The Importance of Spiritual Maturity

Introduction:

We have witnessed together the shocking arrogance with which the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable conducted himself during his prayer.

Think about the older son in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Think about the conduct of those who passed by the Samaritan in that parable.

Think about the reaction of Simon the Pharisee when a woman entered and anointed Jesus feet.

Jesus’ disciples can suffer from the same afflictions of pride and arrogance.

Believers who have views that conflict with the teaching of scripture also have a skewed view of reality. Luke, at this point, seems to focus on the misunderstandings of those around Jesus. In other words, the apostles and disciples shared the Jewish misunderstanding of the Bible’s teaching about Messiah.

Believers who have views that conflict with the teaching of scripture also have a skewed view of reality. Luke, at this point, seems to focus on the misunderstandings of those around Jesus. In other words, the apostles and disciples shared the Jewish misunderstanding of the Bible’s teaching about Messiah.

We know from the teaching of the Bible that arrogance and a sense of self-importance derive from two sources: an incomplete understanding of the person of Jesus and an immature or improper understanding of scripture.

Our understanding of God, human nature, ourselves, righteousness, the person of Jesus, proper worship, the relationship of works to faith, and a host of other issues is only as strong as the accuracy of understanding of scripture. An inaccurate knowledge of scripture cannot correct our flawed thinking. Instead, it will only make our thinking worse. The Bible can only help us to learn the truth when we are willing to understand what God through its authors intended to for it mean. Human zeal and sincerity for God can never overcome an inaccurate understanding of the Word of God. They will only make us zealous for untruth and cause us to feel secure in our deception.

Our understanding of God, human nature, ourselves, righteousness, the person of Jesus, proper worship, the relationship of works to faith, and a host of other issues is only as strong as the accuracy of understanding of scripture. An inaccurate knowledge of scripture cannot correct our flawed thinking. Instead, it will only make our thinking worse. The Bible can only help us to learn the truth when we are willing to understand what God through its authors intended to for it mean. Human zeal and sincerity for God can never overcome an inaccurate understanding of the Word of God. They will only make us zealous for untruth and cause us to feel secure in our deception.

Peter Illustrates the Disciples’ Lack of Understanding…Again.

Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, 28th Edition Chapter 18

28 Εἶπεν δὲ °ὁ Πέτρος·* Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ⸂ἀφέντες τὰ ἴδια⸃ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι. *29 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν °ὅτι οὐδείς ἐστιν ὃς ἀφῆκεν οἰκίαν ἢ ⸂γυναῖκα ἢ ἀδελφοὺς ἢ γονεῖς⸃ ἢ τέκνα ⸆ ἕνεκεν τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ,* 30 ⸂ὃς οὐχὶ μὴ⸃ ⸀ἀπολάβῃ ⸁πολλαπλασίονα ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ καὶ ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

28 Εἶπεν δὲ °ὁ Πέτρος·* Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ⸂ἀφέντες τὰ ἴδια⸃ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι.

*29 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν °ὅτι οὐδείς ἐστιν ὃς ἀφῆκεν οἰκίαν ἢ ⸂γυναῖκα ἢ ἀδελφοὺς ἢ γονεῖς⸃ ἢ τέκνα ⸆ ἕνεκεν τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ,*

30 ⸂ὃς οὐχὶ μὴ⸃ ⸀ἀπολάβῃ ⸁πολλαπλασίονα ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ καὶ ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

Peter speaks for the group in v. 29.

He has heard the conversation between Jesus and “rich young ruler,” but his statement assumes that people like him should receive something “special” for their service.

Remember their debates about “who is the greatest.” (See )

Jesus’ response emphasizes the equality of all who have done what Peter claims they have done. It also shows that Peter’s question assumes that those like him, who’ve left everything, not just their money, deserve something special for their service.

Jesus’ response emphasizes the equality of all who have done what Peter claims they have done. It also shows that Peter’s question assumes that those like him, who’ve left everything, not just their money, deserve something special for their service.

- Jesus illustrates with a parable that such judgments are left up to the Lord and equality is the lot of the disciples.

The meaning his teaching hinges, in this gospel, on the meaning of the word “much more.” For example, could Jesus be referring to himself in Luke’s version? Could, as some have suggested, he refer to the new importance of their own relationships based upon mutual trust in Christ?

Jesus Instructs the Disciples about His Death…Again

Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament, 28th Edition Chapter 18

*31 Παραλαβὼν δὲ τοὺς δώδεκα εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς·* Ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ, καὶ τελεσθήσεται πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ⸂τῷ υἱῷ⸃ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου·* 32 παραδοθήσεται γὰρ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν καὶ ἐμπαιχθήσεται ⸋καὶ ὑβρισθήσεται⸌ καὶ ἐμπτυσθήσεται 33 καὶ μαστιγώσαντες ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ ἀναστήσεται.* *34 καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐδὲν τούτων συνῆκαν καὶ ἦν τὸ ῥῆμα °τοῦτο κεκρυμμένον ἀπʼ αὐτῶν καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον τὰ λεγόμενα.*

*31 Παραλαβὼν δὲ τοὺς δώδεκα εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς·* Ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ, καὶ τελεσθήσεται πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ⸂τῷ υἱῷ⸃ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου·*

32 παραδοθήσεται γὰρ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν καὶ ἐμπαιχθήσεται ⸋καὶ ὑβρισθήσεται⸌ καὶ ἐμπτυσθήσεται

33 καὶ μαστιγώσαντες ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ ἀναστήσεται.*

*34 καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐδὲν τούτων συνῆκαν καὶ ἦν τὸ ῥῆμα °τοῦτο κεκρυμμένον ἀπʼ αὐτῶν καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον τὰ λεγόμενα.*

Notice how Luke returns to Jesus’ disciples on struggles.

Their perceptions of the Messianic kingdom are not shaped by scripture.

They struggle to understand because, they too, don’t understand the Word of God.

Believers who have views that conflict with the teaching of scripture also have a skewed view of reality.