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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Luke Chapter 22 from verse 63, we read of Jesus Christ being persecuted for righteousness sake. He said this would happen and now it is happening and we need constant reminding of how this wave of persecution is causing much suffering within the body of Christ around our world in these present times and the ferocity of this persecution appears to be escalating. We have seen this happen within our own nation over these past months, particularly when men speak out clearly and distinctly for the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the upholding of biblical standards in the area of morality.
At that moment Jesus is appearing before them in their court. One day they would have to appear before Him.
All they thought of was the present. That is very short sighted. All they wanted was to get rid of him, thinking that their troubles with him would be over.
There are two pictures here. We see these harsh cruel wicked religious leaders, who did not want God's Son, and who had rebelled against God's ways.
And we see Peter, who is weeping, repenting, being forgiven later on, having his heart and mind healed, and being prepared to receive the power of God into his life.
Luke Chapter 23 opens with a picture of people being so united, and in total agreement, but there one purpose is to lead Jesus Christ off to the slaughter. We'll go to Pilate. Let's take Him to Pilate.
There they come up with new and fresh accusations against Jesus. He is perverting the nation. He is forbidding people to pay taxes. These were just deliberate lies.
Jesus had said - "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." Jesus Christ was never opposed to people paying their taxes and dues. We have dealt with that previously in detail.
Their third false accusation was that Jesus was setting Himself up as a rival king.
These wicked desperate men just change the charges. Jesus has been accused of blasphemy, so they thought they could put Him away on a religious charge, but there is no proof, so they modify the charges to suit the occasion. They are good at that.
People who think only of the present are good at certain specific things!
If they can come along with trumped up political charges, and with political accusations, then, Rome can deal with Jesus. Pilate knew these political accusations were rubbish, but he did not have the courage to say so and release Jesus.
They are all playing their little games to hold on to their positions and their status, and to keep their cushy jobs. This could apply to various scenarios in 2010!
Do you see and understand why there are so many who just do not like the Word of God? It is too true. It is too relevant. It is too challenging. It reveals sin, and the Holy Spirit takes the Word and convicts people of their sin, and fallen man hates that piercing light of God.
Remember that if you are ever speaking to people and they become so angry with you over some issue. It is not the issue that is the issue, but their sin. You may have gone deeper than you realised, but that is part of our calling and ministry in Christ.
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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