30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 23 26-43 THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS 12 Luke 23 34 Perfecting of the saints
📖 Luke 23:26-43
Wed 22 Dec 2021 – Perfecting of the saints - Luke 23:26-43 - THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS (12) - Bible reading: I Peter 5:10-11
The cross shows us that we have meaning and hope in life. As the church, we realise that there will be persecution. Though there are trials, we seek to walk with our Lord in humility, in love and be close to His heart.
Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
We have considered the matter of God’s love. Mankind is not conscious of God’s love, though it is obvious. Man, in the hardness of heart, continues to question the love of God and so is angered against His church. They are ignorant of God’s love and they persecute the church without knowing what they are doing.
As we go through difficult experiences in life, we understand that there is a powerful work of God that is happening.
II Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
This is how Apostle Paul is able to look at persecution and suffering. He says that these are working for us and bringing for us an eternal weight of glory.
The Lord Jesus told us that those who are persecuted for His name, are blessed.
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) " Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven , for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
When we are persecuted for righteousness sake, we are reserving for ourselves a great reward in heaven. Those who persecute us are not able to see this matter of the eternal reward for the church and so they do not know what they do.
I Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy . (14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you . On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
When we as the church of Jesus are persecuted, we are privileged for we are partaking of Christ’s suffering. When we partake with Jesus in His suffering, we also partake with Jesus in His glory.
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
When we suffer for Jesus, we are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on us. When we are being persecuted there comes upon us a very special anointing of the Holy Spirit.
These are matters that our persecutors do not know.
I Peter 5:10-11 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (11) To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
As we go through persecution as the church, we are perfected, established, strengthened and settled in God. These are the permanent changes that come into our character and nature. We are being conformed to the image of Jesus, through the means of trials.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing .
We await the glory of God that is to come on the church when the Lord returns. Even as we wait, we are being made perfect and complete.
This is an ongoing journey for us. It begins here and continues on into eternity. For us, the road ahead is made known to us. What is happening because of persecution is made known to us.
Again, those who persecute the church have no idea that this is what they are doing to us. This is why we pray for them, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” .
I Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (8) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (9) receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
These difficult experiences are given to the church in order to make our faith in Jesus, genuine. It is the genuineness of our faith in Jesus, which will bring praise, honour and glory when our Lord returns. It is the genuineness of our faith in Jesus, which will be our offering to Him, when he comes as the King to reign, eternally.
The world does not know the ways of God. This is why our prayer for them, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”, is relevant.
Thought to ponder
Lift your eyes and see the bigger picture. Don't let the fear of persecution trouble you