Bible In One Year-Day 37 (Thursday, February 06, 2014)

Commentary: Luke10-12. Jesus sent out His disciples to carry out the things they saw Him do.

Luke 10:1 “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”

This could be regarded as an “industrial attachment or training”. Though they did it under delegated or assigned authority, the motive was to teach them some lessons. On their return, they were very proud of the way they dealt with demons. But the Savior corrected them by telling them where their joy should be directed at.

Luke 10:17&20 “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through thy name. … Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

The mere fact that you cast out demons does not guarantee heaven. It is just to have a better understanding of Lk10:2; the harvest and laborers. God needs to harvest and so He needs laborers to depopulate the kingdom of darkness. However, the laborer should not be a cast away just as Apostle Paul said, 1Cor9:27 (Lk9:25). As we have been reading about Jesus’ ministry, the Pharisees, scribes and lawyers have been problems of unholy and ignorant confrontations. This time around, Jesus faced them out rightly and made them to see who they are; outward beauty but filthy and stinking inwardly. As we could see, the Pharisees were very good in bribing the conscience. They thought that by calling Jesus to eat with them will make them have a right standing and gain more respect with the people. Jesus went in with them to find a way of correcting them but since they were not ready for that, he made them realize their status before God. They hated Him for that. Thank you for being a blessing to men of God but let it be to appreciate Him for being used to positively affect your life and not to bribe the conscience. God will do the final marking. Can you still stand his corrective measures even after blessing him with your substance? If you find it difficult to take to his correction, then the spirit of the Pharisees is already inside and deliverance is absolutely necessary. After Jesus exposed their nefarious activities, they raged and sought to kill Him. But Jesus let His disciples know that their rage shouldn’t be a concern; fear only the person who can kill both soul and body. The lesson is that we should not sugarcoat the word of God, but let the truth be said with good motive and not for selfish one. Once the word of God is sugarcoated, it loses its power or it is defiled. Jesus is the true word and variableness should not be added to Him. Lk12 is more of worry and anxiety. These two (i.e. worry and anxiety) lead to other vices such as covetousness. The root of all is lack of faith. In trying to make things clearer to us, He spoke in parables. Give up worries and break the power of anxiety. God is aware of your plight.  In whatever we do, have or aspire for, we should not trade out our heaven or salvation, Lk12:34. This is the same thing He told the disciples in Lk10:20. One of the parables in Lk12 talks about our preparedness for His coming. Beloved, without any contradiction, JESUS IS COMING SOON!!! At the sound of the trumpet, gold bangles become useless, expensive attires becomes forgotten, certificates loses its relevance and power to do anything and achievements will be tried with fire. Many hearts are distracted and diverted. A lot are full of the pride of achievements; they thought it was through effort not knowing that it was by His grace. We all owe a lot to God, and the manner of paying Him is to praise and give glory to Him, Zech 4:6. Prayer: Father, teach me to appreciate you. Next mile on the trip is Lk13-15. Keep the fire burning and alive. Spread the gospel of Jesus without bitterness but with love.