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by Sandy Shaw
In these studies in the Gospel of Luke, we have taken time to consider how the prophet is bold enough to denounce the sins of the day. Jesus exercised a prophetic ministry. The prophet will be intolerant of injustice - falsehood - idolatry - oppression – hypocrisy. He cannot bear to remain silent on these matters.
The prophet continues to use such words as - loyalty - obedience - faithfulness - until they sink in - or until his mouth is shut. Even when he sees no sign of people allowing these words to sink in - the prophet will continue to use them.
The prophet proclaims the purposes of God - for the people - and for The Church - and speaks about and spells out God's Plans.
When the people of God go astray, the task of the prophet can be to give correction. His Ministry is to get people back on course - like a rocket going to the moon. If it is straying off course, the tiniest adjustment may be all that is necessary.
The prophet carries the burden of the Lord, and that can be heavy at times.
We see this in the verses before us at the end of Luke Chapter 13. Also we read of how the prophet has always that desire to please the Father as well as gather the people.
He won't just prophesy nice things, and because He is a man of God, He cannot be bought. People like to say that every man has his price. That might be true until you meet a true prophet!
Jesus could not be bought - influenced - persuaded - not by these people - not by the threats of Herod - not even by the taunts of the tempter in the desert.
Jesus could not be intimidated, nor persuaded to compromise and just go away somewhere and be silent. Jesus would not be sidetracked or diverted from the Ministry He has been sent to accomplish. Jesus displays all these characteristics.
Herod was like a sly cunning fox which could so easily kill chickens. Jesus is saying - I see Myself in one sense, like a mother hen. I wanted to gather you. I wanted to cover you and protect you and preserve you. Verse 34.
I wanted to do all that for you - that was My Will for you - but you would not come!
I wanted to surround you with love and security - and feed you and provide for you.
I wanted you to come under my wings - but you would not come.
I wanted you - but you did not want ME ! That is REJECTION! – REJECTION big time!
Jesus saw Jerusalem - as a place of desolation - left alone - forlorn - barren - empty - raided by foxes. Your house is left desolate. In other words - you will come to worship in the Temple - but God will NOT be there.
To reject Jesus means desolation and ruin, and after 2,000 years Jerusalem continues to experience suffering. It will not last for ever, but, 2,000 years is a long time.
Suffering and ruin comes to those who reject Jesus Christ. One day you will say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”.
These are penetrating and piercing words - prophetic in every sense. These are the word of the Man Who said - "Follow ME".
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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