments
(Ex. 20:17, Dt. 5:21) in
the Samaritan Bible are
followed by words very
similar to those found in
(Dt. 27:2-7), tying the
Commandments
themselves to Gerizim.
54. And when His disciples
James and John saw this, they
said, “Lord, do You want us to
command fire to come down
from heaven and consume them,
just as Elijah did?”
-
- James and
John: Mark 3:17. James the
son of Zebedee and John the
brother of James, to whom
He gave the name Boanerges,
that is, “Sons of Thunder”;.
They were with Jesus during
the transfiguration and met
Elijah. One must accept the
zeal and boldness of these
disciples.
55. But He turned and rebuked
them, and said, “You do not
know what manner of spirit you
are of.
-
- Rebuked: Why the
Lord rebuked them, especially
when many rejected Jesus
and these disciples were with
the Lord. The root cause is
more than zeal, ignorance and
deep rooted hatred towards
Samaritans.
-
(a)
- God told Elijah and it
was
not the idea of Elijah.
2 Kings 1:3–4. But the
angel of the LORD said
to Elijah the Tishbite,
“Arise, go up to meet
the messengers of the
king of Samaria, and say
to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel
that you are going to
inquire of Baal-Zebub,
the god of Ekron?’ 4
Now therefore, thus says
the LORD: ‘You shall
not come down from the
bed to which you have
gone up, but you shall
surely die.’” So Elijah
departed.
-
(b)
- Hence, Elijah brought
fire. 2 Ki 1:10. So Elijah
answered and said to the
captain of fifty, “If I am a
man of God, then let fire
come down from heaven
and consume you and
your fifty men.” And fire
came down from heaven
and consumed him and
his fifty..
-
(c)
- Ministry of Elijah was
controlled by God and
not dictated by whims
and facies of Elijah.
56. For the Son of Man did not
come to destroy men’s lives but
to save them.” And they went
to another village.
-
1.
- Zeal is good, but when not
accompanied by knowledge is
dangerous.
-
- 2 Cor 10:4. For the weapons
of our warfare are not carnal
but mighty in God for pulling
down strongholds, 5casting
down arguments and every
high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of
Christ, 6and being ready to
punish all disobedience when
your obedience is fulfilled.
-
2.
- Disciples failed to understand
the mission of Jesus and
what He expected from His
disciples.
-
- Manner of spirit: The second reason
for the rebuke is the motive
is this judgement was not out
of their zeal for the Lord, but
raised out of their hatred to
Samaritans. Note that these
disciples did not responded
when Pharisees and
multitudes rejected Christ.
Applications
-
1.
- Focus and determination is
required in life and ministry.
Deal with distractions.
-
2.
- Patient
waiting, careful planning, and
meticulous execution marks
the ministry of the church.
Let the Spirit control our
ministry.
-
3.
- Zeal without
knowledge is dangerous for
it invites rebuke from the
Lord rather than rewards.
Knowledge without zeal is
useless.
-
4.
- Ministry
is receiving mercy/grace and
showing it to even those who
reject it. Vengeance belong to
God.
3 Hindrances to a Disciple
(Matt 8:19–22; Luke 9:57–62)
Introduction
-
1.
- In the midst of rejection,
Lord teaches the nature of
discipleship which is not a
means for instant power and
position but rejection by the
world.
-
2.
- Key to the passage is the triple use of the word follow
implying focused life long
commitment to be a disciple.
-
3.
- Needs a better understanding
and presentation of the gospel
since Jesus actually made it
difficult to for these to follow.
Exposition
Case 1: Craving for comfort
57. Now it happened as they
journeyed on the road, that
someone said to Him, “Lord, I
will follow You wherever You
go.”
-
1.
- Matthew says this person was
a scribe.
-
2.
- Surprising that in the midst
of rejection, this scribe offered
to follow Jesus.
58. And Jesus said to him,
“Foxes have holes and birds of
the air have nests, but the Son
of Man has nowhere to lay His
head.”
-
1.
- Jesus did not coarse people
into his discipleship: instead
made it difficult to follow him.
-
2.
- Discipleship is not for a
comfortable life; it is a life of
self-denial.
-
3.
- Discipleship is not for a secure
life; it is a life of self-sacrifice.
-
4.
- Discipleship requires trusting
God in the midst of rejection.
-
5.
- Count the cost: understand
the demands of discipleship.
Case 2: Misplaced priority
59. Then He said to another,
“Follow Me.” But he said,
“Lord, let me first go and bury
my father.”
-
1.
- The request seems reasonable
... but the assumption is
family is more important than
Jesus.
-
2.
- Most likely he was asking for
an indefinite time to serve.
-
3.
- Delayed obedience is
disobedience.
60. Jesus said to him, “Let the
dead bury their own dead, but
you go and preach the kingdom
of God.”
-
1.
- Harsh response: let
the spiritually dead bury the
physically dead
-
2.
- Following the Lord is far more
important than the greatest
human responsibility on the
earth.
-
3.
- His problem is misplaced
priority and loyalty.
-
4.
- What excuse can be given for
not proclaiming the kingdom
of God?
-
5.
- Proclaiming kingdom of God
is proclaiming
the King, admission into the
kingdom, and benefits as its
citizen.
-
6.
- Lord
demands complete dedication
to him.
Case 3: Attachment to this world
61. And another also said, “Lord,
I will follow You, but let me
first go and bid them farewell
who are at my house.”
-
1.
- Seems to be genuine request.
62. But Jesus said to him, “No
one, having put his hand to the
plow, and looking back, is fit
for the kingdom of God.”
-
1.
- Attachment to the old life -
the worldly life.
Application
-
1.
- Understanding
of the gospel: Discipleship
is the result of God’s calling
and voluntary submission to
pay the price. Salvation is free
but discipleship is costly for it
involves self-denial.
-
2.
- Presentation of
the gospel: True conversion
is not an emotional one time
prayer made, but a life-long
dedication. Lord wants (and
He deserves) quality disciples.
-
3.
- Crave for self-denial: Look
for voluntarily undergo
hardship and sacrifice in my
life. Then make it a habit of
life. Problem of flesh.
-
4.
- Rephrased
priority: Devote time for
ministry when
there is pending physical
responsibilities. There is no
genuine excuse before the
Lord. Problem of pride.
-
5.
- Detachment to this world:
Problem of the worldly value
system. Remember Lot’s wife.
Song
Down in the valley with my Savior I will go,
Where the flow’rs are blooming and the sweet waters flow;
Everywhere He leads me I will follow, follow on,
Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on!
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I will follow on!
Down in the valley with my Savior I will go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.
Down in the valley, or upon the mountain steep,
Close beside my Savior will my soul ever keep;
He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,
Up to where they gather on the hills of God.
4 Jesus Preaches at the Feast of
Tabernacles (John 7:11–8:1)
Introduction
-
- Jesus at Jerusalem during the
feat of the tabernacle and
all the associated Sabbath
controversies
Exposition
10. But when His brothers had
gone up, then He also went up
to the feast, not openly, but as
it were in secret.
-
1.
- We can infer that Father has
signalled and Jesus obeyed.
His action was opposite of
what his brothers expected:
that is not public display but
secretly.
11. Then the Jews sought Him
at the feast, and said, “Where
is He?”
-
1.
- Jews are
those from Jerusalem hostile
to Jesus. They could do what
they wanted in Jerusalem,
since Galilee was under Herod
Antipas.
12. And there was much
complaining among the people
concerning Him. Some said,
“He is good”; others said, “No,
on the contrary, He deceives
the people.”
-
1.
- Jews
from Galilee and diaspora was
soft on Jesus, but those from
Judea was harsh on Him. The
opinion of Jesus went from
one extreme to other.
-
2.
- Those who said that he was
good cannot comprehend his
deity.
-
3.
- Those who allege deception
continues this even after His
resurrection.
13. However, no one spoke
openly of Him for fear of the
Jews.
-
1.
- This indicates the hostility
of the Jewish authorities
understood by the whole
nation and silently rejected
Jesus.
-
2.
- John 9:22 His parents said
these things because they
feared the Jews, for the Jews
had agreed already that if
anyone confessed that He was
Christ, he would be put out of
the synagogue.
-
3.
- Jn 16:1-2. “These things I
have spoken to you, that
you should not be made to
stumble. 2 They will put
you out of the synagogues;
yes, the time is coming that
whoever kills you will think
that he offers God service.
14. Now about the middle of
the feast Jesus went up into the
temple and taught.
-
1.
- We do not know when Jesus
reached the feast, what is
important is that He obeyed
His father’s timing and not
His brothers.
-
2.
- Rabbi’s normally
taught people in the temple
during festivals and Jesus also
did the same, but drawn large
crowds.
-
3.
- Note that focus of Jesus was
not privacy, but obeying His
father.
15. And the Jews marveled,
saying, “How does this Man
know letters, having never
studied?”
-
1.
- Jews from Galilee generally
are simple people
and appreciated the teaching
of Jesus.
-
2.
- Mat 7:28 And so it was,
when Jesus had ended these
sayings, that the people were
astonished at His teaching, 29
for He taught them as one
having authority, and not as
the scribes.
-
3.
- Never studied is not how
to read or write. Jews from
Judea was surprised since
Jesus had not studied with
any Rabbis but still had
great understanding of the
scripture.
-
4.
- This record eliminate many
speculations such as Jesus
went to India and leaned all
magic!
16. Jesus answered them and
said, “My doctrine is not Mine,
but His who sent Me.
-
1.
- Teachers who studied under
great Rabbis will derive their
authority from the style and
tradition of their gurus.
-
2.
- However, Jesus draws His
authority by a life of complete
obedience to the Father and
declaring the revelation that
His Father gives.
-
3.
- These words of Jesus does
not diminish the authority
of Jesus in any way. While
those teachers cling to their
gurus, prophets of OT used
the words ’Thus says the
Lord’, Jesus state the truth
that “I am the truth”
17. If anyone wills to do His
will, he shall know concerning
the doctrine, whether it is from
God or whether I speak on My
own authority.
-
1.
- How to know what Jesus
taught is true?
-
2.
- Rabbi’s decided truth by
debate, intellectual discussion
and human reason.
-
3.
- Basic consideration to verify
Jesus teaching
is not intellectual; but moral:
i.e obedience to the Father.
-
4.
- It does not teach that unless
one reach some level of
maturity then only He can
know God; but a basic honest
willingness to obey what the
Lord teaches.
-
5.
- The question is ‘Are you
verifying the truth then walk
away like Pilate?’ If so you
will never reach the truth.
-
6.
- Note also
that the impossibility of finite
and fallen human to verify the
authenticity of divine claims.
-
7.
- Heb 11:6. But without faith
it is impossible to please Him,
for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that
He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him
- 8.
- the person who chooses to do
God’s will
discovers that Jesus’ teaching
authentic Word of God.
-
9.
- Application: Bible study
without obedience and prayer
is useless.
-
10.
- Application:
Prerequisite of finding God’s
will: willingness to obey what
ever the outcome may be.
18. He who speaks from himself
seeks his own glory; but He
who seeks the glory of the One
who sent Him is true, and no
unrighteousness is in Him.
-
1.
- This verse explains the reason
why the crows could not
accept the words of Jesus.
-
2.
- People preach with at least a
part to boost the ego and self
glory. Honesty and authentic
is lacking.
-
3.
- John 5:41 “I do not receive
honor from men. 42 But I
know you, that you do not
have the love of God in
you. 43 I have come in My
Father’s name, and you do
not receive Me; if another
comes in his own name, him
you will receive. 44 How
can you believe, who receive
honor from one another, and
do not seek the honor that
comes from the only God?
-
4.
- Application: Our authenticity
of teaching come from
conformity to the scripture.
19. Did not Moses give you the
law, yet none of you keeps the
law? Why do you seek to kill
Me?”
-
1.
- Jesus cleverly show why the
Jews could not believer in
Him and that His teachings
are authentic divine words.
- 2.
- Moses gave them the law; but
they are not obeying. And
hence could not verify the
authenticity of Jesus.
-
3.
- Jesus proves that they do not
follow the law by exposing
their motive: they want to
kill Jesus which is a direct
violation of the law for the law
says ’you shall not murder’.
-
4.
- Application: Obedience to the
law is
pre-requisite to comprehend
spiritual matters.
20. The people answered and
said, “You have a demon. Who
is seeking to kill You?”
-
1.
- Remember: Mk 3:22 And
the scribes who came down
from Jerusalem said, “He has
Beelzebub,” and, “By the
ruler of the demons He casts
out demons.”
-
2.
- This the reason some say
Jesus is a deceiver. The crowd
unaware of the plot of Jews
to kill Jesus, when they heard
suddenly the accusation of
Jesus that ’why do you seek
to kill me?’
21. Jesus answered and said to
them, “I did one work, and you
all marvel.
-
1.
- Jesus refers to the healing
of the paralytic in chapter 5
which happened in Jerusalem.
-
2.
- This miracle
was not well received for they
accused Jesus of violating the
Sabbath.
22. Moses therefore gave you
circumcision (not that it is from
Moses, but from the fathers),
and you circumcise a man on
the Sabbath.
-
1.
- Circumcision,
unlike the emphasis given
by Jews, it originated before Moses, for God commanded
Abraham (Ge 17). Moses only
formalized this at Sinai (Ex
12). Hence, Jesus said it
came from fathers meaning
patriarchs.
-
2.
- Law says no work on Sabbath
and the law also says to give
circumcision on eighth day. A
child born on Sabbath day
had to be circumcised the
next Sabbath. Which law is
to be kept and which one to
follow.
-
3.
- They ‘violated’ the Sabbath
for the sake of circumcision.
In one sense Jews
are consistently violating the
Law.
-
4.
- Nevertheless, this does not
justify Jesus violating the law
even though it is only in one
day?
23. If a man receives circumcision
on the Sabbath, so that the law
of Moses should not be broken,
are you angry with Me because
I made a man completely well
on the Sabbath?
-
1.
- Lord
is not justifying his violation
of the Sabbath because Jews
regularly violate the Sabbath
for the sake of circumcision.
-
2.
- Remember the words of Jesus
in Mt 12:5. Or have you
not read in the law that
on the Sabbath the priests
in the temple profane the
Sabbath, and are blameless?.
Here, the priests work on
Sabbath with their priestly
duties thus formally breaks
the law. However, they are
blameless because there is
a hierarchy principle: i.e.
administering priestly duties
has a higher importance than
Sabbath restriction. Thus the
priests are blameless.
-
3.
- Circumcision is viewed by
Jews as perfecting work of God and so is also the
Sabbath. What Jesus did
was perfecting this man who
was paralytic for 38 years
is exactly what is expected
from a circumcision. In other
words, Jesus did not violated
the Sabbath, but fulfilled it.
-
4.
- There are other arguments to
support the action of Jesus
elsewhere. For example, Mt.
12:10. And behold, there was
a man who had a withered
hand. And they asked Him,
saying, “Is it lawful to heal
on the Sabbath?”—that they
might accuse Him. 11 Then
He said to them, “What man
is there among you who has
one sheep, and if it falls into
a pit on the Sabbath, will
not lay hold of it and lift it
out? 12 Of how much more
value then is a man than a
sheep? Therefore it is lawful
to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then He said to the man,
“Stretch out your hand.” And
he stretched it out, and it was
restored as whole as the other.
Mk. 2:23. Therefore the Son
of Man is also Lord of the
Sabbath.”.
-
5.
- Thus, Jesus did not violated
Sabbath, but fulfilled it.
24. Do not judge according to
appearance, but judge with
righteous judgment.”
-
1.
- We are commanded to judge,
but this judgement should not
be on external ground, but
based on righteous ground.
-
2.
- Wrong judgement: external
based on man made social
norms often extending what
God has not indented.
-
3.
- Righteous judgement: based
on the revealed moral will of
God in the Scripture.
-
4.
- We need moral
and theological discernment. Dt 17:8-10. “If a matter arises
which is too hard for you
to judge, between degrees of
guilt for bloodshed, between
one judgment or another, or
between one punishment or
another, matters
of controversy within your
gates, then you shall arise
and go up to the place which
the Lord your God chooses.
9 And you shall come to
the priests, the Levites, and
to the judge there in those
days, and inquire of them;
they shall pronounce upon
you the sentence of judgment.
10 You shall do according
to the sentence which they
pronounce upon you in that
place which the Lord chooses.
And you shall be careful to
do according to all that they
order you.
Application
-
1.
- Obedience: prerequisite to
understand the intend of in
Scripture
-
2.
- Discernment: expected from
the disciple while applying
the biblical principle in our
practical daily life
5 §144. Jesus and the Adulteress
(John 8:1–11)
Introduction
Exposition
1. But Jesus went to the Mount
of Olives.
2. Now early in the morning He
came again into the temple, and
all the people came to Him;
and He sat down and taught
them.
3. Then the scribes and Pharisees
brought to Him a woman caught
in adultery. And when they had
set her in the midst,
4. they said to Him, “Teacher,
this woman was caught in
adultery, in the very act.
5. Now Moses, in the law,
commanded us that such should
be stoned. But what do You
say?”
6. This they said, testing Him,
that they might have something
of which to accuse Him. But
Jesus stooped down and wrote
on the ground with His finger,
as though He did not hear.
7. So when they continued asking
Him, He raised Himself up
and said to them, “He who is
without sin among you, let him
throw a stone at her first.”
8. And again He stooped down
and wrote on the ground.
9. Then those who heard it, being
convicted by their conscience,
went out one by one, beginning
with the oldest even to the last.
And Jesus was left alone, and
the woman standing in the
midst.
10. When Jesus had raised
Himself up and saw no one
but the woman, He said to
her, “Woman, where are those
accusers of yours? Has no one
condemned you?”
11. She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither
do I condemn you; go and sin
no more.”
Application
6 §144. Jesus and the Adulteress
(John 8:1–11)
Introduction
Exposition
1. But Jesus went to the Mount
of Olives.
Application
7 §149. Jesus—The True Shepherd
(John 10:1–6)
Introduction
-
1.
- Linked to the healing in the
last chapter.
-
2.
- Lord contrast his ministry to
that of Pharisees.
Exposition
1. “Most assuredly, I say to
you, he who does not enter
the sheepfold by the door, but
climbs up some other way, the
same is a thief and a robber.
-
1.
- Most assuredly: the message
from the Lord is emphatic
and the listeners are expected
to heed to his words.
-
2.
- Sheepfold: It is place where
sheep was kept in separate
shed which has a doorkeeper.
He alone had the right to enter the sheepfold. He enters
to feed and take care of the
sheep.
-
3.
- Thief and
robber: They are the people
entering the sheepfold to rob
and destroy the sheep.
2. But he who enters by the
door is the shepherd of the
sheep.
-
1.
- Shepherd: The one who enters
through the
door is the legitimate owner
of the sheepfold. He owns the
sheep and takes care of the
well being of the sheep.
-
2.
- It is obvious
that in the context of the
previous chapter the shepherd
is referring to Jesus and the
robbers are the Pharisees.
-
3.
- OT is abundant with Lord’s
anger toward the shepherds
who are exploiting the flock.
The prominent among them
is:
-
4.
- Ezk. 34:1-31. And the word of
the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, prophesy
against the shepherds
of Israel, …‘Thus says the
Lord God to the shepherds:
“Woe to the shepherds of
Israel who feed themselves!
Should not the shepherds
feed the flocks? 3 You eat
the fat and clothe yourselves
with the wool; you slaughter
the fatlings, but you do not
feed the flock. 4 The weak
you have not strengthened,
nor have you healed those
who were sick, nor bound
up the broken, nor brought
back what was driven away,
nor sought what was lost;
but with force and cruelty
you have ruled them. 5 So
they were scattered because
there was no shepherd; and
they became food for all the
beasts of the field when they were scattered. …9 therefore,
O shepherds, hear the word
of the Lord! 10 Thus says
the Lord God: “Behold, I am
against the shepherds …I will
cause them to cease feeding
the sheep …I will deliver My
flock from their mouths …‘For
thus says the Lord God:
“Indeed I Myself will search
for My sheep and seek them
out. …16 “I will seek what
was lost and bring back what
was driven away, bind up the
broken and strengthen what
was sick; but I will destroy the
fat and the strong, and feed
them in judgment.” 17 ‘And
as for you, O My flock, thus
says the Lord God: “Behold,
I shall judge between sheep
and sheep, between rams and
goats. …23 I will establish one
shepherd over them, and he
shall feed them— My servant
David. He shall feed them
and be their shepherd. 24
And I, the Lord, will be their
God, and My servant David
a prince among them …30
Thus they shall know that I,
the Lord their God, am with
them, and they, the house of
Israel, are My people,” says
the Lord God.’ ” 31 “You
are My flock, the flock of My
pasture; you are men, and I
am your God,” says the Lord
God
-
5.
- In the midst of this, Lord
is standing as the good
shepherd. For instance:
-
6.
- Ps 23:1. The Lord is my
shepherd …
-
7.
- Ps. 80:1. Give
ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You
who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who dwell between the
cherubim, shine forth!
-
8.
- Isa 40:11. He will feed His
flock like a shepherd; He will
gather the lambs with His
arm, And carry them in His
bosom, And gently lead those
who are with young
3. To him the doorkeeper opens,
and the sheep hear his voice;
and he calls his own sheep by
name and leads them out.
-
1.
- Hear voice: Sheep know the
voice and listens.
-
2.
- By name: individual and
personal call and inplies prior
ownership.
4. And when he brings out
his own sheep, he goes before
them; and the sheep follow him,
for they know his voice.
-
1.
- Own: Lord own the sheep
-
2.
- Follow: What is expected of
the sheep.
-
3.
- Know his voice: Familiar with
shepherd’s voice.
5. Yet they will by no means
follow a stranger, but will flee
from him, for they do not know
the voice of strangers.”
-
1.
- For the same reason they will
leave any false shepherds.
-
2.
- Christ’s elect sheep inevitably
follow him
6. Jesus used this illustration,
but they did not understand
the things which He spoke to
them.
Application
-
1.
- Listen to the voice of the
Shepherd.
-
2.
- Listen not other voices.
-
3.
- Shepherd your flock.
8 §151. The Seventy Commissioned
(Luke 10:1–12)
Introduction
-
1.
- The purpose of this mission
was twofold: first, to cover
Israel with the gospel; and
second, serve as a shadow the
preaching of the gospel to the
world.
-
2.
- In Like 9:1–6 the 12 disciples
were sent out on a mission to
preach the kingdom, but now
a larger group is sent.
Exposition
10:1. After these things the
Lord appointed seventy others
also, and sent them two by two
before His face into every city
and place where He Himself
was about to go.
-
1.
- Seventy:
-
(a)
- Sanhedrin that rejected
Jesus had also the 70
members. Num 11:16.
So the LORD said to
Moses: “Gather to Me
seventy men of the elders
of Israel …that they may
stand there with you.
-
(b)
- The number of nations
listed in Gen 10 is also
70. Ge 10:1. Now this
is the genealogy of the
sons of Noah: Shem,
Ham, and Japheth. And
sons were born to them
after the flood. 2 The
sons of Japheth were
…everyone according to
his language, according
to their families, into
their nations. 20 These
were the sons of Ham,
according to their families, according
to their languages, in
their lands and in their
nations.
…31 These were the sons
of Shem, according to
their families, according
to their languages, in
their lands, according to
their nations.
-
(c)
- Children of Jacob went
to Egypt are also 70. Ge
46:27. And the sons of
Joseph who were born to
him in Egypt were two
persons. All the persons
of the house of Jacob
who went to Egypt were
seventy.
-
(d)
- Israel’s twelve tribes
were separated into
seventy clans according
to Numbers 26. God
clearly subdivided His
nation into the same
number of divisions as
there were nations in the
world. Deut 32:8. When
the Most High divided
their inheritance to the
nations,
When He separated the
sons of Adam, He set
the boundaries of the
peoples According to the
number of the children of
Israel.
-
2.
- Every City: Lord’s meticulous
planning of ministry is seen
here. They went to prepare the
way.
10:2. Then He said to them,
“The harvest truly is great, but
the laborers are few; therefore
pray the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into His
harvest.
-
1.
- Harvest
is great: Lord’s assessment
of the need and the work.
Shows the sovereignty of the
Lord who has kept the harvest
ready.
-
2.
- More laborers are possible
when those who hear the
gospel will in turn become
labourers.
-
3.
- We need not manipulate or
coerce laborers but rather
prayer.
10:3. Go your way; behold, I
send you out as lambs among
wolves.
-
1.
- Lambs
among wolves: Warning given
by the Lord. His disciples are
innocent and vulnerable like
a lamp. Enemies are shrewd
and strong. Be humble, even
if they were sent by God. It
is not a threat, but a promise
of His protection. Wolves may
be referring to Scribes and
Pharisees.
-
2.
- Go your way” There is risk
in ministry, that should not
deter us from serving the
Lord. This not an excuse to
withdraw from serving the
Lord.
10:4. Carry neither money
bag, knapsack, nor sandals;
and greet no one along the
road.
-
1.
- The
mission is urgent and short.
Lord has only about 6 more
months before crucifixion.
-
2.
- Greet no on: There is no
time for socializing which
will distract them from the
mission.
-
3.
- Lord offers provision for his
ministry. The Lord reminds
them of this at time of
Lord’s Table Luke 22:35. And
He said to them, “When I
sent you without money bag,
knapsack, and sandals, did
you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
10:5. But whatever house you
enter, first say, ‘Peace to this
house.’
-
1.
- Message is peace to those
who accept. Lord offers the
kingdom in peace, not by
threatening them.
10:6. And if a son of peace is
there, your peace will rest on it;
if not, it will return to you.
-
1.
- There is an inherent offense in
the gospel even if we offered
in peace and with sensitivity.
Disciples need to preach and
pray and the result is from the
Lord.
10:7. And remain in the same
house, eating and drinking such
things as they give, for the
laborer is worthy of his wages.
Do not go from house to house.
-
1.
- Laborer: All who work for the
Lord will receive the reward.
-
2.
- Eating and drinking such as
they give: One shoudld not
be choosy with foods (Not
to be foody). Urgency of
the mission shold not be
compramised with pleasures
of life.
10:8. Whatever city you enter,
and they receive you, eat such
things as are set before you.
-
1.
- Such things set before you:
Comforts of life.
10:9. And heal the sick there,
and say to them, ‘The kingdom
of God has come near to you.’
-
1.
- Healing
as a gift means it will happen with complete success. This
healing is different from it as
an answer to the prayer made
trusting in the sovereignity of
God.
-
2.
- The focus of healing is
annouce the unique message
that the King is coming and
hence receive him to be part
of this kingdom.
10:10. But whatever city you
enter, and they do not receive
you, go out into its streets and
say,
-
1.
- Message is judgement to
those who reject.
10:11. ‘The very dust of your
city which clings to us we wipe
off against you. Nevertheless
know this, that the kingdom of
God has come near you.’
-
1.
- This
disciples represented Jesus
and rejecting them amounts
to rejecting the one who sent
them.
-
2.
- The symbolic act of departing
the city, including leaving its
dust behind, shows that the
city stands alone before God
and must given answer for its
actions.
-
3.
- The cities that reject the
message are warned that
the kingdom came near, but
opportunity was missed. Only
accountability remains.
10:12. But I say to you that it
will be more tolerable in that
Day for Sodom than for that
city.
-
1.
- Sodom was probably the most
wicked city in the OT and
rejecting Christ receives more
serious punishment.
Application
-
1.
- Time available for us to
fulfill the great commission
given to us is of short
duration, and hence niceties
of life should not hinder it.
There should be detachment
from the affairs of the earth
(attached-detachment).
-
2.
- Praying for harvesters is
absolutely necessary for those
involved in
the harvest. Mission happens
in the context of prayer and
God’s sovereignty. Success of
the mission is workers are
raised by the ministry.
-
3.
- The laborer is worthy of his
wages; in this context that
wage was the necessities of
life, and that was all.
-
4.
- In spite of the rejection
of the people, Lord shows
compassion to the nation of
Israel by sending his disciples
with the gospel. We should
likewise reach out in spite of
rejection.
9 §152. Woes on the Impenitent
Cities (Luke 10:13–16)
Introduction
-
1.
- This an imprecation or curse
by Jesus. It had two purpose:
-
(a)
- To warn the cities visited
by the seventy not to
follow the lead of these
three Galilean cities;
-
(b)
- To serve notice on the
three cities that the
Messiah’s ministry to
them had terminated.
Exposition
10:13. “Woe to you, Chorazin!
Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if
the mighty works which were
done in you had been done in
Tyre and Sidon, they would
have repented long ago, sitting
in sackcloth and ashes.
-
2.
- Korazim. The exact location
of this town is uncertain,
and this verse is the only
indication that Jesus visited
it.
-
3.
- Bethsaida: The miracle of the
feeding of the five thousand
was located near Bethsaida
(9:10–17).
-
4.
- Tyre
and Sidon. These well-known
cities represented the pagan
world. The point was not that
pagan cities would be excused
but rather that the cities of
Galilee would experience an
even greater condemnation.
-
5.
- Sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
This was an ancient form
of expressing mourning and
repentance. 23 Sackcloth was
a rough cloth made from
goat’s hair, and the ashes
were either placed on the head
(Matt 6:16) or sat on (Job 2:8;
Jonah 3:6).
-
6.
- Application of the principle of
Gen 6:3. ‘My Spirit shall not
strive with man forever’
-
7.
- It serves as a warning to the
cities into which Jesus sent
His forerunners.
10:14. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at
the judgment than for you.
-
8.
- Gentile nations will
be punished, but Jewish cities
who got opportunity to hear
the gospel will received much
more punishment.
-
9.
- What about those who have
not heard? The question
should be what about those
who heard!
10:15. And you, Capernaum,
who are exalted to heaven, will
be brought down to Hades.
-
10.
- Mentioned 16 times
in the gospels. BB Bruce says
Capernaum was Jesus’ base
for his Galilean ministry (Mat
4:13. And leaving Nazareth,
He came and
dwelt in Capernaum, which is
by the sea, in the regions of
Zebulun and Naphtali.
-
11.
- The city was located at an
important crossroads used by
traders and the Roman army,
so a message proclaimed in
Capernaum was likely to go
far.
-
12.
- Jesus had performed many
miracles there, but many
people of Capernaum did not
understand Jesus’ miracles or
believe his teaching.
-
13.
- Capernaum. This was one of
the first towns in which Jesus
worked a miracle (Luke 4:23.
He said to them, “You will
surely say this proverb to
Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself!
Whatever we have heard done
in Capernaum, do also here in
Your country.’ ”).
-
14.
- Capernaum
as His headquarters, Jesus
had elevated that city to the
heavens; it had unwittingly
assumed the function
of Heaven in Jesus’ life, for it had become His earthly
home. What a tremendous
honor had been bestowed on
it, yet how insensitive it had
been to that honor.
-
15.
- The price for rejecting Jesus
who had lived among them
and done so many miracles
there was to be a fearsome
eternal punishment, to be
meted out even before the
day of judgment, for Hades
precedes Hell.
-
16.
- Capernaum was laid waste so
thoroughly
that archaeologists today are
uncertain of its exact site.
Today the site of ancient
Capernaum is desolate—a
stunning picture of Jesus’
words here.
10:16. He who hears you hears
Me, he who rejects you rejects
Me, and he who rejects Me
rejects Him who sent Me.”
-
17.
- Those called of God have
a delegated authority from
Him. They must respect it,
and those to whom they are
called should likewise respect
it.
-
18.
- The disciples represent Jesus;
the messenger cannot be
separated from the One who
stands at the center of the
message.
-
19.
- Ryle
says that there is probably no
stronger language than this in
the New Testament about the
dignity of a faithful minister’s
office and the guilt incurred
by those who refuse to hear
his message.
Application
- 20.
- Heavy: KoG is not a trivial
matter. Curses against these
cities indicated how serious
the Lord takes care of the
mission of the seventy. Same
is true today also.
-
21.
- Honor: The honor which our
Lord Jesus Christ gives to his
ministers is encouraging. So
long as they do their work
faithfully, they are worthy of
honor and respect for their
Master’s sake.
-
22.
- Harsh: Luke made clear that
the harshness of judgment
is based to a great extent
upon whether or not one has
been given the opportunity to
repent.
10 §153. The Seventy Return:
The Blessing in Disguise (Luke
10:17–24)
Introduction
-
1.
- The Seventy Commissioned
and sent ahead of all cities
that Lord wants to visit
before his Crucifixion (Luke
10:1–12). We learned the
following principles.
-
(a)
- Time available to fulfill
the great commission is
short, and hence niceties
of life should not hinder
it.
-
(b)
- Mission happens
in the context of prayer
and God’s sovereignty.
Success of the mission is
workers are raised by the
ministry.
-
(c)
- The laborer is worthy of
his wages; and the Lord
will meet our needs.
- (d)
- In spite of the rejection,
Lord shows compassion
to Israel by sending his
disciples with the gospel.
-
2.
- The cities that rejected the
messengers of the Lord will also
be rejected by the Lord (Luke
10:13–16)
-
(a)
- Curses against these
cities indicated how
serious the Lord takes
care of the mission of the
seventy.
-
(b)
- The honor which
our Lord Jesus Christ
gives to his ministers is
encouraging.
-
(c)
- The
harshness of judgment
is based upon whether
or not one has been
given the opportunity to
repent.
-
3.
- The purpose of this portion is
to show the spiritual victory
over Satan won by the disciples
in serving the Lord.
Exposition
17. Then the seventy returned
with joy, saying, “Lord, even
the demons are subject to us in
Your name.”
-
4.
- Recall the terms of the
mission was very hard. Now,
the result of the mission is joy.
That is the beauty of serving
the Lord.
18. And He said to them, “I
saw Satan fall like lightning
from heaven.
-
5.
- Isa 14:12. “How you are fallen
from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are
cut down to the ground, You
who weakened the nations!
Based on Isiah’s prophecy
Jews believed that the reign
of Satan will end with the
coming of Messiah. Jesus in a
sense claiming that the rule of
Messiah has arrived.
-
6.
- John 12:31. Now is the
judgment of this world; now
the ruler of this world will
be cast out. Col 2:15. Having
disarmed principalities and
powers, He made a public
spectacle of them, triumphing
over them in it. Rev 20:2-3.
He laid hold of the dragon,
that serpent of old, who is the
Devil and Satan, and bound
him for a thousand years;
3 and he cast him into the
bottomless pit, and shut him
up, and set a seal on him
… Rev 20:10. The devil, who
deceived them, was cast into
the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false
prophet are. And they will
be tormented day and night
forever and ever.. All these
indicates the final victory of
Jesus over Satan is certain
and these words of Jesus
are symbolic of the prophetic
fulfilment in the end days.
19. Behold, I give you the
authority to trample on serpents
and scorpions, and over all
the power of the enemy, and
nothing shall by any means
hurt you.
-
7.
- Jesus delegates his authority
over Satan to us and we
are assured that the schemes
of Satan will not prevail
against us. Note that Jesus is
not expecting his disciples to
handle
snakes are scorpions literally,
but they are symbolic of the
Satan and his fallen angels. In
other words, his disciples have
great authority over demonic
forces. Ironically, they may
not
have much political authority, but has tremendous spiritual
authority.
20. Nevertheless do not rejoice
in this, that the spirits are
subject to you, but rather rejoice
because your names are written
in heaven.”
-
8.
- The word rejoice is
a command and the grammar
suggests that this rejoicing
has to be a ongoing one. The
real and prime source of this
joy is in the fact that we have
eternal life.
Darrel Block says: “Ministry
with God is a privilege, and
access to God’s power is
exciting, but the real cause of
joy is that we have true and
everlasting life before God”.
21. In that hour Jesus rejoiced
in the Spirit and said, “I thank
You, Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, that You have hidden
these things from the wise and
prudent and revealed them to
babes. Even so, Father, for so it
seemed good in Your sight.
-
9.
- The joy of the Lord is from
inside to outside and that
resulted in thanking God.
-
10.
- The knowledge of Messiah
and his mission is hidden
from the religious elite and
the multitude and now it
is revealed to these disciples
who are common people.
-
11.
- The source of that joy in what
God the Father is doing. The
sovereign act of the Father
results in great joy of the
Lord. What is good in God’s
sight is the best in our life,
irrespective of how we and the
world views it.
22. All things have been delivered
to Me by My Father, and no one
knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father
is except the Son, and the one
to whom the Son wills to reveal
Him.”
-
12.
- Now the sovereign work of
God the Father is not done
alone but in union with the
Lord Jesus. Hence, the words
and mission of the Lord
should be taken seriously.
23. Then He turned to His
disciples and said privately,
“Blessed are the eyes which see
the things you see; 24 for I tell
you that many prophets and
kings have desired to see what
you see, and have not seen it,
and to hear what you hear, and
have not heard it.”
-
13.
- Blessing of
these disciples is great. They
should realize their privilege.
They are seeing and hearing
what great men of the OT like
Abraham, Moses, David, etc.
desired to see and hear, but
couldn’t.
-
14.
- This is true of us too.
Apostle Peter put it nicely
in his letter. 1 Pet 1:10-12.
Of this salvation the prophets
have inquired and searched
carefully, who prophesied of
the grace that would come
to you, 11 searching what,
or what manner of time, the
Spirit of Christ who was in
them was indicating when
He testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ and the
glories that would follow. 12
To them it was revealed that,
not to themselves, but to
us they were ministering the
things which now have been
reported to you through those
who have preached the gospel
to you by the Holy Spirit sent
from heaven—things which
angels desire to look into.
Application
-
1.
- Joy in ministry
(v17): Terms of ministry are
difficult, but in the end, there
is a reward - tremendous joy.
-
2.
- Authority in ministry
(v18-19): Satan is a defeated
enemy. Believers should not
fear him, rather, exercise the
spiritual authority given to
us.
-
3.
- Goodness in
the sovereignty (v20-21):
What God is doing is the best
in our life; rejoice in it.
-
4.
- Revelation through
serving (v22): Ministry
helps us to understand the
sovereign work of the God in
our life that will give real joy.
-
5.
- Cherish the
salvation (v23-24): Most
valuable thing of our life is
the relation with the Lord.
Cherish and be thankful.
11 §154. The Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:25–37)
Introduction
-
1.
- One of the most
mis-understood parable for it
ignores the context.
Exposition
25. And behold, a certain lawyer
stood up and tested Him, saying,
“Teacher, what shall I do to
inherit eternal life?”
-
1.
- Testing: He expected Jesus
would contradict the law.
-
2.
- Yet he claims he believed in
eternal life. At least, some
of them now understand that
Jesus is offering spiritual
kingdom.
-
3.
- The question: what must ”I
do”? Expected an action.
26. He said to him, “What is
written in the law? What is
your reading of it?”
-
4.
- Lord answered wisely - not
denouncing the law.
-
5.
- reading - understanding to
distinguish between, to
recognise, to know accurately,
to acknowledge.
-
6.
- Answer is not an action but
an attuide - relationship with
God and thers.
27. So he answered and said,
“ ‘You shall love the LORD
your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your
strength, and with all your
mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as
yourself.’ ”
-
7.
- Dt 6:5 You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with
all your strength.
-
8.
- Ex 23:4–9. “If you meet your
enemy’s ox or his donkey
going astray, you shall surely
bring it back to him again.
5 If you see the donkey of
one who hates you lying under
its burden, and you would
refrain from helping it, you
shall surely help him with it.
-
9.
- Dt 22:1–4 “You shall not
see your brother’s ox or his
sheep going astray, and hide
yourself from them; you shall
certainly bring them back to
your brother. 4 “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or
his ox fall down along the
road, and hide yourself from
them; you shall surely help
him lift them up again.
-
10.
- Is 58:7 Is it not to share your
bread with the hungry, And
that you bring to your house
the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that
you cover him, And not hide
yourself from your own flesh?
28. And He said to him, “You
have answered rightly; do this
and you will live.”
-
11.
- This is not work based
salvation - rather, the answer
in the dispensation of law.
-
12.
- Lord appreciated the answer.
Bible is not a mysterious
book: we can understand its
meaning.
29. But he, wanting to justify
himself, said to Jesus, “And
who is my neighbor?”
-
13.
- Justify himself -
Jewsih definition of neighbour
is only Jews and excludes
Samaritans and Gentiles.
-
14.
- Le 19:16 You shall not go
about as a talebearer among
your people; nor shall you
take a stand against the life of
your neighbor: I am the Lord.
30. Then Jesus answered and
said: “A certain man went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho,
and fell among thieves, who
stripped him of his clothing,
wounded him, and departed,
leaving him half dead.
-
15.
- Jerusalem to Jericho -
notorious path.
31. Now by chance a certain
priest came down that road.
And when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side.
-
16.
- Priest did not help.
-
17.
- By chance - accidental. May
be an opportunity from God
or test from God.
32. Likewise a Levite, when he
arrived at the place, came and
looked, and passed by on the
other side.
-
18.
- Levite - serving the priest.
33. But a certain Samaritan, as
he journeyed, came where he
was. And when he saw him, he
had compassion.
-
19.
- Samaritan - most unexpected
person.
-
20.
- Attitude before Action.
34. So he went to him and
bandaged his wounds, pouring
on oil and wine; and he set him
on his own animal, brought him
to an inn, and took care of him.
-
21.
- Actions.
-
(a)
- So he went to him
-
(b)
- bandaged his wounds
-
(c)
- pouring on oil and wine
-
(d)
- he set him on his own
animal
-
(e)
- brought him to an inn
-
(f)
- took care of him.
35. On the next day, when he
departed, he took out two
denarii, gave them to the
innkeeper, and said to him,
‘Take care of him; and whatever
more you spend, when I come
again, I will repay you.’
-
22.
- two denari - 24 days expense.
-
23.
- whatever more - more than
the law demands. Wounded
person is not a beggar.
36. So which of these three do
you think was neighbor to him
who fell among the thieves?”
-
24.
- Agnostic - I don’t know.
-
25.
- Atheist - No mercy, do the
duty.
-
26.
- Pantheist - All - mercy is a
myth, pain is not real.
37. And he said, “He who
showed mercy on him.” Then
Jesus said to him, “Go and do
likewise.”
-
27.
- Go and do likewise -
Inadequacy of the law.
Application
-
1.
- The standard of God is
very High: You cannot meet
the standard of God by your
works. It is impossible for you
to fulfil its demand. Obeying
of law could not save you
because its demand is so high.
The Priests
and Levites representing the
religious system that cannot
save you.
-
2.
- Jesus is the hero of Your
life: He is the Samaritan (The bad guy - the Samaritain -
is the hero!). John 8:48 Then
the Jews answered and said to
Him, “Do we not say rightly
that You are a Samaritan and
have a demon?”
-
3.
- Who is my neighbour?
(i) One who is in need - so
help them. (ii) Opportunities
come unexpected - so use
them. (iii) Help come from
the unexpected - do not trust
people, but God who moves
the heart of people.
12 §155. Jesus with Mary and
Martha - Priority of a Disciple (Luke
10:38–42)
Introduction
-
1.
- This passage is on the priority
of a disciple.
-
2.
- Must read in the context of
the scribe’s question of the
greatest commandment.
-
3.
- Parable of the
good Samaritan shows how to
love neighbour - focusing on
the activity.
-
4.
- This portion shows how to
love the Lord - focusing on
attitude.
-
5.
- How not to read this passage:
(a) not about woman, but
of disciple, (b) condemning
activity.
-
6.
- Read this passage along with
John 11 and 12.
Exposition
38. Now it happened as they
went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman
named Martha welcomed Him
into her house.
-
1.
- Village is Bethany two miles
from Jerusalem.
39. And she had a sister called
Mary, who also sat at Jesus’
feet and heard His word.
-
2.
- Sitting at Rabbai’s feet is
common and usually for men.
Jesus shows that the privilege
of hearing and fellowship with
him is for both men and
woman.
40. But Martha was distracted
with much serving, and she
approached Him and said,
“Lord, do You not care that
my sister has left me to serve
alone? Therefore tell her to
help me.”
-
3.
- Distracted with much serving:
tyranny of urgent
over important, and the curse
of assumption.
-
4.
- Lord, do you not care? Did
she realize to whom she is
talking to?
-
5.
- Sister has left me to serve
alone? Did the Lord asked her
serve?
-
6.
- Tell her to help me: crossing
the boundary of a disciple.
41. And Jesus answered and
said to her, “Martha, Martha,
you are worried and troubled
about many things.
-
7.
- Martha Martha: affection of
the Lord even in rebuke.
-
8.
- Worried and troubled: the
real problem is with Martha and not with Mary.
42. But one thing is needed,
and Mary has chosen that good
part, which will not be taken
away from her.”
-
9.
- One
thing: priority of listening to
the words of Jesus over all the
other good things.
-
10.
- Mary has chosen: Decisions in
life - choose not the good, but
the best.
-
11.
- It will not be taken from
her: permanent and eternal
benefit of being at the feet of
Jesus.
Application
-
1.
- Deal with distraction:
Find out what the Lord wants
from you.
-
2.
- Deal with relational
issues: Explore is there
any other divine perspective:
about temperament, gifting,
calling?
-
3.
- Action and Attitude: Like
two wings of a plane that
needs to be balanced.
13 §156. Jesus Teaches How to
Pray (Luke 11:1–4)
Introduction
-
1.
- Lords Prayer or Disciple’s
prayer.
-
2.
- Integral part of discipleship -
looking to the Lord.
-
3.
- Prayer is an expression of
dependence on the Lord.
-
4.
- It is an expression
of community aspect - family
of God, not a list of personal
needs.
-
5.
- Content of prayer:
-
(a)
- expression of desire for
holiness,
-
(b)
- expression of desire for
God’s rule in our life and
around,
-
(c)
- expression of desire for a
life of forgiveness,
-
(d)
- recognition that
provision and spiritual
protection come from
God,
-
(e)
- asking God to work in
our heart and,
-
(f)
- seeks to be submissive to
his will.
Exposition
1. 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.”
-
1.
- Prayer of the Lord - essence of
it a communion with Father.
It shows priority of His life
and should be the same for a
disciple.
-
2.
- As
John’s disciple: The manner
and pattern of prayer gives
identity and distinctiveness to
the disciple of Jesus.
2. 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.
-
1.
- When: It is not if but when.
It indicates that prayer is an
integral part of the life of his
disciple.
-
2.
- You ... Our: The word ’You’
in Greek is not singular, but
plural. Prayer is always in
the context of community.
Selfishness has no role in the
life of a disciple.
-
3.
- Father: The address of the
prayer shows both respect for
God and intimacy with God.
Gentiles prayer is to their
creator, but disciples prayer
is to their Father. That is
relationship with God is the
basis of our prayer.
-
4.
- Heaven:
While there is intimacy, there
is reverence because He is in
heaven - or the transcendence
of God.
-
5.
- Hallowed
be Your name: Deceleration
that God is holy, i.e., set
apart or distinct from us, or
he is unique. Proclamation to
make this known to the world
around naturally follows this
deceleration.
-
6.
- Your kingdom come: It is a
deceleration that God’s rule
will be on this earth. What
was lost in the garden should
be restored.
-
7.
- Your will be done on the earth
as is in heaven: God’s will
is accomplished in this world
including ours. Like angel’s
fulfill the will of God perfectly
in heaven, his disciples should
accomplish it on this earth.
3. Give us day by day our daily
bread.
-
1.
- Focus is on the material needs
of life. More than the content
of the prayer is the attitude
behind it: that is God is the
source of all our need and he
care’s for our life.
4. 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.”
-
1.
- Forgive us our sins: Recognise
the sinful state of a disciple
and the request to forgive to
have a vibrant relation with
God and others.
-
2.
- For we also forgive everyone
who is indebted to us: If I
ask for forgiveness from God,
I should be willing to forgive
others.
-
3.
- In the
context of sin, remember few
important aspects.
-
(a)
- We live in a sin infested
world. Sin should not
surprise us, but at the
same time it should not
be ignored.
-
(b)
- Sin, though done against
others, is primarily a
rebellion against God’s
rule.
-
(c)
- Asking for forgiveness
or giving forgiveness is
not an easy thing since
our pride resists it. It
requires humility which
the
Lord values very much.
Pointing finger on others
is easy, but to introspect
and admitting one’s own
fault is painful.
- 4.
- And do not lead us into
temptation, But deliver us from
the evil one: It is asking for
spiritual protection. God is not
the one tempting here, but it is
acknowledgement that God is
able to protect from falling
into a temptation. So we must
realize that temptation can
happen any time. Proverb says:
”A prudent man foresees evil
and hides himself; The simple
pass on and are punished”
(Prov 27:12). We should always
be at constant vigil in prayer. In
short, ”to avoid sin we must go
where God leads and embrace
the spiritual wisdom, provision
and protection God supplies”
(Block says).
Application
-
1.
- Reverence: The prayer
is reverently addressed to
God the Father recognizing
His deity, His immensity
and His holiness, while, at
the same time, marveling
at His grace which allows
us insignificant human
beings to call Him Father.
-
2.
- Priority: This is the prime
prayer of the committed,
thinking believer. His or
her concern is for God’s
Kingdom, not personal needs.
-
3.
- Transformation: People
who sincerely pray this
way automatically deny
any will of their own which
runs counter to God’s will.
-
4.
- Generosity: The
self-centered element of this
model prayer is confined to
basic physical necessities.
-
5.
- Sanctification: By
remembering our sins,
confessing them and seeking
forgiveness we will be kept
sanctified, pure vessels fit for
His use so that His will on
earth can be done through
us if He should so desire.
-
6.
- Warfare: Recognizes God’s
right to allow Satan to tempt
us, which is another way of
saying His right to use us in
His spiritual warfare against
the devil. If, however, we
are led into such battle then
we are to seek deliverance
in God’s power, not in
our own feeble strength.
-
7.
- Worship: The concluding
doxology ascribes to God not
only His Kingdom (this surely
should keep us eternally
humble, for we have nothing
and He has everything) but all power and all glory.
14 §157. Jesus Teaches About
Prayer (Luke 11:5–13)
Introduction
-
1.
- : . ..
Exposition
5 . 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;
-
1.
- : .
6 . for a friend of mine has
come to me on his journey, and
I have nothing to set before
him’;
-
1.
- : .
7 . 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’?
-
1.
- : .
8 . 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.
-
1.
- : .
9 . “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.
-
1.
- : .
10 . For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will
be opened.
-
1.
- : .
11 . 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?
-
1.
- : .
12 . Or if he asks for an egg,
will he offer him a scorpion?
-
1.
- : .
13 . 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!”
-
1.
- .
Application
-
1.
- : .
15 §158. Jesus Opens His Judean
Ministry Amidst Rejection (Luke
11:14–28)
Introduction
-
1.
- Content of Prayer - Kingdom
Focus(Luke 11:1-4)
-
(a)
- expression of desire for
holiness,
-
(b)
- expression of desire for
God’s rule in our life and
around,
-
(c)
- expression of desire for a
life of forgiveness,
-
(d)
- recognition that
provision and spiritual protection come from
God,
-
(e)
- asking God to work in
our heart and,
-
(f)
- seeks to be submissive to
his will.
-
2.
- Attitude of Prayer - Boldness
(Luke 11:5-13)
-
(a)
- Persistence in Prayer
-
(b)
- Certainty in Prayer
-
(c)
- Goodness of God in
Prayer
-
(d)
- Intimacy with God in
Prayer
-
(e)
- Spiritual preeminence of
Prayer
-
3.
- The response of people to Jesus
to the Judean ministry (the last
six months of Jesus ministry).
-
4.
- This passage is similar to
Mathew 12 and Mark 3 however
it is a distinct event.
-
5.
- Jesus consistently opposed
Satan, especially when he starts
a new phase of him ministry.
Exposition
14. And He was casting out a
demon, and it was mute. So it
was, when the demon had gone
out, that the mute spoke; and
the multitudes marveled.
-
1.
- Another miracle of Jesus, but
not much details provided.
-
2.
- Direct attach of Jesus on the
devil demonstrating that he is
stronger than the devil.
-
3.
- God gives good gifts while the devil destroys the life.
15. But some of them said, “He
casts out demons by Beelzebub,
the ruler of the demons.”
-
4.
- A serious accusation that
Jesus takes the help of Satan
for the miracle. An out
right rejection that Jesus
is Messiah, instead ascribing
Jesus is an agent of Satan!
-
5.
- This is the fifth time the
accusation came:
the first time it was from
scribes and now the common
crowd showing the influence
to Jewish leadership.
16. Others, testing Him, sought
from Him a sign from heaven.
-
6.
- The blindness and
hard heartedness of people
is evident: They are not
satisfied with the earthly
sign Jesus did. They want
something like Moses who
brought manna from heaven
or Elijah who brought fire
from heaven.
17. But He, knowing their
thoughts, said to them: “Every
kingdom divided against itself
is brought to desolation, and a
house divided against a house
falls.
-
7.
- The Lord’s response to the
crowd was milder compare to
when the leadership made the
same accusation. These are
sheep misguided by the false
shepherds!
-
8.
- In these verses, the Lord
gives logical response to their
allegation (not an emotional
one!).
-
9.
- Lord, indirectly asserts that
he is the king and Satan is his enemy and Satan would never
take the help of Jesus.
18. If Satan also is divided
against himself, how will his
kingdom stand? Because you say
I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
-
10.
- It is logically not possible
that, if Jesus is Messiah, then
Satan would never help Jesus
for it is destructive to his
kingdom.
19. And if I cast out demons by
Beelzebub, by whom do your
sons cast them out? Therefore
they will be your judges.
-
11.
- Lord’s counter question to
trap. They can never say
with the help of Beelzebub.
If they say, with the help of
God, then on what basis they
accuse Jesus.
20. But if I cast out demons
with the finger of God, surely
the kingdom of God has come
upon you.
-
12.
- By their own logic, they have
to admit that Jesus case
out demon with the help of
God, then Jesus makes his
messianic claim.
-
13.
- The Lord also says that this
is indeed a sign from heaven.
21. When a strong man, fully
armed, guards his own palace,
his goods are in peace.
-
14.
- Strong man is Satan and he
happily keep people under his
power.
22. But when a stronger than he
comes upon him and overcomes
him, he takes from him all his
armor in which he trusted, and
divides his spoils.
-
15.
- Stronger man is Jesus and
he asserts his ultimate victory
over people.
-
16.
- Jews ascribed great power to
demonic
forces. Dan 10:12–13. Then he
[angel - Michael?] said to me,
“Do not fear, Daniel, for from
the first day that you set your
heart to understand …I have
come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the
kingdom of Persia withstood
me twenty-one days; and
behold, Michael, one of the
chief princes, came to help
me, for I had been left alone
there with the kings of Persia.
-
17.
- Jesus shows that his power
is much greater than that of
archangel.
23. He who is not with Me is
against Me, and he who does
not gather with Me scatters.
-
18.
- Jesus make it very clear to the
multitude that they should
take a stand. They can’t be
neutral.
24. “When an unclean spirit
goes out of a man, he goes
through dry places, seeking
rest; and finding none, he says,
‘I will return to my house from
which I came.’
-
19.
- These verses explains the
illustration of the man from
whom a devil had been
exorcised. The Jewish nation
had had a long struggle with
idolatry, but subsequent to
the
deportation of which Daniel
had been part, there had
been no national idolatry. The
nation, then, had cleansed
its house by exorcising the
demon of idolatry. That was
all to the good, but they had
not replaced their previous
love for idolatry with a love for God, but had merely
instituted a formal religion
(furnished their house, but
not arranged for God to live
in it). The folly of Israel
was that she had thought of
Beelzebub as having only one
manifestation,
idolatry, whereas he is, in
fact, represented by any sin.
By refusing the Kingdom of
God, they left their house
vacant and the devil would
return with manifold sins to
fill the house (adapted from
Edersheim, II:201).
-
20.
- We must not allow any
footstool to Satan.
25. And when he comes, he
finds it swept and put in order.
-
21.
- If the salvation the Lord
has give to is not taken
seriously, then more damage
will happen.
26. Then he goes and takes
with him seven other spirits
more wicked than himself, and
they enter and dwell there; and
the last state of that man is
worse than the first.”
-
22.
- There are sins worse than
idolatry or even the ones one
committed before knowing
the Lord.
27. And it happened, as He
spoke these things, that a
certain woman from the crowd
raised her voice and said to
Him, “Blessed is the womb
that bore You, and the breasts
which nursed You!”
-
23.
- The few
Judeans who identified with
Jesus, was excited with the
response Jesus gave. These
few understood who Jesus is.
28. But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who
hear the word of God and keep
it!”
-
24.
- Mary is uniquely blessed. But
we can be more blessed than
her if we obey the word of
god.
.
Application
-
1.
- Sign: Do not ask for proof
that God is working in your
life. Rather, discern how he is
working in and around your
life.
-
2.
- Logic: When attacked, do
not respond emotionally, but
logically
with the wisdom/discernment
the Lord gives.
-
3.
- Serve: If you are redeemed,
do not be idle, do not be
complacent serve the Lord, fill
the life with activities and
devotion to the Lord, else, our
life will be miserable.
-
4.
- Blessing: Greater blessing is
not in the natural privileges,
but in obeying the word of
God.
16 §159. Jesus Cautions His
Hearers (Luke 11:29–36)
Introduction
-
1.
- One cannot be neutral as
far as the claims of Jesus is
considered (He who is not
with Me is against Me, and he
who does not gather with Me
scatters. Luke 11:23)
-
2.
- Unclean spirit that leaves a
person is compared to be
a house kept clean. If it is
kept empty may result into a
worse state. When we do not
respond to God, opportunity
becomes tragedy, and the
chance for permanent reversal
is lost.
-
3.
- Lord corrected the woman
that the blessed are those
who hear the word of God
and obey it and not in
any heritage. We love a
sensuous, tangible, material
Christianity far better than
one of faith.
Exposition
29. And while the crowds were
thickly gathered together, He
began to say, “This is an evil
generation. It seeks a sign, and
no sign will be given to it
except the sign of Jonah the
prophet.
-
25.
- The neutral people ask for
more sign and the Lord calls
them as evil generation since
in
spite of several supernatural
demonstration of the power of
the Lord, they still want a
sign from heaven.
-
26.
- The Lord asserts that the age
of sign is passing away except
the sign of Jonah refers to the
death and resurrection of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
-
27.
- What more great sign that
the Lord can give to anyone
who is seeking the faith? It
is foolish to seek for sign for
believing in Jesus. The Lord
is also pointing to the church
age has only one sign - the
sign of the cross.
30. For as Jonah became a signto the Ninevehites, so also the
Son of Man will be to this
generation.
-
28.
- The immediate context of
this sign is the preaching of
Jonah where both Jonah and
Jesus preached the message of
repentance.
31 . The queen of the South will
rise up in the judgment with
the men of this generation and
condemn them, for she came
from the ends of the earth to
hear the wisdom of Solomon; and
indeed a greater than Solomon
is here.
-
29.
- Similarly the admonition of
the queen of Sheba matches
the warning the Lord is
giving to the multitudes. Her
response was: Blessed be the
Lord your God, who delighted
in you, setting you on the
throne of Israel! Because
the Lord has loved Israel
forever, therefore He made
you king, to do justice and
righteousness.” (1 Ki 10:9).
-
30.
- Lord contrast the response to
his ministry to the response
to Solomon’s fame Jonah’s
preaching in spite of Jesus
being the Lord of even Jonah.
-
31.
- The contrast is even more
significant when we consider
the reluctance of Jonah and
imperfections with Solomon.
32 . The men of Nineveh will
rise up in the judgment with
this generation and condemn
it, for they repented at the
preaching of Jonah; and indeed
a greater than Jonah is here.
-
32.
- Again, Lord contrast the
response to his preaching
to the response to Jonah’s
preaching in spite of Jesus
being the Lord of even Jonah.
-
33.
- Also the evidence the people
of Nineveh and the queen
of Sheba had virtually no
sign and in spite of that
they turned to the messenger
of the the Lord, Jonah and
Solomon.
-
34.
- Jesus commended the pagan
Queen of
Sheba and the Gentile people
of Nineveh for listening to
God’s messengers—Solomon
and Jonah—while at the same
time exhorting his
Jewish listeners to follow their
example and listen to him.
-
35.
- Judgement day is a reality
that
should always be remembered
and should guard against all
pitfall of life.
-
36.
- Another proof
that old testament stories are
not mythologies, but are facts
attested by Jesus as authentic
historical events.
33 . “No one, when he has lit a
lamp, puts it in a secret place
or under a basket, but on a
lamp stand, that those who
come in may see the light.
-
37.
- Lord uses the analogy of a
lamp which gives light only
when it is kept on the stand.
Jesus earlier said that “No
one, when he has lit a lamp,
covers it with a vessel or puts
it under a bed, but sets it on
a lamp stand, that those who
enter may see the light (Luke
8:16).
-
38.
- The Lord has give light to the
world in the sense of revealing
the will of the Father to
the world and it must be
received publicly and not to
be ignored.
-
39.
- Remember the pun here:
what is more important is not
the sign they were seeking, but an eye that is able to see
the sign if it were provided!
34 . The lamp of the body is
the eye. Therefore, when your
eye is good, your whole body
also is full of light. But when
your eye is bad, your body also
is full of darkness.
-
40.
- Lord continues the analogy
by comparing the lamp with
eye. A healthy eye is a clear
or pure eye that takes in
the light and benefits from
this illumination. Spiritually
this refers to the perspective
with which we see things and
in this context the claims of
Jesus.
-
41.
- Eye need to be good implies
that we should
have a spiritual inclination to
understand what the Lord is
doing in and around our lives
and not to miss his visitation.
Such a person will be under
the guidance of the holy spirit
constantly like Abraham and
Moses and David and Paul
and Luther and Calvin, who
all had their weaknesses and
infirmities, but had a desire
the please God in their life.
35 . Therefore take heed that
the light which is in you is not
darkness.
-
42.
- The Lord is warning here that
the spiritual insights of our
life is should solidly based on
the words of Jesus.
36 . If then your whole body is
full of light, having no part
dark, the whole body will be
full of light, as when the bright
shining of a lamp gives you
light.”
-
43.
- Receptivity in contrast to
neutrality is the fact the
Lord is conveying from these
statements. In sum, we must take in the teaching Jesus
offers, for it is our source of
spiritual light and spiritual
health.
Application
-
1.
- Do not seek signs: The just
shall live by faith, no better
sign than the resurrection of
Jesus.
-
2.
- Judgement: It is a reality
and good to visualize this. Do
not forget this.
-
3.
- Receptivity: Right spiritual
perspective - controlled by the
Holy Spirit and confirming to
the Scripture.
17 §160. Jesus Condemns the
Pharisees (Luke 11:37–54)
Introduction
-
1.
- .
-
2.
- .
-
3.
- .
-
4.
- .
Exposition
37. And as He spoke, a certain
Pharisee asked Him to dine
with him. So He went in and
sat down to eat.
-
44.
- .
-
45.
- .
-
46.
- .
-
47.
- .
38. When the Pharisee saw it,
he marveled that He had not
first washed before dinner.
-
48.
- .
-
49.
- .
-
50.
- .
-
51.
- .
39. 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.
-
52.
- .
-
53.
- .
-
54.
- .
-
55.
- .
40. Foolish ones! Did not He
who made the outside make the
inside also?
-
56.
- .
-
57.
- .
-
58.
- .
-
59.
- .
41. But rather give alms of
such things as you have; then
indeed all things are clean to
you.
-
60.
- .
-
61.
- .
-
62.
- .
-
63.
- .
42. “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.
-
64.
- .
-
65.
- .
-
66.
- .
-
67.
- .
43. Woe to you Pharisees! For
you love the best seats in the
synagogues and greetings in the
marketplaces.
-
68.
- .
-
69.
- .
-
70.
- .
-
71.
- .
44. 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.”
-
72.
- .
-
73.
- .
-
74.
- .
-
75.
- .
45. Then one of the lawyers
answered and said to Him,
“Teacher, by saying these things
You reproach us also.”
-
76.
- .
-
77.
- .
-
78.
- .
-
79.
- .
46. 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.
-
80.
- .
-
81.
- .
-
82.
- .
-
83.
- .
47. Woe to you! For you build
the tombs of the prophets, and
your fathers killed them.
-
84.
- .
-
85.
- .
-
86.
- .
-
87.
- .
48. In fact, you bear witness
that you approve the deeds of
your fathers; for they indeed
killed them, and you build their
tombs.
-
88.
- .
-
89.
- .
-
90.
- .
-
91.
- .
49. Therefore the wisdom of
God also said, ‘I will send them
prophets and apostles, and
some of them they will kill and
persecute,’
-
92.
- .
-
93.
- .
-
94.
- .
-
95.
- .
50. that the blood of all the
prophets which was shed from
the foundation of the world may
be required of this generation,
-
96.
- .
-
97.
- .
-
98.
- .
-
99.
- .
51. 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.
-
100.
- .
-
101.
- .
-
102.
- .
-
103.
- .
52. “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.”
-
104.
- .
-
105.
- .
-
106.
- .
-
107.
- .
53. 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,
-
108.
- .
-
109.
- .
-
110.
- .
-
111.
- .
54. lying in wait for Him
and seeking to catch Him in
something He might say, that
they might accuse Him.
Application
-
1.
- : .
-
2.
- : .
-
3.
- : .
18 §161. Jesus Warns Against
Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1–12)
Introduction
-
1.
- Disciples must not put their
trust in material things and
the people of this world.
-
2.
- The essence of discipleship is
fearing God and putting him
first.
Exposition
1. 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.
-
1.
- Innumerable multitude
implies several
thousands gathered around
Jesus. Jesus popularity is
high. That does not mean the
Lord is impressed with them
for they were not taking a
stand for the Lord.
-
2.
- Hence, the following words
of Jesus are addressed to
his disciples. However, the
multitudes are hearing the
words of Jesus.
-
3.
- The reason why multitudes
are not
taking a stand to follow Jesus
is because of the leaven of
the Pharisees. This refers to
the wrong teaching of them,
and in this context denying
the authenticity of Jesus and
the promised messiah.
John 7:11–13. Then the Jews
sought Him at the feast, and
said, “Where is He?” 12 And
there was much complaining
among the people concerning
Him. Some said, “He is
good”; others said, “No, on
the contrary, He deceives the
people.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear
of the Jews.
John 9:22. His parents said
these things because they
feared the Jews, for the Jews
had agreed already that if
anyone confessed that He was
Christ, he would be put out of
the synagogue.
-
4.
- The pressure on the disciples
who genuinely
wanted to follow Jesus would
also have been tremendous
and Jesus wanted his disciples
not to be afraid of them but
rather concerned about their
relation with the Father.
2. For there is nothing covered
that will not be revealed, nor
hidden that will not be known.
-
5.
- Referring primarily to the
motive so the Pharisees will
be exposed on the day of
judgment. Now they portray
themselves as the religious
elite but they will be exposed
on the day of the judgment.
-
6.
- This also refers to the lifestyle
of Pharisees: an their religion
is to impress people. This is
the leaven (corruption) of the
Pharisees.
-
7.
- This principle
of judgment can also refers to
the judgment of believers and
eternity will reveal how they
were precious before the Lord.
3. 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.
-
8.
- We divide our life as public
and private. Dark or inner
room can refer to our private
life hidden from others. Light
or rooftop refers to our public
life seen by others.
-
9.
- This distinction is only for us,
but for God, He sees all alike.
-
10.
- Block says The walls we
build up to protect our psyche
and rationalize our behavior
cannot keep out the eyes of
God.
4. “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.
-
11.
- The address My friends show
a passionate address of Jesus
to his disciples not to fall into
the trap of the pressure put
by the society around us to
confirm us into their mold.
-
12.
- A disciple should always be
reminded of the truth that the
maximum what the world can
do is kill us. They can never
touch our souls.
5. 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!
-
13.
- This is not a new revelation.
The Maccabees wrote Let us
not fear him who thinks he
kills; for a great struggle and
peril of the soul awaits in
eternal torment those who
transgress the ordinance of
God
-
14.
- But the issue is that this
truth is often ignored or
undermined. Hence, the Lord
wants to emphatically convey
this truth.
6. “Are not five sparrows sold
for two copper coins? And not
one of them is forgotten before
God.
-
15.
- At the same time the Lord
also wants to assure them of
his care for them that he is
not ignorant of their state.
-
16.
- One copper coin is 1/16 th of
a denarius and is equivalent
of minimum wage for half an
hour.
7. But the very hairs of your
head are all numbered. Do not
fear therefore; you are of more
value than many sparrows.
-
17.
- He knows the number of hairs
on one’s body which no body
count as something valuable
(compared to other parts of
the body).
-
18.
- A disciple should never forget
the value god placed on us.
This is not a inherent value
but the value comes from who
owns it.
-
19.
- Illustration: The value of a
pen is determined by who
owns it.
8. “Also I say to you, whoever
confesses Me before men, him
the Son of Man also will confess
before the angels of God.
-
20.
- .
9. But he who denies Me before
men will be denied before the
angels of God.
-
21.
- .
10. “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.
-
22.
- persistent rejection of
the Spirit’s testimony about
Jesus
11. “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.
-
23.
- The world may persecute
disciples, but Jesus will honor
those who seek him.
12. For the Holy Spirit will
teach you in that very hour
what you ought to say.”
-
24.
- Jesus promises that the Spirit
will come to their help.
-
25.
- The disciple may face a
hostile world, but loving God
means standing up for him.
Application
-
1.
- Transparency: before God.
-
2.
- Treasure: of God.
-
3.
- Testimony: of God.
19 §162. Jesus Warns Against
Materialism (Luke 12:13–21)
Introduction
-
1.
- .
Exposition
.
-
1.
- .
-
2.
- .
Application
-
1.
- : .
20 §163. Jesus Warns Against
Anxiety (Luke 12:22–34)
Introduction
-
1.
- §161. Warns Against
Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1–12)
-
2.
- §162. Warns Against
Materialism (Luke 12:13–21)
-
3.
- §163. Warns Against Anxiety
(Luke 12:22–34)
-
4.
- §164. Warns Against
Indifference (Luke 12:35–40)
-
5.
- §165. Warns Against Abuse of
Authority (Luke 12:41–48)
Exposition
22. 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.
-
1.
- Basic needs - food,
clothing, and shelter. Not to
be worried, but trust.
-
2.
- Lord know that these are
needed. Paul also share this.
1 Tim 6:7-10. For we brought
nothing into the world, and
we can take nothing out of
it. 8 But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content
with that. 9 Those who want
to get rich fall into temptation
and a trap and into many
foolish and harmful desires
that plunge people into ruin
and destruction. 10 For the
love of money is a root
of all kinds of evil. Some
people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and
pierced themselves with many
griefs.
-
3.
- Lord exhort us not to be
worried of these things.
Phil 4:6–7. Do not be anxious
about anything, but in every
situation,
by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. 7 And
the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
23. Life is more than food,
and the body is more than
clothing.
-
4.
- What is more important than
these? It is relationships.
Relation with the creator and
the rest of the people.
-
5.
- Committing our basic needs
to God is part of our relation
with Him. Give us this daily
bread means, to have a daily
dependence on Him. What
we desire is to have riches
accumulated so that we do
not need any relation with
him.
24. 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?
-
6.
- Three illustrations
from nature: ravens (24), lilies
(27), grass (28).
-
7.
- Ravens: very common
creature, not any value, least
appreciated, and considered
as unclean in OT.
-
8.
- Psalm 147:9. He provides food
for the cattle and for the
young ravens when they call.
If He care for raven, then he
will surely care for you.
25. And which of you by worrying
can add one cubit to his stature?
-
9.
- Cubit means length
or span. Increasing the height
or increasing the life span.
Either of the case, worrying
can add nothing. Instead, it
can only shorten.
26. If you then are not able
to do the least, why are you
anxious for the rest?
-
10.
- What is Worry or Anxiety?
Bock defined: Worry is wasted
energy,
an emotional investment that
yields nothing. Worry
actually reflects the tension
we have when we feel that life
is out of our control; it is the
product of feeling isolated in
the creation.
-
11.
- Spiritually speaking -
opposite of worry is trust.
27. 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.
-
12.
- Second
illustration: Lilies. How God
arrayed them with care! Even
the most wise Solomon’s dress
was not arranged like this.
28. 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?
-
13.
- Third illustration - Grass. It
is invaluable and transitory,
but God’s care is on them. It
also shows His great wisdom
and power.
29. “And do not seek what you
should eat or what you should
drink, nor have an anxious
mind.
-
14.
- What the Lord is not telling
here is not to work for them,
but not to be anxious of
them. It is very difficult for
us, especially to the modern
world.
30. For all these things the
nations of the world seek after,
and your Father knows that you
need these things.
-
15.
- Lord wants his disciple to be
distinct from the people of the
world who are ignorant of the
care of God and devoid of
relation with him.
-
16.
- We are different from them -
they are under the curse of sin
and we are redeemed from it.
Gen 3:17. To Adam he said,
“Because
you listened to your wife and
ate fruit from the tree about
which I commanded you, ‘You
must not eat from it,’ “Cursed
is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will
eat food from it all the days
of your life. 18 It will produce
thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of
the field. 19 By the sweat of
your brow you will eat your
food until you return to the
ground, since from it you were
taken; for dust you are and to
dust you will return.”
31. But seek the kingdom of
God, and all these things shall
be added to you.
-
17.
- How do I know I am not
worrying? Or, If you want to
worry, then worry about His
Kingdom.
-
18.
- Our priority is different - Lord
promises to meet our need.
-
19.
- Worry is double failure
-
20.
- Seeking KoG is double
blessing: if we are concerned
about His Kingdom, we are
blessed both here and there!
-
21.
- Why do we pray for material
needs? So that we can turn
to matters related to His
Kingdom.
32. “Do not fear, little flock, for
it is your Father’s good pleasure
to give you the kingdom.
-
22.
- Little flock - The words shows
the care of God.
33. 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.
-
23.
- A sign of our trust in the care
of God is generosity to other.
-
24.
- Selling - how unattached the
disciple should be to the
possessions of this world.
-
25.
- Two type of treasure: one that
corrodes and the other that
stays.
34. For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be
also.
-
26.
- What is your achievement?
That will tell where your
heart is.
Application
-
1.
- Trust: Deal with Anxiety
-
2.
- Seek: Concerned about His
church
-
3.
- Generous: In spending our
resources for others
21 §164. Jesus Warns Against
Indifference or Laziness (Luke
12:35–40)
Introduction
-
1.
- §161. Warns Against
Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1–12)
-
2.
- §162. Warns Against
Materialism (Luke 12:13–21)
-
3.
- §163. Warns Against Anxiety
(Luke 12:22–34)
-
4.
- §164. Warns Against
Indifference (Luke 12:35–40)
-
5.
- §165. Warns Against Abuse of
Authority (Luke 12:41–48)
-
6.
- Opposite of anxiety is
carelessness or lethargy and is
addressed.
-
7.
- Reflection in life - evaluation
of various decisions of life.
-
8.
- Prospective if life - looking
forward and taking decisions.
-
9.
- Parable of being prepared
for the time of his coming
is unknown (35–36) and the
parable of waiting for the Son
of Man and the time of his
coming is unexpected (39–40)
Exposition
35. “Let your waist be girded
and your lamps burning;
-
1.
- Waist be girded - Call for
urgent and intense action.
-
2.
- Lamps burning - Consistency
even at night.
-
3.
- Satan’s strategy - agree with
the demands of discipleship,
but do it tomorrow:
procrastination.
-
4.
- Faith - trusting God for
future.
-
5.
- What God will do in future
should affect what we will do
at present.
36. 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.
-
6.
- Parable 1: Men who wait for the master - disciples should
be ready for coming of the
Lord anytime.
-
7.
- Immediately - a constant and
active waiting.
-
8.
- Knocks: Uncertainty of the
timing of his coming, but
certainty of the encounter.
37. 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.
-
9.
- Blessedness in waiting
(serving) for the master -
great value in serving.
-
10.
- Curse in the neglecting of his
service
-
11.
- Unbelievable reward - Master
himself will serve the servants
who are faithful. Servant is
elevated to a friend! Psalm
23:5. You prepare a table
before me in the presence of
my enemies
38. And if he should come in
the second watch, or come in
the third watch, and find them
so, blessed are those servants.
-
12.
- Second or third watch: Deep
night and is least expected.
There is utter uncertainty of
the timing of his coming.
39. 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.
-
13.
- Parable 2: Analogy of thief -
thief comes at an unexpected
time.
-
14.
- Lord or his coming is not like
a thief to steal; parable focus
only on one aspect. There is
no one to one correspondence
with the thief and the Lord.
40. Therefore you also be ready,
for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour you do not expect.”
-
15.
- Be ready: Call for action.
-
16.
- You do not expect: Lord is
smarter than us. Do not try
to read and interpret signs.
Application
-
1.
- Ready: always in
serving. Time is unknown and
unexpected. It requires faith,
commitment, and priority in
life.
-
2.
- Reward: for serving
is unbelievably great - servant
to friend! It should motivate
us. Expecting reward is faith
in the promise.
22 §165. Jesus Warns Against
Abuse of Authority (Luke 12:41–48)
Introduction
-
1.
- Notes:
steward’s job was to serve,
not to exercise power
Waiting means action mean
constant service to God
reward is responsibility.
Some will do opposite of what
Jesus requested -
dismemberment - cut to
pieces -
not loosing of salvation - but
their unbelief is exposed
second - not acting according
to master’s will - many blows
third - does not know - few
blows
parallel
Exposition
41. Then Peter said to Him,
“Lord, do You speak this parable
only to us, or to all people?”
-
1.
- .
42. 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?
-
2.
- Steward: manager, one who
is responsible for the church.
43. Blessed is that servant whom
his master will find so doing
when he comes.
-
3.
- .
44. Truly, I say to you that he
will make him ruler over all
that he has.
-
4.
- Make him ruler: Reward of
the faithful servant.
45. 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,
-
5.
- Delay: Neither denying his
coming nor mystifying, but
only when it is not expected.
-
6.
- Eat and drink:
characteristic of a fool.
46. 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.
-
7.
- Portion with unbelievers:
hell and is consistent with
many scripture portions.
47. 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.
-
8.
- .
48. 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.
-
9.
- two divine passives, “has been
given [by God]” and “will be
demanded [by God]” .
Application
-
1.
- : .The blessed hope is still
alive and imminent
-
2.
- Existence of
false leader (false church) - do
not guarantee salvation even
to their leaders.
-
3.
-
23 §170. Jesus Heals a Cripple
on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10–17)
Hypocrisy of False Religion
Introduction
-
(a)
- Purpose: The kingdom of
heaven is at work in spite of
the rejection of the Jewish
people.
-
(b)
- Lord
came with peace; but conflict
is inevitable and deliberate.
-
(c)
- Lord exposes false religion:
They try to please God
through their religious works.
Essence of Jesus teaching was
to expose false religion and
show what true religion is.
-
(d)
- Lord also exposes
the hypocrisy of the Jewish
leadership which stems out of
their hatred towards Jesus.
-
(e)
- Paradox: they thought the
woman is under the bondage
of Satan; but in reality, the
ruler was in greater bondage
of Satan.
Exposition
10. Now He was teaching in
one of the synagogues on the
Sabbath.
-
(a)
- Synagogues: It is meeting
place for instrction and
worship. There is no sacrifices
which happens only at the
temple. It started after the
Babylonian captivity.
-
(b)
- Teaching: It was the custom
of Jesus
to teach in the synagogue.
Lord shows the importance
of correct teaching in our
spiritual life. This is the last
recorded visit of Jesus to a synagogue.
-
(c)
- Sabbath Lord
honored Sabbath. It is time of
rest with God and his people.
Rest means, cessation from
the daily works for meeting
our needs and spending time
with Lord and his people.
11. And behold, there was a
woman who had a spirit of
infirmity eighteen years, and
was bent over and could in no
way raise herself up.
-
(a)
- Spirit of infirmity: Possible
demonic action. Why Satan
picked her?
How he accomplished that
in her life? We don’t know
the reason. We don’t need to
speculate. It is for the glory
of God. God has the power to
make even that into a blessing
ultimately.
-
(b)
- Bent over: Typical of Luke,
it is a medical term. It
means that there is bend
in the spine of this woman
which a real deformity. What
we can infer is that there
is some connection between
the demonic activity and the
infirmity this woman had.
However, never come to the
conclusion that all infirmities
are due to demonic action or
all demonic action will have
physical manifestation.
-
(c)
- Eighteen years …no way
raise
herself up: the duration and
intensity of the sickness gave
enhanced the glory of God.
-
(d)
- Note: Jews always associate
such sickness are due to
God’s punishment of that
person’s sin. Hence, they are
considered as bad people and
do not accept them socially..
-
(e)
- Application:
In spite of infirmity and
humiliation in the society, she came to worship, she
came to honor God. She
did not come for healing,
she did not come hoping to
get something. This is holy
worship: Give to the Lord
glory and honor especially
when life not favorable to us.
12. But when Jesus saw her, He
called her to Him and said to
her, “Woman, you are loosed
from your infirmity.”
-
(a)
- Jesus saw her: mostly she
would have been sitting at
some corner, not to be seen by
Jewish elite.
-
(b)
- Jesus
called her: She became the
center of attraction and focus
point. Satan wants to hide;
but Jesus wants to expose
him and deliver us from his
schemes.
-
(c)
- Woman, you are loosed
from your infirmity: The
words of Jesus was simple
and the result was immediate,
which is characteristic of
miracles of Jesus. The word
’loosed’ confirms some kind
of demonic connection to
the sickness, but not demon
possession.
-
(d)
- Application: Jesus took the
initiative. The woman did not
requested for healing. Honor
God, just like this woman
was honoring God through
Sabbath and he will honor
you.
13. And He laid His hands on
her, and immediately she was
made straight, and glorified
God.
-
(a)
- Laid his hands: It is an
indication of acceptance of
this woman, perhaps rejected
by the Jews.
- (b)
- Immediately: This typical
of the miracles of Jesus and is
not gradual.
-
(c)
- Glorified God: Glorifying
God means acknowledge Him
as the source of all blessings.
In addition, recognize that
all blessings are bestowed in
accordance with His sovereign
purposes.
-
(d)
- Note: We know nothing about
her faith. She may or may
not have faith, and she may
or may not have become a
believer, but one thing is
certain: the Lord is sovereign
over all situations.
14. But the ruler of the synagogue
answered with indignation,
because Jesus had healed on
the Sabbath; and he said to the
crowd, “There are six days
on which men ought to work;
therefore come and be healed on
them, and not on the Sabbath
day.”
-
(a)
- Ruler of the synagogue:
He is the one who oversee the
synagogue. He is interested
in the religious establishment.
He is not concerned about the
people. False religion can be
brutal.
-
(b)
- Indignation:
Intense displeasure. This is
not a godly reaction when one
person who was suffering for
18 years was healed.
-
(c)
- Said to the crowd: He told
this to the crowd probably to
distance them from the Lord
by portraying him as a false
teacher.
-
(d)
- Not on Sabbath day: the
basis is Exo 20:10. but the
seventh day is the Sabbath of
the LORD your God. In it
you shall do no work: you, nor
your son, nor your daughter,
nor your male servant, nor
your female servant, nor your
cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
-
(e)
- Note 1: My response to the
ruler: The why didn’t you do
that for the last 18 years.
That is exactly is legalism
and false religion. It is not
able to help the person in any
way, but place great burden in
following it. Lord hates this.
-
(f)
- Note 2: By the way, is there
anywhere written in the OT
Law and the Jewish system
that one should not heal
on Sabbath. In fact, Jewish
Mishnah permit animals to be
taken for drinking water. so
where is the work and where
is the Sabbath violation?
-
(g)
- Note 3: Do miracles produce
faith? No; it strengthens
the faith which God already
produced.
15. The Lord then answered
him and said, “Hypocrite! Does
not each one of you on the
Sabbath loose his ox or donkey
from the stall, and lead it away
to water it?
-
(a)
- Hypocrite: This is plural in
Greek indicating that Jesus
was addressing it to the
Jewish leadership. They are
hypocrites because they have
double standard. They relax
Sabbath rule for less creature
and made it stricter for higher
creature. Jesus exposed their
foolishness.
-
(b)
- Application: Do we have
hypocrisy? Examine yourself.
One example comes to my
mind. Sunday morning little
headache. A ’valid’ reason to
miss church. Monday morning
sever
headache. Take a medicine
and go to office/college. Is this
not hypocrisy? Coming for
Bible bible study: just walk
empty handed. Going for an
entrance coaching: carry text
book, note book, pen, pencil etc. When we are diligent in
secular matter affecting our
life and negligent in spiritual
matter affecting the Lord and
his people, we are hypocrites.
Examine your life, confess
and get it right; if not you will
be ashamed.
16. So ought not this woman,
being a daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound —think
of it— for eighteen years, be
loosed from this bond on the
Sabbath?”
-
(a)
- Daughter
of Abraham: Human have
higher value than animals. All
the more she is a daughter
of Abraham, that is from the
chosen generation.
-
(b)
- Think of it: Lord asking his
audience to think, analyses,
use the brain and come
to proper confusion. The
tragedy of God’s people today
is that they don’t think! They
are like any other religious
people or nominal christian.
-
(c)
- Loosed from this bond
on the Sabbath: It is
appropriate that God should
demonstrate his victory over
Satan on the Sabbath day?
This would be a double blow
to Satan and God’s people
should actually rejoice in this
miracle.
-
(d)
- Note 1: Why Satan picked
her? How he
accomplished that in her life?
We don’t know and don’t try
to speculate. But one thing
is clear: Lord used it for His
glory and a great opportunity
to expose false religion.
17. And when He said these
things, all His adversaries
were put to shame; and all the
multitude rejoiced for all the
glorious things that were done
by Him.
-
(a)
- Ashamed: their hypocrisy
was exposed. The true color
is revealed. This will be
end result when we show
hypocrisy in our life.
-
(b)
- Multitudes rejoiced: They
were surprised and happy
to see a miracle. This doe
not mean that they became
believers.
Application
-
(a)
- Jesus’ perspective on true
religion: This healing is
symbolic of the salvation that
Jesus gives. The religious
system can do nothing, except
to condemn and make your
life miserable. Gospel can
save. Lord offers free gift of
salvation. Therefore, receive
the free gift of salvation and
experience the true religion.
-
(b)
- Woman’s commitment:
We
don’t know anything about
her faith. We don’t know her
name. We don’t know from
where she come. It doesn’t
matter. But one thing that
matters is that she honored
God even in the midst of
all her difficult circumstances.
And, she received
blessing and honor from the
Lord. Likewise, imitate the
commitment of this woman in
your practical christian life.
-
(c)
- Hypocrisy of the ruler: It
exposes his utter inability to
heal her and his incompetence
show his concern. If he would
have prayed fervently for her
or take
any practical step to help her,
he would have rejoiced in this
miracle. His indignation is a
manifestation of his spiritual
bankruptcy. Hence, get rid of
your spiritual hypocrisy and
escape getting ashamed by
the Lord.
24 §171. Kingdom Parables:
Growth and Transformation (Luke
13:18–21)
Luke 13:18–21. Then He said, “What
is the kingdom of God like? And to
what shall I compare it? 19 It is
like a mustard seed, which a man
took and put in his garden; and
it grew and became a large tree,
and the birds of the air nested in
its branches.” 20 And again He
said, “To what shall I liken the
kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven,
which a woman took and hid in
three measures of meal till it was all
leavened.”
Introduction
-
(a)
- Context: Crippled woman
was healed; the Jewish
leadership rejected Jesus; but
the multitudes rejoiced. Lord,
wants to assure them that
the kingdom will come, albeit
its characteristics contrary to
their expectations.
-
(b)
- Purpose:
His kingdom, though looks
very small and faces severe
challenges, will grow into a
universal movement.
Exposition
18. Then He said, “What
is the kingdom of God like?
And to what shall I compare
it?
-
(a)
- Kingdom of God: God is
establishing his kingdom. It
has a physical dimension like
that of any
other kingdom. The shadow
of that we see when David
and Solomon ruled Israel. The
full physical manifestation of
is going to come only in the millennium. It also has a
spiritual dimension. Kingdom
of God a group of people who
accept Jesus as God and king
of their life. Jews were looking
for the physical fulfillment
of God’s kingdom. But they
refused to believe that Jesus is
the king of the kingdom they
were longing for.
-
(b)
- To what shall I compare
it? The question implies the
difficulty in explaining the
spiritual reality through any
physical means. Hence, the
Lord spoke several parables;
each teaching some aspects of
the spiritual nature of this
kingdom.
Nevertheless, we should not
forget the promise Jesus gave
concerning this matter. John
14:26. But the Helper, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in My name, He
will teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance
all things that I said to you.
Lord is able to teach even an
uneducated with the truths of
his kingdom.
19. It is like a mustard seed,
which a man took and put in
his garden; and it grew and
became a large tree, and the
birds of the air nested in its
branches.”
-
(a)
- Note: Some give a negative
interpretation that the birds
of the air refers to the false
teaches coming to the church.
The context of this parable,
here as well as in Mathew 13,
gives a strong positive flavor
to this parable.
-
(b)
- Mustard seed: Smallest of
all the garden plants of those
days. It shows the smallness
of the seed contrasting the
largeness of the tree later.
-
(c)
- Man: Typically work in the
field and responsible for
outdoor activity.
-
(d)
- Grew: There is life in the
seed. It has the potential to
grow. This is characteristics
of the kingdom of God on the
earth.
-
(e)
- Large tree: Some species of
the mustard plant grow up to
about 10 meters. Though this
may not be as big as cedar
or pine or other trees in the
forest, comparison should be
made to the smallness of the
seed.
-
(f)
- birds of the
air nested in its branches:
Two old testament portions
are helpful in understanding
this. Dan 4:12. Its leaves were
lovely, Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for
all. The beasts of the field
found shade under it, The
birds of the heavens dwelt
in its branches, And all flesh
was fed from it. This refers
to gentiles taking refuge in
the Babylonian kingdom of
Nebuchadnezzar. Ezek 17:23.
On the mountain height of
Israel I will plant it; and
it will bring forth boughs,
and bear fruit, and be a
majestic cedar. Under it will
dwell birds of every sort; in
the shadow of its branches
they will dwell. 24 And all
the trees of the field shall
know that I, the LORD, have
brought down the high tree
and exalted the low tree,
dried up the green tree and
made the dry tree flourish;
I, the LORD, have spoken
and have done it”. All these
indicate that the kingdom the
Lord is establishing will be a
universal one and gentiles will
be a part of it.
20. And again He said, “To
what shall I liken the kingdom
of God?
-
(a)
- Again: Above parable is not
sufficient to
portray the characteristics of his kingdom and hence Jesus
spoke another parable.
21. It is like leaven, which a
woman took and hid in three
measures of meal till it was all
leavened.”
-
(a)
- Note: Just like the previous
parable, some give a wrong
interpretation that the leaven
refers to the false teaching
that will permeate the church.
The context of this parable
here as well as in Mathew 13
shows that this parable also
has positive message.
-
(b)
- Leven: Though leaven
us used negatively in some
places, here is it positive.
Such a usage is not unusual.
For example, the word lion is
used for both Satan as well as
Jesus (1 Pe 5:8. devil walks
about like a roaring lion; Rev
5:5. But one of the elders said
to me, “Do not weep. Behold,
the Lion of the tribe of Judah
…).
-
(c)
- Woman: Typically
work inside home. As side
point: the Lord observes and
approves what a woman does
inside home; though not seen
by others. If fact he likened
her work to that of his
kingdom.
-
(d)
- hid: The work of the gospel
is hidden; not very obvious to
the external world.
-
(e)
- three measures is a
very large quantity compared
to the virtually insignificant
quantity of yeast.
-
(f)
- All leavened:
Though the work of the yeast
is hidden and slow, its effect
is significant and evident.
Similarly, the transforming
work of the gospel is slow and
hidden, but it has the power
to transform a large quantity.
Application
-
(a)
- Seed and Leven: They
show the contrast between
the Israel and the Church.
Old testament principles and
promises concerning Israel as
a theocratic nation should
not be applied to the New
testament Church which is
the body of Christ. E.g.
Priest, Political power, etc.
-
(b)
- Mustard Seed:
The extensive growth of the
church.
Humble beginning but proud
culmination. Church has the
potential to grow and to be
blessing the people. Is my
church growing? If not, what
can I do for it?
-
(c)
- Leven: The intensive
transformation, though
hidden, it will be evident and
significant. Church has the
power to transform the lives
of the people and even to
that of nations. Is the gospel
transforming my and people
around me?
-
(d)
- Man and Woman: both
has a role, though different.
Lord, approves our secular
work. In fact, that gives
some insights to the working
of his kingdom. How can I
glorify the Lord through my
profession?
25 §172. Jesus Claims to Be
God (John 10:22–39)
Introduction
-
1.
- .
Exposition
22. Now it was the Feast of
Dedication in Jerusalem, and it
was winter.
-
(a)
- Now: Jesus completes his
Judean ministry and starts
his Parean ministry.
-
(b)
- Feast of Dedicaton:
Macacbean victory.
-
(c)
- Winter::
23. And Jesus walked in the
temple, in Solomon’s porch.
-
(a)
- .
24. Then the Jews surrounded
Him and said to Him, “How
long do You keep us in doubt?
If You are the Christ, tell us
plainly.”
-
(a)
- .
25. Jesus answered them, “I told
you, and you do not believe. The
works that I do in My Father’s
name, they bear witness of
Me.
-
(a)
- .
26. But you do not believe,
because you are not of My
sheep, as I said to you.
-
(a)
- .
27. My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them, and they
follow Me.
-
(a)
- .
28. And I give them eternal life,
and they shall never perish;
neither shall anyone snatch
them out of My hand.
-
(a)
- .
29. My Father, who has given
them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch
them out of My Father’s hand.
-
(a)
- .
30. I and My Father are one.”
-
(a)
- .
31. Then the Jews took up
stones again to stone Him.
-
(a)
- .
32. Jesus answered them, “Many
good works I have shown you
from My Father. For which
of those works do you stone
Me?”
-
(a)
- .
33. The Jews answered Him,
saying, “For a good work we
do not stone You, but for
blasphemy, and because You,
being a Man, make Yourself
God.”
-
(a)
- .
34. Jesus answered them, “Is it
not written in your law, ‘I said,
“You are gods” ’?
-
(a)
- .
35. If He called them gods, to
whom the word of God came
(and the Scripture cannot be
broken),
-
(a)
- .
36. do you say of Him whom
the Father sanctified and
sent into the world, ‘You are
blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I
am the Son of God’?
-
(a)
- .
37. If I do not do the works
of My Father, do not believe
Me;
-
(a)
- .
38. but if I do, though you do
not believe Me, believe the
works, that you may know and
believe that the Father is in
Me, and I in Him.”
-
(a)
- .
39. Therefore they sought again
to seize Him, but He escaped
out of their hand.
-
(a)
- .
Application
-
1.
- : .
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