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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
As we slowly make our way through Luke Chapter 11, let's read on from verse 29. There are times when we must not rush through passages of Scripture. These Chapters are so very practical and highly relevant in these present times. Of course, The Word of God is always practical and relevant!
Crowds are increasing, and Jesus Christ is on His way to the Cross. He knows it.
His opening words to this growing congregation are, "This is a wicked generation."
We are not the first people to be living in difficult times. It is important that we recognize and acknowledge that. Yes, these are difficult and dark days but other generations have gone through similar periods.
The people want a sign. Jesus says you will get no other sign than the prophet Jonah - by that Jesus means - God sending a preacher with His Holy Word.
Jesus saw people as they were and said so. One prophetic preacher has called this passage - "How to lose friends and antagonise people."
Just as Jonah called the people to repent, so I call you to repent. Jesus gave these Jews a sign from their own Bible - from the Word - and they did not want a sign from the Word.
Jesus says - that on the day of judgement - the Queen of the south - the Queen of Sheba - shall rise up and condemn this generation. She travelled half-way round the known the world at that time to hear Solomon preach the Word of God. Such was her eagerness to meet Solomon. Jesus goes on to say - "A greater than Solomon is with you."
Verse 32. Jesus refers to the people of Nineveh - who repented - and as Jesus looked around that crowd He saw very few people repenting of their sins.
People would not believe - they would not hear - they would not repent. Does that sound like today? Nineveh repented when Jonah preached, and one greater than Jonah is among you. And, when you go and preach and teach and witness and testify and minister, there is One greater than Jonah with you. Not only believe that but know it.
Jesus had no problem with the life and ministry of Jonah! Jesus had no questions, no doubts about that specially prepared fish. Jesus had no doubts – no wondering – let that strengthen you too.
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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