Thursday, February 28, 2008

Luke Chapter Seventeen

Reading: Luke 17.1-37

Scripture: Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the Kingdom of God is in your midst." Luke 17.20-21, TNIV

Observations: The Pharisees expected the messianic kingdom to be a visible kingdom where the Jews in Israel would return to a place of power and prominence. They had such clear expectations of what they thought would happen based on their interpretation of the prophets that they missed the true Messiah when he was in their midst.

Jesus went on to tell his disciples of a future day of judgment that would come unexpectedly, but before that day would come Jesus would have to suffer and be rejected by his generation. But judgment would happen when people lest expect it to come.

Apply: If the Pharisees who could quote the scriptures by memory got it wrong about the messianic kingdom, I have to be humble when it comes to my understanding of scripture, especially when it comes to things yet to come in the future. I try to avoid being too dogmatic about things that are supposed to be a mystery. One thing is for certain, the end will come for all of us, and it could come suddenly. That is a morbid thought, but the comforting thought is knowing that when the kingdom of God is "within" a person the future is not to be feared.

Pray: Jesus, I don't know what the future holds, but help me to hold onto you no matter what comes with the peace of knowing that you will never let go of your own.

2 comments:

traci said...

Didja ever notice how Jesus seems to REGULARLY be telling and showing that the dispised Samaritans were just not as BAD as all that?
humph - Is He pointing out (under the radar) that the person we think is the WORST (you know who it is in your head) that Lesbian school teacher, or the tattoo guy with 4 nose piercings, or the teenager who had those 3 abortions and doesn't think it's wrong... might not be as BAD as all that in HIS eyes?
I mean, maybe there is more of a level playing ground than we are thinkin' - or did we forget that all OUR righteousness is as filthy rags.
phew (again) - HIS words have been takin the wind outta me alot lately.
Father, Give me the grace to LOVE those who look unlovely - cause it might just be that it's MY eyes that need the adjustment.

Anonymous said...

Traci I am with you. I hope I have the eyes and the heart of a Samaritan and not a high and mighty looking down my nose at the rest of the world Pharisee. God keep talkin to me