28 April 2018 — El Espíritu Santo y señales del fin
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The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven used sometimes to play a trick on polite salon audiences, especially when he guessed that they weren’t really interested in serious music. He would perform a piece on the piano, one of his own slow movements perhaps, which would be so gentle and beautiful that everyone would be lulled into thinking the world was a soft, cosy place, where they could think beautiful thoughts and relax into semi-slumber. Then, just as the final notes were dying away, Beethoven would bring his whole forearm down with a crash across the keyboard, and laugh at the shock he gave to the assembled company.
A bit cruel and impolite, perhaps. And of course in many of his own compositions Beethoven found less antisocial ways of telling his hearers that the world was full of pain as well as of beauty—and also of making the transition in the other direction, bringing joy out of tragedy, including his own tragic life, in wonderful and lasting ways. But the shock of that crash of notes interrupting the haunting melody is a good image for what Jesus had to say at the end of .
The crisis is coming, we have seen. It poses a challenge to absolute loyalty. But now even what we might have thought the gospel was all about is being stood on its head. Prince of Peace, eh? Jesus seems to be saying. No: Prince of Division, more likely! Once this message gets into households there’ll be no peace: families will split up over it, just as the prophets had foretold.
Body 1
We read early in Luke’s Gospel that John the Baptist’s preparation for the coming Christ was so popularly successful that some people wondered if he was the Christ, which prompted him to explain:
respondió Juan, diciendo a todos: Yo a la verdad os bautizo en agua; pero viene uno más poderoso que yo, de quien no soy digno de desatar la correa de su calzado; él os bautizará en Espíritu Santo y fuego.
John’s careful denial that he was the Christ emphasized his own inferiority to Jesus and the superiority of Jesus’ baptism. John’s water baptism was external, while Jesus’ baptism of the Spirit and fire would be internal. It would cleanse the inside of believing humanity. Believers would be baptized “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” because the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit would involve the fire-like work of purification. And those who would refuse Christ would undergo the fire of Christ’s judgment, as John further explained:
“I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (3:16).
Su aventador está en su mano, y limpiará su era, y recogerá el trigo en su granero, y quemará la paja en fuego que nunca se apagará.
John’s careful denial that he was the Christ emphasized his own inferiority to Jesus and the superiority of Jesus’ baptism. John’s water baptism was external, while Jesus’ baptism of the Spirit and fire would be internal. It would cleanse the inside of believing humanity. Believers would be baptized “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” because the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit would involve the fire-like work of purification. And those who would refuse Christ would undergo the fire of Christ’s judgment, as John further explained: “His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (v. 17). Therefore, we are given to understand from the very first that Jesus’ ministry would be fiery—first, as a purifying baptism of believers, and, second, as a consuming judgment upon unbelievers.
Therefore, we are given to understand from the very first that Jesus’ ministry would be fiery—first, as a purifying baptism of believers, and, second, as a consuming judgment upon unbelievers.
“His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (v. 17). Therefore, we are given to understand from the very first that Jesus’ ministry would be fiery—first, as a purifying baptism of believers, and, second, as a consuming judgment upon unbelievers.
Now, toward the end of , as Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, and the cross loomed larger and larger, so that it filled Jesus’ mental horizon, our Lord paused to reflect on the fiery realities the cross would unleash upon him and his followers. His reflections were a pre-cross reality check. Jesus bared his feelings, his innermost heart, and revealed some harsh realities. It was good for the disciples, and it is good for his followers today, to see these realities because we are always in good shape when we see things as they are. The trouble comes when we see reality as we wish it would be, not as it is.
PRE-CROSS REALITIES FOR JESUS (VV. 49, 50)
Jesus’ Longing
The reality for Jesus was that the prophesied fire had not fallen, but he so longed for it—
Fuego vine a echar en la tierra; ¿y qué quiero, si ya se ha encendido?
Lucas 12
La Biblia de las Americas:
Yo he venido para echar fuego sobre la tierra; y ¡cómo quisiera que ya estuviera encendido!
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled” (v. 49). He longed for the time when he would baptize his followers “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (3:16).
He longed for the time when he would baptize his followers “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” en Espíritu Santo y fuego (3:16).
He longed for the time when he would baptize his followers “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” en Espíritu Santo y fuego (3:16).
Through this baptism, all who believed in him would be regenerated, born of the Spirit, made eternally alive as eternal sons and daughters of God (cf. , ; )—and he longed for that. They would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth—and he longed for that. They would no longer be alone (cf. , )—and he longed for that. They would be sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment insuring their eternal inheritance. They would enjoy eternal life now (cf. , ; )—and he longed for that. They would be sanctified, made holy by the Spirit’s fiery work of internal, soul purification. He would melt their hearts, so to speak, and skim away the impure dross from their souls so they could mirror his holy image—and he longed for that. And ultimately their lives would be ignited, they would become incendiary. Pentecostal fire would flame from their lives, the Spirit of burning would rest above their willing heads, and the fire would spread—and he longed for that.
How Jesus longed for the baptism of the “Holy Spirit and with fire”—the regeneration, indwelling, sealing, sanctification, and ignition of his people. How he longed for judgment to fall too—to take up the
Su aventador está en su mano, y limpiará su era, y recogerá el trigo en su granero, y quemará la paja en fuego que nunca se apagará.
—to at last bring justice and equity to the earth. This was the real longing of Jesus’ heart. These are not Luke’s imagined words. These are the words of Jesus, the verbum mentis of his mind and heart—“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Yo he venido para echar fuego sobre la tierra; y ¡cómo quisiera que ya estuviera encendido! This is how Jesus felt before the Passion and the cross.
“winnowing fork in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (3:17)—to at last bring justice and equity to the earth. This was the real longing of Jesus’ heart. These are not Luke’s imagined words. These are the words of Jesus, the verbum mentis of his mind and heart—“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” This is how Jesus felt before the Passion and the cross.
Jesus’ Distress
The daunting reality for Jesus was that he first had to be immersed in death before the things for which he longed could happen.
De un bautismo tengo que ser bautizado; y ¡cómo me angustio hasta que se cumpla!
I. H. Marshall says the exact idea here is: “How I am totally governed by this until it be finally accomplished!” With perfect candor, Jesus described the impatient misery that drenched his soul. He wanted to get the ordeal over with. The thought of it dominated him—“how distressed I am until it is completed!”
“But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (v. 50). I. H. Marshall says the exact idea here is: “How I am totally governed by this until it be finally accomplished!” With perfect candor, Jesus described the impatient misery that drenched his soul. He wanted to get the ordeal over with. The thought of it dominated him—“how distressed I am until it is completed!”
What made the waiting so terrible was that he knew exactly what his baptism entailed. The artful butchery and prolonged torture were not what distressed him, but rather the necessity of his taking on the raw sewage of our sins—so that he, in effect, would choke and drown in it and become the same (cf. ). Here is where the cross lifts Christ and Christianity high above all other religions. Frederick Buechner writes:
Buddha sits enthroned beneath the Bo-tree in the lotus position la posición de loto. His lips are faintly parted in the smile of one who has passed beyond every power in earth or heaven to touch him. “He who loves fifty has fifty woes ayes, he who loves ten has ten woes, he who loves none has no woes,” he has said. His eyes are closed.
But the Holy Trinity mandates and lives out a boundless love.
Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.
He who loves the world takes on the world’s woes!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (). He who loves the world takes on the world’s woes!
Jesus stood before his disciples, eyes wide-open, and said,
De un bautismo tengo que ser bautizado; y ¡cómo me angustio hasta que se cumpla!
A short time later, eyes wide-open, having made the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, he said,
Ahora está turbada mi alma; ¿y qué diré? ¿Padre, sálvame de esta hora? Mas para esto he llegado a esta hora.Padre, glorifica tu nombre. Entonces vino una voz del cielo: Lo he glorificado, y lo glorificaré otra vez.
“But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” A short time later, eyes wide-open, having made the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, he said, “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (). And in the garden he prayed, “ ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (). And on the cross, having become sin for us, he called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (). Then his eyes closed. The difference is this: Buddha’s eyes close to shut out the world. Christ’s close having taken it in.
And in the garden he prayed,
diciendo: Padre, si quieres, pasa de mí esta copa; pero no se haga mi voluntad, sino la tuya. Y se le apareció un ángel del cielo para fortalecerle. Y estando en agonía, oraba más intensamente; y era su sudor como grandes gotas de sangre que caían hasta la tierra.
Lucas 22:
And on the cross, having become sin for us, he called out with a loud voice,
“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (). And in the garden he prayed, “ ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (). And on the cross, having become sin for us, he called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (). Then his eyes closed. The difference is this: Buddha’s eyes close to shut out the world. Christ’s close having taken it in.
Entonces Jesús, clamando a gran voz, dijo: Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu. Y habiendo dicho esto, expiró.
“ ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (). And on the cross, having become sin for us, he called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (). Then his eyes closed. The difference is this: Buddha’s eyes close to shut out the world. Christ’s close having taken it in.
Then his eyes closed. The difference is this: Buddha’s eyes close to shut out the world. Christ’s close having taken it in.
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (). Then his eyes closed. The difference is this: Buddha’s eyes close to shut out the world. Christ’s close having taken it in.
How exalted our Savior was in his pre-cross reality check. He longed to bring fire on the earth. He wished that the fire was kindled. But he had first to undergo the baptism of death on the cross, immersed in our sins. And he could not wait to get it done! Jesus charged headlong to the cross. Jesus raced to save us.
PRE-CROSS REALITIES FOR JESUS’ DISCIPLES (VV. 51–53)
Having shared the facts about his pre-cross longing and distress, Jesus laid out a sobering reality for his disciples:
¿Pensáis que he venido para dar paz en la tierra? Os digo: No, sino disensión. Porque de aquí en adelante, cinco en una familia estarán divididos, tres contra dos, y dos contra tres. Estará dividido el padre contra el hijo, y el hijo contra el padre; la madre contra la hija, y la hija contra la madre; la suegra contra su nuera, y la nuera contra su suegra.
Division
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (vv. 51–53)
Division
The division Jesus described is of the most heartbreaking kind. A family of five (father, mother, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law) will be torn apart by appalling enmity. The prophetic nature of Jesus’ words were emphasized by lines borrowed from , which prophesied coming hostility between the younger generation and the old. But this is worse. The division is mutual and goes every generational direction.
Jesus’ intent in proclaiming that he came to bring division was both to shock and to inform his followers. The shocking effect came easily because peace, not division, had been the grand theme of his coming, especially as described by Luke. At the Nativity the angels praised God saying,
¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas,
Y en la tierra paz, buena voluntad para con los hombres!
This was a reference to the coming “Prince of Peace” Principe de Paz (). It was also a conscious fulfillment of Zechariah’s song about how his son John the Baptist would pave the way for the Messiah,
Por la entrañable misericordia de nuestro Dios,
Con que nos visitó desde lo alto la aurora,
Para dar luz a los que habitan en tinieblas y en sombra de muerte;
Para encaminar nuestros pies por camino de paz.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (2:14). This was a reference to the coming “Prince of Peace” (). It was also a conscious fulfillment of Zechariah’s song about how his son John the Baptist would pave the way for the Messiah, “the rising sun”—“to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (, ). Twice when Jesus healed people, the disciples heard him say, “Go in peace” (; ). When he sent his disciples out two by two to preach, he instructed them to say, “Peace to this house” as they walked in the door ().
Twice when Jesus healed people, the disciples heard him say, “Go in peace” ve en paz (; ). When he sent his disciples out two by two to preach, he instructed them to say, “Peace to this house” as they walked in the door ().
En cualquier casa donde entréis, primeramente decid: Paz sea a esta casa.
“the rising sun”—“to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (, ). Twice when Jesus healed people, the disciples heard him say, “Go in peace” (; ). When he sent his disciples out two by two to preach, he instructed them to say, “Peace to this house” as they walked in the door ().
But now Jesus said,
But now Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” The Twelve were shocked. He definitely had their attention.
¿Pensáis que he venido para dar paz en la tierra? Os digo: No, sino disensión.
The Twelve were shocked sorprendieron. He definitely had their attention.
Lucas 12
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” The Twelve were shocked. He definitely had their attention.
But this was and is reality. The very mention of Jesus’ name sundered ancient Judaism, giving his words exquisite fulfillment. During the first 400 years of the Roman Empire, his name could land one in jail, or worse. To the world religions, the name Jesus has been strident and invasive. During the last seventy years, allegiance to Jesus could land one in a Chinese prison. Islam is at war with the Christ of the Scriptures. Just ask a convert! Even the American media are generally hostile to personal reference to Jesus Christ. Charles Colson (un consejero al presidente Nixon que era Cristiano) writes that he regularly encounters interviewers who suggest just before we go on the air, that we steer away from religious topics. “Some people take offense, you know,” said one. Another advised me it was against station policy to discuss religion on the air. Others say nothing; once we begin they simply steer the questions to the comparatively safer ground of prisons, criminal justice, or politics. They usually appear aghast when I bring the answers back to my experiences with Jesus Christ.
just before we go on the air, that we steer away from religious topics. “Some people take offense, you know,” said one. Another advised me it was against station policy to discuss religion on the air. Others say nothing; once we begin they simply steer the questions to the comparatively safer ground of prisons, criminal justice, or politics. They usually appear aghast when I bring the answers back to my experiences with Jesus Christ.
In fact, one major U.S. daily, as a matter of policy, will not print the two words Jesus Christ together because, the editor says, that represents an editorial judgment. Such attitudes are commonplace today.
The name of Jesus Christ always produces some type of painful division, even in the most personal of relationships. His words,
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
are offensive to a pluralistic society. Jesus did not come to tell people that all paths lead to God. He did not come to tell people that what you believe does not matter. Jesus did not believe that all people are good, or espouse the perfectibility of humanity. Jesus did not say you can do whatever you want as long as you do not hurt anyone else. His ethics are radical. He demands careful obedience and costly loyalty. And not everyone is willing to pay the price or to accept those who do.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (), are offensive to a pluralistic society. Jesus did not come to tell people that all paths lead to God. He did not come to tell people that what you believe does not matter. Jesus did not believe that all people are good, or espouse the perfectibility of humanity. Jesus did not say you can do whatever you want as long as you do not hurt anyone else. His ethics are radical. He demands careful obedience and costly loyalty. And not everyone is willing to pay the price or to accept those who do.
If you attempt to follow Christ, you will experience division. It is also true, of course, that many Christians suffer not because they follow Jesus, but because they are judgmental, boorish, pious buffoons. But it is also a fact that
Y también todos los que quieren vivir piadosamente en Cristo Jesús padecerán persecución;
And sometimes the division and persecution come from those we love the most. That is a fact.
“everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (). And sometimes the division and persecution come from those we love the most. That is a fact.
Peace
Of course, division is only half the story. Jesus also brings peace with God—the ground and foundation of all peace. John Wesley was so right when he said, “Oh what a pearl … is the lowest degree of peace with God. It is worth selling everything to receive it.”
Jesus gives us his peace. This is not something from a package. It is not a philosophical abstraction. It is his own personal peace.
La paz os dejo, mi paz os doy; yo no os la doy como el mundo la da. No se turbe vuestro corazón, ni tenga miedo.
He gives us the peace he had for thirty-three years amidst turmoil and rejections, even on the cross. He shares with us the peace that is now his in glory. This is not a dream. This is reality!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (, italics added). He gives us the peace he had for thirty-three years amidst turmoil and rejections, even on the cross. He shares with us the peace that is now his in glory. This is not a dream. This is reality!
He also gives us peace with his own people, other believers. As Paul put it,
Y vino y anunció las buenas nuevas de paz a vosotros que estabais lejos, y a los que estaban cerca;porque por medio de él los unos y los otros tenemos entrada por un mismo Espíritu al Padre.
Jesus prayed for his people’s mutual peace—
para que todos sean uno; como tú, oh Padre, en mí, y yo en ti, que también ellos sean uno en nosotros; para que el mundo crea que tú me enviaste.
How sweet this is—peace with God, then Christ’s own personal peace in our hearts, and then peace with each other.
“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (, ). Jesus prayed for his people’s mutual peace—“that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” ().
“that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” ().
How sweet this is—peace with God, then Christ’s own personal peace in our hearts, and then peace with each other.
CLOSING REFLECTIONS
Jesus longed to bring “fire on the earth,” to baptize his own “with the Holy Spirit and with fire,” so they would be regenerated, indwelt, sealed, and sanctified, and so judgment would be set in motion for the world. To this end he had to be baptized in death, a fact that dominated and distressed him until it was done. He ran to the cross to save us.
As a result the realities for us are immense. There is dissonance and division in this world, but there is also peace with God, the peace of Jesus, and peace with each other.
He gave his all. He sank in death’s waters that we might have his fire and his peace. We owe everything to his blood.
body
tells us
Cuando se cumplió el tiempo en que él había de ser recibido arriba, afirmó su rostro para ir a Jerusalén.
From that point until the events recorded at the end of chapter 12, the cross grew ominously on Jesus’ horizon, and the warnings to his followers became more ominous. He had just warned his disciples to get ready because wrenching division was coming. Now he turned to the crowd (those who were neither disciples nor committed followers but curious onlookers) and gave them a gracious wake-up call. We catch the feel of this passage if we imagine Jesus trudging toward the walls of Jerusalem, then halting and turning to face the curious crowd.
, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” From that point until the events recorded at the end of chapter 12, the single upright post of the cross (the crux simplex) and the crossbar (the patebulum) grew ominously on Jesus’ horizon, and the warnings to his followers became more ominous. He had just warned his disciples to get ready because wrenching division was coming. Now he turned to the crowd (those who were neither disciples nor committed followers but curious onlookers) and gave them a gracious wake-up call. We catch the feel of this passage if we imagine Jesus trudging toward the walls of Jerusalem, then halting and turning to face the curious crowd.
HEAVY WEATHER (VV. 54–56)
Earth’s Weather
He began by lightly referencing the weather, but it quickly became apparent that he was talking about something more.
Decía también a la multitud: Cuando veis la nube que sale del poniente, luego decís: Agua viene; y así sucede. Y cuando sopla el viento del sur, decís: Hará calor; y lo hace.
Decía también a la multitud: Cuando veis la nube que sale del poniente, luego decís: Agua viene; y así sucede.
Even today you can hear Tel Aviv radio say, “Today will be a scorcher. Southerly breezes are blowing up from the Arabian desert.” And rain has always come from the west in Palestine. , records how, due to Ahab’s wicked leadership of Israel, God judged the land with a terrible drought that eventuated in Elijah’s famous conflict and victory over the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel. After that victory, Elijah knelt on Mt. Carmel, bent down to the ground, put his face between his knees, and prayed. Six times he paused from prayer and sent his servant to look west toward the sea, and six times the servant returned saying, “There is nothing there” (18:43). But on the seventh time the servant reported,
A la séptima vez dijo: Yo veo una pequeña nube como la palma de la mano de un hombre, que sube del mar. Y él dijo: Ve, y di a Acab: Unce tu carro y desciende, para que la lluvia no te ataje.
“He said to the crowd: ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, “It’s going to rain,” and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, “It’s going to be hot,” and it is’ ” (v. 54). Even today you can hear Tel Aviv radio say, “Today will be a scorcher. Southerly breezes are blowing up from the Arabian desert.” And rain has always come from the west in Palestine. , records how, due to Ahab’s wicked leadership of Israel, God judged the land with a terrible drought that eventuated in Elijah’s famous conflict and victory over the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel. After that victory, Elijah knelt on Mt. Carmel, bent down to the ground, put his face between his knees, and prayed. Six times he paused from prayer and sent his servant to look west toward the sea, and six times the servant returned saying, “There is nothing there” (18:43). But on the seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea” (v. 44). And Elijah knew his prayer was answered, as anyone raised in Palestine would.
[end with …sube del mar…]
“A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea” (v. 44). And Elijah knew his prayer was answered, as anyone raised in Palestine would.
And Elijah knew his prayer was answered, as anyone raised in Palestine would.
So Elijah said,
A la séptima vez dijo: Yo veo una pequeña nube como la palma de la mano de un hombre, que sube del mar. Y él dijo: Ve, y di a Acab: Unce tu carro y desciende, para que la lluvia no te ataje.
[start with …Y él dijo....]
Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (vv. 44b–46)
No Jew needed NBC weatherman Willard Scott or any local forecaster to tell him what was coming. They all understood the weather patterns.
Cosmic Weather
At that point some may have thought, That’s me. Anyone who’s the least bit observant can figure the weather. It’s easy. But the next word from Jesus’ mouth was,
¡Hipócritas! Sabéis distinguir el aspecto del cielo y de la tierra; ¿y cómo no distinguís este tiempo?
Lucas
Jesus indicted them for their hypocrisy because they didn’t apply the same shrewdness to the winds and currents of his messianic ministry. They could read earthly weather, but they neglected to read the cosmic weather—the signs of the moral and spiritual storm that was blowing in. The signs that a great spiritual thunderstorm was brewing were there for all to see, if they would just open their souls’ eyes.
“Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (v. 56). Jesus indicted them for their hypocrisy because they didn’t apply the same shrewdness to the winds and currents of his messianic ministry. They could read earthly weather, but they neglected to read the cosmic weather—the signs of the moral and spiritual storm that was blowing in. The signs that a great spiritual thunderstorm was brewing were there for all to see, if they would just open their souls’ eyes.
First, there was the sheer weight of Jesus’ person. There was not a hint of pride or lust or jealousy in Jesus. His ethical conduct was blameless. There were no attitudinal sins. He was without fault, and his sizzling perfection dominated every encounter. His words were unlike any ever heard. His knowledge of Scripture, his reason, his originality (consider the parables), his insight and wisdom were unparalleled. No one ever had spoken like him!
His astounding deeds were done in public for all to see, including healings, raisings of the dead, nature miracles, and exorcisms. He had said,
Mas si por el dedo de Dios echo yo fuera los demonios, ciertamente el reino de Dios ha llegado a vosotros.
Lucas 11:20
Never had there been such a display of power.
“But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (11:20). Never had there been such a display of power.
His messianic persona was there for all to see. Indeed, his disciples knew and preached that he was “the Christ of God” El Cristo de Dios (9:20). The massive force of his person, his words, his deeds, and his messianic assertions confronted all who met him.
El Cristo de Dios (9:20). The massive force of his person, his words, his deeds, and his messianic assertions confronted all who met him.
Second, they had the testimony of history. They had the record of their people’s tragic repeated historical cycles in dealing with the prophets: 1) the prophets preached righteousness, 2) the people rejected their message, 3) divine judgment fell. How could they ignore the repeated cycles of Israel’s persecution and rejection of the prophets, followed by God’s judgement in the form of exile? Could they not see the relevance of that history to their choice of whether or not to believe and follow Jesus Christ, the Messiah?
Third, the mounting rejection of Christ should have forewarned them of what was to come. The final verse of chapter 11 records,
Diciéndoles él estas cosas, los escribas y los fariseos comenzaron a estrecharle en gran manera, y a provocarle a que hablase de muchas cosas; acechándole, y procurando cazar alguna palabra de su boca para acusarle.
And they eventually succeeded and had Jesus impaled in the darkness outside the city.
“The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say” (11:53, 54). And they eventually succeeded and had Jesus impaled in the darkness outside the city.
Why were they so good at reading earth’s winds and such failures at reading the spiritual winds that were beginning to howl? Why were they so shrewd in earthly matters and such dunces in spiritual matters? Why this hypocrisy—this pretense that they did not know what was happening?
They did not want to discern the cosmic events, and in fact were unwilling to try. If they had paid half as much attention to the spiritual winds that were blowing as they did to Palestine’s meteorological patterns, they would have understood what was happening and would have prepared themselves.
Today too many people pay far more attention to what is blowing in from the west than they do to the cosmic winds that are determining their future. That is why at least a brief weather summary is placed on the front page of the newspaper, but the religion section is buried in an obscure subsection.
In Jesus’ day the cycle repeated, bringing terrible judgment on Israel. After the cross Israel was given time to repent, but when there was no national repentance, the wrath of God fell. Jerusalem fell by the sword, crosses covered the hills like grim forests, and the people were deported to all the nations. The city was trampled upon by the Gentiles (cf. ).
What about us? Do we plan our lives around the weather but ignore the cosmic zephyrs? Peter said that most people do.
sabiendo primero esto, que en los postreros días vendrán burladores, andando según sus propias concupiscencias,y diciendo: ¿Dónde está la promesa de su advenimiento? Porque desde el día en que los padres durmieron, todas las cosas permanecen así como desde el principio de la creación.Estos ignoran voluntariamente, que en el tiempo antiguo fueron hechos por la palabra de Dios los cielos, y también la tierra, que proviene del agua y por el agua subsiste,por lo cual el mundo de entonces pereció anegado en agua;pero los cielos y la tierra que existen ahora, están reservados por la misma palabra, guardados para el fuego en el día del juicio y de la perdición de los hombres impíos.
The winds are there if we are willing to observe them, and they portend a firestorm of judgment, a fact most people prefer to ignore or deny. Thus we have a world culture that, despite the church’s witness, rejects the good news that Christ died for their sins and was resurrected on the third day, calls good evil and evil good, worships money, glorifies perversions, makes heroes of its villains, segregates and marginalizes the poor, kills unwanted children, and worships self as the measure of all things.
First of all, you must understand that in the last day scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and with water. By water also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. ()
First of all, you must understand that in the last day scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and with water. By water also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. ()
The winds are there if we are willing to observe them, and they portend a firestorm of judgment, a fact most people prefer to ignore or deny. Thus we have a world culture that, despite the church’s witness, rejects the good news that Christ died for their sins and was resurrected on the third day, calls good evil and evil good, worships money, glorifies perversions, makes heroes of its villains, segregates and marginalizes the poor, kills unwanted children, and worships self as the measure of all things.
I believe heavy weather is surely coming, and coming soon. The storm warnings are out.
BEING PREPARED (VV. 57–59)
Having issued the warning, Jesus next gave the crowd (and us!) some advice about how to prepare for judgment:
¿Y por qué no juzgáis por vosotros mismos lo que es justo? Cuando vayas al magistrado con tu adversario, procura en el camino arreglarte con él, no sea que te arrastre al juez, y el juez te entregue al alguacil, y el alguacil te meta en la cárcel. Te digo que no saldrás de allí, hasta que hayas pagado aun la última blanca.
Lucas 12:
This mini-parable presumes that all of us are guilty and are heading for judgment. The only sensible thing to do is try to settle out of court before the judgment, where the verdict can only be guilty and we will have to pay the ultimate price.
This mini-parable presumes that all of us are guilty and are heading for judgment. The only sensible thing to do is try to settle out of court before the judgment, where the verdict can only be guilty and we will have to pay the ultimate price.
“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (vv. 57–59)
This mini-parable presumes that all of us are guilty and are heading for judgment. The only sensible thing to do is try to settle out of court before the judgment, where the verdict can only be guilty and we will have to pay the ultimate price.
This is a gospel call! We need to wake up to the spiritual reality that we are all sinners before God—to see for ourselves what is right. I remember well a lovely woman who could not at first accept the idea that she was a sinner. Her daughter had come to Christ as a student during my youth pastor years and had asked me to talk to her mother. The woman bristled and said, “I’m no sinner!” I assured her that she was. The conversation was long and frustrating—until it became clear that “sinner” for her meant committing a heinous sin such as murder. It was then that we began to make progress that eventuated in her coming to Christ a few years later.
That lovely lady was indeed a vile sinner, as was the pastor who was sharing the gospel with her. She came to understand that in her soul she was ungodly. She came to understand that she was an “enemy” of God in her heart of hearts (cf. ). Actually the full depth of her awareness came after she became a Christian, because the Holy Spirit continues to convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (cf. ).
The truth is, the greatest saints knew they were sinners. Paul told Timothy,
Palabra fiel y digna de ser recibida por todos: que Cristo Jesús vino al mundo para salvar a los pecadores, de los cuales yo soy el primero.
This was not disingenuous, pious, “I’m worse than you” rhetoric. This was how Paul, the magisterial theologian, regarded himself—even as a regenerated man.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (). This was not disingenuous, pious, “I’m worse than you” rhetoric. This was how Paul, the magisterial theologian, regarded himself—even as a regenerated man.
Martin Luther expressed this in a famous Latin phrase, simul justus et peccator—“at the same time justified and a sinner”—because he knew that though he had been given righteousness from God by faith, he still sinned. This understanding led Luther to cast himself upon God in desperate dependence. The Puritans thought the same way, and it drove them to constant reliance on God’s grace. The Scriptures speak of such a state as a blessing:
Bienaventurados los que lloran, porque ellos recibirán consolación.
Graced people mourn their sins. The lost do not acknowledge their guilt.
“Blessed are those who mourn [over their sins], for they will be comforted” (). Graced people mourn their sins. The lost do not acknowledge their guilt.
Those who heed Jesus’ little parable know they are guilty sinners—they have judged for themselves “what is right.” They know the wrath of God abides on their souls (cf. , ). So as they are going to court where they will surely be found guilty, they wisely seek to settle out of court. Jesus’ call to all of us is to settle things in this life so that our lives will not come to the court of final judgment, where it will be too late to find salvation.
Elsewhere Jesus tells us simply and straightforwardly how this can be done:
De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que oye mi palabra, y cree al que me envió, tiene vida eterna; y no vendrá a condenación, mas ha pasado de muerte a vida.
Those who truly believe never come into court, because their case is settled and they have already passed from death to life.
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (). Those who truly believe never come into court, because their case is settled and they have already passed from death to life.
CLOSING REFLECTIONS
Jesus has told us that if we can read the earth’s weather, we should also read the cosmic or spiritual weather. And the spiritual winds that are blowing tell us that judgment is coming, and maybe very soon. It may be a national judgment or a localized judgment, or it may be the great “Day of the Lord”—the final judgment and disposition of life. Or judgment may be brought into the present by our personal death.
In any event, the storm of judgment awaits the unbelieving, unrepentant soul. So, to use Jesus’ words, “
¿Y por qué no juzgáis por vosotros mismos lo que es justo? Cuando vayas al magistrado con tu adversario, procura en el camino arreglarte con él, no sea que te arrastre al juez, y el juez te entregue al alguacil, y el alguacil te meta en la cárcel.
[end with… arreglarte con él…]
Charles Colson tells about the night he came to understand that he was a sinner on his way to judgment. Colson writes:
Charles Colson tells about the night he came to understand that he was a sinner on his way to judgment. Colson writes:
That night when I … sat alone in my car, my own sin—not just dirty politics, but the hatred and evil so deep within me—was thrust before my eyes, forcefully and painfully. For the first time in my life, I felt unclean, and worst of all, I could not escape. In those moments of clarity I found myself driven irresistibly into the arms of the living God.
If you have not yet come to Christ, do you want to settle up with him now? Do you want eternal life? Do you want to believe? Hear this:
Mas ¿qué dice? Cerca de ti está la palabra, en tu boca y en tu corazón. Esta es la palabra de fe que predicamos: que si confesares con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor, y creyeres en tu corazón que Dios le levantó de los muertos, serás salvo. Porque con el corazón se cree para justicia, pero con la boca se confiesa para salvación.
Settle now, on the way, for Jesus is coming to judge the world!
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ()
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ()
Settle now, on the way, for Jesus is coming to judge the world!