30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 11 37-54 Repenting from hypocrisy Woe 13
📖 Luke 11:37-54
Empowered by His Holy Spirit _Luke 11:37-54_
Our Lord was now directing His attention to the lawyers. These were those, who were incessantly disputing, discussing and disseminating, minute oral and written rules. These rules were so heavy that the simple Mosaic code was overlaid and almost buried under their weight. The lawyer, who here addressed Christ, was one of this class. He could hardly believe that this revered rabbi could include him and his fellows, in these terrible woes _Luke 11:46/Matthew 23:2-4._
This situation for the lawyers and teachers of the law arose from the teaching in the OT that the people should come to the priests, Levites and the judges of the times and inquire of them. They shall pronounce on the people the sentence and judgment and the people were to follow what was pronounced on them. The people were to be careful to do according to all that they were ordered to do. Now the man, who acts presumptuously and not heed the priest or judge, who stands to minister before the LORD, that man shall die _Deuteronomy 17:9-12._
The Lawyers and teachers of the law found their strength from this scriptural base but they overlooked one small but significant component in this scriptural foundation and that it was a priest, *who stands to minister before the Lord*. The priest was to always pronounce the judgment to the people, standing in the presence of the Lord. The lawyers became so proud and arrogant that they forgot their position before God and for the people.
These lawyers and teachers of the law, professed to know God, but in their works they denied Him _Titus 1:16._
Contrast this situation with that of our Lord. He calls us to come to Him, all who labour and are heavy laden, and He will give rest. He welcomes us to take His yoke and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light _Matthew 11:28-30._
Our life here on earth is of freedom and joy, not of tyranny and slavery to rules and regulations. We live in the enablement of His Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth _John 16:13._ We are not in the flesh but under the control of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all righteousness for we are not trying to please God by our own fleshly ways. It is God’s Holy Spirit, who gives life to our mortal bodies, to please God in every way _Romans 8:9-11._
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you enjoying the freedom in Christ or are you struggling to please Him in the flesh?```