30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 23 18-25 THE WILL OF MAN 08 Luke 23 20-23 To whom much is given much will be required
📖 Luke 23:18-25
Mon 06 Dec 2021 – To whom much is given much will be required - Luke 23:18-25 - THE WILL OF MAN (08) - Bible reading: Luke 12:47-48
The ones who understood the truth about Jesus and yet chose to do according to their own will, which was to put Jesus to death on the cross, had the greater sin. They will be judged more severely.
Luke 23:20-23 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. (21) But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" (22) Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go." (23) But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.
This was the very last part of the trial, where Pilate was doing all that he possibly could to release Jesus but the voices of the will of man prevailed.
We have considered the second conversation that Jesus had with Pilate, where Jesus made known to Pilate that He is the one who is sovereign. It is God who is over the affairs of men.
John 19:11 Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
Pilate, from his understanding, thought that he was one making the decision of sending Jesus to the cross or being released. Pilate was suddenly confronted with God, who rules in the affairs of men. This was the opportunity for Pilate to surrender to Jesus.
The Lord then made the next statement that the one who delivered Him to Pilate had the greater sin.
Pilate had a limited understanding of Jesus, yet, he was doing all that he possibly could to release Jesus and come out of this harrowing trial. The Lord was giving Pilate the second opportunity to give his life to Christ because there was something good in this man.
The crowd and the Jewish leaders, in contrast, had no excuse. They knew very well, who it was they were seeking to be crucified. Those who knew but were still insistent that Jesus must be crucified had the greater sin.
Luke 12:47-48 And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (48) But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
The people who know the will of God and His ways and yet are determined to do their own will, will be more severely punished.
John 11:49-51 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, (50) nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." (51) Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
The chief priests and elders were envious of Jesus but it was a prophesy that was given by Caiaphas, the high priest, that Jesus would die. This was the will of man in display.
Mark 14:44-46 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely." (45) As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. (46) Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.
This was the will of Judas Iscariot in display. He knew the Lord, intimately, and yet Judas was determined to do his own will and not the will of God.
Matthew 26:63-66 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" (64) Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (65) Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! (66) What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."
The will of the entire crowd was on display. The Lord had revealed Himself to the people.
John 15:22-24 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. (23) He who hates Me hates My Father also. (24) If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
To whom much is given, much will be required.
This is the warning for us.
When we know God’s will for our lives and yet are determined to push for our own agenda, then the punishment will be severe.
Compared to all the others, Pilate was the person, who knew very little about Jesus. Yet, with his limited understanding, he was seeking to release Jesus.
Whereas the people, with all the understanding of Jesus, were resolute to put Jesus to death on the cross.
This is why Jesus told Pilate, “… the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin”.
Those of us, to whom much has been entrusted, much is expected. When we have understood the plans of God, it is for us to do His will and not follow our own will.
Thought to ponder
Are you eagerly seeking God’s will, continuously?