God Was In Christ: An Advent Reading Of Luke 16

Day 16 Luke Chapter 16

“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail” {vv.16-17}.

In chapter sixteen, Jesus continually rebukes the Pharisees, who believed they were more righteous. In v.v. 16-17, Jesus speaks about John the Baptist and says that the culmination of redemptive history is marked by his ministry. Jesus once again reveals the hearts of the Pharisees when He explains the Law to them. With the arrival of John the Baptist as Jesus’ forerunner came the arrival of God’s Kingdom. The Pharisees thought of themselves as the experts in the Law and the Prophets, yet they were dense and missed the very One to whom the Law and the Prophets spoke. Many people, including the Pharisees, were trying to force their way into the kingdom by other means than what John and Jesus were teaching. While the Pharisees were busy scheming and plotting against Jesus and opposing His teaching, multitudes of sinners were entering the Kingdom. The “by violent force” probably describes the zeal with which sinners sought to enter the Kingdom.[1]

Regardless of their self-justification, they were not living according to God’s Law. The fulfillment of the Law does not mean an end to the Law. Because of Jesus’ sinless, perfect, once-and-for-all sacrifice, the sacrificial requirements of the Law were no longer needed. However, the principle of the Law did not conclude, and they (and we) are required to live by the principle of the Law, to be written in our hearts (Rom. 2:15). Paul later rebukes the religious leaders for the same heart issue:

“Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it” {Acts 7:52–53 NASB}.

God’s eternal laws and principles did not cease. We must still live out love, faith, hope, loving our neighbors, and putting God first by seeking His Kingdom. 

Let’s purpose through this Advent to continue to live out the principles of God’s Law, which Christ declared should now be written on our hearts. Let’s put God first in our lives—this Advent—and beyond and give Him our very best.

 

 

[1] John F. MacArthur, ed., “Luke 16: 16–17,” The John MacArthur Study Bible: English Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2021), 1409.

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God Was In Christ: An Advent Reading Of Luke 3

 Day 3 Luke Chapter 3

“John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk. 3: 16 NASB). 

John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. Isaiah the prophet spoke so prophetically of the coming of the forerunner who would prepare God’s people for the coming of the Messiah. John heralded that the kingdom of God was at hand and that the Messiah would soon come. John preached repentance to the people so they would be aware of their sin and unworthiness, their fallenness displaying their deep need for the Messiah. They must prepare for the coming of the Messiah by repenting. Though John was baptizing in water, only Christ would lead people to the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit overshadows and brings one into the New Covenant of grace, light, and power to become new creatures in Christ.

John was preaching and bringing the Old Covenant to its fulfillment when Christ, the Messiah, would arrive on the scene—carrying His great power to baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. This could only be done by the Creator of the universe, for John, though a great prophet, was but a man. He indeed baptized them in water and urged them to repent and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. That, however, is the scope of his power. They must now seek the Messiah, the One whose way he was sent to prepare. John readily admits that the Messiah is more excellent than he. John says he is not even worthy to touch the laces of His shoes, yet John was a prophet more so than any of the Old Testament prophets. The One—Christ is still a prophet above John.

John’s baptism in water made people ready by purifying and cleansing themselves, but only Christ can and will baptize them with the Holy Ghost. He will give the Spirit to cleanse and purify the heart. The ultimate fulfillment of the baptizing work of the Spirit was seen at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4). Being baptized in the fire of the Holy Ghost is being purified and filled with power to complete the calling of the King for the kingdom.

It is hard on this side of the crèche, that wonderous baby in the manger, to set our minds on waiting for someone who has already arrived. I believe this is one reason why we have lost some of the mystery surrounding the blessed birth. It is imperative to remember that the One is coming again, a time we must still prepare. A time for which we must be ready. Let us prepare for the coming of Christmas, a time to celebrate that because of God’s love, He came and dwelt among us and reconciled us to the Father. All things will culminate in His second coming, and rather than reconciliation, He will present us—the Bride—to the Father. Let’s reflect and rejoice in the unfailing Love of God.

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Advent: Seeking Christ Day 16

Advent: Seeking Christ Day 16

Day 16 Luke Chapter 16

“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail” {vv.16-17}.

This chapter sixteen is a continual rebuke to the Pharisees who believed they were more righteous because they had wealth. They believed that financial wealth was a sign of God’s blessing on them. So if you were poor, God’s blessing was not on your life. But Jesus responded to them that God alone knows the heart and only He can judge who is righteous and who is not; money is not that judge. They cannot justify themselves by their wealth or religious standing. Jesus rightly informed them that He was not impressed with their outward appearance when their hearts clearly were not right; they have misunderstood the blessing of God’s covenant. There were many righteous people in the Old Testament who did not have riches and many unrighteous who were rich.

Jesus once again reveals the hearts of these particular Pharisees when He explains the Law to them. With the arrival of John the Baptist as Jesus forerunner came the arrival of God’s kingdom and brought to completion the Law and the Prophets. Many people, including the Pharisees, were trying to force their way into the kingdom by other means that what John—and Jesus—were teaching. Regardless of their self-justification, they were not even living according to God’s Law. 

The fulfillment of the Law does not mean an end to the Law. Because of Jesus’ sinless, perfect, once-and-for-all sacrifice, the sacrificial requirements of the Law were no longer needed. The principle of the Law, however, did not conclude and they (and we) are required to live by the principle of the Law which was administered by angels. Paul later rebukes the religious leaders for the same heart issue:

“Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it” {Acts 7:52-53 NASB}.

God’s eternal laws and principles did not cease. We must still live out love, faith, hope, and loving our neighbors, and putting God first in our lives.

Let’s purpose through this Advent to continue to live out the principles of God’s Law, which Christ declared should now be written on our hearts. Let’s put God first in our lives—this Advent—and beyond and give Him our very best.

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Sabbath Sanctuary: The Path

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1: 1-45

Walk by Faith

There will come a time and there will come a day
You will face tests and trials but I have come to say
I will not let one of you go even when you stumble
I will protect you and cause your enemy to fumble

Though things may get hard I give My grace to you
So you can walk by faith and know just what to do
You will not smell like smoke when you stand in My Name
Those who hear My Word through you won’t be the same

So even if you can’t see all the way in front of you
Walk by faith and not by sight do as I would do
I will protect you and defend you when you do what is right
Take My grace and love with you and all of My power and might

Piper Green ©2004

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight {Proverbs 3:6}.

Rest in Him this Sabbath; He guides your every step...the steps of the righteous are ordered (see Psalm 37:23).

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