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Author Archives: Unashamed of Jesus
Luke 10- Mary and Martha
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Luke 10:38-40
In today’s reading we see two sisters , Mary and Martha. Now these sisters were more famous for their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11) It was well documented that Jesus was close friends with this family, that’s why the raising of Lazarus was very personal for him, as its noted “Jesus wept” over the death of Lazarus.
Martha hosted a gathering for their friend and Lord Jesus. Now while Christ was teaching, Mary took a break from her choirs and sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his teachings. This made her sister Martha very angry, as she was the only one doing all the work at this dinner party. Now anyone who has hosted a dinner party or takes care of a home, knows how much work Martha was tasked with, so it’s understandable her frustration with her sister Mary
In fact Martha wanted Jesus to rebuke her sister Mary and tell her to get to work. However Jesus was going to teach Martha and all of us, the importance of a Sabbath rest to be with God
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42
Jesus was telling Martha “There are alot of things in this world we can be busy or distracted with, however we must choose time for God” I know this is a complete paraphrase but I think this is the point Christ is trying to make. While Jesus was there, Mary chose to spend time with The Lord, which was a wise choice. Even though Martha’s work seemed very important at the time, she was going to miss out on her time with Christ
I think Jesus was trying to teach us about the “Sabbath Rest”. Often Christians don’t think about a Sabbath Rest or even know about it, because we are too divided on what day is the Sabbath and whether we should we observe it. The point is God wants us to devote a day and time of rest and reflection upon Him. Remember to dedicate some time for God and take a rest from your daily work and burdens in Jesus name Amen!
Luke 10- Who Is My Neighbor?
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Luke 10:29-36
This parable begins with “An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus” (v25) We can assume this man was probably a religious leader, a Pharisee or Sauducess, and they wanted to trap Jesus in his teachings, as many of them tried to do. He asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life”? Jesus knowing he was a religious leader asked him “What does the Mosaic Law say”? The man replied with Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and strength and Love your neighbor. Jesus simply replied “Yes do this and you will live” , However the religious leader wasn’t satisfied with that simple answer, so he challenged Jesus “Who Is my Neighbor”
We often hear the phrase “Love your Neighbor”, but do we know who Jesus is referring to also? Well Jesus gave us a teaching to help us understand. There was a man who was beaten and robbed laying on the side of the road. Three men passed by him, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. The priest and Levite ignored the man, while the Samaritan went above and beyond to help and take care of the man. Now to understand this story, you need to understand who the three men were.
The priest we know is supposed to be a mediator between God and the people of Israel at this time. We would have assumed he would have done the right thing but didn’t. A Levite was from the bloodline of Aaron, they were actually the family line of high priests in the Mosaic Law. So again we would have assumed the Levite would have helped, but he didn’t either. Then you have the Samaritan, who were people who were half Jewish and half Gentile. Therefore these people were outcasts during these time periods. This would have been the last person you would have expected to help, but they did
This was a foreshadow of the New Covenant, Jesus was demonstrating. Gods people were not going to just be the Jews but also the Gentiles through Christ.
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:37
Jesus asks the religious leader, “Who was the neighbor to the man who needed help”? The religious leader replies “The man who showed mercy” which was the Samaritan. Jesus told him “Go and do the same” , Christ is teaching the religious leaders to have mercy on the Gentiles. At this period of time, the Jews wouldn’t even go near the Samaritans in fear of becoming “unclean”
Jesus point is if you truly Love God and Love your neighbor , then demonstrate it. Don’t be a hypocrite like the religious leaders, show mercy because your Heavenly Father has given you mercy Amen!
True Worship
Faith Over Fear Part 4
Luke 10- Thanks Be To God
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. Luke 10:21-22
Here we see a very beautiful moment, not just because Jesus is praying to The Father, but also because its the Triune God coming together. The Son rejoiced in the Holy Spirit talking to The Father, what a powerful moment. And the relationship that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have is not only mysterious, but very personal.
What was revealed here? That God revealed his wisdom to the “least of these” and not to the religious leaders. Why? Because of their lack of faith, because of their pride, because God is sovereign and can do whatever he wants. The Triune God was revealed to the fisherman, and to the tax collector, and to the prostitute, those who humbled themselves, repented , and believed on Jesus Christ as Lord
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Luke 10:23-24
Think about all the prophets and patriarchs that wished to see the Messiah, and Christ was standing right before them at that moment. Throughout the Old Testament, since the promise of the Messiah in Genesis, Israel looked forward to the coming of Christ. However when Christ came, most of Israel rejected Jesus because their hearts were hardened and their ears were closed
But Christ’s Apostles were the chosen ones, they not only seen the Messiah, but lived and experienced with Him. They heard the teachings of God directly from God. They seen the miracles that Christ performed, they saw the Messianic Prophecies being fulfilled. Most importantly they witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus, who gave us eternal life
From a worldly perspective it didn’t appear that the Apostles were blessed. They were persecuted, they had no money or possessions, and ultimately they died for their faith. But from a Heavenly perspective, they were very blessed, not only did they get to experience and witnesses , everything many generations longed to see, but their names were written in Heaven forever Amen!
Born Again
Luke 10- Power over Satan
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:17-20
As the disciples returned from their mission trip, they rejoiced! Why? Because they had the power and authority over Satan and his demons in Jesus name. So why are we not rejoicing today in the Church? Do we not worship the same Christ? Are we not filled with the same Holy Spirit? Why does the Church today act helpless and defeated against Satan and his minions?
Notice Jesus said “ I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” Remember Satan was thrown out of Heaven (Revelation 12:9) Satan was defeated at the cross, when Jesus said “It is Finished” (John 19:30) the head of Satan was crushed at the cross. The evidence of Satans defeat was evident in the works of the disciples on their mission trip. As Jesus said “I give you power over the enemy”, the enemy of this world is Satan. All evil is orchestrated and influenced by the evil one
Jesus also said “The spirits are subject unto you” meaning the demons are under your power and control. Often people live in fear, but in Christ we have no need to fear. As Jesus said “Don’t fear the one who can kill the body, fear The One who can destroy the body and soul in Hell” (Matthew 10) Jesus is Lord and holds the key to life and death, when you abide in Christ, you can live a life fearless
The last thing Jesus said in this scripture “Rejoice because your names are written in Heaven” while the disciples were celebrating their victory over evil, Jesus reminded them, the ultimate victory is over death, which Jesus fulfilled for us at the cross. Stay focused on our ultimate victory of salvation which is in Christ alone, not in our works for Christ
As a disciple of Christ, you have been given this same mission, power, and authority, however most Christians don’t fulfill their mission or receive the power and authority given to them. We don’t need to live in fear, abide in Christ, and Satan will fall before you in Jesus name Amen!
Faith Over Fear Part 3
Unashamed of Jesus 