Timeless Words that Challenge US today.

 

I have been studying the book of Luke for the past several weeks.  As I reached the 13^th chapter I suddenly realized its tone takes a turn as Jesus gets closer and closer to Jerusalem.  Luke starts telling his audience about the miracle birth of Christ, the announcement of the Kingdom, instruction on loving our neighbors, grace and forgiveness.  Then suddenly, we start to hear a series of warnings that sound like this:

   Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees

   Watch out whatever you say in darkness will be heard in the light

   Make sure your dressed and ready with your lamps alight

   Beware there will be divisions amongst you

   Don’t’ be anxious for food, drink and clothing

   Fear the one who than can kill you and cast you into hell. ( in other words recognize the enemy)

   Narrow is the gate

I asked myself, what was Jesus doing as He was approaching Jerusalem? He was preparing his disciples for the journey ahead of them. We all have traveled and know preparation is essential for a successful journey.

Clearly, Jesus was preparing His disciples, as well as us, with a message of grace and love. However, he warned His disciples of what was to come and what would be required.

You can feel Luke’s sense of urgency; it’s as if Luke is repeating Christ’s WORDS of LOYALTY in the face of opposition. Just like Luke we the people of God need to proclaim LOYALTY to the KING and HIS WORD. I am not implying we walk around clothed in legalism. No, absolutely not! However, in a time when words matter we must be balanced in our teaching and understanding of the WORD of God.  There is a battle in our culture and faith to steal, kill and destroy all who desire to live and obey the WORD of GOD.  As true and loyal believers of Jesus Christ the warning is as clear today as it was in the days Luke was sharing the story.

Though we may be in the midst of the battle with trust in God and devotion to His WORD we can remain alert to the schemes of the enemy. Like Luke and the Apostles we the followers of Christ must stand and be loyal to the WORD. The WORD (Logos) is not an abstract concept. The WORD was with GOD and the WORD is GOD.