Day 56, Luke 11
This week begins in Luke 11, where our historian, writing for Gentiles, with an eye on the future, gathers several incidents we have already seen in other readings. The context is still the increasing hostility between Jesus’ demonstration of the abundant grace and love of God for His lost and hurting children, and the pride, self-protection and bondage resulting from the blindness and hypocrisy of the religious elites.
Luke adds much depth to the topics he gathers here: for example, the model prayer is followed by a story that powerfully amplifies God’s willingness to hear and answer our prayers. We are not casting around in minimal hope, but coming confidently and repeatedly to a Father who loves to answer.
Luke also records more of Jesus’ reasoning in response to those who said His authority was demonic: not only is a divided house doomed, but Jesus clearly portrays Himself as the strong conqueror who will ransack the kingdom of evil, and who desires us to join Him in gathering the spoils from the satan’s defeat.
There is more on this topic in Michael Heiser’s excellent book “The Unseen Realm” and I commend it to you.
Jesus is confident in His authority, and does not hesitate to warn clearly of the folly of seeking miraculous signs rather than godly wisdom. “Watch out that you do not mistake your opinions for revelation-light!” And Luke goes on to record a clear example of opinion trumping revelation when Jesus eats at the house of the Pharisee, who judges Jesus for failing to obey rabbinical regulations. Jesus is direct and forceful in His condemnation of religion, because it is so destructive to relationship with God. It steals, kills and destroys the very thing we were created for: close, intimate friendship with our Creator. In this, religion reveals its true source: the enemy.
Faced with the power of religious deception, let’s also recall the victory over these powers that Jesus has already accomplished. You and I can join Jesus in ransacking hypocrisy and human effort. Let’s delight in the lavish gift of life that grace has given us!
Have a great day!
Mark.