Category Archives: Bible Study

LUKE’S GOSPEL…STAND FIRM – 54

Bible Study, ,

“”Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” …He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” …Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬-‭9‬, ‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How relevant are Jesus’ warnings for us today!

Our world is in turmoil. Talk about shaking! God said He would, in the last days, shake everything…and for one reason, to sift the temporal and transient from the permanent and eternal. 

“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sobering words! People think that this world is eternal. They act as though everything they live for and depend on will last forever but …there’s a problem!

What is the most serious problem in our world and world system today, which has always been since Adam? Jesus put His finger on it…deception! The entire world, without God, functions on a delusion…that man can run the world his way, without God. 

God’s arch enemy had one purpose in mind when he confronted Eve, and Adam through her…to lure them by deception into delusion…that they could be free from God to be God. The deception was subtle. By following the devil’s insinuation that God was not to be trusted, they transferred authority, not to themselves, as they thought, but to the devil. They placed themselves firmly in his camp. Instead of being free to live and serve God, they became slaves to Satan.  

So, in answer to the disciples’ question, “When will the disaster (destruction of the temple) happen and how will we know when it’s about to happen?” In the other gospels, for example, in Matthew…their question not only related to the fate of the temple in the near future, but also to Jesus’ return and the end of this age…

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.”

A great deception…the first of many signs…about what? Do we not have many voices proclaiming, in the midst of the current shaking, “Listen to me! I have the authority to tell you that Jesus’ return is near.” These would-be false messiahs interpret prophecy according to their own imagination, putting in place timelines and dates and casting doubt on Jesus’ words…Jesus said clearly, 

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Matthew 24:36 NIV

Why would the Father keep secret the day of His Son’s return? 

First, this is part of the protocol of the Jewish wedding. The Bible has in it, among other themes, the story of the Father’s search for a bride for His Son. Having chosen His Bride, and before the Groom comes to claim His Bride, He, the Bridegroom, prepares the bridal chamber, at His Father’s house, for the consummation of the marriage. He would return for her when the Father was satisfied with the condition of the bridal chamber. Thus, only the Father could determine the time of the Bridegroom’s return. 

So, as Jesus told His disciples…

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wedding talk…He would return for them at the Father’s appointed time. 

Second, the great danger is that many people, even including some of God’s own people, would live careless lives with the idea that they could repent in good time for Jesus’ return.    

Jesus often spoke of His return and how to be ready…

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭NIV‬

The crux of the matter is simple. Mature believers are those who are steadfast in their faith and secure in their knowledge and practice of the truth. They are not easily unsettled by those who propagate deception or fear. They remain faithful to their calling and their tasks. They are ready at all times, no matter the circumstances, for Jesus’ return. They know that testing and suffering may come but their hope is in God and in the security of His eternal kingdom. As Paul wrote…

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, in the midst of whatever form the shaking may take…wars, famine, political turmoil, natural disasters, family upheavals, even loss or death…our hope is anchored to the eternal values and promises of God’s kingdom.   

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…WHOSE IMAGE? – 52

Bible Study,

“Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭20‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Would they never learn? How many times had the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus, only to be outwitted and caught in their own foolishness!

A case in point! Jesus was smart! He often responded to a trick question with a question. Why? Questions trigger thought…and thought produces answers. Answers reveal the heart! It’s as simple as that!

In this situation, since the religious leaders knew Jesus’ strategy and, perhaps, to save their own faces, they sent ”spies”, others who were detailed to do their dirty work, to try to trap Jesus. These “go-betweens” nonchalantly pretended to be innocent bystanders, just joining in the conversation…but Jesus wasn’t fooled. He could read His opponents like a book. He recognised the source of their flattering words which tried to cover up their trick question. He saw the barb and shot back with a question of His own. 

“Answer my question and then I’ll  answer yours.”

Since the question was about money but loaded with resentment because of Roman oppression, the issue was, “To whom did the money belong?” To call for a coin was the best way to illustrate the answer. “Show me the money!” Jesus demanded. 

The Roman coin spoke for itself. The image on it was the face of the Caesar. This money belonged to Caesar. Every time these schemers used money, whether they liked it or not, they were borrowing it from and representing Caesar. 

The second part of Jesus’ reply spoke volumes! Taxes belong to Caesar and to the Roman government. To withhold taxes was an offence. God’s Word makes that clear! As citizens of an earthly domain, we are collectively responsible to provide the finances to run the country. That’s the citizen’s business. The government’s business is to use it to provide the services that keep the country functional. 

“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

However, we humans carry the very image of God. He is holy, righteous, and true. As His image bearers, we are to fashion our lives after what He requires. This includes ownership. We are His by right of creation. Therefore, it is His right to govern our lives according to His will and to require from us the responsible use of what He has given us…our bodies, our resources, our time and talents…all are His to use for His glory. 

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ reply caught His opponents off guard! His answer was not what they expected. Never mess with Jesus! Their trap backfired and turned out to be an indictment against them. That settled it. They were learning that, no matter how much they schemed snd plotted, they could  never outwit Jesus. They knew that they were guilty. However much they pretended that they were obedient to God’s covenant, they could not silence their accusing consciences…Instead of trapping Jesus, they played right into His hands. 

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…MY HOUSE – 51b

Bible Study, ,

“It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is both another perspective and spiritual significance to these words of Jesus. He was, at that moment, dealing with the misuse of God’s house in Jerusalem…but there is another “house” of greater importance than the physical temple which no longer exists in the holy city today. 

“Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Moses was the builder of God’s visible “house”, the tabernacle in the wilderness, as a servant under orders. However, Jesus, God’s Son, is the head of God’s house, His household, His permanent dwelling place. 

The Old Testament types and pictures have been fulfilled and replaced by Jesus and His church as God’s household. Jesus is the true head of His “house”, His family of brothers and sisters of which God is Father. 

“In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This “house” of God’s redeemed people is also His temple, and the throne room from which He rules over His family. 

ln Scripture, every believer is His temple…

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and, together, the church is His temple, His dwelling place. 

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Therefore, just as the temple in Jerusalem was God’s dwelling place among His people and set apart for worship and prayer, so we, who are a part of His church, are also set apart to be His spiritual temple for worship and prayer. God is seeking true worshippers…

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and partners in prayer…

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ NIV

…with unwavering devotion…

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…because we are, alone and together, God’s “house of prayer”. 

The implications are as real for us today as they were when Jesus threw the merchants out of the temple in Jerusalem. We have no right to turn God’s temple, our bodies, into a “den of thieves”. Anything that pollutes our “house of prayer” is illegitimate and an intrusion into what God has set apart for His exclusive use. 

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On the contrary, Paul argues for God’s exclusive possession of our earthly temples for Him to occupy and for us to do His will. Just as Jesus offered His body as a sacrifice for us, so we must give our bodies to Him…preserved holy through the cleansing and renewing of our minds, so that we will know, approve, and fulfil His will…

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Since we are, individually and corporately, God’s “house”, the place where He lives by His Spirit, we are to keep the house clean and free from the pollution of worldly desires and practices. As Paul wrote…

 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”…

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬a NIV‬‬

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…MY HOUSE – 51a

Bible Study, ,

“When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sobering words! Jesus knew the Word! Had He not, in the history of His people, indicted them for the very same actions of which they were now oh, so guilty.

God’s word was clear! Despite the Jew’s prejudice against Gentiles, there was a place in the temple where non-Jews could worship the God of Israel.  

“And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭56‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s intention was to unite Jew and Gentile into one new nation in Christ, to worship together as one people…but the Jews would have none of that. To show their contempt, they hi-jacked the only place in the temple reserved for Gentiles and turned into a market where they carried out their practices of greed and extortion. 

“ ‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

History repeats itself! The indictment was clear. God’s people were still the same at heart as they were centuries before He came to them.

John’s record adds colour to the scene, also connecting this event to other signs of Messiah’s work. 

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Says Google AI…

“In John 2:13–22, Jesus cleanses the Temple during his first Passover visit to Jerusalem, early in his ministry. He drives out money-changers and animal sellers with a cord-whip, overturning tables to stop the commercialization of his Father’s house, declaring, “Do not make my Father’s house a house of trade”…

…”Unlike the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) which place this event at the end of Jesus’ ministry, John places it at the beginning, signalling that his ministry is centered on bringing true worship and replacing the old Temple system.”

Whenever Jesus did this, the chronology is not the important thing but its meaning and purpose is. In the first three gospels,(called “synoptic”…seen together), Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey symbolised His claim to  the throne in Israel. This was not a bid to unseat Rome but an affirmation of His right to rule over His people as their heavenly king.  

Did Jesus’ people understand His gesture? Apparently not! Rather, their leaders were incensed at His audacity and demanded to know the source of His authority. No one had the right to take matters into his own hands without proper authority! Everything Jesus said and did offended them, particularly because He claimed God as His Father and attributed His authority to God.    

“They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Was this action of cleansing the temple a direct accusation against the religious leaders? Did the priests give permission for the merchants to ply their trade in the temple? Did they get a cut of the profits? Not only that but were they in cahoots with the merchants and their scheme? Jesus saw through their greed and called them and their collaborators “robbers”. What they were doing wasn’t just trading…it was robbery…very cleverly done! How?

Worshippers would bring their sacrificial animals and birds to the priest for inspection. The animal had to be unblemished for the sacrifice. The priests did the inspecting, declared the animal “unfit” for sacrifice… and the worshipper was forced to buy an unblemished animal from the merchant, which happened to be previous worshipper’s “unfit” animal… an efficient way of making money! 

In God’s way of governing, He demands absolute transparency in all things. There is no place for coverups…for greed of any kind, underhanded dealings with anothers, ill-will in any disguise. He calls life in His kingdom “walking in the light”. 

Jesus came to expose darkness by bringing light and being the light. His desire is for His people to have fellowship with Himself and one another, untainted with impurities of motive or action. This is the way of His kingdom.    

Jesus’ action in the temple did two things…exposed the darkness, and brought in the light. He put the Jewish offenders in their place and restored to the Gentiles their rightful place in the Temple. His action was not impetuous rage…it was righteous indignation at the audacity of His own people to make their own rules.   

Jesus was always about the kingdom, promoting its standards and being the salt to preserve it from decay. He tells us what to do and models the prescription. 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus expects us, His people to model the lives of righteousness and truth. As bearers of His image, we are the preservatives who keep ungodly society from putrefaction and…we shine the light of Jesus in the darkness of a sinful world.  

To be continued…

LUKE’S GOSPEL…WHICH WAY? – 50

Bible Study, ,

“After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem…“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.”…Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them…They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road…As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭28‬, ‭30‬, ‭32‬, ‭35‬-‭36‬, ‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…Not the way a Jewish king arrived to claim his throne. The donkey, yes! The crowds! Yes! 

“The scripture describing a Jewish king riding a donkey is Zechariah 9:9, which prophesies a “just and having salvation” King arriving “lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. This signifies a humble, peaceful king rather than a warrior on a horse. It is famously fulfilled by Jesus in Matthew 21:5.” 

“Solomon rode a donkey for his coronation (1 Kings 1:33), and various Old Testament leaders used donkeys (Judges 5:10; 10:4; 12:14).” ( Google AI)

“Jesus’ riding a donkey on his triumphant entry to Jerusalem is a model of humility and selflessness. Donkeys are symbols of humbleness, and by choosing one instead of a horse, Jesus showed his humility. This fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy about the coming of a righteous king on a donkey. “

(Source: Google –  “Why did Jesus choose to ride on a donkey if he is the Messiah the King?”)

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ action was a perfect fulfilment of Zechariah’s prophecy. However, unlike an earthly king who would claim his right to an earthly and political throne, Jesus did not move towards Pilate’s residence to challenge and unseat the Roman governor as the people anticipated that their Messiah would do. Instead, He headed for the temple. Why?

Throughout His public ministry, Jesus had one focus…the kingdom of God. He painstakingly taught, through parables and illustrations and, by demonstrating the nature of God’s  rule through signs and miracles, what God’s government on earth looks like. 

Jesus also claimed to be the king, the supreme authority over God’s kingdom. Through His submission and obedience to the Father in His earthly role as the Son of Man…that is, both a human being and God’s Messiah, and after His resurrection…He was given all authority in heaven and on earth.  

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus headed for the temple, the seat of the Father’s spiritual authority over the nation of Israel.  His throne was, symbolically, the Mercy Seat in the Most Holy Place in the temple. From there, He ruled in judgment and mercy. 

En route to take the throne, Jesus paused for moment to overlook the city from a viewpoint on the Mount of Olives. In His imagination, He could already see  the mayhem of God’s judgment falling on Jerusalem. He could hear the clatter of chariot wheels and horses’ hooves, the clamour of soldiers’ shouts, the wails of wounded and dying Jews. He could smell the blood and see the bodies of men, women, and children randomly scattered on the streets of the city like autumn leaves…ruin and destruction everywhere. 

…and Jesus wept…wept for His people, His beloved nation, the ones He had led through a howling wilderness to their own land, the ones He had come in person to rescue from their self-inflicted destruction. He wept for the “fallen leaves” lying motionless in the streets…God’s unfulfilled purposes, wasted opportunities…now only useless “trash” to be dumped in Gehenna, the city’s garbage dump. He wept for what could have been. 

“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

If only…but now…! What a terrible indictment against the people, now singing, dancing, and celebrating their ”king”, who would, in the next few days, turn on Him, yell for His death, and watch Him bleed, skewered with nails, like a piece of meat, to a Roman torture stake…for them!

…but it had to be!

In the heart of Jesus, there is both sorrow and joy, sorrow for wasted lives consigned to the trash, and joy for those who turned away from their self-inflicted foolishness, to set self aside forever, and to embrace and follow Him as Lord. The opportunity is still there as long as the earth remains. 

Which way? Not Pilate’s palace to claim an earthly throne. The temple where He reigns as king over heart and life.  

The choice is yours…

To be continued…