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Pretending to be honest!
Scripture reading for April 20th: Luke 20:1-26
“The teachers of the Law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest Him immediately, because they knew He had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. Keeping a close watch on Him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something He said so that they might hand Him over to the power and authority of the governor.” (Luke 20:19-20)
Jesus had just told a parable of a man owning a vineyard and renting it out to tenants and going away for a long time. As this owner sent servants to collect some of the fruit as rent, they mistreated these servants. The owner finally sent his son, thinking that they would respect him. These tenants got together and plotted how to kill the son and get the inheritance. When the people heard this story, they shouted, “May this never be!” (Luke 20:18b) This was the story that the Pharisees knew directly related to them. Jesus had exposed their plan to those who would listen.
These Pharisees went right on with their plot to catch and kill Jesus, the Son of God who owned the vineyard of Israel! The found some spies who would pretend to be honest! This really caught my attention. If I was going to do an acting job, how would I ‘act honest’? Would I “pretend” to be Jesus’ disciple? Would I ‘pretend’ to tell the truth, but really be lying as to my real motive? Could I act ‘sincere’ but really have murder in my heart?
That is what these fakes did! They asked Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus had great discerning of spirits and saw through their trap. He turned the tables on them, as usual, asking them whose inscription was on the coin. When they answered “Caesar’s”, He told them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Luke 20:25) The coin belonged to Caesar, but they had God’s image on their soul and should give themselves to God!
When it comes to Jesus, do you listen with the intent to obey? Or are you just pretending to be honest? Jesus knows the truth and will answer you accordingly! Why not drop all pretense and make Him Lord!
Recognizing the day of your visitation!
Scripture reading for April 19th: Luke 19:28-48
Jesus had a plan and gave a word of knowledge. He told His disciples to go into the village of Bethany and as they entered they would find a colt that had never been ridden. They were to untie it and bring it to Him. He told them that if anyone asked what they were doing, they were to answer, “The Lord needs it.” (Luke 19:29-32) The disciples found the colt exactly as Jesus had said.
Jesus got on the colt and people spread their cloaks in the road as He approached. As He came to the place where the road goes down to the Mt. of Olives, the whole crowd began to rejoice and praise God in loud voices. They were remembering all the miracles that they had seen from Jesus. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:37-38) It seems that the crowd following Jesus and welcoming His approach to Jerusalem was anticipating the promised King who would come in the name of the Lord.
All were not joyful, however! The Pharisees in the crowd tried to get Jesus to silence those who were worshiping Him and welcoming Him as Messiah! “I tell you”, He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40) Jesus knew what was imminent and in the distant future. Some of these same people would soon be calling for His crucifixion and that was to take place in a very few days. But one day, He would return as King of Kings and set up His kingdom. Those who did not want Him ruling over them would be killed in front of Him. (Luke 19:27)
Jesus wept as He entered the city of Jerusalem on the donkey. How He longed to bring true peace to the people, but they were blinded by their religion. Jesus spoke another word of knowledge. “The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone against another, because you did not recognize the day of your visitation.” (Luke 19:41-44) Have you responded to the Gospel message? Today is the only day you may have!
The high price of laziness!
Scripture reading for April 18th: Luke 19:1-27
Some people are procrastinators. They put off doing what they know needs done for many reasons. Some are afraid of failure so they just don’t do anything. Some are afraid of making a mistake so they play it safe. Others are just plain lazy, they don’t want the work it takes to become successful. Jesus told a parable about a king who went away and left some of his managers in charge of his affairs. This parable was to counter the idea that the kingdom of God was going to come immediately. It also addressed this need for diligence and the rewards or loss that can come when we do not apply ourselves to God’s business.
“A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten mina’s. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.'” (Luke 19:12-13) Jesus told this story of the ten servants with the ten mina’s. A mina was about three month’s wages in that day. In His story, the master was appointed king and returned to demand an accounting. One servant had earned ten more mina’s. He was commended, “Well done, my good servant,” and was given charge of ten cities. The next servant had earned five mina’s with his one. He was commended and given rulership of five cities. A third servant came and gave the master back his one mina. This man had an excuse–he was afraid of the master, now king! His fear caused him to hide what he had received.
The king in this story judged the man by taking away the one mina and giving it to the man who had earned ten. The king called this man a “wicked servant” because of his failure to put his money to work! “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them here and kill them in front of me.” (Luke 19:26-27) This man’s laziness and fear cost him everything! What a lesson for those who are under Christ’s authority and mandate to do His business until He suddenly comes again!
God pays well!
Scripture reading for April 17th: Luke 18:18-43
It takes faith to give away your resources to help the poor and needy. Jesus was asked by a certain ruler what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him that keeping the commandments was a good place to start. (Luke 18:19-20) This man felt that he had been keeping them since he was a boy. “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” When he heard this, he became very sad because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:22-24)
This rich ruler knew that Jesus was a great teacher and he must have respected Him enough to ask about his eternal soul. Possibly he had been listening to some of Jesus’ prior teaching about the rich man and Lazarus and was pondering his chances of ending up in heaven or hell. (Luke 16:19-31) At any rate, Jesus answered his question by pointing him to the ten commandments. This man felt that he had kept them all since boyhood! Jesus, knowing the true state of his soul, pointed out one more thing that he lacked. This one thing, selling all his many goods and giving them to the poor proved to be too much.
This man had placed money ahead of following Jesus. He had an idol in his life that he was unaware of until Jesus showed him what he lacked. He foolishly held onto that which he could not keep and lost the precious gift of eternal life! Truth is not easy to receive when we have to let go of something dear to us. We will be tested for our willing obedience and faith when we seek eternal life and a relationship with the Lord.
The disciples who followed Jesus were promised great returns for leaving their businesses and wealth behind. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30) God pays well!
Have mercy on me, a sinner!
Scripture reading for April 16th: Luke 18:1-17
It’s easy to be self-righteous! We are prone to think very highly of ourselves and focus on the other people who are ‘worse’ sinners than we are. Church people are very often the best at this, because they think that going to church or doing something for the poor brings them into special merit with God. But God is not as impressed with our attempts to look good as we are. Jesus told a story to help His disciples better understand their need for humility.
“To some who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told them this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'” (Luke 18:9-13)
The Pharisee went home as he came–proud and full of himself! He was oblivious to his real need of deliverance from pride. He was eager to see the faults of others, but missed the ‘log’ of self-righteousness in his own eye! He was confident in himself and his own ability to do what God required by keeping the law and earning his standing with God and failed to ask God for mercy for this fatal sin. To the rest of the world, it probably looked like this Pharisee had it right, but Jesus saw it otherwise!
Any Jewish person who worked as a tax collector was considered a ‘sinner’ by the society of Jesus’ day. But this man was humble and recognized his need of forgiveness. He confessed that he was a sinner and took ownership of his own mistakes. He did not blame God or claim to be a victim of someone else’s sin. He humbly asked God for the mercy he knew he needed. This attitude caught Jesus’ attention and Jesus said that this man went home justified! “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14b)
The Day of the Son of Man!
Scripture reading for April 15th: Luke 17:11-37
“Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ”There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) The Jews were always speculating about the kingdom of God and Jesus heightened their expectations by His teachings on the kingdom and the miracles. Some thought Jesus was a prophet, and others said he was a great teacher. The Pharisees discounted Him because they thought they knew where He came from. Jesus answered this question about when the kingdom of God would come by explaining that it would not be spectacular or something that would be easily noted, but would come within the heart of individuals.
Jesus then spoke to His disciples about this subject. He told them that a day would come soon that they would long to have another day with Him here on earth, but could not. Many would try and entice them by saying that the Son of Man was over in some place, but they were not to believe them. The actual return of the Son of Man would be like lightning flashing and lighting up the sky from one end to another! (Luke 17:22-25) Before this spectacular return, the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Jesus was warning them about His coming crucifixion and the interval before His sudden return.
Jesus used the days of Noah and the days of Lot to describe the conditions on earth before His sudden return. People would be about their daily activities on earth as usual. The would be eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building and marrying and living right up until the time of this lightning flash! Life would be characterized by the wickedness that caused God to destroy the earth by flood in Noah’s day. It would contain wickedness like Sodom that caused God to destroy it and it’s inhabitants by fire and brimstone. (Luke 17:26-29) Both Noah’s generation and Sodom were suddenly destroyed after being warned by God. Are you ready for this spectacular day? Be sure you have God’s kingdom within you now by faith in Jesus Christ! The lightning could flash suddenly and the Day of Jesus will arrive!
Watch yourselves!
Scripture reading for April 14th: Luke 16:19-17:10
“Jesus said to His disciples; “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.'” (Luke 17:1-2) The world we live in is fallen and there are many opportunities to sin and break God’s eternal law. People are ‘sinners’ by nature, born with a propensity to sin until that is remedied by a new birth. (Psalm 51:5)
Jesus warned His followers about the future judgment for those causing sin in ‘little ones.’ In other accounts, the ‘little ones’ were small children. Some feel that this also applied to new believers who were young in the ways of Christ. Jesus talked about a millstone being tied around the neck of any person who would cause sin in these little ones. A millstone was a large round stone used to grind grain and it usually weighed several hundred pounds. You can imagine the difficulties swimming a person would have with one of these tied to their neck! This word picture helps us understand the desperate state of a person causing a little one to sin!
Jesus told His followers to “Watch yourselves!” First this means to be personally watchful and examine our own lives for causes of sin. Jesus pointed out lack of forgiveness in the next part of this teaching as a big problem causing others to sin. (Luke 17:3-4) We must let go of offenses. Failure to forgive is cited by Jesus several times as a hindrance for prayer and here as a cause of stumbling for ‘little ones’. (Matthew 6:14, Mark 11:25, Luke 11:4)
Second, we must be watchful for others and especially the ‘little ones.’ Jesus tells us that we must watch out for others as well as ourselves. Love your neighbor as yourself is the second part of the great commandment that now fulfills all the commandments. Children and ‘little ones’ are so precious to the Lord and must be loved, nurtured and protected from causes of sin. Examine your own life and the ‘little ones’ around you. Are you leading them towards Jesus by your life and testimony? Today is a great day to repent! God will forgive!
Being faithful with the little!
Scripture reading for April 13th: Luke 16:1-18
It has been said that money makes a good servant but is a difficult master! Our handling of money and property is called stewardship. The Bible teaches us that we really own nothing here, but are merely stewards who manage these things for our Master, God. God owns everything! When we get ownership and stewardship mixed up, real trouble results.
Jesus told an interesting story that highlights these truths. “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'”(Luke 16:1-2) The manager, about to lose his job, called in those who owed his master money and made a deal with them to settle the accounts for less than was owed. He reasoned that these debtors would then welcome him into their houses after he lost his job! This was a shrewd move, but not profitable for the master who was owed these debts!
“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind that are the people of the light. I tell you, use your worldly wealth to win friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:8-9) Jesus went on to apply this parable to his followers. Worldly wealth is viewed as ‘very little’ by God’s standards. We are called to be faithful to use the ‘very little’ God has entrusted to us: our money and possessions. We are to use them to further God’s kingdom and we will give an account to our Master, God.
When we let ‘money’ become our master, we are an unfaithful steward, no longer serving God. No man can serve two masters faithfully. (Luke 16:13) Either we fully serve God, or we serve ‘money’ when we make it our master. God will reward us with ‘true riches’ when we serve Him faithfully, an eternal inheritance that will never fade away. We will leave all our money and property here when we die or go to meet the Lord. Wise management for our Father while on earth translates into ‘true riches’ for eternity! Are you being faithful?
Heaven rejoices!
Scripture reading for April 12th: Luke 15:1-32
Heaven is a wonderful place where there is no death, crying, pain or suffering. There is joy unspeakable and the glorious presence of God filling the atmosphere. There is no need of light from sun or moon, because God’s glorious presence actually lights up the place! (Revelation 21:1-7) (Revelation 22:4-5) What could cause a place like heaven to break forth with exceeding rejoicing? What event here on earth actually provokes a joyous response in heaven? Today’s reading gives us revelation about these amazing outbursts of joy!
Jesus told three parables to counter the accusation of the Pharisees and Law teachers: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The first parable was the lost sheep of the shepherd with ninety-nine safely in the fold. This shepherd left the flock in search of the lost one and found it. He was full of joy and placed the scared sheep on his shoulders and went home. When there, he called a party and had a celebration with his neighbors and friends! This parable was a picture of what happens in heaven when one sinner is found! “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine that do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)
A second parable involved a coin lost in a woman’s house from ten coins she had saved. She searched diligently until she found the lost coin. She called all her friends and neighbors and had a party! “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) As a coin of that day bore the image of the King, so each person bears the image of God. God rejoices when they are safely home!
The final story was of the lost son. This prodigal had left his father and taken his inheritance and then wasted it. He found himself in a pigpen and then decided to repent and go home to his father. Father ran to greet him, kissed him, and restored him. He killed the fattened calf and threw a party. The lost son had come home! This is what causes heaven to rejoice! Isn’t it time to come home to Father’s house? What a party awaits and heaven loves to rejoice when the lost return!
Excuses!
Scripture reading for April 11th: Luke 14:7-35
Jesus was eating at the house of a prominent Pharisee and they were watching Him very carefully. Jesus was also watching them! He noticed how they all tried to pick places of honor at the table. He used this setting to teach them humility and warned them not to try and take the place of honor, but to take the lowest place. Then the host could place them where he wanted. This would be less humiliating than the host removing them from their seat of honor. Jesus put it simply: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)
Jesus also told the host, this prominent Pharisee, that when he had a banquet he should invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame. This would bring blessing to his house, because God would repay him at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-15) This evoked a response from one at the table,”Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus answered this man with another story about a certain man who was preparing a great banquet and had invited many guests. When the appointed time for this banquet came, the servant was sent out to remind the invited guests of the feast. All the invited guests had excuses! One bought a field and must go see it. Another just purchased some new oxen to work his field and must try them out. Still another had recently married and must be with his wife. This angered the host of this banquet, and he ordered his servant to go out into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame. He wanted his house to be full, but none of the invited guests who made excuses would have a place at his table! (Luke 14:21-24)
As we ponder this teaching of Jesus, we sense that the “certain man” is God! He invited the Jews to His banquet first, but many made excuses! These would be shut out, and God’s servants would be sent to the Gentiles! God’s house would be filled! The humble pay attention and respond to God’s invitation while the proud are left out. Remember, the lowest seat at His table is far better than being left out! Don’t make excuses!