27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
Luke 20 41-47 Christ, the Son of David 14 Luke 20 45-47 Preserved for His heavenly kingdom
📖 Luke 20:41-47
22Apr2021 - *Preserved for His heavenly kingdom* - _Luke 20:41-47_ - CHRIST, THE SON OF DAVID (14) – Bible reading: _II Timothy 4:17-18_
Jesus was King and He was establishing the principles of His kingdom.
He spoke against the manner of life of the religious leaders in the temple courts. It was not spoken in fear or in hiding. His teaching, of the ways of His kingdom, was made known to everyone, loud and clear.
We can imagine the seething rage that His teaching would have caused to the religious leaders. They were determined, more than ever, to put Him to death.
_Luke 20:45-47 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, (46) “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, (47) who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."_
The Lord was giving this teaching in a public setting, in the temple courts, but specifically for the disciples. He is calling the disciples to be the Doulos of Jesus and not fall into the leaven of the Pharisees.
I would say, humanly speaking, “It was inappropriate for Jesus to have been so aggressive against the religious leaders, in such a setting.
He could have been more guarded in what He had to say and teach.” but that was not how Jesus taught.
He was forthright and direct. He spoke as one having authority. The Lord was not afraid at all.
The Lord sends us into the world as His representatives. We are here to present Christ, His nature, His character, His ethos, His passion and His purpose. Our life has to represent Christ in every way not just in terms of the content and substance of His teaching but also in the manner in which He taught and did His ministry.
_I John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: *that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world*._
We are called to be bold in the end times and be as Jesus was.
_Matthew 10:16-20 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. *Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves*. (17) But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (18) You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. (19) But when they deliver you up, *do not worry about how or what you should speak*. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; (20) *for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you*._
This is a unique combination that the Lord is giving to us. We are to be wise, intending no harm on anyone but at the same time fearless. It is the Holy Spirit who is with us, at all times, and He will respond to situations, through us.
This was how the early church was in their time. They carried this ethos. They prayed and asked God for boldness. _Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and *grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word*,_
_Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and *they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness*._
Listen to what God said to prophet Ezekiel. _Ezekiel 2:6-7 “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. (7) You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious._
God is calling us to be those who are fearless
Paul requested the church to pray for Him to have boldness. _Ephesians 6:18-20 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (19) and for me, *that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel*, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains; *that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak*._
God has empowered us to be bold. _II Timothy 1:7 For *God has not given us a spirit of fear*, but of power and of love and of a sound mind._
This was the final encouragement that Apostle Paul gave to Timothy, His spiritual son. _II Timothy 4:17-18 But *the Lord stood with me and strengthened me*, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (18) And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and *preserve me for His heavenly kingdom*. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!_
*Thought to ponder*
```The Lord is calling us to be Daniels.```