Give Back to God What Is God’s (Luke 20:20-26)

There are earthly things and heavenly things. The former is visible and the latter invisible. The visible is temporal and transient and the invisible permanent and lasting. We know that we’re living in a visible world. But that’s not explaining everything what we know and feel. As a saying goes, we know 10 feet deep water but don’t know less than 1 feet deep man’s heart. We know that the earth revolves around the sun once a year, which is completely invisible to our eyes. As the Scripture says, it is true what was made by what is invisible (Hebrews 11:3). What is visible is the manifestation of what is invisible. In fact, we do act explicitly according to what we pause and think implicitly. Our Lord Jesus teaches a fundamental truth on our humanity that we’re made in his image and in his likeness. It indicates that we’re never made to live on our own independently without God but on him only. We have nothing to depend on in our own self whether higher education, social standings, material wealth, or outstanding achievements and excellent career experience. We’re made in God and Christ Jesus the Son who is our life, way, and truth now and forevermore.

"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?” “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 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)

Our Lord Jesus is being questioned by the people who have determined to kill him. They have been super busy watching and monitoring Jesus to trap. It is a tax question which is the hot issue in the first century and this age as well. The Jews are being subjected to pay taxes to Caesar though the collection is made by the tax collectors of their own. The question is double-edged. How does Jesus answer? Seizing this opportunity, our Lord Jesus teaches an essentially eternal truth on our humanity that we’re made in God’s image and in his likeness. The portrait of Caesar was inscribed on the coin. So Jesus says to give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Tax is a heavy burden to all regardless of time and proximity. It tells a fundamental truth on material things like who owns it. Some may oppose if they are told that the material possession they own is not theirs. But that is true. No man can carry a penny over to death. As bare we come to the earth, so we leave. “Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” (Ecclesiastes 5:15) All material things belong to God. He appropriates it according to his will and purpose. Some get much and some little. So, it is true that no one owns anything and everyone receives from the One who gives lavishly. So, our Lord Jesus says his disciples not to worry what to eat and clothe.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26)

Also, our Lord Jesus reveals what is in their heart. The main purpose to ask such a question to Jesus is to trap him, so that they can charge him either against the Law of Moses or against Caesar. But within the question, they hide their strong antagonism of paying taxes. Most of them are rich and always want to get more, being the lovers of money. “The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.’” (Luke 16:14-15) They want to horde money more and more, thinking that it is the insurance and security of their lives. This is the age of materialism. People in the world blindly believe and follow the philosophy that money can make man secure and prosperous in every way. There is no need to say that it is not true. Just look around how it utterly fails to prove the idea that money is our security. Materials cannot be our protection and insurance. Only God is our eternal assurance because we’re born of him. Jesus warns his disciples not to horde money on earth but store up treasures in heaven. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) What a blessed word of truth which eternally release our burden in the midst of hard toil and sweat while we’re learning how to handle lives throughout lifetime.

What is Caesar? He represents a government which has authority to collect taxes. That authority is given from heaven above because all government power is established by God (Romans 13:1). So, giving back taxes to Caesar is submitting to the authority of the Maker. Paying taxes is the expression of submitting oneself to the Lord God. Jesus Christ has set the example of submitting himself to the One who is sitting on the throne in heaven. Although he was God, he did not take equality with the Father but obeyed him even to the point of death. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:6-8) Why did Jesus submit himself completely and totally to the Father even to death? Because the Son of Man could not do anything by himself (John 5:19). Jesus is the second Adam who was different the first Adam for he was sinless. So, Christ is the perfect example of humanity, showing how to live as man God intended man to be even the time began. Jesus Christ the Son of Man must have relied on the Father and he did without a moment of failing. Man is never made in a way that he manages his life independently without God. Rather, man is made to live in him and also he in man. It is called the total communion with God. Man is made to be his holy vessel and temple where the Holy One indwells forever.

That’s the reason our Lord Jesus says to give back to God what is God’s. We’re not our own for we were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Being released from the bondage of evil, we’re made alive, being permanently the captives of the Holy God and the everlasting Father. Our Lord Jesus shows how to live in the Father in the midst of all kinds of stress and pressure, especially material and financial stress. Christ has overcome the world through the faith in the Father (John 16:33). “Take heart,” says our Lord Jesus. He is our eternal high priest who have gone through all our weaknesses and temptations. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

When Jesus says so, the questioners become silent. That’s what they are before the Creator of the universe. That’s what we are before the Son of God! We have no word to say when he speaks the truth. So, we listen to him as a heavenly voice spoke to the three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5b) Keep on listening to Jesus Christ our Lord and taking heed to every word he says. The disciples were asked by Christ Jesus that they would leave him as well. But they replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69) But following Jesus is costly. The disciples were offended by the bluntness of the master. They were in many troubles and would be persecuted because they followed Jesus. The world would hate them without cause. They would be in hunger and thirst for the sake of Christ. Indeed, they were the targets of the world, being hated and despised. And yet what our Lord Jesus says is quite revolutionary and extraordinary. Instead Jesus is saying that they are in pity and misery, he tells them that they are blessed because they are God’s. Jesus says them to rejoice when such a thing happens. 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 6:11-12)

March 23, 2017

© 2015-2017 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

 

What Authority Are You Under? (Luke 19:45-20:19)

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.’” Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.” (Luke 19:45-48)

What is authority? We humans do not like any form of authority imposed at all. Resistance, opposition, and even bloody fight have frequently been occurring if one practices authority over the other. In the first century, there had been manifested an unceasing and deadly conflict and clash between our Lord Jesus and the religious establishment. Although Jesus is the authentic owner of Israel, the religious leaders of the nation vehemently opposes and rejects his authority and teachings. They are trying to kill him from the beginning but now they want to take into action immediately when Jesus has cleansed the temple. In fact, Jesus is the Son of God and the Creator of all things through whom nothing was not made that has been made. Why do they not submit to the master of the universe? Because they do want to practice their authority over others, thinking a mere carpenter Jesus is threatening and challenging their authority and stronghold religiously and traditionally built and established over the years of all sorts of struggle. They are in great misunderstandings and sheer darkness and blindness caused by their evil pride and wicked desires. How does our Lord Jesus handle their challenge to his glorious authority? How does our Lord Jesus teach us regarding authority? There is only one source of all authority. All power and authority is from God himself. This is revealed by the Lord Jesus when he was interrogated by Pontius Pilate. “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:11)

“One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Luke 20:1-8)

Luke carefully lists out all the religious establishment including the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders. They come to confront Jesus when he is teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news. What a blessed voice it might have been to the people! The Creator of all things is speaking the truth, unraveling the mysteries of God the Father who called a man Abraham and gave him a promise that through his offspring all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). This ancient and old promise has finally been fulfilled by the faithfulness and passion of God that the Promised Son has come to the earth in the likeness of man. What Jesus has been doing in the land during his earthly ministry over three and a half years of period is to teach the kingdom, to heal the sick, to drive out demons, to open the blind, to raise the dead, to feed the hungry, and to comfort the poor in spirit. Our Lord Jesus has been teaching the kingdom in public like in open fields, synagogues, and the temple courts. “I have spoken openly to the world, I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” (John 18:20-21) All things he has spoken could be heard and compared with the Scriptures whether true or not.

Despite of numerous evidence and demonstration made and presented to the nation, the establishment come forth and challenge Jesus, saying “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” They are utterly upset and brewing the murderous threat when the Lord Jesus has driven out all the animals from the temple court, overturning the tables of money changers. They have not been interested at all in his words and miracles but in his background like the speculating birth story. One thing is sure that Jesus has never attended any rabbinical school. To their eyes, Jesus is not the insider or of their own but the unknown outsider and yet attracts vigorously the eyes and minds of the people. It has been bothering them from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and even to the core. See how hateful and vicious are their words. They are angry, resentful, murderous, harmful, intimidating, and threatening none other than the Lord of glory and honor and power. In their minds, they have already stoned him to death. This is exactly what our Lord Jesus has warned to the listeners of the message of good news. If they do not listen nor take heed to it, they will walk in darkness. “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” (John 12:35-36) More than enough evidence and miraculous demonstrations have been throwing out before their own eyes and ears. Showers of blessed words of God and the effects of being touched and welcomed and obeyed have visibly been manifested in the midst throughout the times of the Son of Man in the earth.

How does our Lord Jesus respond to their groundless challenge? Jesus picks one question for the challengers and asks for an answer. “Tell me: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” Jesus is not asking of John but John’s baptism. Why baptism? What is it? Although there has been a ceremonial cleansing by water, John’s baptism is a new way of cleansing introduced to the nation Israel. It is the language of representing the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ and the saints who has died, been buried and raised from the dead with Christ. Apostle Paul says the people of Israel were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:2). They were in the safest passage to the land of liberation because they relied on the death of the Son Jesus Christ. Likewise, we all have been baptized into Christ. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27) This is the way of salvation in God and of reconciliation with him. Through the Son’s death, man enters into the most holy sanctuary of God because the blood sacrifice of Christ has cleared the barrier of hostility. As long as we rely on him who paid a price, we can access to the mostly holy place, the throne of grace by faith since the blood of Christ removed the temple curtain which had blocked to enter the holy of holies except once a year by the high priest. These Jews do not answer either because they are not believing in Christ but following the evil one. Our Lord Jesus does not tell them either by what authority he is doing these things. In fact, he has already told them that his authority comes from the Father, saying “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19) Jesus adds a parable to shine more truth on what is inside in their minds and hearts.

“He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!” Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected  has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.” (Luke 20:9-19)

Jesus tells a parable which reveals how much the nation Israel has been rebelling and opposing against God until they are eventually poised to kill the Son of God. They have been rejecting the true king because they want to be the king, sitting his throne. It has been told by the Lord God to Samuel, “And the Lord told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.’” (1 Samuel 8:7-8) God has been so patient and tolerant for his people who are running far away from his loving kindness and grace and chasing and following after the meaningless and heartless idols. This is the exact picture of humanity fallen and lost in Adam. They are gasped at the hearing of the parable of Jesus Christ, saying “God forbid!” Impossibility and improbability of such a thing happening are in their minds. Very reasonable and logical are their understanding of the parable! But then Jesus Christ looks directly at them and asks, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected  has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Just as it is written and told, our Lord Jesus Christ was rejected and despised by his own people and bled and died on a cross. “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:3-6) Instead of punishing us, God punished his Son in our place. Instead of judging us, God judged his Son in our place. Instead of being angry at us, God was angry at his Son in our place. Instead of crushing us, God crushed his Son in our place. Instead of rejecting and despising us, God rejected and despised his Son in our place. Why did God do so to his own Son? So that, no one can excuse that God does not love them. So that, God made the Son the corner stone that who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces and anyone on whom it falls will be crushed. “Is there any questions on the authority of the Son?” Is it not what the Lord God is saying to man? Who can dare to challenge the cornerstone and be spared? We have such a confidence to stand before God through the faith in the Son Jesus Christ. “Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:11) He is immovable and invincible and unshakable no matter what challenges, obstacles, stresses and pressures come. He is the cornerstone! He is our Lord and Savior now and forevermore! He is our Defender and Advocate now and forevermore! Amen.

March 21, 2017

© 2015-2017 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

 

Jesus Wept Over the City of Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44)

A long-awaited promise of God is now about to be fulfilled, the Messiah’s coming into the Zion, the city of Jerusalem to die for the sin of all nations including the nation Israel. Earlier, Prophet Zechariah saw a great vision, the coming of the Messiah, and prophesied that he would come riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of donkey. “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) It was loudly foretold and taught the Messiah’s coming repeatedly and faithfully to their ears and minds to take heed to it. But they are not yet ready to receive the blessed Son of God but rather completely ignorant and even resistant against their Messiah Jesus Christ. Those who do not pay attention to the words of God will never be ready. The Scripture says this is the year of the Lord’s favor now. “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Otherwise, the word of God says that the dreadful time will come swiftly and suddenly (Hebrews 10:31). The Lord Jesus is entering the city to die but he is not filled with self-pity but with full of compassion and mercy of God that he weeps over the city of Jerusalem where the stubborn children are rebelliously resisting and opposing to the coming the blessed King of Israel. But this must move on despite of their rejection of the king as told in the parable of ten minas. This is what is going on right now to all people. Are we welcoming the king or rejecting him?  

“After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “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. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 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.  When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 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 19:28-44)

Jesus has arrived at the hill called the Mount of Olives and sends two of his disciples to bring a colt tied in the village ahead. It must have been prearranged during one of previous visits to Jerusalem by Jesus who zealously fulfills all Scriptures, even unto death. The disciples obey and bring the colt to Jesus and throw their cloaks on that colt and put Jesus on it. People spread their cloaks on the road where the Lord Jesus is going along. This is the exact fulfillment of the word of God prophesied by Zechariah. It sets the tone of his kingship that he does not reign and rule with the iron hand like military power but with humility and peace as Prince of Peace. Jesus says to his disciples, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)  Apostle Peter reports the kingship of Christ in his Epistle to the saints, saying “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)

As Jesus arrives at the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowds of his disciples begin joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they have seen, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” The coming of Christ brings pure joy and peace into the core of humans who believe and welcome him. God the Father is lavishly pouring out eternal life to those who believe in him (John 3:16). Why is it said, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest?” Because it is the moment of reconciliation with God who forgives their sins through the Son’s blood and accepts them as his beloved children. That’s what our Father God is after, deliverance from the bondage of sin and death and adoption as his sons. Eternal peace has been restored in the hearts of the redeemed through the blood of Christ. It is exactly the moment of revealing the glory of God in the highest! Because it is the moment of revelation what God is as he is. Jesus says in the parable of the lost sheep that when one sinner repents the whole heaven is greatly rejoicing with the Father God. The whole crowd of Jesus’ disciples are praising God without no reason. They have witnessed all the good works and miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have heard all the teachings on the kingdom spoken out of his own mouth. The words of God have fallen on their hearts and minds and healed and cured in their hearings. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Hearing the word of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. How much more time may we make laboriously and tirelessly to read the Scriptures!

But there are some folks out there who do not like the loud voice of praising God by the crowd of Jesus’ disciples. They are the Pharisees and the religious leaders and officials. They demand Jesus to rebuke his disciples for making such a loud noise. To their eyes, it is completely nonsense because they are blinded and darkened, not understanding the Scripture at all. It was all written by the Law and the Prophets. The Pharisees have given their great deal of time in studying the Law and the Prophets, but they do not understand why the crowd of people are joyfully praising God. Jesus says to them, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:37-40) They have seen and witnessed with their own eyes but refuse to believe in Jesus Christ because they belong to the devil. Jesus replies to them, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." The stones do not cry and Jesus knows it better than anyone else because he is the Creator. evil. e e ying the Law  in thier ioEven if the stones cry out it would not be clearly recognized. To the unbelieving people, the clear voices made by the disciples and the vague voices by the stones do not make any difference. But Jesus is saying here either men or the nature cannot keep quiet for the coming of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

“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 19:41-44)

Jesus is full of compassion and pity for the nation who is blindly and stubbornly rejecting the Promised One to come and weeps over the city which is going to go through a terrible time. The judgment days will come upon them when their enemies will build an embankment against them and encircle them and hem them in on every side. They will dash them to the ground, them and the children within their walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because they do not recognize the time of God’s coming to them. This had exactly been fulfilled in A.D. 70 by the Roman Armies led by General Titus. This is the picture of the last judgment which our Lord Jesus Christ says to his disciples during the Olivet Discourse recorded in Matthew Gospel Chapter 24 and 25. “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” (Matthew 24:21) The human history is speedily moving on toward the Day of the Lord. The prince of this world will eventually be punished and hurled down into the fiery furnace forever. When the Lord God calls up the elect into heaven from all corners of the earth, he will release the constrain of evil power and the man of lawlessness manifests his full power, creating great a havoc on the earth. “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8)

The Lord God wants everyone to be saved and is very reluctant to judge them. The judgment of God is said a strange work by Prophet Isaiah. Jesus is weeping over the great city which God himself will dwell forever because these people are not softening their hearts but hardening and inviting the heavy hand of God upon themselves. How much compassionately and mercifully has our Lord Jesus Christ been inviting them to come in and take peace and rest under the mighty wings of God like a shepherd who goes after a lost sheep until he finds it. Prophet Isaiah cried out to the people of Israel to return to the master. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20)

February 28, 2017

© 2015-2017 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

Making the Most Of Every Opportunity, Because the Days Are Evil (Luke 19:11-27)

Our Lord Jesus Christ is approaching to Jerusalem where he would be swallowed up by the bloody death through the terrible crucifixion on a cross. This is the most crucial moment for Jesus Christ who is poised to fulfill all the Scriptures even the death on a cross! The Son of God is full of compassion and mercy on his people and the world instead of being filled with self-pity and sorrow. So, he teaches them a parable, revealing the mystery of the kingdom of God. This is called the parable of the ten minas. What’s the significance of this parable? Why is our Lord Jesus telling this parable at this moment? Jesus is telling this parable because he is near Jerusalem and the people think that the kingdom of God is going to appear at once. In this parable, Jesus even tells of his return as King and Judge beyond his death and resurrection. Despite of scientific and technological advancements and a tremendous amount of studies and human experiences in history, one thing that remains stubbornly and persistently the sheer same is the evilness of humanity. Contrary to our wishes and desires to make the world peaceable and comfortable, we’re struggling with the same magnitude and dynamics as the people of ancient days did. Every corner of this earth is filled with misery and wounds and scars and cries. This will go through all the way to the end. “Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.’” (Revelation 22:10-11) But one thing is sure that the end will come and is near, even nearer. In this parable Jesus teaches what he will see on the great evaluation day of humanity.

“While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Put this money to work,” he said, “until I come back.” But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, “We don’t want this man to be our king.” He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.” “Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” The second came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned five more.” His master answered, “You take charge of five cities.” Then another servant came and said, “Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.” His master replied, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?” Then he said to those standing by, “Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.” “Sir,” they said, “he already has ten!” He replied, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.”’” (Luke 19:11-27)

First, in this parable the man of noble birth indicates Jesus Christ and the servants are humanity, maybe the redeemed one or Israel. Jesus Christ was King and is now and will be forever. He knew that he was going to be crucified and buried and resurrected from the dead. Furthermore, Jesus knew that he would be back to the Father and appointed as King over all nations. Just as he would be ascended into heaven, so would he return to the earth, coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory and sending his angels with a loud trumpet call (Matthew 24:30-31). He also knew that it would take a while until his return. In fact, it is almost twenty centuries have been passed since the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is called a great parenthesis between the first visitation to the earth and the second coming. The Scripture calls it the last days. So, Jesus reveals the very important truth in our lives, that is, ‘how to live till his coming’. In this parable, the man of noble birth calls ten of his servants and gives them ten minas, saying “Put this money to work until I come back.” It tells there will be a time for evaluation how we have spent our time on this earth. Life on earth for humanity is not like playing a game, doing whatever we wanted to do and being disappeared like wind with death. There is the second death at the end of this earthly life to those who do not take heed to all the evidence and fact that God exists and rewards to those earnestly seek him, nor fear him (Hebrews 11:6).

Second, the examination time has come despite their hateful opposition. The man’s subjects did not like him to be their king, so they sent a delegation after him to say, “We don’t want this man to be our king.” However, regardless of the rebellious men’s wishes, the man was made king and returned home. This is the weightiest and the most trembling moment for all mankind. No one can escape from standing alone before the judgment seat of the Holy and Almighty God. The Scripture calls it the Day of the Lord. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) The king sent for the servants to whom he has given money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first servant comes and says, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.” And the second servant comes and says, “Sir, your mina has earned five more.” Then the master says, “Well done, my good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities,” and “Take charge of five cities.” It strongly indicates that there will be duties and responsibilities in the ages to come. Some imagine that in heaven infinite idling lasts. That’s not true at all. Life on this earth is school time to learn how to live not only for this age but for the ages to come. It’s a small thing like a wild flower and mist. They are commended as good and faithful servants and rewarded to take charge of number of cities. It is written in the Book of Hebrews, “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) This is what they have done by faith while the master was away from home, being aware of the presence of the master and his commandment and authority and having the respectful fear of the Lord.

However, the third servant comes and says, “Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.” Then, the master says, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?” He is wicked and unfaithful and judged by his own words. He has been resentful and bitter and ungrateful to the master. He knew that the master wanted to gain by putting the money to work but didn’t want to return anything to the owner. The master is greatly concerned about the attitude of the servant whether to honor or despise him. Further, the master says, “Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.” When the other servants say that he already has ten, the master replies, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” It tells the more we obey, making the most of opportunities, the more opportunities will be given. Practically, it means when we obey one truth God will teach another and another, forever.

Putting all together, what is mina? It does not indicate man’s achievements. Rather, it indicates the opportunities from God. Opportunity for doing good by the power of God is mina. Opportunity for loving one another is mina. Opportunity for giving thanks to God is mina. Opportunity for forgiving the unforgivable is mina. Opportunity for offering our body as a living sacrifice is mina. Opportunity for participating in the sufferings of Christ with rejoicing is mina. Opportunity for saying a kind word to the unpleasant is mina. Opportunity for sharing pains and joys with brothers and sisters in Christ is mina. Opportunity for sharing the word of God with others is mina. Opportunity for reading and meditating the word of God day and night is mina. Opportunity for doing chores at home for Christ is mina. Opportunity for praying for the leaders of nation, refugees around the world, families and neighbors who are going through troubles and heartaches is our mina. In fact, mina is found in the midst of routine and ordinary lives everyday. Mina comes almost likely though through sufferings and difficulties in lives. Grief and sorrow are God’s chosen vehicles to work out in humanity for breaking the barrier of darkness and foolishness of man. It is said that even the Son of Man learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8). There is no servant who is greater than the master. Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered much to the point of death in obedience to the Father God. The Son offered his body as a sin offering in our place in order to redeem the fallen humanity with a price. That’s our mina to participate in the sufferings of Christ. Apostle Paul says, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Colossians 1:24)

How can we offer our body as a living sacrifice in the midst of mundane lives? It is a two-step process. First, put off our old self by denying ourselves and taking up our cross, then put on the new self in Christ. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24) Without taking the first step it is impossible to offer our body to God. Why must we put off our old self? It’s because our flesh desires what is contrary to what the Spirit desires. It does not and cannot please God. “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:17) Practically, it means to die with Christ by denying ourselves and taking up our cross because our sin must be put to death in order to be made alive with the power of resurrection. It is the power of God which enables us to endure and make the most of every opportunity God opens in our midst. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

To those who do not want the master to be king over them will be killed in front of him. “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.” (Luke 19:27) Despite of repeated and faithful plea and beseech from the throne of grace, they remain stubborn and resistant against the extended offer of God. This is the second death. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) It is called a complete waste of life. It will be tested by fire.

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) How are you living now?

February 20, 2017

© 2015-2017 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.