February 4th, Wednesday: Luke chaps. 19-20

Luke 19

The day of salvation.

The experience of Zacchaeus - Jesus came to him, and Jesus sought him and saved him.

That's the same way He works with you and me today, and in the lives of those we love.

Although He was surrounded by a great crowd of people, all trying to get His attention, no doubt - Jesus took time for individuals.

And even saw a man up there in a tree.

Well, He is still the seeking Saviour, isn't He?

But now He uses your eyes, your hands, your lips to speak for Him.

The day of evaluation.

There are 3 possible relationships with the King.

You can reject His rule and be an enemy, but of course this leads to judgment..

You can accept His rule and become unfaithful, but that leads to loss of reward.

Or you can accept His rule, do His will faithfully and then receive His reward.

You're not to protect what He gives you, but to invest it for His glory.

This is what is known as the Triumphal Entry, but there were mixed emotions going on as the Lord approaches the city.

This is the day of visitation.

What a tragedy that the Jewish nation did not even know their own King when He came to them.

But when he comes again, will He really find faith on the earth?

Our Lord wept, for He saw the terrible judgment that was coming to the city and the people.

What is God looking for?

Well, He's seeking the lost, He's seeking worshipers, and He wants fruit, real spiritual fruit in our lives.

The fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and He wants faithful servants.

Has He found you?

Do you fully belong to Him completely?

Luke 20

In spite of their evasive and hypocritical reply, the leaders could not escape the past.

You see, they have rejected the ministry of John the Baptist, and that led to their refusal to trust Jesus Christ.

You may forget your decisions, but they will not forget you.

You may even try to bury them.

But they will be resurrected to accuse you.

Sir Winston Churchill said, 'Truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it, but there it is – the truth – it is incontrovertible.'

Well, they could not escape future judgment, these Pharisees and teachers of the Law – they would reject the Son and the Stone, and that would bring about their ruin.

Christ either saves you, or judges you, and there is no middle ground- it does not exist.

The leaders even fail to escape present responsibility in asking Jesus trick questions in an effort to trap Him.

They hope that He would say something that they could accuse .

But His answers only expose their folly and increase their guilt.

They were fighting a losing battle, and would not surrender.

This surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ is absolutely imperative.

And it is the one surrender where you win the battle.

It's one of the great paradoxes – you surrender and you win.