Luke addresses uncertainty in uncertain times with a comforting witness:
.. many have undertaken .. a narrative .. from eyewitnesses ..
.. it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you,
.. that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. – Excerpt Luke 1:1-4
Consider events of this past week or most recent months? Any good news of consequence other than feel-good fluff? Uncertainty seems to rule the day.
We live in a world filled with headlines of hopelessness and endless debates of speculative fear. And as I consider unexpected wars between rich rulers I sense only uncertain futures in these times.
Yet do not despair, beloved friend; for we proclaim a gospel of hope in times of hopelessness. We preach a gospel of certainty in uncertain times, life eternal in Christ Jesus.
What Gospel after the Resurrection?
Transitions bring uncertainty even to those comfortable with trusting God. Jesus’ disciples had just fifty more days to learn to trust in a new and certain covenant with the Lord. Then upon His ascension into the clouds the Holy Spirit would confirm their new certainty.
The opening words of the meticulous physicianhistorian Luke affirm his purpose:
‘that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.’
Jesus taught the Disciples, who subsequently taught others with His authority. Like Paul and Mark, Luke was a follower of The Way who had access to the Jesus’ Disciples.
Luke records their certain witness near the end of the first century, A.D. in Luke-Acts, a two-scroll history.
More to Come
In this next series we will examine the transitional time of uncertainty just a few years after the ascension of Jesus. We will also take a look back to Joshua, who led the Hebrew people through another transitional time after the death of Moses.
Conquering the Promised Land in many ways parallels the uncertain task of Jesus’ followers proclaiming the Gospel to the entire world. The old and new commissions both depend on the Lord. And lest we forget, our own uncertain times in this 21st century after Christ require much faith.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Are you offended by me calling you a damn sinner? I must confess: I’m also a sinner every day; in thoughts, words and deeds. In that sense I’m just like you.
Lord, forgive us our treapasses.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God… – Romans 3:23 (but read further for understanding the Sacrifice of Christ)
“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. – Deuteronomy 21:22-23a ESV
I was somewhat shocked to read in a definition that these words have changed meaning. Yet I acknowledge a contemporary preaching trend toward not offending the hearers of God’s word. A brief look at the definition of ‘damn, damnation and damnable’ reads:
These words have undergone a change of meaning since the King James Version was made. They are derived from Latin damnare = ” to inflict a loss,” “to condemn,” and that was their original meaning in English.
Now they denote exclusively the idea of everlasting punishment in hell. It is often difficult to determine which meaning was intended by the translators in the King James Version. They have been excluded altogether from the Revised Version (British and American).
Damnation invades the guilty minds of the wicked. They then accuse the Christian of morality irrelevant to their own demise. Hell for so many revelers is their daily entertainment of self-indulgence. Raising hell becomes their goal of response to a life without meaning and a death without consequence.
A further defining of the concept of damnation will include uncomfortable synonyms given infrequent consideration by most men of dust. These include:
condemn, damn, judgment, avenge, accusation, go to law, pernicious, perdition, destruction, waste, die and to perish.
Not a list of well-used words in our 21st century lexicon or smiling solicitations from some pulpits.
Not to dwell too long in these hell-pointing descriptions above for damnation, but here would be the time to mention that other contemporarily offensive word: sin.
Sin, damnation and other uncomfortable, almost archaic words like judgement point to man’s accountability to God.
Jesus, the Messiah, perfect and sinless, became substitution for my sins and for yours. God therefore sacrificed His righteousness, undeserving of death, as redemption from the damnation you and I deserve.
The sin of man and love of God led to the Cross.
Jesus and Judgment
For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver;
the LORD is our king; he will save us. – Isaiah 33:22
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin?
No, they could not convict the Son of Man of sin. The accusers of Jesus could only bring the righteous Messiah to the Cross by bribery and lies.
51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
A King’s Condemnation for the Sins of His Subjects
.. Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people…
55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples left him and fled.
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered…
59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”
62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”
63 But Jesus remained silent.
And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?”
They answered, “He deserves death.”
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
The Damn Shall Hang on a Cross, Yet this Passover Sacrifice is Pure
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law…
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”
… he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him… – Hebrews 5:8b-9
Only two mortal choices: judgement or grace.
Are you a damn sinner? Or are you a forgiven sinner In Christ?
Can you come up with a proverb from scripture anymore applicable to leaders of this 21st century?
They self-appoint a leader with strong-arm authority as Caesar for life. Or perhaps the rich and powerful will poison your opposition, if not literally, at least in the press. The evil ones manipulate the election, anointing and celebrating key world leaders. They imprison, assassinate or remove vocal opponents from the spotlight of the multitudes. All new, right?
Certainly not. For such political intrigue preceded the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, not only among its religious authorities, but also across the world in Rome.
Even though the popularity of Jesus, King of the Jews, threatened local leaders, the criminalization and public execution of Jesus could deter others from opposing the authority of the politically appointed.
Leaders in the first century
Israel is not a country; therefore Roman states and authority do not parallel Jewish identification of a former Judah and Israel.
As mentioned in previous posts in this lenten series, Rome’s conquest of the Mediterranean led to installment of Jewish leaders with limited power.
As Rome itself grew from republic to empire a strong military sought alliances with influential kings and leaders, including Herod the Great. Greek influence (Hellenism) gave way to Roman order.
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
After Herod’s death, three sons (two named Herod and Philip) administered separate Roman-ruled provinces. Religious divisions and insurrections also sought to weaken Roman rule by selective terrorism.
The religious/political leaders of Jerusalem divided into three parties, really as much political beliefs as traditional religion. The Lord was not foremost in the philosophies of most of the Jewish elite, which included the Sadducees and Scribes or the more middle class Pharisees. The Essenes were sort of the monks of the day, with limited influence from the wilderness on the religious rule of the cities. (John the Baptist is thought to be one of the Essenes.)
All of this turmoil preceded the birth of the Messiah Jesus during the reign of Herod the Great and continued even beyond Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, ruled by Herod Archelaus.
The natural question to Jesus by leaders on all sides of political and religious belief would of course be, “.. who gave you this authority?” – Matthew 21:23
Leaders of every political persuasion and religious belief had already challenged Jesus frequently in His three years of teaching. Everyone knew of His power, righteousness and positions in matters of Law, the Scriptures and God.
And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Mark 1: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. – John 1:17
Sadducees believed the Law was literal and authority came though the Priests. Jesus challenged their authority, but not that of the Law.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished… – Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus had explained to his Disciples:
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace.
Religious officials hearing him would likely have understood that Jesus identified them as the weeds in the parable of the weeds.
Pharisees too were far from immune to identification with sin and hypocrisy by Jesus. They had a tendency to impose priestly law and complex interpretation of the Law on the common people. Jesus challenged them.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. – Matthew 23:23
This Jesus, arriving at the gate of Jerusalem, worshiped by huge crowds is no stranger to these religious leaders. In fact, the Son of Man, the Messiah of Scripture is a direct challenge to their own future.
Scriptures
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. – John 5:39-40 NIV
Again, even now, no book is so controversial as the Bible.
Sadducees interpreted the written word of God so literally as to not leave room for the many modes of literary expression. Pharisees loved to spin their own interpretations of God’s word with such complexity as the Lord never intended. They added an oral law of their own making.
The Essenes actually had it right, using inspired exegesis of the Bible.
Jesus told Parables, but also quoted scripture to explain why the religious authorities failed in their teaching of scripture. The religious officials of Jerusalem knew what Jesus had previously spoken during the festival of the booths.
… 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. … then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people…
13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.
Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching…
19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”
… 25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? …
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
… 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”
This Jesus of Nazareth was well known in Jerusalem and controversial as well, even prior to His entry into Jerusalem, even after the resurrection of Lazarus.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’
Jesus Is Equal with God
5:18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
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Not to dwell too long in these hell-pointing descriptions above for damnation, but here would be the time to mention that other contemporarily offensive word: 
