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by Sandy Shaw
In Luke Chapter 20 verse 25, Jesus Christ calls us to give things to God - these things we have mentioned in previous studies but let me repeat them. There are times when we too have to ask ourselves. Are we giving to God what is God's? Truly? Wholly? Totally? Are we giving to Him all that He wants from us? Our lives? Our voices? Our hands? Our talents? Our gifts? Our minds? To surrender our minds to God and to begin to think the way He thinks can be one of the very difficult areas. Jesus can be very challenging, when we realise what we have to surrender to God, but that is always the best way. Giving in willing surrender - that is what comes over in these verses.
Verse 26. Jesus has the last word again - and Jesus has the best word - He always does. And in this case Jesus has the most unanswerable word.
Are we beginning to see one of the reasons which made Jesus weep as He rode down the slopes of The Mount of Olives? Look at what confronts Him - all this - the mess in the Temple - His authority being questioned - the beginning of physical rejection.
Thousands would still be arriving in Jerusalem. There were still a few days to go before Passover. Some would be so glad their journey was over. Jesus' journey was just about to start. Some would be so pleased to see this wonderful city through eyes of religious pride. What Jesus saw brought tears to His eyes. Pilgrims would come over these hilltops with various emotions in their heart, but it was Jesus who sobbed His Heart out when He realised what all was going on, and the depths of man's sin.
These were the tears of the bravest Man Who has ever lived, and there is something awesome in the sight of a brave man's tears. Jesus was no weakling Who would easily withdraw from confronting what had to be confronted. Jesus was strong, yet the very sight of Jerusalem broke His Heart. Jesus was no kill joy annoyed at the Passover Celebrations - on many an occasion He had said to people - "Be of good cheer."
Jesus was now being faced with the fleeting impermanence of earthly glory. Jesus was aware that the rains were about to descend - the floods would rise - the wind would blow upon this house of sand - and great would be the fall of it. Give to God's what is God's - every word is vital - every opportunity is being taken.
Jesus could see Jerusalem's blindness - man's blindness - and it was as if no-one wanted to see. "Whose portrait is on the coin?" What does Jesus see when He observes what is going on across our world in these days?
These people who are so antagonistic to Him - He had wanted to gather them all under the security and safety of His Protective Wing - but they would not come - they would have none of it.
His Word was heard and received by only a very few, but what a group - what a band of people - their witness continues today - the witness of the few.
Think of what Peter and Andrew and James and John gave up and surrendered. They were businessmen - fishermen with family businesses and the call of Jesus Christ was so strong and real that they just arose and followed Him. Giving and Surrendering.
Think - consider - what an upheaval it must have been in the life of Saul of Tarsus when Jesus Christ confronted him. His career - his prospects - his reputation in Jerusalem and elsewhere - all gone - in a blinding flash.
But again - Jesus has the best word - and Jesus has the last word - the final word.
This word must have been, and it continues to be, searing and piercing and penetrating, as The Holy Spirit takes and applies these very basic truths.
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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