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by Sandy Shaw
We have been reading, and I hope studying, in Luke Chapter 20, because these are among the final words of Jesus Christ, just days before He goes to the Cross to shed His Blood to wash away our sin. Jesus has been asked questions - awkward questions - and those asking the questions were not really seeking the answers.
They wanted to know something about the authority which they could see Jesus had - Tell us, and Who gave you this authority? Jesus did not answer immediately, nor directly. And Jesus presented these men with highly challenging questions. They couldn't answer, without their being immense consequences.
We have read of that parable where the owner of a vineyard sends servants for the fruit - and finally sends his son - verse 13 - and the reaction is astonishing.
These people on whom Jesus had turned His back would do this to Him within the week, but Jesus provides an answer to the vital questions posed in the opening verses. My authority comes from My Father Who loves Me and Who sent Me.
Jesus gives a full meaning to that verse from Psalm 118. Jesus draws the picture of builders looking at a stone, and it is the very stone they need, but somehow they cannot fit the stone into their plans, so they reject it. Yet, it is the most important stone.
Consider how the teaching and wisdom of Jesus Christ is ignored, overlooked and rejected today – and particularly at a time when we so need the help and guidance of God. But, no – men continue to reject that important and essential stone!
What Jesus is saying is - If you reject me - if you get rid of Me - if you refuse to receive the Son, you will have to face the Father.
We can read of this elsewhere in the New Testament – in Acts Chapter 4 verse 11, and I Peter Chapter 2 verse 7, where we have a clear prediction of the rejection of the Messiah and His subsequent exaltation
If Jesus is not in His proper place in a man's life, that man will stumble over Jesus and hurt himself - injure himself - or be crushed – irreparable loss. 'Crushed' means - "to winnow grain" or "to tread under foot" - "will grind to powder".
This is a terrifying scripture, for those who will not receive Jesus Christ and His Word, and it is not easy for us to read either. We can only read this in the light of God's amazing grace and mercy and love and power.
Verse 18. If we reject His Mercy, then we come under His Judgement. If we refuse and reject the Son, we have to face the Father. Pharisaic religion, and vibrant living faith in Jesus Christ, do not mix. This is always difficult to bear.
These men realised Jesus was speaking of them - and about them - and against them - and rather than bow before Him - and receive what He had come to give - they looked for a way to arrest Jesus - and so silence this awkward upsetting disturbing teacher - but they were afraid of the people. Tension is increasing in Jerusalem.
When God sends servant - prophets - men with powerful prophetic ministries - the best thing to do is receive them - and hear them - and welcome them - and heed what they have to say - and embrace what they have to reveal about God. And, when the Son comes, the best thing to do is crown Him Lord of all.
The questions raised earlier on are answered fully and adequately.
Jesus knew Who He was, and why He had come into this world. He knew why He was in Jerusalem. He knew that people would be against Him – and that He would be crucified - and that He would rise from the dead.
It is good to know who you are, and why you are doing certain things at particular times, and why you are present in certain places at certain times. Therein lies a safety, security and assurance.
There are also some things which are not so nice to know, and we cannot always pick and choose what we want to know and which we do not want to know. But, Almighty God in His love and grace reveals everything which we need to know!
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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