February 13 Teach Me

Luke 11:53-54 When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54 waiting to catch him in something he might say.
 
THIS is the 37th teaching on Luke 11. The chapter began with Jesus praying. A disciple asked Jesus to teach him and his fellow students how to pray. Countless disciples through the ages have all learned from Jesus’ answer.  From there, Jesus went on to do great healings, to even raise a girl from the dead. He expressed grace, compassion, forgiveness and love. He warned of the Father’s justice and the results of law-binding, unrepentant sins. Jesus was clear to draw the line on life without him and life with him. What did his listeners choose?
    We don’t see how everyone responded, but we read where the Pharisees, scribes and teachers of the law stood. Jesus’ kingdom line-drawing has placed these religious rulers in direct opposition to the King. See how they “besieged him with questions waiting to catch him in something he might say.”  You know people like that, don’t you? They keep asking questions about Jesus to “catch him” in ways they are eager to reject. Their questions are not designed to stand with Jesus or you, but are used to defend their own side of the line. As the people around Jesus then, many in our culture today continue to besiege the Savior to discredit him. Their ears are too dark to hear the Light of the World tell them, “You have sinned. Judgment will come. Come to me and be saved.” God’s light of sacrifice, humility, grace and truth is hidden beneath questions designed to barricade the truth
     How do we break down the barricades? Let’s begin with our own walls. Where might our hearts be closed to God’s answers? Are we afraid to seek solutions? Have we become too comfortable or restrictive in our own habits? We can begin to answer those questions when we sit down with open ears to pray, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalms 25:4-5) The psalmist prays submissively to the receive the Lord’s teachings.
    Throughout Luke 11, we have seen the Lord do remarkable work. And we have looked into history to see how his own people opposed him. We must learn the lessons. Jesus saves. Receive his power. Know his truths. Live in faith. Call on the name of the Lord. Prepare your hearts to hear his teachings. Submit to his words. Be saved in him.  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your resurrection power you have so freely given to me. I await to hear your voice guide me to you. Amen.