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Luke

Luke 
Day 
Day 171

Luke 12:54-59 "YES, AND WHY, EVEN OF YOURSELVES, DO YOU NOT JUDGE WHAT IS RIGHT?" Luke 12:57"

Day 171 – Luke 12

Text: Luke 12:54-59

“YES, AND WHY, EVEN OF YOURSELVES, DO YOU NOT JUDGE WHAT IS RIGHT?” Luke 12:57

The multitudes were capable of making good observations, Jesus declared. He did not need to give them more “signs” to prove His identity. The multitude was able to “judge what was right”. They did nothing, and were content to let the status quo remain unchanged.

Why did the multitude not understand the need to make up their mind decisively? Why were they not doing that which was right? To press home the need to be decisive, Jesus gave a strong illustration.

“WHEN YOU GO WITH YOUR ADVERSARY TO THE MAGISTRATE, MAKE EVERY EFFORT ALONG THE WAY TO SETTLE WITH HIM…” Luke 12:58

Jesus shows that He knew how the judicial system worked. If two people were in dispute with each other, it was wise to make every effort to settle the problem. That was sensible advice indeed.

1. Often problems can be resolved between two reasonable people.

2. Issues can be clarified and matters resolved.

3. If one party was too lax and lazy about resolving the problems, especially when he stood to lose, then he would be most unwise not to attempt to settle out of court.

The point that Jesus made must not be lost. He was not saying that one should not trust the judiciary system. He was saying that wisdom teaches us to “make every effort along the way to settle”. This was good advice. This principle of making every effort may also be applied in the matter of spiritual discernment.

Did the multitude make every effort to know who Jesus really was? Did they go out of their way to ascertain His real identity? It would have been wise for them to do their homework.

However, the multitudes obviously did nothing of that sort. They were contented to do nothing much. They were contented with hearing the parables of Jesus, seeing Him perform miracles… but they did nothing to confirm whether His miracles proved that He was their Messiah!

“LEST HE DRAG YOU TO THE JUDGE, THE JUDGE DELIVER YOU TO THE OFFICER, AND THE OFFICER THROW YOU INTO PRISON…” Luke 12:58

The lazy individual who thinks that his difficulty with his “adversary” was “nothing” soon discovers how wrong he was! Too late for regrets!

He soon discovers just how objective, how merciless the law could be. The judge would have to perform his duty. He has to make his judgment according to the facts of the case.

The guilty party is sentenced to jail! It is too late to regret his inertia. No amount of pleading will change the course of the law. He gets what he deserves. He had grossly miscalculated everything! He has to pay the full penalty now.

The point that Jesus was seeking to make to the multitudes must be carefully understood! He was trying to tell them that if they carried on the way they were going, always undecided, taking things easy, putting things off, and just dismissing the need to deal with the issues that Jesus had taught – they would regret their decision-approach one fine day.

“I TELL YOU, YOU SHALL NOT DEPART FROM THERE TILL YOU HAVE PAID THE VERY LAST MITE” Luke 12:59

The reality of being judged never seems to hit home, until it is too late! Jesus understood the mindset of the multitudes! They did not take His words very seriously at all! Nevertheless Jesus had to tell them that one day, each one who helped make up the multitudes who thronged Jesus would have to answer for their actions! One day they would all be judged because they had rejected Jesus!

THE PROBLEM OF SPIRITUAL INERTIA

The problem that Jesus dealt with in His time is also something that affects many people today. People can be very active and committed to their jobs, careers, family, friends and even hobbies! However, when it came to the matter of becoming spiritually active and committed to the Lord, many people are like the multitudes! They suffer from spiritual inertia!

What are some of the reasons for spiritual inertia? Let us consider two major problems.

1. There is no spiritual regeneration in the first place. Despite the fact that many had been in the presence of Jesus, there was no true salvation! This problem is still a very real problem today!

a) Many go to Church.
b) They have heard of Jesus.
c) They even read the Bible.
d) They can even participate in Church activities.

BUT, there is no genuine regeneration in the heart!

2. There is little or no spiritual growth. This is another major problem associated with spiritual inertia.

a) There is no love for the Lord’s Word, and thus no depth of the knowledge of God.
b) There is no appreciation of spiritual values.
c) There is hardly any growth in the spiritual realm .

THE REALITY OF BEING JUDGED BY GOD ONE DAY

Jesus was not “threatening” the multitudes of judgment. He was stating a solemn truth. However, even the statement of this truth did not affect the multitude much. Judgment seems to be such a far-fetched idea. Why dwell on something so obscure, so distant and so unreal?

The problem of the multitudes in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ is a problem that plagues the multitudes of today! How we must cry out for spiritual discernment!