Luke 6:39 - 7:5
Luke 6:39-42 ESV
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
These verses all appear connected and are put together in our Bibles, and it seems to be a warning against being a blind guide. The blind leading the blind, the student becoming like the teacher but not greater, the speck versus log. When you lead but do not have a good grasp of where you're going, you'll lead others astray. Likewise, when you teach but don't understand what you're teaching, those who learn from you may be taught falsehoods or be without a full understanding. A student cannot surpass the knowledge of the teacher unless a greater teachers comes. You cannot correct the fault in another unless you understand the fault in yourself. Being a blind (untaught) teacher is a dangerous thing, especially for those who follow.
Luke 6:43-45 ESV
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
You can't hide the fruit of your life. Your fruit shows whether your heart belongs to Jesus or the world. Living for Christ is more than just talking nice; it's inward and outward change to be different. To be fruitful.
You can't hide the fruit of your life. Your fruit shows whether your heart belongs to Jesus or the world. Living for Christ is more than just talking nice; it's inward and outward change to be different. To be fruitful.
Luke 6:46-49 ESV
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Superficial faith is no faith. It has no foundation, nothing to ground it. It won't withstand the trials of this world or the judgement when we go to the next. Your life and actions either reinforces or refutes your statement of faith. Now, we can't live perfectly every day, but we can earnestly attempt to and confess of our failures when we inevitably do fail. Stumbling isn't a loss of faith.
Superficial faith is no faith. It has no foundation, nothing to ground it. It won't withstand the trials of this world or the judgement when we go to the next. Your life and actions either reinforces or refutes your statement of faith. Now, we can't live perfectly every day, but we can earnestly attempt to and confess of our failures when we inevitably do fail. Stumbling isn't a loss of faith.
Luke 7:1-3 ESV
After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
Later we see that the centurion didn't think himself worthy to come before Jesus and make this request. The centurion sent Jewish elders instead. For some, this might seem like laziness. But I believe it shows just how much the centurion understood, not just about Jewish customs but Whom he was making a request of. There was obvious tension between Jews and Gentiles, and especially between Jews and Rome, and instead of sending his servants or coming himself, he sent elders of the Jews in his place to make his request. This is humility. We see as this passage continues that he also understands his own position before Jesus, Who is much more than just a Jew. He's One Who heal, has power, and as the centurion believed, needed only speak the word and something would be done. He was the One the Old Testament prophets spoke of. This passage is faith and humility on display.
Later we see that the centurion didn't think himself worthy to come before Jesus and make this request. The centurion sent Jewish elders instead. For some, this might seem like laziness. But I believe it shows just how much the centurion understood, not just about Jewish customs but Whom he was making a request of. There was obvious tension between Jews and Gentiles, and especially between Jews and Rome, and instead of sending his servants or coming himself, he sent elders of the Jews in his place to make his request. This is humility. We see as this passage continues that he also understands his own position before Jesus, Who is much more than just a Jew. He's One Who heal, has power, and as the centurion believed, needed only speak the word and something would be done. He was the One the Old Testament prophets spoke of. This passage is faith and humility on display.
Luke 7:4-5 ESV
And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”
God made me stop on the phrase "he is worthy" and poked me with it. This thought of being worthy is a stumbling block for us just as much as it was for the people in Jesus' day. The thought of becoming worthy, or believing they already were worthy, of something from God, whether it be fortune or eternal life or health or whatever they fancied. If we aren't careful, we can start thinking that way ourselves. We can start comparing ourselves to others or think of all the good things we've done or how nice we are. Left unchecked, we can begin to think we deserve something from God. But the Bible makes it abundantly clear, we don't deserve anything from God except His just wrath. That's the only thing we deserve. Everything else is a gift. Every breath, each day, and most importantly, our salvation. It's all given by God to us as a gift. Grace = unmerited favor.
God made me stop on the phrase "he is worthy" and poked me with it. This thought of being worthy is a stumbling block for us just as much as it was for the people in Jesus' day. The thought of becoming worthy, or believing they already were worthy, of something from God, whether it be fortune or eternal life or health or whatever they fancied. If we aren't careful, we can start thinking that way ourselves. We can start comparing ourselves to others or think of all the good things we've done or how nice we are. Left unchecked, we can begin to think we deserve something from God. But the Bible makes it abundantly clear, we don't deserve anything from God except His just wrath. That's the only thing we deserve. Everything else is a gift. Every breath, each day, and most importantly, our salvation. It's all given by God to us as a gift. Grace = unmerited favor.
Comments
Post a Comment