Word@Work Luke145 - Luke 9:21-22
Published: Tue, 07/13/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DANGEROUS IDENTITY
Luke 9:21-22 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." (NIV)
Peter had just declared that Jesus was the promised Messiah - God's specially anointed person to represent heaven on earth. But this new realisation of who Jesus was, became the beginning of the road to the cross, because even religious people would prefer God to be remote, and not close up and personal. They acted as 'brokers' between God and the people, and enjoyed all the perks of the 'middle man'. But now it was clear, at least to the disciples, that Jesus was not just another religious 'broker': He carried the full authority of the Godhead. So if people could come straight to God by coming to Jesus, the religious hierarchy would become irrelevant. And so it proved to be. But more than that, the 'establishment' would fight back. The only way to maintain their power and social position was to kill Jesus.
The idea of God on your doorstep is frightening to religious leaders who hide behind shadowy mysticism to maintain their power grip over people. The church has always been tempted to go back to those Old Testament days in which direct access to God was almost impossible; when the system of priests and sacrifices provided the only way. Yet Jesus is both the great High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for sins - all we need is Jesus, not a 'religious broker'! Yes, we need evangelists to explain the gospel; teachers to help believers to understand God's Word; and pastors to encourage us to do what it says. But we come to God through Jesus Christ alone.
However, the rebellious human heart still wants to be in control, and finds it uncomfortable having God too close; even for those who are religious. So the old struggle over the dangerous identity of Jesus continues. To resist Him is to be in danger of His wrath, but to submit is to place oneself into potential danger from those people who hate to be reminded of God's presence too close! However, those who submit to the Lord also know His Holy Spirit's presence to protect them through the dangers and give them joy as they witness to His powerful salvation.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that I do not worship an unknown deity, but in Jesus I can know what You are like, and have the authorisation to approach You directly through the blood of Christ. Yet I know that those who resist Your love will also at times dislike any reminder that You are the King because they do not want to submit to You. Please help me not to be afraid of them and to witness clearly to my faith in You, knowing that only Your gospel can save people from Your wrath and bring them into the freedom of being children of God. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Peter had just declared that Jesus was the promised Messiah - God's specially anointed person to represent heaven on earth. But this new realisation of who Jesus was, became the beginning of the road to the cross, because even religious people would prefer God to be remote, and not close up and personal. They acted as 'brokers' between God and the people, and enjoyed all the perks of the 'middle man'. But now it was clear, at least to the disciples, that Jesus was not just another religious 'broker': He carried the full authority of the Godhead. So if people could come straight to God by coming to Jesus, the religious hierarchy would become irrelevant. And so it proved to be. But more than that, the 'establishment' would fight back. The only way to maintain their power and social position was to kill Jesus.
The idea of God on your doorstep is frightening to religious leaders who hide behind shadowy mysticism to maintain their power grip over people. The church has always been tempted to go back to those Old Testament days in which direct access to God was almost impossible; when the system of priests and sacrifices provided the only way. Yet Jesus is both the great High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for sins - all we need is Jesus, not a 'religious broker'! Yes, we need evangelists to explain the gospel; teachers to help believers to understand God's Word; and pastors to encourage us to do what it says. But we come to God through Jesus Christ alone.
However, the rebellious human heart still wants to be in control, and finds it uncomfortable having God too close; even for those who are religious. So the old struggle over the dangerous identity of Jesus continues. To resist Him is to be in danger of His wrath, but to submit is to place oneself into potential danger from those people who hate to be reminded of God's presence too close! However, those who submit to the Lord also know His Holy Spirit's presence to protect them through the dangers and give them joy as they witness to His powerful salvation.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that I do not worship an unknown deity, but in Jesus I can know what You are like, and have the authorisation to approach You directly through the blood of Christ. Yet I know that those who resist Your love will also at times dislike any reminder that You are the King because they do not want to submit to You. Please help me not to be afraid of them and to witness clearly to my faith in You, knowing that only Your gospel can save people from Your wrath and bring them into the freedom of being children of God. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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