The Sign that is for Every Generation

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at 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 behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here” (Lk 11:29–32).

Once again the teaching and miracles of Jesus increased the size of the crowd. Once again Jesus confronted the crowd. His plan was clear and consistent. He wanted followers to take a step away from the cloud and closer to Him to become true disciples. In today’s text we see Jesus expose the hearts of those in the crowd that were looking for some sign that confirmed His claim that He is the Christ. They were looking for something big, dramatic and physical, something they could see or hear. But Jesus told them that as the people of Nineveh received the sign of Jonah, they would see the only sign of the Son of Man, which is revealed in the person and the gospel message of Jesus Christ Himself. Here the Spirit of Truth uses the words of Jesus to confront our hearts too. How often do we demand a sign from the Lord to encourage us when the going gets tough or to reassure us that Jesus is who He claims to be? It’s in moments like these that we are like those in the crowd who in looking so hard for something so big, miss the something so obvious that God gave us in Christ, the sign that is for every generation.

The sign of Jesus and His gospel reflects the passion of Christ. Just as Jonah was buried in the belly of a great fish, Jesus would be buried in the grave for three days… “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). Jonah suffered because of his disobedience when he tried to run away from the call to preach to the Ninevites. Jesus willingly suffered crucifixion and burial to atone for the sins of mankind… “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Christ’s death at Calvary is a sign of His passion for every generation.

The sign of Jesus and His gospel raises the perception of sin. Just as Jonah’s preaching convicted the hearts of the Ninevites, the grace of God released in Jesus’ preaching and teaching confronted the crowd with the reality of sin… “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22). When we believe and live according to His words we become instruments of God’s heart-piercing grace, confronting others around us… “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19). Our born again life and pursuit of holiness is a reflection of the grace of Christ, a confrontational sign for every generation.

The sign of Jesus and His gospel reveals the profit of repentance. Just as Jonah’s preaching compelled the Ninevites to repent of their sin, Jesus’ preaching of the gospel was intended to move the hearts of His listeners to repentance… “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). The Spirit teaches through the Apostle Paul that genuine repentance leads to salvation… “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is Jesus’ desire that true disciples in every age, who have witnessed and experienced the new birth, should proclaim this message of repentance to all nations… “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:47-48). Our earnest proclamation of the gospel in word and deed will produce repentance in many because it is a compelling sign for every generation.

As we grow up into Christ we become a clear and compelling reflection of Jesus and His gospel…

The Sign that is for Every Generation.

The Life that is Blessed

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk 11:27–28).

A woman in the crowd was so struck by the authoritative teaching and delivering power of Jesus that she was moved to acknowledge the unique anointing that rested upon Him. She believed the source of the anointing that empowered Jesus and His ministry was a reflection of God’s blessing on Mary, His mother and she declared her to be blessed (Greek – makarios: supremely fortunate, well-off, happy). It was natural for a loving mother to attribute such compassion, charisma, and power to inheritance and upbringing. Jesus did not deny that His mother was blessed, but He wanted this precious woman and the crowd of followers to know that the favor that rested upon His mother was available to all true disciples. Despite what you’re experiencing today, you can know and enjoy the life that is blessed.

Like Mary, true disciples are blessed because of our relationship with Jesus. You are not enslaved by your family of origin. Perhaps you grew up in a warm, encouraging home or a severely dysfunctional household. Maybe you were raised in a wealthy or a poor family. You do not have to be trapped by the circumstances that formed you. When you received Jesus Christ you were born again into the family of God… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Nothing that’s happening to you today can change your pedigree… “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39). True disciples have the blessing of an unbreakable relationship with Jesus Christ!

Like Mary, true disciples are blessed because we are called to do God’s work. Just as every true disciple is saved by the grace of God, so too every true child of God is created for a unique work of God… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). When we make a priority of loving God and seeking and doing God’s work we discover our true purpose and fulfillment and everything comes together for us… “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). True disciples have the blessing of enjoying a great day every day as we answer the call to be fully engaged in God’s work.

Like Mary, true disciples are blessed because we can hear the Word of God and keep it. The spiritual truth implanted in God’s word is not understood by unsaved people… “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Holy Spirit is a Helper to truth seekers born of God… “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). The love of Christ that consumes the heart of true disciples also compels us to keep (Greek – phylassō: watch, guard, observe, and preserve) His Word… “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). Jesus taught that His Word was life for hungry disciples… “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). The Spirit inspired John to write that those who keep His Word will be blessed in this troubled world as well as in eternity… “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). True disciples know the life-giving and sustaining blessing of hearing and keeping God’s Word.

As we grow up into Christ immersed in Him, His work and His Word, we experience the…

The Life that is Blessed.

The State of True Deliverance

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first” (Lk 11:24–26).

Jesus demonstrated His power and authority over demons and unclean spirits. In today’s reading He adds depth to His teaching about deliverance from spiritual enemies. He revealed the desperate character of the unclean spirit that is compelled to seek a home in the life of a human being. Unclean spirits and demons seek rest in dry, deserted, empty places. They cannot stand to be in watery, life-filled places. They often return to their former abode in order to take up residence there, bringing along other dark spiritual forces with them. But they will not settle unless the soul of their former host remains empty, dry, and lifeless. Jesus was pointing the way to an indispensable step that must be taken to secure lasting victory over the devil’s allies. Only the soul that is filled with the Holy Spirit’s living water will enjoy the state of true deliverance.

Jesus had just demonstrated His absolute authority over demons… “Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled” (Luke 11:14). The man could speak because he was free and his life was put in order. Jesus shares His authority over demons and unclean spirits with His true disciples… “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And he said to them… ‘Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you’” (Luke 10:17-19). Earnest disciples can discern the presence of the enemy and exercise Christ’s authority in our own lives as well as the lives of other victims as the Holy Spirit leads us to them. But to make deliverance complete and lasting we must understand and apply the Biblical truth about demons and unclean spirits whenever we encounter them.

The Holy Spirit teaches through the pen of the Apostle Paul that demons are the powers of this present darkness… “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12). They are disembodied spirits of the Nephilim that once had bodies but lost them. God destroyed their bodies in the great flood of Noah’s day. This explains why they hunt for bodies to inhabit… “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them” (Genesis 6:4). It also explains why, as in the case of the Gerasene victim who was possessed by a legion of demons, they seek rest in dry, desert, waterless places… “He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert” (Luke 8:29). A life that is delivered from demonic oppression and set in order can still be a dry, attractive place for a presumptuous demon like this one. He even boastfully called the poor victim my house from which I came! For the life that was delivered to become a life that is permanently off-limits to further demonic attack, it must be possessed and overflowing with the new life of Christ through the Holy Spirit!

We are saved and delivered to become the home of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s living water, meant to transform our desert lives... “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3). When we are filled with the Holy Spirit demons and unclean spirits are repelled by the life of Christ and the holiness of God in us that the fullness of His Spirit produces and maintains. He makes and keeps us holy as we learn to let Him fill our hearts to overflowing with His life-giving living water… “’Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive” (John 7:38-39).

As we grow up into Christ and we are filled with the Holy Spirit we enjoy and impart to others…

The State of True Deliverance.

The Finger that Invokes a Kingdom

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Lk 11:14–23).

The Son of God became like us in order to reveal the glory of God to us… “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  When Jesus spoke we heard the word of God… “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). When Jesus acted we saw the work of God… “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves” (John 14:11). Today we see that when Jesus spoke and acted people did not always acknowledge His manifestation of the kingdom of God. The difference between would-be and genuine disciples is that we anticipate and acknowledge the finger of God as the finger that invokes a Kingdom.

The finger of God imprecates His enemies. In this encounter between the Son of God and a son of Beelzebul, the demon was cast out by the power of God. The touch of heaven’s potency was captivating and conquering. This was a revelation of the creative power of God… “‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). This was a release of the defending power of God… “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:14). As we grow in faith we learn to rejoice in our trials because they are opportunities for the kingdom of God to be released and revealed through the finger of God in triumph over our enemies.

The finger of God imposes His authority. In this encounter between the Son of God and a son of Beelzebul, the demon was cast out by the rule of God. The touch from heaven’s throne was commanding and compelling. This was a revelation of the reign of God over other would-be pretenders… “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity’” (Psalm 96:10). This was a manifestation of the divine sovereignty of God… “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11). As we grow in faith we learn to surrender our battles to the Lord as we trust the finger of God to enforce His kingdom authority over our enemies.

The finger of God identifies His disciples. In this encounter between the Son of God and a son of Beelzebul, the demon was cast out and witnesses were compelled to choose sides. The touch of heaven’s grace was divisive and distinguishing. Whenever God shows up and defeats His enemies, those who despise Him will deny His power… “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Those who love Him will praise and celebrate His grace… “What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might” (Ephesians 1:19). As we grow in faith we welcome trials in anticipation of the finger of God manifesting His kingdom’s grace toward us, His children.

As we grow up into Christ we anticipate and celebrate the finger of God every day because it is…

The Finger that Invokes a Kingdom.

The Prayer that is Impudent

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk 11:5–13).

Right after He told them what to pray, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. It’s all about relationship. He described the kind of attitude the person praying should have with the word impudence. The Greek word anaideia means audacity, rudeness, shameless persistence. In short, Jesus taught that determined disciples should pray determined prayers. He wants us to pray with a bold, consistent confidence because we know that He is like a faithful friend who will not grow weary of our request. He is like a loving father who will not let anything hinder or distract Him from answering us. When we have a serious need, Jesus wants His true disciples to pray the prayer that is impudent.

The impudent prayer is persistent. Jesus responds to the persistent prayer because persistence drives us closer to Him. He is not like a fickle friend that is disturbed by the desperate need of another. Jesus is a faithful friend that willingly sets aside His agenda and reorders His life’s priorities around the needs of His friends… “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Our shameless, persistent prayers in time of need are an expression of our humility and confidence in the special relationship we have as born again friends of the Son of God… “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

The impudent prayer is paternal. Jesus responds to childlike prayer because He loves to reveal God as our Father. He is not like an earthly father who although he may love his children still has a sin nature to deal with. Jesus wants us to discover the perfect love our holy and omnipotent Father has for us as His born again children… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). When we respond to need with audacious, persistent prayer, God responds with the precious, powerful grace of a loving father… “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).

The impudent prayer is pursuing. Jesus responds to the vocal, searching, and pursuing seeker because such diligent prayer drives us closer to Him. Asking is speaking and declaring the need. Seeking is searching for the answer. Knocking is approaching the Presence. God is sovereign over every inch and moment of our lives and He allows and orchestrates our needs to compel us to discover and know Him more clearly because knowing God is what real life is all about… “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Asking, seeking, and knocking should become a way of life for born again children of God living in a very needy and fallen world… “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When we learn to let our needs inspire impudent prayer we get to know God and His glorious power better… “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).

As we grow up into Christ we discover that our loving Father always answers when we pray…

The Prayer that is Impudent.

The Requirements of Kingdom Living

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation” (Lk 11:1–4).

Have you ever wondered why Jesus prayed? Jesus and His Father are one… “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus intentionally talked to Himself in prayer in the sight of His disciples. The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to present this compelling illustration of Christ at prayer for hungry disciples in every age as an example for us to follow too. Today we note how Christ’s discipline of prayer moved at least one of His disciples to ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray”. In His response, Jesus exhorted them to acknowledge the holiness of God and then to ask Him to let “Your kingdom come”. Then He taught His disciples to ask for God’s help, that they might live the kingdom life here on earth and so become a part of the answer to their prayer. Luke’s Holy Spirit inspired reflection on the Lord’s Prayer reminds us that God promises to give us grace when we pray for and seek to meet the requirements of kingdom living.

Determined disciples trust God to provide daily bread. When we are born again we become children of God and citizens of His kingdom… “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). As we grow and mature in the faith we become more aware of the contrasts and contradictions between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God… “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36). Decreasing dependence on the world and increasing trust in God’s provision are evidence that we are truly born again and growing as disciples. We are learning that we can serve and trust only one King to meet our needs… “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Luke 16:13). Choosing God’s kingdom is the right choice for today and tomorrow in the light of Biblical revelation… “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Kingdom living relies on God’s faithful provision.

Diligent disciples trust God to forgive sin. In this fallen world, everyone sins. Both believers and non-believers sin… “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The difference is disciples believe Jesus paid for our sins and helps us to forgive others who sin against us… “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25). Kingdom living reflects the forgiveness we’ve experienced in Christ to others.

Disciplined disciples trust God to deliver from temptation. True disciples believe that Christ also empowers us to overcome sin. The born again Christ follower does not willingly keep on sinning… “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18). The Spirit of Christ in us makes us sensitive and resistant to temptation so that we can overcome sin… “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Kingdom living results in increasing victory over temptation and sin.

As we grow up into Christ we learn how faithful God is to answer prayer and empower us to meet…

The Requirements of Kingdom Living.

The One Thing that is Necessary

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10: 38-42).

The Spirit inspired Luke to make a record of a brief stop at the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. We notice the contrast here between the sisters’ interaction with Jesus. Mary was so consumed with the presence and words of Jesus that she sat undistracted at His feet. Martha was so consumed with serving Jesus and that she was moved to complain. Jesus did not condemn or commend either sister, but He used this encounter to teach truth seekers that He is the one thing that is necessary.

Developing disciples are not distracted by Godly service. Martha was upset because she was busy tending to the needs of Jesus and the disciples that traveled with Him. There was so much to do that she had no time to sit at the feet of the Teacher like her insensitive sister Mary. The Spirit intentionally inspired Luke to use the words “Martha was distracted by much serving” to warn truth seekers to avoid the temptation to let serving Christ keep us from knowing Christ. Jesus taught that the primary work of God is building faith in Him… “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). Increasing faith in Christ requires increasing fellowship and intimacy with Him… “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD” (Hosea 6:3). Truly born again disciples believe that all of life, serving, praying, studying, or fellowshipping is opportunity to know God and His Son better… “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Determined disciples are not disturbed by holy seclusion. Martha was upset because she was serving alone. Busyness separated Martha from others and left her bearing the entire responsibility of caring for Jesus and His disciples all by herself. Often our ministry takes us away from family and friends and leaves us feeling isolated. There is temptation to try to drag others into our place of service just so we don’t have to be alone. But the Spirit teaches that God has created each of us for a unique and holy work… “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). As we grow in Christ we learn to enjoy the wonderful diversity in the body of Christ and to encourage others to discover and pursue the calling and gifts God has uniquely blessed them with. We also learn to trust God to supply us with the personal energy and power we need to serve Him as well as bringing others alongside of us to help in His work… “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Diligent disciples are not diverted by less-important seductions. Martha was upset because her eyes were on circumstances that were not what she thought they should be. Her attention was on people that were not doing what she thought they should be doing. She was unable to see and appreciate how her Godly hospitality and service were enabling others like her sister Mary to enjoy the blessing of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Her focus on the natural things around her blinded her to the spiritual blessings others were receiving. Maturing disciples are increasingly sensitive to the spiritual blessings of knowing and serving Christ… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). This spiritual discernment increases as we train our eyes to seek Christ in every moment of life… “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

As we grow up into Christ we are blessed in all we do as we keep our focus on Jesus because He is…

The One Thing that is Necessary.

The Neighbor that is Merciful

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10: 29-37).

The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to reveal the sorry condition of the inquiring man’s heart. Like a diligent young lawyer he sought “to justify himself”. He missed the whole point of Christ’s message here. Jesus taught that the law that leads to life leads to Him. God’s law leads repentant sinners to life by revealing our desperate need for the Savior… “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). Through faith in Christ as the propitiation for our sin we receive the gift of new life… “Whom God put forward as propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins” (Romans 3:25). To help the young lawyer grasp this truth, Jesus answered with a parable that illustrated the evidence of the new life. The self-righteousness of the priest and Levite contrasted with the compassion of the Samaritan to reveal the transformation that occurs in the heart of a truly born again believer. Earnest disciples are encouraged here to let Christ make us more like the neighbor that is merciful.

The merciful neighbor is compelled by relationships, not religion. Like the priest in Jesus’ parable, we sometimes rely on religious rules and programs as we seek to grow as disciples. This is because we are still learning to walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh… “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The Teacher compelled Paul to exhort us to crucify, to put to death our sin nature… “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). Denying the flesh and living fully in the Spirit is impossible without the new birth because it requires the same kind of faith that we exercised when we were born again… “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6). Among the glorious results of this kind of saving faith is a new, compassionate heart that is in step with the leading of the Holy Spirit… “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). The priest’s steps were enslaved by religion, but like the steps of the Samaritan, the true disciple’s steps are guided by the Spirit to respond with the compassion and mercy of the Lord to those in need.

The merciful neighbor is concerned about people, not productivity. Like the Levite in Jesus’ parable, we are inclined to trust in our performance and works as we seek to grow as disciples. Christ is not impressed by what we do, but who we touch with His gospel of life. The needs of others are opportunities to share Christ… “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). The Levite’s agenda was bound by his to-do list, but like the Samaritan, real disciples are free and eager to show the love and mercy of Christ to those in need.

The merciful neighbor is convicted by compassion, not cost. The new hearts of truly born again believers are compelled to imitate the merciful heart of the Samaritan. The heart that is being conformed to the compassion and mercy of the heart of Christ is increasingly sensitive and responsive to the needs of others… “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

As we grow up into Christ His love compels us as He conforms us into the likeness of…

The Neighbor that is Merciful.

The Law that Leads to Life

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live” (Luke 10: 25-28).

On the heels of Jesus’ exhortation to stay focused on Him, a lawyer asked a challenging and revealing question. The Spirit prompts us to note that the lawyer was testing Jesus, but He does not reveal the lawyer’s motive. What is revealed is the focus of the lawyer’s heart. His eyes were not on Christ. Instead, he wanted to know how to “inherit eternal life”. He was so concerned about finding a way to heaven that he didn’t recognize Jesus was THE WAY to heaven… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In His reply, Jesus showed the lawyer and truth seekers in every age how God’s law is intended to reveal the deadly condition of our sinful hearts and the new life offered to us by  Christ our Savior... “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:23-24). Diligent disciples discover here the blessings of obedience to the law that leads to life.

God’s law commands us to love God completely. The first four commandments concern our relationship with God. He is to be the consuming love of our lives… “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth… You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain… Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:3-8). It’s not hard to know how God wants us to express our love for Him. Jesus plainly confirmed the truth that the love of true disciples is expressed through obedience to His commandments… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Evidence that we are truly born again is a growing desire to love God by searching out and obeying His commandments as revealed in His Word.

God’s law compels us to love others compassionately. The last six commandments concern our relationship with others… “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet… (Exodus 20:12-17). God’s law rearranges the priorities of our lives and reorders our relationships as His consuming love takes control of our hearts… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Further evidence that we are truly born again is an increasing willingness to live for Christ, giving more of ourselves to loving and serving others.

God’s law convinces us to love Christ contritely. In the light of the very high and noble demands of God’s law, we are made aware of the true condition of our sinful hearts… “Through the law comes knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). Jesus knows that His disciples’ efforts to obey the law by loving God and others will keep us aware of our constant need of His grace… “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21). Today, as in every age, our faithful obedience to the commandments of God is a reminder to us and a testimony to others of the grace that leads to new life in Christ!

As we grow up into Christ and obey His great commandments we show the world around us…

The Law that Leads to Life.

The Eyes that are Blessed

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Luke 10: 21-24).

We are born with natural vision that is blurred. We see only the natural things around us. But when our eyes are blessed by the new birth we receive Holy Spirit power to see the unseen real world that surrounds us… “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Seeing the true world around us requires eyes of faith… “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The Spirit reveals through God’s Word that others have seen with eyes blessed by faith and they beckon us to follow their example… “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). How might you and your world be changed if Jesus could say that you have the eyes that are blessed?

Eyes that please the Lord are blessed. The things that His disciples were seeing and understanding brought spontaneous rejoicing to the Spirit of Jesus. This confirms that He was able to see exactly what His disciples saw. Disciples that want to please the Lord seek out the things that please Him and avoid the things that displease Him. Jesus taught that what we set our eyes on will shape our heart… “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23).

Eyes that are childlike are blessed. Children have an appealing wonder and amazement in their eyes because so much of what they see of the world is new to them. Growing disciples should have the same kind of anticipation and excitement about the infinitely wonderful things the Spirit wants to show us… “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

Eyes that are fixed upon Jesus are blessed. Because Jesus is the full revelation of God, He is infinitely showing us more of our Father. Eager disciples are unceasingly seeking a greater glimpse of Christ in His Word, in fellowship with other disciples, and in the lives of others as we serve Him… “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Blessed eyes will see the fall of Satan and his followers. Blessed eyes recognize the enemy’s presence and see him and his followers as they really are, disarmed… “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15).

Blessed eyes will see their names written in heaven. Blessed eyes see beyond the trials of this temporal life to the eternal victory of heaven… “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Blessed eyes will see the Father revealed in the Son. Blessed eyes see the presence of Christ and His revelation of the Father in every circumstance of life because He has promised He is always here… “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age… I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

As we grow up into Christ we increasingly see the circumstances and people of this world through…

The Eyes that are Blessed.

The Reasons for Our Rejoicing

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10: 17-20).

The harvest laborers returned from their mission filled with joy. They had been faithful to preach the gospel of the kingdom and God had released His power in many ways to confirm that “The kingdom of God has come near to you’ (Luke 10:9). Their ministry was affirmed by great signs and wonders like healing and deliverance. They had been personally supported by God’s power and authority over “all the power of the enemy” that rose up with vengeance to oppose them. Indeed, there was much to be thankful and joyful over. Jesus affirmed their joy with a revelation into the activity of heaven that accompanied their victory on earth as He reported that “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”. He also reminded them that He was the source of their authority and added a promise that He will continue to empower and protect them. Then He added an exhortation. Jesus let His disciples know that this present joy was only a precursor to an even greater and forever joy that awaited them in heaven. In today’s study, growing disciples are encouraged to become harvest laborers by a revelation of the reasons for our rejoicing.

When we actively share the gospel we produce evidence on earth that Satan is fallen from heaven. The Spirit inspired Isaiah to reveal the truth that Satan was a high ranking angel that was cast down because of His pride… “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north” (Isaiah 14:12-13). The Spirit moved Ezekiel to affirm the fall of Satan… “In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezekiel 28:16). Because Christ came to destroy the work of fallen Satan here on earth… “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Because Christ lives in born again disciples, Satan’s fallen estate is revealed on earth when Christ’s power is released through the sharing of His gospel.

When we aggressively share the gospel we experience confirmation that spirits are subject to us. Satan is fallen and his followers, spirits and demons have been disarmed… “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). At the same time, Christ has armed His disciples with authority that is released in and through us as we obey the Great Commission… “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). Spirits must surrender when Christ’s authority is released in the sharing of His gospel.

When we assertively share the gospel we show others the surety of our salvation. The joy of victory over Satan and his minions here on earth is fleeting. As we move on to the next battle, Jesus exhorts us to keep the eternal victory in sight. Our confidence is a reflection of the assurance the gospel offers to all who trust in Jesus Christ… “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5). The assurance of our salvation is reflected in the sharing of His Gospel.

As we grow up into Christ and share His gospel we declare to the world…

The Reasons for Our Rejoicing.