Word@Work Luke194 - Luke 11:44-45
Published: Mon, 09/20/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
UNEXPECTED CONTAMINATION
Luke 11:44-45 "Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it." One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also." (NIV)
Jesus rebuked the religious rulers for missing the whole point of God's kindness and favour to the nation. Instead of gratitude and heartfelt worship, they were arrogant and proud of their controlling positions in society. So Jesus unmasks them. He likens them to unmarked graves. In their religion, the dead were unclean; and graves defiled your holiness and therefore were best avoided. So when Jesus called them a graveyard that was a big insult. But He went further in saying that they were unmarked graves. In other words, instead of helping to purify people, they spiritually contaminated them while the people were unaware that their spiritual leaders were a danger to their relationship with God.
While most of Jesus' sayings did not cause an outward reaction, this one did. One of the leaders realised exactly what He was saying and that it was not a compliment. He felt insulted and said so. But it was only the insult that truth brings to error, or which light brings to darkness. Whenever the Lord is intent on asserting His authority in people's lives, His intervention will be a challenge; because righteousness cannot come in until unrighteousness is recognised for what it is, and repented of.
While God's challenges will insult our pride, they are never hostile to our souls because He wants us to repent and change. However, if we resist His rebukes, we are fighting against God. Those who lead in families, churches, business or government have a special responsibility to bring others into the truth, and especially to do nothing which would further contaminate their souls or lead them away from the hope of heaven through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. So if in some way these verses highlight such an area in your life, do not resist the Lord's rebuke but repent of harbouring darkness and darkening others.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Sinful human nature will never relish Your rebuke, but as King David said, "see if there is any offensive way in me" (Psalm 139:24). I know that it is most important for me to be right with You, especially if I am to lead others without contaminating them. Thank You for Your Word which shines a spotlight on what is wrong so that I might repent and work with You for the blessing of others. Please help me to see myself as You see me, accepting Your verdict on my life and receiving Your cleansing and the opportunity to be of real use in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus rebuked the religious rulers for missing the whole point of God's kindness and favour to the nation. Instead of gratitude and heartfelt worship, they were arrogant and proud of their controlling positions in society. So Jesus unmasks them. He likens them to unmarked graves. In their religion, the dead were unclean; and graves defiled your holiness and therefore were best avoided. So when Jesus called them a graveyard that was a big insult. But He went further in saying that they were unmarked graves. In other words, instead of helping to purify people, they spiritually contaminated them while the people were unaware that their spiritual leaders were a danger to their relationship with God.
While most of Jesus' sayings did not cause an outward reaction, this one did. One of the leaders realised exactly what He was saying and that it was not a compliment. He felt insulted and said so. But it was only the insult that truth brings to error, or which light brings to darkness. Whenever the Lord is intent on asserting His authority in people's lives, His intervention will be a challenge; because righteousness cannot come in until unrighteousness is recognised for what it is, and repented of.
While God's challenges will insult our pride, they are never hostile to our souls because He wants us to repent and change. However, if we resist His rebukes, we are fighting against God. Those who lead in families, churches, business or government have a special responsibility to bring others into the truth, and especially to do nothing which would further contaminate their souls or lead them away from the hope of heaven through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. So if in some way these verses highlight such an area in your life, do not resist the Lord's rebuke but repent of harbouring darkness and darkening others.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Sinful human nature will never relish Your rebuke, but as King David said, "see if there is any offensive way in me" (Psalm 139:24). I know that it is most important for me to be right with You, especially if I am to lead others without contaminating them. Thank You for Your Word which shines a spotlight on what is wrong so that I might repent and work with You for the blessing of others. Please help me to see myself as You see me, accepting Your verdict on my life and receiving Your cleansing and the opportunity to be of real use in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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