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In reading the book of Luke through, something jumped out at me.
"And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples," (Luke 9:43)
Over and over Luke recorded the teachings and miracles of Jesus. Crowds were gathering. The whole thing was like a snowball gathering speed as it hurtled down the mountain. At one point, the crowds were so thick, coming right to the edge of the lake, Jesus had to get into a boat and push off just so he could speak. (Mark 4:1). Thousands and thousands were following Him!
Jesus was huge! Everything was going great! The people were responding!
"and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority." (Luke 4:32)
"And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:36)
"He said to them, “Where is your faith?” "and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:25b)
"Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled." (Luke 11:14)
As you read the book through, it becomes clear that nothing like this had ever happened in the Land, ever. The people were clamoring for Jesus, following him to see what would happen next.
And that is the problem.
They were responding, but not believing. There is a difference.
Do not mistake crowds and accolades and the words we see repeated over and over in this and the other gospels: astonished, marveled, amazed, for conviction of sin and a readiness to submit to the Spirit to be led into a transformed, submissive life before the Lord and Savior. There is a difference between surface interest and deep conviction. The people were going out to see Jesus to see what He would do, and they left chattering and excited, astonished at the show.
It is the same thing we see when crowds leave a blockbuster film, and the people stream out of the theater, chattering about how marvelous the special effects were, and how amazing was the scene where the thing blew up, and how astonished they were that the movie was so good.
Then they go home and forget about it. Till the next movie comes out.
Jesus was a really cool special effect.
Of all the years He spent in the Land, only 120 gathered in the upper room after His crucifixion. (Acts 1:13). Only 500 Galilean believers saw Him. (1 Corinthians 15:6). That is how few believed. Thousands upon thousands responded. Only 620 believed.
"And when all the believers that are in the southern part in Judea, in Jerusalem area, came to gather to meet together in that upper room after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, you remember there were only 120. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee, the ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem, the largest crowd in Galilee is 500 that came together in His name. And the largest one that came together in His name in the south is 120. It's virtually unimaginable that the Son of God could come and say what He said and do what He did and demonstrate the kind of character that He did and have 620 people in His two-fold congregation. Staggering...staggering." (source)
In the beginning of this piece I used a verse from Luke and there was a comma at the end of verse 43, indicating that Jesus was about to say something next. What was it that Jesus said to the disciples as the people were marvelling at His power to perform miracles?
"Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men." (Luke 9:44)
These same people who marveled, and were astonished and amazed, voted for Barabbas and rejected Jesus. Don't be fooled by crowds and buzz. Believe a transformed life and fruits of the Spirit.
Jesus is not a spectacle and He is not a show. Jesus is the Holy God of the Universe, and He demands repentance for sins and belief in His resurrected Son. Do not mistake crowds and buzz for belief. As soon as the show was over and the hard work was before them, the crowds left. LOL, how many people ever stay afterwards to fold up the chairs and sweep the auditorium?
"When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?...After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him." (John 6:60, 66).
Just remember, most people don't believe.
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)
"Many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24)"
"Strive earnestly to enter in by the narrow gate; for few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13, 14)."
If you are feeling giddy that revival seems to be breaking out, just remember, most people don't believe. If you are despairing because few seem to believe, just remember, none who believe will be snatched out of God's hand (John 10:29).
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37).
"And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples," (Luke 9:43)
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| Osteen's Lakewood in Houston, |
Jesus was huge! Everything was going great! The people were responding!
"and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority." (Luke 4:32)
"And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:36)
"He said to them, “Where is your faith?” "and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:25b)
"Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled." (Luke 11:14)
As you read the book through, it becomes clear that nothing like this had ever happened in the Land, ever. The people were clamoring for Jesus, following him to see what would happen next.
And that is the problem.
 |
| Hillsong |
They were responding, but not believing. There is a difference.
Do not mistake crowds and accolades and the words we see repeated over and over in this and the other gospels: astonished, marveled, amazed, for conviction of sin and a readiness to submit to the Spirit to be led into a transformed, submissive life before the Lord and Savior. There is a difference between surface interest and deep conviction. The people were going out to see Jesus to see what He would do, and they left chattering and excited, astonished at the show.
It is the same thing we see when crowds leave a blockbuster film, and the people stream out of the theater, chattering about how marvelous the special effects were, and how amazing was the scene where the thing blew up, and how astonished they were that the movie was so good.
Then they go home and forget about it. Till the next movie comes out.
Jesus was a really cool special effect.
Of all the years He spent in the Land, only 120 gathered in the upper room after His crucifixion. (Acts 1:13). Only 500 Galilean believers saw Him. (1 Corinthians 15:6). That is how few believed. Thousands upon thousands responded. Only 620 believed.
"And when all the believers that are in the southern part in Judea, in Jerusalem area, came to gather to meet together in that upper room after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, you remember there were only 120. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee, the ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem, the largest crowd in Galilee is 500 that came together in His name. And the largest one that came together in His name in the south is 120. It's virtually unimaginable that the Son of God could come and say what He said and do what He did and demonstrate the kind of character that He did and have 620 people in His two-fold congregation. Staggering...staggering." (source)
In the beginning of this piece I used a verse from Luke and there was a comma at the end of verse 43, indicating that Jesus was about to say something next. What was it that Jesus said to the disciples as the people were marvelling at His power to perform miracles?
 |
| A single Passion participant raises their hand in worship during Passion Conference 2013. Photo by Casey Northcutt |
These same people who marveled, and were astonished and amazed, voted for Barabbas and rejected Jesus. Don't be fooled by crowds and buzz. Believe a transformed life and fruits of the Spirit.
Jesus is not a spectacle and He is not a show. Jesus is the Holy God of the Universe, and He demands repentance for sins and belief in His resurrected Son. Do not mistake crowds and buzz for belief. As soon as the show was over and the hard work was before them, the crowds left. LOL, how many people ever stay afterwards to fold up the chairs and sweep the auditorium?
"When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?...After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him." (John 6:60, 66).
Just remember, most people don't believe.
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)
"Many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24)"
"Strive earnestly to enter in by the narrow gate; for few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13, 14)."
If you are feeling giddy that revival seems to be breaking out, just remember, most people don't believe. If you are despairing because few seem to believe, just remember, none who believe will be snatched out of God's hand (John 10:29).
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37).
Even the Disciples themselves struggled with unbelief.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Very grave circumstances indeed to those who fail to believe.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
The hour is late and many souls are in danger. May it please God the Father to give courage in the Truth in these days that they may endure without faltering.
Thank you for sending out the message.
And they should have known who He was! He questioned their faith because it was recorded in the Scriptures who would come and what He would be able to do: raise the dead, control the elements, cast out demons, etc..And He did all of those things. Most followed Him for what He could do for them. But the spiritual leaders did not teach the people, but withheld it for their own gain. So with His last few breaths, He cried "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do: and so the reason for Israel's second chance. And that, along with the sovreignty of God in election,as in Peter's revelation of who Jesus was when the Lord asked. And the Lord told him that He knew that He was the Messiah, the Son of God, because the Father had revealed it to him.
ReplyDeleteGod shows mercy and by His grace, saves some. And, we who believe, should give Him all praise and worship in thanksgiving!!
Thanks for the post, Elizabeth!
Pam
That paul washer video was spot on. Glad you posted it.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
thanks for watching it!
ReplyDelete