Simple Belief

Scripture – Luke 22:63-69: 63The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65And they said many other insulting things to him. 66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67“If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

Reflection: Why did they beat Jesus? Why did they take such pleasure in treating Him like that? Were they just hired guards who resented their minimum wage job? I really don’t understand the cruel nature that’s part of our human condition.

Once Jesus is brought before the ruling council for His examination, the confrontation begins coming to a head. Jesus knows who He is. Nothing He or they can say will change that. They seem a little afraid of who He is. But they don’t have the nerve to simply kill Him themselves. They’ve got to find some technical way to convict Him.

I don’t know why people have such a hard time with Jesus today. There are a lot of convoluted ways people try to explain Him away. A long time ago I realized it’s a lot simpler to believe Him – to trust that He is who He says He is. He certainly doesn’t have to prove Himself to me.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

One of Them

Scripture – Luke 22:58-62: 58A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Reflection: In all the times I’ve read this story, I’ve never noticed how much time passed. Peter’s initial denial from yesterday’s reading seemed like a reflex. His fear welled up and he responded without thinking. However, “a little later” someone else tried to connect him with Jesus. I don’t know how long that was, but Peter had a little time to think about his first response.

I wonder if he made excuses to himself. Maybe he thought he couldn’t help Jesus if he got himself arrested right off the bat. Maybe he was puzzling over in his mind what his next move might be. I don’t know, obviously. All at once, though, he hears a man speaking. And Peter’s response is another denial.

What strikes me next is it was “about an hour later” when another man brought it up. How could Peter have forgotten what Jesus said and what he had done already? How could he sit there all that time mulling things over and not make that connection? I have no answer to that. I just know there are times when I forget obvious lessons. For example, I’m aware over the past couple days I’ve passed up opportunities to help people in some very simple ways. It would have inconvenienced me for a little while. Is that not denying that I know Jesus Christ?

I’ll keep my eyes open today. I’ll listen and watch for His leading. I’ll be ready to respond when He calls. I’ll be ready to demonstrate in my actions that, “Yes, I am one of them.”

Fear and Faith

Scripture – Luke 22:54-57: 54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

Reflection: As I read this passage, I find myself filled with empathy for Peter. He had the courage to follow Jesus even after He was arrested. Peter must have been very scared. Still, he tried to stay in the picture. There’s no hint of any other disciples being around.

I can imagine him trying to blend in with the background – to not be noticed. Then the servant girl spots him. Her observation was the last thing Peter wanted to hear. And I’m sure, acting out of fear, his quick denial surprised even him.

Fear is a powerful emotion. I’ve felt it on many levels and in a variety of situations. I know how easy it is to let fear take over. While I can’t avoid being afraid, I have learned that I can act in spite of my fear. I’ve also learned if I give into it, the grace and forgiveness of Christ is waiting.

I’ll pay attention today to my fear. How much does it want to control me? How will I act when it comes?

A Counter-Cultural Perspective

Scripture – Luke 22:49-53: 49When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

Reflection: Once again, the followers of Jesus act as the world would respond. One of them even tried to cut off a man’s head. But the man ducked, losing only his ear. Jesus, in one more act of compassion, healed him, even as He rebuked His followers.

Then He turned to the Jewish leaders and challenged them with their own cowardly behavior. Indeed, as we’ve seen, He was very open with His teaching – always out in public. Yet they were afraid to make any moves then. Now they’ve come under cover of darkness to arrest Him.

Was Jesus leading a rebellion? Certainly He was – and still is today. He calls us to a different standard. He calls us to live as kingdom people. So we do respond differently to life because we come at life from an entirely different perspective. Following Christ is a great counter-cultural experience. Part of the cost is that we will always be out of step with the world around us. At the same time, that’s also part of the reward.

Getting Ready for the Next Leg

Scripture – Luke 22:35-38: 35Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” he replied.

Reflection: This is a bit mysterious to me. I understand the part about the purse and bag. While Jesus was with them on earth they needed nothing. They could travel light. Now that He’s preparing to leave, they need to rely on themselves for at least this next part of the journey.

The sword business is what I have trouble with. Why do they need swords? That seems so opposite of what He’s taught them. I mean, would He advise us today to get guns? I don’t think so. Maybe the sword had a different meaning in those times. I’ll do some research and see what I can find.

In the meantime, one thing that seems clear is the journey is going to get a lot harder for the disciples now. Will they be ready? Am I?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, July 26
Luke 22:39-44: 39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Reading for Monday, July 27
Luke 22:45-48: 45When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” 47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

God Knows Who I Am

Scripture – Luke 22:31-34: 31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Reflection: There’s an interesting thing here. Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail, yet He knew it would. He also knew Peter would come back. At that point he would be stronger and able to strengthen the other disciples.

Jesus knows me so much better than I know myself. He knows my heart. He knows when I make promises to Him I’m being honest. He also knows many of those promises, for whatever reasons, end up not being kept. Still, He loves me and never gives up on me.

The assurance of His on-going grace and love keep me going. I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to keep every promise to keep His love. Thank you, Lord, for that. Use me today. And if I fall, lift me up and make me stronger.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

A Simple Reminder

Scripture – Luke 22:27-30: 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Reflection: That is an astounding and simple reminder. Jesus Christ, the word of God in human flesh, the one present at the creation of the world, the Lord of all creation, came to earth as a servant. He came to serve us. What a gift! And what a model for us to follow.

I’ll remember that today.

The Greatest

Scripture – Luke 22:24-26: 24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Reflection: It’s amazing to me that, in this context – in light of what Jesus had just said – the disciples began arguing over who was the most important. I suppose it could arise as they looked at each other and tried to figure out who might be the betrayer Jesus mentioned. It’s easy to slip back into thinking I would never do that.

I was just reading this morning in a daily devotional guide called Men of Integrity about the danger of over confidence in my ability to handle temptation. There are some areas of my life I believe are heavily protected against Satan’s power. Yet I need to remember the protection is found in Christ, not in my will power or self control.

Jesus reminds me here to be humble – to serve rather than be served. It’s never a question of being the greatest. By the grace of God I have a place in the kingdom right now. Nothing can be greater than that.

Looking Inward

Scripture – Luke 22:20-23:20-23: 20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” 23They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Reflection: It’s interesting that the twelve began to question among themselves as to who might be the betrayer. Did any of them think of themselves, or did they just look at each other? It’s far easier to look at other people rather than at myself.

Today I’ll monitor myself – my motives, my faithfulness. I’ll let other people speak for themselves. And I’ll practice taking them at their word without judging their hearts. As for myself, I’ll be wary of the opportunities to betray Christ. With His power and grace, I’ll stand firm.

A Subtle Betrayal

Scripture – Luke 22:1-6: 1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Reflection: Judas is one of the mysterious people in the gospel story. No one knows what was in his mind and heart when he went to the Jewish leaders. Did he make a choice? Was he simply used by powers greater than him? What was his motivation?

God only knows the answer to those questions. The more pertinent question is, how will I act today? When I have a chance to speak about Christ, will I take it? One thing I’ve discovered is that people raise spiritual issues quite often in normal conversations. Listen carefully as people speak with you. You’ll be surprised at how often that happens. It might be a reference to an illness or death. It might be a concern about their future – what they’re going to do with their life. It might be a passing reference to prayer or God or the church. And of course, sometimes it’s just a straightforward question about faith.

If I pay attention, I can practice picking up on those comments. That is, I can let people know I heard what they said and it’s alright to talk about that. They’re not looking for a sermon or answer from me. Usually, they’re just testing the water – seeing if it’s okay to talk about it. I can let them know it is okay. Or I can just sort of skip over it and let them know I don’t really want to talk about it.

I’ll stay aware of this over these next few days. I’ll practice what I’m preaching here. In this culture there are many subtle ways to betray Jesus. I’ll be careful as I listen and speak to avoid doing that.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, July 19
Luke 22:7-13: 7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

Reading for Monday, July 20
Luke 22:14-19: 14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Looking Up

Scripture – Luke 21:34-38: 34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” 37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Reflection: It is so easy to let my heart get weighed down. We all know how that can happen. There are always concerns around us, always causes for anxiety, always things to be afraid of. I’ve known people who walk around literally bent over by the invisible baggage they’re carrying.

The most effective way to avoid that is to keep my vision up – to set my mind on things above. I remind myself that by God’s grace I already live in His kingdom. I have a perspective on life that lifts me above the anxieties of life. A second step in this process is to lean on some other people. I have people I can talk with who will not try and fix things for me. They will simply take some of the weight off my shoulders and walk with me for a while.

What’s trying to weigh your heart down today? What will you do about that? Remember, you don’t have to walk alone.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Dealing With What I Know

Scripture – Luke 21:29-33: 29He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Reflection: Well……..the image of the tree is something easy to understand. When we begin seeing some green appear on the branches, we know winter is past and summer is coming. And so we know that the signs Jesus described show that the kingdom of God is near. (Although I always have to remember, “near” in God’s time could be a thousand years away.)

Then I come to verse 32, and I don’t know what to do with it. If Jesus was talking about His death and resurrection then it makes some sense. If He was talking about His ultimate return, it doesn’t make any sense at all to me. But that’s alright. One of the things I’ve learned is to accept things in the Bible that I don’t understand. There’s plenty I do understand. I’ve got my hands full dealing with that. So I don’t spend a lot of time with verses like this.

Verse 33 gets back to something easier to comprehend. It leads me to wonder about the things I value most in life. How long will they last?

A Simple Choice

Scripture – Luke 21:25-28: 25“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Reflection: The day Christ returns there will be two totally different reactions. Some people will faint from terror at what’s happening. Others will stand up and lift up their heads to welcome the good news.

We have the opportunity today to decide what that day will be like for us. If my faith and trust are in Christ, it will be a good day. It’s as simple as that. What choice have you made?

The One We Can Always Count On

Scripture – Luke 21:21-24: 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Reflection: We’re in the midst of a difficult passage. Jesus is looking ahead. As I read it today I hear Him talking about His return and the end of time as we know it. At the same time, history shows that the original readers of Luke saw some of this happening. The call to remain faithful, even at the cost of life, was very pertinent to them.

I know that message continues to be true today. It just doesn’t seem as urgent. I’ve got to be careful not to let my guard down. I’ll remember these are times of great distress. These are days when people are learning all they thought they could count on is not stable. These are days to look to Christ as the one who is always in control. He will carry us through whatever this day brings.

Ready for the End

Scripture – Luke 21:7-11: 7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Reflection: For generations people have asked this same question. And the answer is always the same: we don’t know. All my life I’ve heard claims from different people that we are living in the so-called “end times.” But what does that mean? God doesn’t have a watch. He doesn’t measure time like we do. He lives in an eternal framework, where time as we understand it has no meaning.

Will Jesus return and establish His kingdom? Yes! Will time and history as we know it come to an end? Yes! Do I have a clue when that will be? No! Am I ready for when that will happen? Yes!

By the grace of God I know Jesus Christ. Most of you do, too. I trust Him as my Savior. Because of His promise, whenever and however the end comes, I’m ready. Are you?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, July 12
Luke 21:12-15: 12“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Reading for Monday, July 13
Luke 21:16-20: 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life. 20“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.

Beautiful Buildings

Scripture – Luke 21:5-6: 5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

Reflection: I like looking at buildings. Here in the Detroit area we have lots of interesting buildings. Some are new and sleek. Others are old, with the kind of detailed workmanship that’s hard to find these days. There are some buildings that were once beautiful and grand, but now they’re crumbling. There are newer buildings that seem so permanent. Jesus reminds us here that nothing made by human hands will last.

From what I’ve read, the temple in Jerusalem was a magnificent structure. I can well imagine the disciples being impressed with it. I’ve learned to be careful in this. I’ve learned that it’s easy to become impressed with what we as a human race are able to do. Yet all we can do comes only through the grace of God.

In only a few years after the disciples’ observation the temple was destroyed. What lasted, though, was their faith in Christ. That’s what will last – not the things we build, but the impact we have.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Keeping Money in Its Place

Scripture – Luke 21:1-4: 1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Reflection: In these troubled economic times especially, our most powerful act of worship on a Sunday morning is the offering. At Bethel we still pass the offering plates in the midst of our worship experience. As people drop their offering into the plates they are telling the Lord, “You are more important to me than this money!” In the morning offering we proclaim in a very real way that our trust is in Christ and not in Mammon.

This widow in Jerusalem demonstrated that. Following up on yesterday’s reading, she may have lost her house to the temple treasury. It certainly appears she was alone in life. Whatever she had been through, her faith remained strong. She came that day not to make a donation to the temple treasury, but to bring an offering to the Lord. Jesus saw that. He saw that she held nothing back.

The spiritual discipline of giving has always been hard to grasp. In these present times it’s even harder. It seems so sensible to take care of the so-called “needs” of my life. Then, if there’s anything left over, I might give part of that away. Yet the Lord calls us to give first – to demonstrate our trust in Him. He will then take care of my needs if I do that. I’m not saying I’ll get rich. I’m saying we can give because, in Christ, we are already rich.

I encourage you to practice this discipline. The power of money is exerting a greater influence in our lives than ever before. The most effective way to break that power is to let go of your money. Let Christ know He is number one.

The Deepening Divide

Scripture – Luke 20:41-47: 41Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? 42David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 43until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ 44David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” 45While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Reflection: What a scene! All the people are listening as Jesus tells His disciples to beware of the teachers of the law. These were influential Jewish leaders, and Jesus points out very clearly the hypocrisy of their actions.

These are people who like to look good in public. They enjoy drawing attention to their importance. They make long prayers just to show off their piety. Yet “they devour widows’ houses.” What an interesting phrase. In Jesus’ day widows were usually left with nothing after their husbands died. If she had no children, she had no one to take care of her and provide for her. The Jewish leaders could (and apparently sometimes did) take all the husband’s assets, including the house.

Jesus was certainly deepening the divide between Him and the Jewish leadership. Such pointed words brought Him even closer to the cross.

The lesson for me here has to do with humility. I’ll remember everything I have and am comes by the grace of God. I live and serve not because of anything I’ve done, but only because of what He’s done.

Honest Questions

Scripture – Luke 20:34-40: 34Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” 39Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Reflection: The Pharisees and Sadducees were engaged in a bit of rivalry as to who had the most influence as leaders in the Jewish religious establishment. In Sunday’s reading the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus with a question, and they came up short. In yesterday’s reading the Sadducees stepped up and took their shot.

They came with a hypothetical question. I love it when people come up with those. They’re usually always using the question to start an argument. The same was the case here. Only Jesus took their question seriously. Using their own scriptures He pointed out to them that their question had no validity. If they had thought things through, they would know that, as well.

Good questions can be very helpful. I’ll pay attention to the questions I ask today, as well as those I’m asked. Verse 40 refers to trick questions. Jesus always answers honest questions. Those we can ask anytime.

Drawing the Line

Scripture – Luke 20:14-19: 14“But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “May this never be!” 17Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone‘? 18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” 19The 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.

Reflection: Clearly Jesus is talking about Himself and His death. Again, we know that because we know the whole story. The people hearing this did not. So they respond to the story as a story and recognize the injustice of it. Jesus’ reference to the “capstone” is, I think, a reference to His resurrection. The people, of course, would have no sense of that.

The teachers of the law and the chief priests, however, understood what Jesus was saying. They might not have caught the capstone reference, but they surely knew they were the tenants. The line was clearly established here between Jesus and the Jewish power structure. In this encounter He took another step closer to the cross. But then, that’s why He came. For that we will be eternally thankful.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, July 5
Luke 20:20-25: 20Keeping 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. 21So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25“Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Reading for Monday, July 6
Luke 20:26-33: 26They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent. 27Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30The second 31and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32Finally, the woman died too. 33Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

A Simple Word from the Lord

Scripture – Luke 20:9-13: 9He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. 13“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’

Reflection: A safe assumption is that the Jewish leaders were still standing in front of Jesus when He turned to the people and launched into this parable. It seems innocent enough – a story about a vineyard. I can imagine people wondering at first what this has to do with anything.

We, again, have the advantage of knowing the story and the context. God entrusted His word to the Jews. He taught them, empowered them and then left them to carry out His plan for humankind. Over the centuries, they got off track. God raised up prophets from time to time to speak His truth and get them back on track. These prophets were ignored, abused, imprisoned and sometimes killed.

Finally God sent His Son to straighten things out. The Jewish faith had evolved into a deeply ritualistic religion. The focus was on the rules and regulations rather than the Lord who had given them. People were kept farther and farther away from God. Their only hope of pleasing God was follow the rules laid out for them by the Jewish leadership. And this system of laws and rules was impossible to keep.

Jesus came with a simple message – God loves everyone He’s created and He wants everyone to live in a safe and right relationship with Him. What’s more, we can come to Him directly through Christ. Jesus is the perfect mediator – the perfect connecting link – between us and God, because He is fully human and fully divine. I don’t have to be good enough to be accepted by God. He accepts me and loves me just as I am. I don’t have to follow a bunch of rules to gain his acceptance. I just need to open myself to Him and accept Him into my life as Savior and Director. It’s a gift of grace I can accept or reject.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

To Tell the Truth

Scripture – Luke 20:1-8: 1One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2“Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” 3He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” 5They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” 8Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Reflection: So here the direct confrontations begin. The Jewish leaders come to Jesus and question His authority. He deflects their question with one of His own about John the Baptist. They’re left with no answer they care to give.

A couple things stand out to me in this passage. First, no one gave Jesus any authority. He is authority! He’s God in human flesh. Through Him all things were created. Yet who in that day would have been able to understand that answer? I mean, even today, with the benefit of knowing the whole Bible, it’s hard to wrap my mind around that reality.

The second thing I notice is the power of public opinion. These Jewish leaders were afraid of the people. Rather than considering the true answer to Jesus’ question, they ran through the political implications. Lord, save me from that. It’s so tempting to try and please people – to tell them what they want to hear. Yet often the gospel truth runs counter to popular opinion. I think of the Old Testament prophets who constantly brought hard words to the people of God. Lord, give me wisdom and courage to just tell the truth today, whatever it may be.