October 28: Luke 16-17:10

October 28, Luke 16-17:10

Luke continued…

Luke 16 The Parable of the Shrewd Manager. From Baker’s commentary, ‘In the parable of The Shrewd Manager (The Steward with Foresight) Jesus shows that worldly people are often more shrewd, more forward-looking, than are the people upon whom the light has been shining. Of course, none of this means that Jesus in any way whatever praises this “manager” for his dishonesty. The very opposite is true, as verses 10–13 (climaxed by “You cannot serve God and mammon”) clearly show.’ That being said, what are you doing with the gifts and items that God has given you? Are you a good manager for Jesus?

Besides, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” It goes back to what I keep saying, either you are in for Christ or you are not. Either you will be faithful or you will be dishonest. This is not a game. Jesus goes on further, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” If you are a faithful servant of Jesus you will serve Him. If you are not, you will not. Jesus talked about money a lot because He knew it was going to be a big deal. 

The Law & the Kingdom of God Divorce & Remarriage.. The Pharisees were supposed to protect God’s laws and God’s people… Instead, “The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him…” They were lovers of money… no wonder they didn't like Jesus! Jesus knew their thoughts though and He called them out again. “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” They may try to excuse themselves before man but what they are doing is an abomination before God.In addition, Luke adds in this section that “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.” It seems as thought the Pharisees views on money and marriage and divorce were skewed. Jesus sets them straight. 

The Rich man & Lazarus. This story is still within the context of Jesus speaking to the Pharisees who were lovers of money and self… So, here we meet a nameless rich man who lived a life of luxury and a poor man named Lazarus. The poor man died and went to hang out with Abraham in heaven. The rich man died and went to hell. In this story, he could see Lazarus and recognized him and Abraham. “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.” He asked to have Lazarus serve him and bring him some water because he was in agony. Abraham explained that there was a chasm between them and it is not possible to cross over once your eternal destiny is secured. He then asked if Lazarus could rise from the dead and go tell his 5 brothers to change their evil living as to not end up in hell. Not possible Abraham said. “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” It is not enough to know Jesus and His goodness. Do you live for Him? Where is your heart before it is too late?

Luke 17:1-10 Some solid teachings.… 

“Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come…” Do not be the cause of somebodies sin. If your brother sins rebuke him and if he repents forgive him… keep forgiving him. Yes - call out sin and be consistent. 

“We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” God owes us nothing. Whatever we receive from Him is a gift. Our duty is to serve Him. 

To sum it all up: 

• If you are a faithful servant of Jesus you will serve Him. If you are not, you will not.
• Like I often say to my wife and kids, you cannot make a theology of something that occurs once in the Bible. Tyndale Bible Dictionary puts it this way: ‘Care should be taken to avoid building a detailed theology of the afterlife based solely on this parable.” There is all truth here, but it is also a form of an analogy and we cannot be certain that we will be staring at people in Hell while we are partying in Heaven with Jesus.