LIVE@5 – Monday, April 4, 2022
Luke 21:37-38; John 12:37-43
37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
Luke 21:37–38 (NKJV)
After Jesus taught about the second coming, He continued teaching in the temple daily, and then went to the Mount of Olives at night to rest with His disciples. This was part of His last push to win disciples to the true gospel prior to His crucifixion.
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:37–43 (NKJV)
John recounts the unfortunate lack of faith within the Jewish community. Jesus revealed Himself with signs and wonders, healing the sick and raising the dead, yet they did not believe His message or His identity. However, this lack of faith was foretold by Isaiah near the time he saw the Lord in Isaiah 6. Even those who leaders did believe in Christ did not speak of it, for fear of being ostracized by the rest of the Jewish leadership.
In a volatile political climate, where hatred seems to spew uncontrollably in all media outlets, it is easy to feel the need to cower down and refuse to speak out the truth of the gospel. It is in this exact climate that we should follow the example of Jesus Christ and declare the truth in spite of the opposition. The church has–at times–been silent on important issues, like prayer in schools, abortion, and other social issues. Many now see the need to speak out, and it is time. Be bold, speak the truth in love, and declare God’s truth in the public arena. Make a difference in the time that we have left.
Devoted To You 