City On A Hill

I like Luke for several reasons: the great introduction from Luke to Theophilus (whose very name means “dear to God” or “friend of God”1) in vv 1-4, culminating in v 4: “so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught”; for the wonderful telling of the birth of Christ (a Christmas tradition in my family growing up was my father reading the story of the birth of Christ from Luke Chapter 2 in a family circle before prayer and finally opening of gifts); for the theme of the compassionate Son of Man offering salvation to the whole worlds (19:10); for the passage in 23:39-43 where the thief receives salvation while facing death on his own cross; and for many other reasons. It is a beautifully written eyewitness as well as thoroughly investigated account of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve read through Luke before but like all Scripture, the Lord reveals something different every time it is re-read and studied. One’s understanding of Scripture is always amplified whenever it is studied. It’s one of the coolest things about God’s word and His ongoing interaction with us to help us see Him more clearly.

Today’s passage is Luke 20:41-47. This passage finds us on Tuesday of Passion Week, and Christ is subjected to many questions from the elders, chief priests and scribes who are trying to trap Him into some offense for which they can imprison and execute Him. They are questioning Him regarding by what authority he performs miracles and teaches. After three years, the hardened leaders of the Jewish nation of the time still refuse to believe Christ is the Son of God, in spite of all the miracles, healing, and profound wisdom taught by the Lord. John 7:46 tells is that “The [Pharisee] officers answered, “Never did a man speak the way this man speaks””, but that didn’t matter to the Jewish leaders of the day. They were concerned with only one thing, preserving their own authority and the wealth and recognition as a result of their positions.

In this passage Christ turns the table on his antagonists and asks them a question to answer. In vv 41-44, Christ, in what may appear to be circular logic, uses OT scripture written by David, whom he knew his enemies would understand, to try to make them see that the Son of David was also the Lord of David; that our Messiah was David’s human descendent as well as divine Lord. He uses the phrase “The Lord said to my Lord” (v 44), which probably confused his enemies but nevertheless linked Himself as a direct descendant of David, and made the case that He was David’s divine Lord as well. Matthew 22:46 tells us that “no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question”. His depth of understanding and divine wisdom was simply too much for them, and even if they refused to admit and believe that He spoke under the authority of God, they knew they were no match for His knowledge. They had no recourse but to remain silent. I have to believe that the hearts of some of them were pounding rapidly as they struggled with His words, and that many of them were near to faith but simply did not want to give up what they already had. How many of us are like that?

In vv 45-47 Christ warns those who practice religious ceremony for outward appearances and approval of men face a greater condemnation. It is a good warning for us as well. Ceremony and religious observation does not replace the faithful following of a heart that pursues God.

This was a long introduction and post, and if you’ve read this far I hope you have received something from it. I’ll address the other parts of the daily reading in other posts.

The source of the ideas I have footnoted is the Ryrie Study Bible, 1978, published by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. If you’re looking for a useful Bible study tool, I highly recommend this one.

Please let me know your thoughts and observations of what I’ve written. I’d love to hear them.

In Him,
Ron