2003-01-15
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I’ve been led in the last couple of messages to talk about how the Gospel of Luke is a chronological yardstick for the other Gospels and must continue. We have seen how God authorized Christ and the apostles to exorcise demons, how Christ used the parable of the return of an unclean spirit to give the Pharisees a capsule history of unbelieving Israel, and how Christ sent out seventy-two men with instructions to prepare the towns for His visits in them to spread the message of salvation and peace. Our need to study these important passages from both Matthew and Luke is revealed in the lessons they have for us. Once we know them, we also can use these verses and stories from God when appropriate in our own battles with Satan. In case we ever question if we have that same “authorization” to use the word of God in battle, we need only review such Scriptures as 2 COR 10: 4-5, COL 1: 13, COL 2: 15, JN 12: 31, HE 2: 14, 1 JN 3: 8. In believing these truths, we can claim victory in our battles with the devil on the grounds of the cross. The moment Christ gave His life for us, the devil was defeated and the prophecy of GN 3: 15, the Protevangelium, was consummated. It’s only a matter of time before the serpent’s head is completely crushed in REV 19: 20-21 and REV 20: 10, and he is forever put out of business. He knows his time is limited, which is why he is so angry with us and so anxious to cause righteous people pain, suffering, and loss [REV 12: 12]. Before we get too discouraged at this evil effort, we must bear in mind two things. God never allows the devil to put us to a test we aren’t equipped to overcome [1 COR 10: 13], and we must keep in mind God’s big picture based on His desire to bring as many people back to Him for an eternal life of joy, peace, and fellowship as will allow it.
We can get a real picture of Christ’s experience from the flow of events I’ve discussed so far, which we now continue to examine. We know that Christ understood that some of the towns visited by the seventy-two men were not welcoming ones. That is why He gave them the advice found in LK 10: 10-12. “But whenever you go into a town and are not welcomed, go out in the streets and say, ‘Even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. But remember that the Kingdom of God has come near you!’ I assure you that on the Judgement Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to that town!” The work God calls us to is not always easy, but the rewards for enduring in faithful obedience over giving in to Satan’s traps are well worth it.
Christ further addressed Himself to the fate of the unbelieving towns in LK 10: 13-16 [also MT 11: 20-24]. We see in this that more is expected from those to whom more has been revealed. Therefore, the towns of Tyre and Sidon would receive less punishment than Chorazin and Bethsaida for their unbelief. The former towns had not seen the miracles that Christ and the apostles had performed in Chorazin and Bethsaida. Christ’s anger is particularly directed at Capernaum, where He had preached in the synagogue and spent enough time for them to have a chance to recognize the truth of His messages and even His deity. LK 10: 15, “And as for you, Capernuam! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell!” The language used here is meant to evoke IS 14: 11-15, God speaking about the fate of Satan. In LK 10: 16, Christ delivers the central message he has to these towns and to anyone who persists in unbelief. “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One Who sent Me.’” We already have been told many times what the consequences of habitually rejecting God and His Son are-a one-way trip to conscious eternal torment in the lake of fire and sulfur.
Another important lesson is inherent in this last verse. We see that Christ has authority to effectively battle the forces of evil and is able to pass that authority to others who are His followers, just as God had given that authority to Him. The response of the seventy-two men upon their return reveals this. LK 10: 17-20, “The seventy-two men came back in great joy. ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in Your name!’ Jesus answered them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Listen! I have given your authority, so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. Do not be glad because the evil spirits obey you, rather be glad because your names are written in heaven.’” I don’t apologize for repeating EPH 1: 18-20 so often. Now is the time for each of us to understand that we really do have the power to battle Satan to victoriously. We really do have the right to claim that victory on the grounds of the cross. And we really do need to endure in our faith, knowing God will always protect us and never allow us to be tested beyond our ability to overcome. The consequences of backing down against Satan’s fiery arrows is a spiritual disaster not worth even giving in inch to in our lives. Dear Ones, our loving Abba is telling us, Do not give up! Fight the good fight. It’s worth it!
PRAYER: O Lord, You know that we sometimes feel awful pain, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. There are sometimes great disappointments in our lives. And yet, we must not forget how effectively You have equipped us to handle these and other challenges to our faith. We must remain ever cognizant of the true empowerment You have given us through Christ’s death on the cross. Praise to You, O Lord, that we are saved and have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. You have made prayer, one of Your most powerful tools, available to us. You have not only given us Your word, but through the Holy Spirit we can understand it. Despite our pain, sorrow, and loss, we must rise up and thank You. We must say and believe the words of IS 40: 31, “But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise up on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.” When we get discouraged, we must recall PHIL 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” We humbly thank You not only for this empowerment to wage spiritual warfare, but also for the encouragement You give us, for Your guidance and direction, and most of all, for Your constant love, faithfulness, and presence in our lives. The new perspective that You give us on our pain and suffering allows us to endure through it. We know there is no other God but You, no other God Who is so compassionate, wise, tender, and merciful. PS 62: 5, “Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him,” is part of what we must say to You today. Not only do You give us salvation, but You have also give us help in times of trouble. PS 37: 39, “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their Refuge in time of trouble.” We thank You for the mercy You continue to show us and believe that You take delight in our lives when we choose to live righteously “in Christ.” PS 145: 8-9, “The Lord is kind and shows mercy. He does not become angry quickly but is full of love. The Lord is good to everyone; He is merciful to all He has made.” We confess our sins and humbly offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, glory, honor, trust, obedience, thanks, and utmost praise. In Christ’s name, amen.
In tomorrow’s message, we will look at the prophecy of God’s chosen servant and the reaction to Him in His own home town. If we pay particular attention to Christ’s reaction to what happens to Him, we have a valuable lesson in dignity. God knew when He sent Christ to be incarnate that He was giving us and example of His preference for how we should behave in the face of adversity. Why would God do this? Because He wants us to understand what is necessary to avoid a life of sinfulness, the kind of life that leads to spiritual death. The only motivation behind this is His immeasurable and unconditional love for us. Bask in the warm glow of that love and never forget it, even when you are facing the pain and loss that Satan likes to bring us. God feels we are better than giving into the adversary, and we are blessed because of that. God loves each of you, and so do Peter and I.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn