9.04.25 Luke 20:41-47

Prepare

Lord Jesus, as we read your journey to the cross, may your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth and keep us curious.

Help us examine your example and in doing so, be moved to worship.

Amen.

Read

Luke 20:41-47

41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand

43 until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.”’

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Reflect

Jesus lived in an aural culture, where knowledge, stories and teachings were often preserved through by storytelling and memory rather than written documents. This might partly explain why Jesus ministry was primarily one of speaking. We have so much to gain from looking at the way he chose his words and used his voice. In today’s passage, we witness Jesus addressing the sadducees with confidence, wisdom and criticism.

Be

Scripture made Jesus speak confidently

Some of the Sadducees are convinced they know all there is about the Messiah. Jesus chooses this moment to ask them question in return, so that he might open their eyes and his weapon of choice is scripture.

His view of scripture is so high. Ephesians 6 calls the word of God the sword of the spirit and here, Jesus uses that sword to defend himself. Let’s pray that we would also use scripture to defend our identity as children of God.

Become

Discernment made Jesus speak wisely

Jesus isn’t afraid to raise doubts about the character of some teachers. Here, Jesus demonstrates the spiritual gift of discernment, a gift all of us should desire to grow in.

Take a moment now to consider your own discernment

You might like to think about who you listen to for Christian content? Do you discern and weigh up what you hear about God? Holy spirit, make us wise through discernment.

Do

Hypocrites made Jesus speak critically

Out of anyone in the gospel accounts, it seems Jesus was especially critical of those living as hypocrites. He was quick to embrace and enjoy the poor but would often oppose the elite pharisees and teachers who appear godly but are in fact self seeking.

Lord forgive us for when we have said one thing but done the opposite.

Lord, give us wisdom in how we go about calling out hypocrisy.

Practice

Allow God a moment to examine the way you speak. Where might God want you to speak more confidently, more wisely? Perhaps he wants to prompt you to gracefully call out the hypocrisy of another.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight o Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.