July 14 Receive the Truth

Luke 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 
 
WHY do the temple authorities – the Pharisees, teachers of the law and even priests – care so much about Jesus’ teachings? There were many rabbis who taught their philosophies and ways of religion. In the tradition of the rabbis, they could teach from their own point of view. The Pharisees could object to some teachers, but they certainly didn’t seek to hand such men over to the power and the authority of the governor (in this case the Roman governor Pontius Pilate) to have them jailed or horribly crucified for their teachings.
    They reacted differently to Jesus because Jesus was the absolute truth. You know how Jesus confronted their self-focused beliefs and hypocrisy throughout his ministry. In our last lesson, Jesus had just spoken a very strong condemnation in his Parable of the Evil Farmers. After that, they wanted to arrest him immediately (Luke 20:19a). Unlike the typical rabbis, Jesus, the Living Word, threatened their position, prestige and power. They knew if more and more people began to believe Jesus, a great change would come to the Jewish religious structures. These authorities feared change more than they feared God. Removing this rabbi would allow them to keep control.
    How does this apply to your life? I encourage you to consider your attitude as you listen to biblical preaching and teaching. Are you focused on how you’ll criticize and diminish the teacher? Or do you center your thoughts on the ways God is teaching you? Are you trying to keep control of your own thoughts and actions, even as they oppose the truth?
    Even more, does true teaching cause you to move away from the church? Many have done so because they can’t stand to have the Word of God confront their sin. This is one reason too many pews are empty today.
    Or does true teaching cause you to draw near to God? Many, also, have experienced this great joy. The Spirit has humbled their hearts to know, “I must change. Jesus is the way to a fruitful life.” Our Lord calls you through his Living Word today to be of such mindset as encouraged in James 3:16-17 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
    The temple authorities objected to Jesus and missed his peace, mercy, humility and sincere love. Receive Jesus. Receive his blessings. 
 
Prayer: Humble my heart, Holy Spirit, that I will receive Jesus’ true, transforming teaching. I pray for wise and submissive heart, sincere to love God and love others. Amen.