Luke 10:21-24

Luke 10:21-24 

English Standard Version 

  What is the greatest treasure?  If you're a king, you either have it or can obtain it.  Nothing is off limits, right?  

  Here is Jesus, telling the disciples that they have obtained the greatest treasure of all.  They have seen Jesus, and they believe.  Do you think they realized what they had?

  I think of these same disciples, on this Maundy Thursday, fleeing from the soldiers in the hopes of saving their own lives.  They see Jesus arrested and suddenly all seems so small and fragile, their kingdom having toppled so fast.  Do they feel like Jesus contains wisdom beyond compare?  Or do they think that all is lost?

  We often feel this fragile and small.  But Jesus can go confidently to his arrest because he has no fear.  He knows true power and righteousness, and death does not frighten him.  He has come in love, for love, and love shall conquer all.

Luke 10:17-20

Luke 10:17-20 

English Standard Version 

  The disciples have returned from their mission, and they are thrilled with the results they have seen.  How could they not be?  I would be.  We all have results in mind that would give us this kind of joy.  As a preacher, you imagine preaching before thousands of people and seeing your words impact multitudes.  As a parent, you imagine your children growing in faithfulness and becoming good people.  What are your roles in life, and how do you define success?

  Jesus affirms that these are good things, but he reminds them of the greatest thing -- to have one's name written in heaven.  This is the true joy, and it comes as a gift -- this is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.  This is what Holy Week is about, what the cross is focused upon.  God has come for this -- not that we might achieve results, for God could do that on his own if that was the only goal.  Jesus has come so that we might have life and have it eternally.

TSA and the Gospel

Luke 10:13-16

Luke 10:13-16 

English Standard Version 

  You don't hear these verses preached very often in devotional settings.  Nobody chooses these when they're looking to offer a little encouragement to a small group.  They don't print this on the cover of those cute pink children's Bibles.  

  It's sad to think about places that have rejected Jesus, but it's a reminder that just because someone hears the words of Jesus, it doesn't lead to transformation.  I think about when the devil showed up to tempt Jesus -- he knew the words of Scripture, but they clearly hadn't penetrated his heart.  Knowing about Jesus isn't the same as knowing Jesus.  

  The challenge for us, then, is to ensure we're seeking to know Jesus.  Let's not settle for simply knowing enough.  Let's pursue a deep knowledge, a transformational knowledge, so that we're growing closer and closer to Christ.