"We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets." (Luke 13:26)
This time through Luke, I have been trying more to measure myself by its content. Our text is a shocked response to the judgment of, "the Master of the house," upon His return. What the people were saying could perhaps be interpreted as, "You were in our meetings and things seemed to be going so well, everybody caught up in worship, church growing, my business and family doing so well-------- 'in Your presence.' What could possibly have gone wrong?"
Earlier in the chapter is the account of those who witnessed or heard of political and natural disaster and thought it was judgment on those, "worse," than they. "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish," was Jesus' response. Jesus then gave a parable of, "a certain man," continually waiting for fruit from, "his vineyard," and when after years of fruitlessness he commanded , "the keeper," to, "cut it down." The response of, "the keeper," was, "let it alone this year also, until," in essence, "I give it another chance. "And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down."
There is a version of American Christianity which is on some sort of "book tour," an attempt to promote a new kind of Christianity, a religion of no- consequence-to-sin/disobedience. Father and Son have been watching this and (could we dare say such theological heresy) are "pondering" what to do with this particular fruitless vine. This should not cause the doubt of our salvation---------- just the rejection of "presumptuous" salvation.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for keeping a close watch over Your Vineyard. Amen.
******************
See Canada Standing Up To Obama at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
