All posts by Luella Campbell

LUKE’S GOSPEL…MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS – 35

Bible Study, ,

“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What kind of reaction did the people who told Jesus about Pilate’s cruelty expect from Him? Disgust? Outrage? Condemnation? 

These people were in for a shock! Jesus didn’t condemn Pilate. He didn’t commiserate with the victims. He didn’t express condolences to the families. He turned on those who reported to Him! Why?

The reporters could do nothing about Pilate’s actions but they could do something about their own attitude! What was their attitude? Was it judgment? “How terrible of Pilate! I would never to something like that!” Was it gloating? “They must have deserved what they got.” 

Instead, Jesus warned…”Watch out that you don’t find yourself in the same boat!” Isn’t it strange…interesting…amazing…that we naturally turn our attention to the sufferer or the perpetrator and judge…blame…condemn…rather than scrutinise ourselves for our own attitudes! We are quick to look at ourselves when we need to exonerate our attitudes or behaviour but quick to look at others to blame or condemn when things go wrong for them. 

Our land is, at present, uncovering a plethora of evil behaviour, especially in our leaders. I find myself alongside all those who self-righteously judge and condemn the wicked. I stand with those who gloat over the downfall of wrongdoers, happy that they have been found out and desperately hoping that they will get their day in court. 

Is this Jesus’ way? 

“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Wow! That is shocking! Jesus shot straight from the hip! “With an attitude like that (and Jesus read their hearts), you are as guilty as those who perished!”

What was Jesus saying? How true that we are quick to judge others for their sin and slow to take responsibility for our own. More than that, our sin is of the heart, unseen, when we are glad when those who oppose us, or those we don’t like, suffer. 

God’s Word is clear…

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ NIV

God’s way digs deep into our own hearts and uncovers the rot that still lurks inside us. Jesus’ response to the suffering of others, especially those we consider enemies, is to repent of the thoughts of our callous hearts. “Return!” He says.  “Come back to God’s way of viewing your enemies!”

The only acceptable attitude of a redeemed heart is one of forgiveness, mercy, and generosity. 

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…Do to others as you would have them do to you…But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭28‬, ‭31‬, ‭35‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When the Holy Spirit looks deep into our hearts, does He see the heart of Jesus?

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” …

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Attitudes and actions like this are only possible through God’s grace. When we act on Jesus’ prescription, “Ask the Father for holy desires,” He responds with grace and mercy towards us. 

Let us who are called by His name not be fake. In our weakness, let’s be honest. Let’s call on His name for the grace to be merciful and compassionate towards those who fall, knowing that we stand only because of God’s infinite mercy towards us. 

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…A LINE IN THE SAND -34a

Bible Study, ,

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭49‬-‭53‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ statement must have shocked His disciples. What did He mean? His announcement, His explanations and parables of the kingdom were unlocking both a new understanding and a new era for them although the realities of the kingdom would only become clear after Pentecost. 

However, now, He was talking about fire and division… and a division so drastic that it would tear families apart. Yes, Jesus spoke about peace, about reconciliation, about the power of unity…about life in God’s kingdom so different from anything they had ever known on earth that they could only enter and experience this life through a spiritual “new birth”, but…

Peace! Fire and division? How did these two opposing realities fit together?

Jesus was talking about a line in the sand. On one side of the line was God’s kingdom and what life under God’s rule would be like. All sin, wickedness, and evil would be eliminated, burned up by the power of Jesus’ word. Hearts and lives would be transformed by His grace to live in harmony with Him and His standards and with each other in a realm governed by Jesus Himself. 

The Father appointed and anointed His Son to be the king who rules over this realm forever, a rule that encompasses the whole earth and all people…where righteousness, justice, and peace are the standards. 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

However, God’s kingdom has not been established on earth without a serious challenge. On the other side of the line in the sand are the earthly kings who have rebelled against His righteous rule. To them, God declares…

“He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

With the Son firmly installed on the throne, a position earned by a life of perfect obedience even to death…

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…Jesus has all authority, as the Word of God, to reset the universe and the earth itself to its original condition of perfection and functionality. Heaven and earth will become one, and this will be the realm where redeemed humans will live forever in the presence of God. 

In the final purification of the earth, all who resist Jesus’ rule will come under His judgment.  With the same power of His word through which H created the universe…

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…through which He upholds all of creation…

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬a NIV

…and through which He will cleanse and purify creation…

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…He will destroy all evil end evil doers…

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Peter uses the Greek word, “stoicheia” to tell us what will be burned up…

…the same word Paul uses to explain what the “elements” or principles are that drive the ungodly world system. 

“Elements” in this context are not natural or physical but basic principles by which the ungodly world functions, essentially “ superstition”. 

“The “elementary principles of the world” (ta stoicheia tou kosmou), as used in Galatians 4:3 and Colossians 2:8, refers to the basic, rudimentry, or “fleshly” principles of human philosophy, religious legalism, and worldly wisdom that existed before Christ. It signifies a state of spiritual bondage to self-justification, pagan traditions, or elemental, worldly forces.” (Source: Google AI)

“The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Unfortunately, the principles that govern the lives of people are the ways people live by what they believe, represented by the two kingdoms…the tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

So, people are separated, by what they believe and do into the two sides of the line in the sand. This line cuts through families as well as groups, causing division so serious that some kill for what they believe. This division is inevitable since it is the expression of the enmity between God and His adversary, the devil. 

The question we must answer is, “On which side of the line am I?”God’s side means eternal life. The other side means…fire!

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…BE FAITHFUL – 33

Bible Study, ,

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak…You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭35‬-‭38‬, ‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus often taught his disciples to be ready for His return. What did He mean by “be ready”? 

Some people think that to be ready means to prepare for a siege…clothes packed, provisions gathered, in a safe place somewhere in the mountains! 

When we read Jesus’ story, being ready is not about being equipped to face what might happen. It’s about getting on with the job at hand. “Faithfulness” is the operative word. His coming, whenever it happens, must interrupt us while we are busy doing our duties. We are not to sit down and wait for His coming. We are to carry on with the work He has given to do, that is, taking care of His household, whatever form that may take. 

Jesus honours faithfulness. He often spoke of faithfulness as being what pleases God. The Greek word “pistis” and its Hebrew counterpart, “emunah”, can mean fidelity, steadfastness, reliability, and in the context of Hebrews 11…illustrating verse 1…

“Now faith(fulness) is (evidence of the) confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…faithfulness under pressure was what commended the ancients.   

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Faith can either mean adherence to a creed or constancy in relation to the truth of the creed. When we believe what God says and live faithfully by what He says no matter what pressures our faithfulness encounters, God is pleased and rewards our faithfulness. 

Consider Jesus’ parable about the talents. 

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey… “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬-‭15‬, ‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It was not the amount of money the first two servants gained that the master applauded. It was their faithfulness to use what he had entrusted to them to gain more. 

When we are faithfully doing whatever Jesus has given us to do in taking care of His household, it does not matter what time of the day or night He returns. We will be ready to receive Him and joyfully to hand over to Him what we have done. 

Serving God’s people takes many forms. Jesus assigns us tasks in keeping with the gifts and talents He has given us. No task is greater or more important than another because, together, we form the team that fulfils the task. If one person fails, some needs remain unmet. How important, then, that each member of the family does and sticks faithfully to his/her own task. 

“The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭42‬-‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When Jesus returns, will He find you, me, ready to give an account because we have been hard at work to ensure that our part of the task He has assigned us is done faithfully?

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…TYE WAY OF THE KINGDOM – 32a

Bible Study, ,

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We have been examining the purpose of our needs in the context of prayer and God’s way of doing things. God’s economic system is to create a current by giving to those in need so that God, in turn, meets our needs. 

This leads me to another important consideration. If this is God’s way of meeting our needs, why did Jesus teach His disciples to pray…

“Give us each day our daily bread.”

Was He contradicting Himself? Not if we understand a little bit about the Hebrew mind. 

At the mention of “daily bread”, a Hebrew-thinking person would have associated daily bread with the manna God provided daily in the wilderness. All the details of their ancestors’ deliverance from Egypt would have been a part of their thinking and remembering. 

Let’s go, for a moment, to the aftermath of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand recorded in John’s gospel. 

“The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬, ‭24‬-‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As usual, the people bypassed faith in Jesus by demanding a sign. The sign Jesus gave them was exactly what had happened and what they had seen the previous day. He had given them bread to eat by the miracle of multiplying five small barley buns. 

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭32‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now, let’s go back to Jesus’ prayer…”give us today our daily bread.” Just as the Father provided daily manna in the wilderness, so Jesus is the bread from heaven whom we must “eat” daily to nourish our souls. Jesus went on to make this shocking statement…

“Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭49‬-‭51‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 What was Jesus saying? Using the symbolism of eating bread, He said that we must “eat” His flesh, that is, take in the reality and meaning of His body given for us so that, through His death, we may have eternal life.  

So, in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus was not contradicting Himself. He was pointing to our need to feed daily on what He has done for us through His death. We must ask the Father to feed us on His Word…Jesus, who is the Bread of Life…so that we can live and grow in this eternal life He has given us through His Son and in the life of the kingdom over which He is King  and Lord. 

If it not necessary for us to ask God to meet our needs, for what must we ask when we have needs? 

“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why not ask the Father to give us a generous heart like the heart of Jesus? When we give freely to another in need, we create a space for God’s generosity to flow to us. 

To be continued…