Introducing the hardcore, non-sugar coated Jesus Christ

Luke 19:26-27 says, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”

Observation: Have you ever noticed that Jesus, as much as he was loving and compassionate, he was a hardcore preacher of truth? The words, “sugar coating” or the act of taking something that may not taste good and coating it with sugar so it was more palatable, did NOT exist with Jesus. Obviously, he didn’t have the time required to sugar coat truth and try to be Mr. Popular. In this passage he pretty much says this, “You have responsibilities while I am away, but when I get back you better have done what I have asked of you. Be my disciples and more will be given, but if you do nothing, much will be taken…your eternal soul!”

Application: Now days we as Christians and the church sometimes get caught up in trying to sugar coat the truth so that we can get the message to more people and they are willing to accept it. But have we gone too far? Jesus pretty much said it how it was. I think he knew that no matter how much he sugar coated things, that in the end, if they didn’t like what they heard they wouldn’t follow through with anything. So he took the 3 or so years of his public ministry and laid it all out…the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knew that those who needed what he had to say would do something with it. And those who would do nothing with it…well they would still be judged. What do I do with this? I think the best application of this parable/passage is to have a sense of urgency in the ministry God has given me. Maybe I should be less concerned with sugar coating Jesus, and just preach him to everyone I can. Paul said that while we can plant and water seeds of truth in people, only God can make them grow. I need to “invest” what God has given me while he is away…with urgency. The return on the investment is my faithfulness, not how many people I can talk into hearing what I have to say.

Prayer: Much has been given to me, let me do something with it. Don’t let me get caught up in the stuff that would distract me from your purpose in my life…like gossip, slandering, maligning, anger, ungodly frustration, discord, discontent, ego, pride. God, let me have a single mind and focus…to do much with what you have given me and asked of me. In Jesus name!

Stop acting your age and grow down!

Luke 18:14-17 says, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Observation: Being a children’s pastor I have used this passage many times to show the importance of children to God. But it is so much more than His love for children, He loves everyone equally. Jesus was trying to drive home a point, and it began when he was teaching humility in vs. 14. He drives it home with the illustration to have the attitude of a child. If you don’t have kids, you’ve at least been around kids. They have this cool innocence that impresses me. But even more than the innocence of a child, I love the attitude of a child when it comes to the simplest things of this world. The BIble Knowledge Commentary says it best, “Children come with expectation and excitement. They come realizing that they are not sufficient in themselves. They depend totally on others. If these same attitudes are not present in adults, they can never enter into the kingdom.”

Application: When I was a child I remember fishing with my grandpa and dad. One thing that the adult always must do for a child is tie on the hook and bait it correctly. A child must rely completely on the adult otherwise the fishing experience will be unsuccessful. I always assumed that if I was with my grandpa I would always catch a fish because he was a master fisherman. It was a given that we would have a great time. I want that same attitude today, but with God. I want that feeling of going out to catch a fish…knowing that if he ties the hook and is present, I can’t fail. I want to rely on God for everything in my life. I can’t fail when I know that a part from him, I am nothing, but with him, all things are possible.

Prayer: God, continue to teach me humility. Give me the heart of a child. Vs. 27 says that with God all things are possible. Let me have that child-like faith and expectation. And that in itself is the success, trusting in him with all things.