02 November

Bible in 365 Days

Luke 21-22

Luke 21

Here we have another illustration of the fact that nothing could escape the Master's vigilance. Of the gifts being cast into the treasury He was the true Appraiser. He saw the widow as she cast in her gift, and said that she had "cast in more than they all." In the realm of superfluity God does not begin to count. The first entry in the heavenly books is that of sacrifice.

Addressing His disciples, Jesus spoke to them especially about their service and attitude. His words must have come with special force to the men who had heard with what wisdom He had answered the malicious attacks on Him. He declared that they should have "mouth and wisdom." Herein is discovered the secret of the wonderful utterances of these men chronicled in the Acts of the Apostles. Finally, in this connection He uttered the superlative claim, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." This statement had special application to what He had been saying concerning the future.

Then He laid certain injunctions upon His disciples of the utmost importance. They were first to ''take heed to themselves," and things which they were to guard against were named, "surfeiting," "drunkenness," "cares of this life." In view of these responsibilities they were to "watch . . . at every season," and, finally, to make "supplication."

Luke 22

Here we have the record of final things before the Cross. The priests and the devil are seen in coalition.

As the end approached, the Master is seen with the shadow of the Cross on Him, desiring to eat the Passover with His loved ones. Even in this connection the disciples contend over which of them is to be accounted the greatest.

After the observance of the Passover and the institution of the new Feast, He declared to them, "Satan hath obtained you by asking". Notice carefully Satan's demand, and that it was granted. This involves the truth that he could not touch the disciples without the divine permission. As at the moment Peter was the man in supreme danger, our Lord singled him out as He said, "I made supplication for thee."

The new order was approaching. The Master was leaving His disciples in His bodily form. It was in this connection He said, "Let him sell his cloak and buy a sword." The word "sword" arrested them, and they produced two, to which action the Master responded, "It is enough." Notice carefully He did not say, "They are enough." He was not referring to the swords, but to the principle He had laid down. Indeed, their eagerness to produce the swords evidenced their slowness to appreciate the spiritual nature of the conflict ahead of them. When presently Peter used one of the swords, the Lord sharply rebuked him.

Passing out, and into Gethsemane, He was followed by His disciples. The supreme revelation of our Lord in Gethsemane is of His complete submission to the will of God as He said, "Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done."

Then followed the darkness of which our Lord said to His enemies, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." Through this hour He passes alone with the firm step of the Conqueror.