Wednesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 12:54-59
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.”
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.”
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
12:54–56 A cloud rising in the west over the Mediterranean would have brought moist air that condensed (a shower) as it climbed the cooler hills of Palestine (cf. 1 Kings 18:44). The south wind blowing involved a sirocco (hot, dry wind) blowing in from the desert, bringing scorching heat. The crowd could interpret these signs, but the spiritual emptiness of their hypocrisy blinded them from understanding the signs announcing the arrival of the kingdom of God in Jesus’ teaching and ministry (cf. Luke 11:20).
12:57–59 This parable offers practical advice: it is better to settle with one’s accuser before the dispute is brought before a judge. But within its broader context, the parable seems also to have in view the arrival of the kingdom—that is, the need to be in right standing with God, the Judge of the universe, before it is too late.
12:57–59 This parable offers practical advice: it is better to settle with one’s accuser before the dispute is brought before a judge. But within its broader context, the parable seems also to have in view the arrival of the kingdom—that is, the need to be in right standing with God, the Judge of the universe, before it is too late.
Study Questions:
- The third point from Sunday was that Jesus talks about a fire for DEBTORS. Jesus tells them that they can interpret the weather, but they can't interpret what God was doing right then. He tells them they're blind! The spiritual emptiness of their hypocrisy blinded them from understanding the signs announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God in Jesus' teaching and ministry. Jesus is saying it should be obvious, but some miss it. And those that miss it will owe a debt for their sin. In order for someone to settle their debts with God, the MUST come to grips with Jesus. His presence forces a choice. What was it like to have YOUR eyes opened to the truth of Jesus? Is there anyone in your life that is currently blind to this truth? What can we do to help open their eyes to the saving grace of Jesus?
- Jesus is making the point that we shouldn't wait. We should make things right with God now, before it's too late. We all think we have all the time in the world, but the truth is the end could come today. Then, in an instant, we'll be standing before the Judge of the universe to give an account of our lives. If you knew today would be your last, what would you spend it doing? Who would you need to make things right with? Who would you want to share Jesus with? Why wait?
Pray:
- That you would pray for the spiritual eyes of those you love to be opened.
- That you would live each day for Jesus as if it were your last.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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