“Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:4-5 ESV1
We all fear something. That which we fear has the power to influence our characters and determine our destinies. Jesus emphasized this truth in the context of the next parable we will examine.
“I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 ESV1
There is a protocol for greeting a member of the English Royal Family:
“For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way. On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is ‘Your Majesty’ and subsequently ‘Ma’am,’ pronounced with a short ‘a,’ as in ‘jam’. For male members of the Royal Family, the same rules apply, with the title used in the first instance being ‘Your Royal Highness’ and subsequently ‘Sir’. For other female members of the Royal Family the first address is conventionally ‘Your Royal Highness’ and subsequently ‘Ma’am’.”2
There is a proper way to address the President of the United States.
“In direct oral address – actually speaking to the President – the President is addressed as: Mr. President—His given name or surname are not used in his presence. This pattern of not using the name is typical around the world when addressing the highest officials—chiefs of state, heads of government, speakers of houses, chief justices, and a very few others. Listen to a White House news conference: Reporters addressing the POTUS as Mr. President are doing it correctly.”3
There is also an appropriate way to come before the King of the Universe.
He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 ESV1
This past weekend I got together with my daughter and her children. We stopped to get ice cream at a local restaurant. As we were enjoying the tasty treat, my two-year-old grandson noticed my phone peeking out of the front pocket of my purse. He turned to his mom and asked, “Trac’ors ‘Mammaw’s phone, p’ease?” My daughter replied, “Finish your ice cream first.” As we chatted, my grandson nibbled at his ice cream but his eyes were focused on me. As soon as I finished my ice cream, he asked again, “Trac’ors ‘Mammaw’s phone, p’ease?” His mom repeated, with emphasis, “Finish your ice cream first.” He shoved two more big bites of ice cream in his mouth, pushed the dish aside, and asked again, “Trac’ors ‘Mammaw’s phone, p’ease?” This time my daughter said, “Yes, now, you may watch a tractor video on Grandma’s phone.” A moment later, as I searched the internet and found a short, child-appropriate video about tractors, my grandson settled into my lap and stared with glee at what was happening on the screen of my phone.
When Jesus walked the Earth, there were no tractors, Grandmothers didn’t have smartphones, the internet didn’t exist, and I don’t think they even had anything like ice cream. But, Jesus, being the Good Teacher, was able to use as He taught illustrations from what they did have. In the following parable, Jesus told a story to help His audience learn an important lesson about a significant aspect of asking His Father for what they would like to have.
“Everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” Luke 11:10 ESV1
If you have been around Christianity for any length of time, you are probably familiar with the Lord’s Prayer.2 You may have it repeated several times with others in church services, on your own in times of need, or even at an occasional sporting event. As many times as you have heard and/or said it, you probably even have it memorized. If asked, you could probably recite it now. But are you as familiar with the parable Jesus shared with His disciples to reiterate this teaching on prayer?
And Jesus said to him, “You go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37b ESV1
Quite a while ago, God laid upon my heart to pray for those He brought to my mind or pointed out to me as I went about my daily activities. The Lord made it clear to me that I should not only pray for the situations in which these people found themselves but for their salvations too. So, one day when I was traveling into the city nearest my home to run errands, I saw a man parked alongside the road with car trouble. I immediately began to pray that he would get the help he needed and that God would work through his situation and his day to bring him to a saving knowledge of Christ.
Then it occurred to me, that although I was faithful to God’s leading to pray for the salvation of man I had seen, if I were in an actual conversation with him, I might not even attempt to steer the discussion toward Christ. I felt like a hypocrite. As I prayed for forgiveness, I told God, “All I have ever really wanted out of life is to take care of what I have, love the people I have been given, enjoy the simple pleasures in life, be a breath of fresh air to everyone I meet, and to, hopefully, through those things, bring a smile to Your face. But if that is not enough, You are going to have to help me.”
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 ESV1
Country artist, Ronnie Milsap, recorded a song entitled, “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.” The lyrics of that song are:
“What a difference you’ve made in my life.
What a difference you’ve made in my life.
You’re my sunshine day and night.
Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life.
What a change you’ve made in my heart.
What a change you’ve made in my heart.
You replaced all the broken parts.
Oh, what a change you’ve made in my heart.
Love, to me, was just a word in a song that had been way overused.
But now I have joined in the singing
because you’ve showed me love’s true meaning.
That’s why I want to spread the news.
What a difference you’ve made in my life.
What a difference you’ve made in my life.
You’re my sunshine day and night.
Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life. (5X)”2
I don’t know for whom Mr. Milsap sang his song, but every time it runs through my head, I can’t help but think of Jesus. And I imagine the woman highlighted in the following Scriptures had a very similar song playing in her heart for Jesus.
“For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29 ESV1
God Realties—that’s what my sister calls them—those things that are always true in the physical realm which parallel things that are without exception accurate in the spiritual realm. Light always penetrates the darkness. It could be as insignificant as a match in a deep dark cave, but that little light chases away the darkness surrounding it. Likewise, God always overcomes Satan; no matter how much it appears like Satan is in control when God shows up, the devil has to leave. Water always fills up the lowest place first. The same is true with the Holy Spirit; every time, He is drawn to the humble furnishing them with His power, while He is repelled by and rejects the proud. Living things always grow and change. Similarly, one’s spiritual state should be uninterruptedly characterized by increase and expansion.
At midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Matthew 25:6 ESV1
A wise teacher introduces new subjects by reviewing what his/her students have previously learned. He/she increases the likelihood that learners will grasp new concepts by building upon what they already know. Jesus is the Good Teacher (see Luke 18:18). As Jesus instructed His audience, He often taught novel truths by connecting them with what was familiar. Several times, Jesus communicated the intricates of the Gospel by relating it to the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony.
Both the Old and New Testaments of The Bible include wedding imagery to explain the love relationship between God and His people. The Bible has been compared to a love letter and a marriage covenant detailing the intimacy individual believers can have with God. When we look at the Bible in this light, there is great value in modern, particularly non-Jewish Believers, familiarizing themselves with Jewish marriage practices. The ancient Jewish wedding progressed through several steps which, interestingly, parallel the aspects of Jesus’ relationship with His Bride, the Church.
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” Luke 12:37 ESV1
As Christ Followers, thoughts of the Rapture are almost exclusively pleasant. Though we may be troubled by the mass chaos and extreme difficulties that will be faced by those who are left behind, we usually don’t worry about our own state. We expect that Christ’s returning will be a glorious time when we are swept from this troubled Earth and deposited in Heaven where there will be nothing but peace and joy and comfort for the rest of eternity.
But Jesus made it quite clear that the Rapture won’t produce bliss for all who have chosen Him as their Lord. The Coming of Christ will include judgment on all who belong to Him. Jesus’ return will be a day of reckoning, “a time when one is called to account for one’s actions … to fulfill one’s promises or obligations.”2 This Day will be a time when each of us who have decided to follow Jesus will be held liable for how we have managed what He has placed in our care. If we have been good stewards, we will be rewarded. And if we have mismanaged our callings, we will face severe consequences. The way Jesus spoke to His closest disciples about The End of the Age and His return made it impossible for there to be any doubt concerning this truth.
I am planning for a cross-country journey to attend a five-week discipleship program. I have been excitedly preparing for my trip for weeks. I went through my wardrobe, picked out appropriate attire, and purchased supplement pieces. I shopped for toiletries, snacks, office supplies, and little conveniences I would like to have available for myself while I am there. I cooked, assembled, and froze a variety of single-serving meals for my husband to eat while I am gone. I deep-cleaned my vehicle, inside and out, and made appointments for an oil change and a tire rotation. I cleaned my house, stocked up on nonperishable groceries, and used up perishable items. I paid bills, watered plants, sent out cards, and arranged for people to take care of some of my responsibilities while I am gone. I made phone calls, finished up tasks and obligations, got a haircut, gave my husband a haircut, and alerted the necessary people of my planned absence. Basically, I have done everything I was able and knew to do to get ready for this opportunity. I would rather be over-prepared than under-prepared.
Planning and providing for the future is extremely helpful, in fact, essential. But sometimes the more immediately urgent needs receive our utmost attention while we overlook the most necessary ways of planning for what is to come. In one of His parables, Jesus broached the topic of being alert to signs that point to the need to prepare for the forthcoming.