Word@Work Luke198 - Luke 11:52-54
Published: Fri, 09/24/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE FOLLY OF THROWING THE KEY AWAY
Luke 11:52-54 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say. (NIV)
Most people have mislaid keys at some time or another. Sometimes keys have been accidentally lost overboard from a boat, in a vast field or on public transport. But only foolish people deliberately throw away a key they will need. In these verses, Jesus is telling the religious teachers and theological academics that, instead of treasuring God's truth and opening it up to others, they have refused to accept God's way and go through His door of Salvation. They have also thrown away the key to the door so that those they lead cannot get through to God either.
This was a harsh statement to these leading theologians, and they realised that His finger was accusing them. But there was great logic in what the Master was saying. Nobody can teach beyond their own knowledge, nor introduce people to somebody they do not know. Although the religious leaders were supposed to be footmen who opened God's palace doors, they were totally incompetent because they had no personal relationship with their Maker. Jesus' accusation was full of grief. The doorkeepers of heaven could not get in themselves, and they were preventing others from joining God's family.
The only people who can enable people to meet God are those who already have a relationship with Him, through Jesus Christ. Teachers can explain facts about Jesus, but only those who know Him can introduce others. Those who refuse to submit themselves to His authority, however clever they may be, can never assist rebels to find His love and mercy. But for those who know they are saved by the precious blood of Christ, there is a great responsibility to pass on the gospel (which is the salvation-key) to others wherever they live or work or travel.
For those with broadband connections www.crosscheck.org.uk is a helpful way to explain the gospel freely to others - test it out today.
Prayer: Saving Lord. I am so grateful that You have not left me to flounder through life without knowing You. Thank You for the clarity of the gospel which convicted me of sin and urged me to repent so that I might become a child of God. Please help me to realise the responsibility I bear to open up the gospel to others. In a world of many voices, may I speak truly of my Saviour and win others to Him. 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
Most people have mislaid keys at some time or another. Sometimes keys have been accidentally lost overboard from a boat, in a vast field or on public transport. But only foolish people deliberately throw away a key they will need. In these verses, Jesus is telling the religious teachers and theological academics that, instead of treasuring God's truth and opening it up to others, they have refused to accept God's way and go through His door of Salvation. They have also thrown away the key to the door so that those they lead cannot get through to God either.
This was a harsh statement to these leading theologians, and they realised that His finger was accusing them. But there was great logic in what the Master was saying. Nobody can teach beyond their own knowledge, nor introduce people to somebody they do not know. Although the religious leaders were supposed to be footmen who opened God's palace doors, they were totally incompetent because they had no personal relationship with their Maker. Jesus' accusation was full of grief. The doorkeepers of heaven could not get in themselves, and they were preventing others from joining God's family.
The only people who can enable people to meet God are those who already have a relationship with Him, through Jesus Christ. Teachers can explain facts about Jesus, but only those who know Him can introduce others. Those who refuse to submit themselves to His authority, however clever they may be, can never assist rebels to find His love and mercy. But for those who know they are saved by the precious blood of Christ, there is a great responsibility to pass on the gospel (which is the salvation-key) to others wherever they live or work or travel.
For those with broadband connections www.crosscheck.org.uk is a helpful way to explain the gospel freely to others - test it out today.
Prayer: Saving Lord. I am so grateful that You have not left me to flounder through life without knowing You. Thank You for the clarity of the gospel which convicted me of sin and urged me to repent so that I might become a child of God. Please help me to realise the responsibility I bear to open up the gospel to others. In a world of many voices, may I speak truly of my Saviour and win others to Him. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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