Pride: The Enemy of the Gospel

Introduction

Recap of where we are in our Luke Study

- Transition to Jerusalem

King is going to be crowned but it doesn’t happen the way his subjects expect

The King himself gives many clues this won’t be the case and still his subjects miss these clues.

- It is humility, not pride that the King aspires to see.

James and John want fire to be called down presumably because they think the King would like that but they are rebuked.

Jesus let’s them know the priorities of the Kingdom

Not a nice 4 bedroom 2 bath house, but nowhere to lay your head.

Not an earthly family, but a heavenly one.

Not for one who looks back, but one who looks forward.

The Seventy/Seventy Two ()

Setting ()

Seventy-two (or Seventy)

Three Opinions

Connection to (NTCOTOT, p317)

Seventy nations mentioned in Hebrew text. Seventy two in the LXX.

Connection to (NTCOTOT, p317)

chose 70, Eldad and Medad might make 72.

No Connection

Significant that MORE than the disciples are sent out.

Instructions for Missions (Luke 10:2-16)

Prayer ()

Missions is not a resource problem to be solved.

Missions begins with prayer, a reliance on the “Lord of the harvest” to send laborers into “his” harvest

It is not institutional efficiency but providential revelation.

Implied that the harvesters become harvestors.

Like the variation of the game of tag “infection”. You tag someone and they now become on your team and work with you.

Risk ()

Lambs among wolves

Jesus is not saying that he is sending them on a fruitless journey but he is saying that the trip involves risk.

- wolf and lamb coexist in harmony with the reign of the righteous branch/shoot from the stump of Jesse.

and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;

and a little child shall lead them.

7  The cow and the bear shall graze;

their young shall lie down together;

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8  The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,

and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.

Travel light

9  They shall not hurt or destroy

in all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD

as the waters cover the sea.

Jesus is not indenting to make this harder on those who sent out. This is a matter of priority. The message is more important than the journey.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Reception ()

First, announce the intentions of the visit, “Peace”.

Second, if peace is there then the missionary’s peace will rest upon them if not it stays with the missionary.

The scriptures bear out the idea of receiving peace from God’s messengers, or judgment if they are treated harshly.

Third, remain in the house eating and drinking what they provide.

Laborer deserves his wages.

Forth, do not go from house to house.

No Solicitors ()

Fifth, heal the sick and tell them the Kingdom of God has come near to you.

Rejection ()

Announcement of judgment on the town for rejecting the offer of peace with God.

Not preform the judgment, note that James and John were rebuked for wanting to execute judgment, but just announce it.

“On that day” - day of the Lord

A future fixed day where the king’s judgment falls on all who reject his offer of peace.

Kingdom of God has come near.

Message for those who receive and reject are the same.

Mike Gendron - illustration of the mail man delivering the message.

Examples of Announcement of Judgment (Luke 10:13-16)

Chorazin and Bethsaida

Cities of Galiean area who rejected Jesus’ ministry.

Compared unfavorably with Tyre and Sidon (Bock, 1003) who were historically wicked and unrepentant cities.

Bethsaida

- Judgment on Tyre and Sidon (Sea cities, Philistine)

These cities would have repented Nineveh style at these offers.

Capernaum

Your pride will bring you down…to hell.

Receiving and/or rejecting is linked to the authority of the message giver.

Reject messenger you reject Jesus. If you reject Jesus then you reject God. Again, not at peace with God but with war.

Do not underestimate the severity of missing the message of the Kingdom of God. This isn’t just an opportunity at a better or higher quality life. This is an announcement that the King is coming to reign and you must choose a side. You’re either with him or his enemy. This is the dividing line.

Seventy-two (or Seventy) Return ()

The Seventy-two return with mistaken joy.

We won the game! Look at what we did and what we can do?

Jesus responds initially with a recognition of their victory (Satan falling from heaven or being brought low/humbled). Jesus reiterates his power/authority given to them.

Do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you (authority/power). rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

The Gospel, received or rejected, always points to the providence of God.

If received, then rejoice that it is shared.

If rejected, then rejoice it is revealed to you.

Jesus reveals God’s Will ()

Concealment from the wise and revealed to little children.

The sovereignty of God in salvation is the will of God.

Authority from the Father to Jesus.

Father knows the son.

Son knows the father.

Father and son know each other.

Son reveals the intimacy of this relationship to whom he chooses.

Private session with Jesus:

Beatitude: Blessed are you that you see what you see!

This is a special moment but we don’t know when the disciples realized the significance of this statement.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan ()

Setting

Putting Jesus to the test with a tough question.

Intention of the reader is to know that the question isn’t a genuine question. Meaning, the lawyer doesn’t want to truly know what he shall do to inherit eternal life.

Jesus’ response is an example of loving your neighbor.

Teases out more detail from the lawyer.

Lawyer provides the correct answer.

A combination of...

Leviticus 19:18

Jesus commends the answer and encourages him to do this.

At this point, the conversation continues because the of the testing nature of the lawyer.

Lawyer’s second question of with dishonest intent ()

Intent: to justify himself

From Bock, to gauge the intensity of Jesus’ command and how he should respond, or to what level he should respond.

That speed limit 40, how firm is that 40?

Jesus’ response

More if not most notable parables in the bible.

Parable of the Good Samaritan

A man (unidentified) was robbed and left for dead

Priest/Levite - avoidance is not proper in the Kingdom of heaven.

No motivation is given just action (or inaction)

“But” a Samaritan - (, Samaritans rejected Jesus on his was to Jerusalem)

he had compassion

went and bound his wounds

set him on his own animal (personal sacrifice)

brought him to an inn and took care of him.

About 24 days worth of care (Bock, 1033)

Cared for his future state and obligated himself to pay his bill

Jesus’ question: proved to be the neighbor?

“proved” - yinomai “became”. Which of these, do you think, became a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?

This is how you demonstrate the law to ALL PEOPLE.

Lawyer: “The one who showed him mercy”

Jesus: go and DO likewise.

Martha and Mary ()

Setting ()

Problem

Mary - a sister who sat and listened to his teaching

Martha - distracted with service

passive aggressive response to invoke Jesus’ help against her sister

One thing is necessary

To sit at Jesus’ teaching.

Bock - The disciples must pay attention that the true meal is the teaching of the word of God. We must make it a priority over and against the troubles and anxieties of the world.

Application

Sovereignty of God in Salvation

Pride: Enemy of the Kingdom

Of those who reject the Gospel (v11, 13-15)

Of the seventy(two) - who rejoice in the power of the kingdom rather than the kingdom.

Lawyer - who desires to justify himself.

Martha - who wants to impress Jesus rather than being with him.

Humility: the Mark of the Kingdom

Those who receive the peace of God.

Jesus, who recognizes God’s will in salvation.

Samaritan, who exemplifies neighborly love.

Mary, who wants to be with Jesus.