In Luke’s introduction to the parable of the Good Samaritan he makes clear that God’s isn’t calling us to try and be better people. God is inviting us into His Kingdom, where life is altogether different than it is in this present age.
When Jesus went into the wilderness following his baptism he was tempted by Satan. That name means accuser. In the Old Testament we learn that in God’s Heavenly Council the accuser was in charge of prosecutions. However, he began to make false allegations and even tricked people into doing things for which he would later accuse them. The accuser then rebelled against God and sought to destroy God’s people and to thwart the mission of God’s Messiah. Thus, in John’s Gospel, Jesus called Satan a liar. He said he was the father of lies; that the truth was not in him. He comes only to kill, steal and destroy said Jesus.
Jesus victory over temptation in the wilderness was an individual victory. When Jesus has a vision of Satan falling Jesus is seeing his mission as the Messiah gaining momentum as the seventy go out to defeat the works of the evil one. The ultimate victory will again be a one on one contest fought on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus’ resurrection will make God’s victory over sin and death complete.
Now we can see that Jesus is not simply calling his followers to be good moral people. He is calling his followers to come with him to live in a new realm, the Kingdom of God, where life is altogether different. Here, all people are valued as the precious creation of God. What does that look like?
”Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. . .”
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
16-Jan-12 Luke 10:38-11:13
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