October 29 - Luke 19-21
Most people don't like conflict, and most Christians want to live a life without much conflict. This passage reminds us that Jesus was in constant conflict with His enemies in one way or another. It is the nature of the spiritual war that is going on in our world. We need to get used to it and let Jesus help us with it. After all, we know we win in the end.
In chapter 19 Jesus meets Zacchaeus and goes to his house. Zacchaeus ends up getting saved. However, His enemies were upset that He would eat with a "sinner." I can just hear them talking in the crowd, can't you? The parable of the minas even addresses the conflict between Jesus and His enemies. It speaks of the ones who did not want Him to reign over them. That is the source of the conflict. The enemies did not like the Triumphal Entry at all. They did not want anyone proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. They were trying to quiet the crowd right at one of the high points in Jesus' life, but He did not let it sway Him at all. That is what we must do. We must not let critics stop us from doing all of God's will.
In chapter 20 Jesus answers the questions that are designed by His enemies to trip Him up. He does not fail, and He does not give in to them. In fact, He tells a parable about the conflict and how those who come against Him will be destroyed. Then, Jesus even asks them a question of His own at the end of the chapter. He did not shy away from the conflict, He even engaged His enemies in the discussion of truth. I believe we all need to be that way. We are soldiers of the Light, and we must fight against the Darkness.
In chapter 21 Jesus speaks about the Second Coming. He says that the believers will be mistreated and even killed, but they should not consider what to say ahead of time, but just let the Lord give them the words to say. I believe He was speaking from His personal experience. He knew the Spirit was faithful to guide Him, and the Spirit would do the same for all of the believers. In fact, there is a key verse here. Look at Luke 21:19. Isn't that great! The word patience means enduring trials. We will possess our souls, which is our mind, will, and emotions, when we exercise patient endurance. If you don't have God's patient endurance, you will think you are going to lose your mind, you won't know what to do, and you will come apart emotionally. However, when we trust in the Lord, He will take us through the trials of life with peace.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 22-24.
In chapter 19 Jesus meets Zacchaeus and goes to his house. Zacchaeus ends up getting saved. However, His enemies were upset that He would eat with a "sinner." I can just hear them talking in the crowd, can't you? The parable of the minas even addresses the conflict between Jesus and His enemies. It speaks of the ones who did not want Him to reign over them. That is the source of the conflict. The enemies did not like the Triumphal Entry at all. They did not want anyone proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. They were trying to quiet the crowd right at one of the high points in Jesus' life, but He did not let it sway Him at all. That is what we must do. We must not let critics stop us from doing all of God's will.
In chapter 20 Jesus answers the questions that are designed by His enemies to trip Him up. He does not fail, and He does not give in to them. In fact, He tells a parable about the conflict and how those who come against Him will be destroyed. Then, Jesus even asks them a question of His own at the end of the chapter. He did not shy away from the conflict, He even engaged His enemies in the discussion of truth. I believe we all need to be that way. We are soldiers of the Light, and we must fight against the Darkness.
In chapter 21 Jesus speaks about the Second Coming. He says that the believers will be mistreated and even killed, but they should not consider what to say ahead of time, but just let the Lord give them the words to say. I believe He was speaking from His personal experience. He knew the Spirit was faithful to guide Him, and the Spirit would do the same for all of the believers. In fact, there is a key verse here. Look at Luke 21:19. Isn't that great! The word patience means enduring trials. We will possess our souls, which is our mind, will, and emotions, when we exercise patient endurance. If you don't have God's patient endurance, you will think you are going to lose your mind, you won't know what to do, and you will come apart emotionally. However, when we trust in the Lord, He will take us through the trials of life with peace.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 22-24.