Saturday, November 5, 2005

Luke - Herod wanted a miracle

Luke 23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

The seventy and more members of the council, with one angry voice protested Pilate's words, that Jesus was not guilty. They continued with testimony saying that he stirred up the people from Galilee to Jerusalem. Yes, he stirred hearts. First calling for repentance of sin, and then speaking the mighty word of God. The people saw him as greater than the Scribes and Pharisees.

Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

They were jealous of Jesus, for he spoke with authority, as a Son of God.

Luke 23:6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
Luke 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Herod was so excited to see the man who did miracles. Why do we seek Jesus? Is it only for miracles? Or is it also the message of power and hope. The miracles illustrated his message. The message was what was important. There was power in his words for a new life. He came with power and the power was in his word and in his presence. We need the word and his presence. The word and the spirit go together. We should not seek one above the other. The word alone cannot be understood without the presence of His Spirit. The Spirit alone needs the message of His word, or it is just a feeling, a miracle with no confirmation of His word.

Many seek miracles and many think they are of God when they follow a powerful feeling. The feeling may be another spirit separating them from God's Bible to a "higher" truth. There is no higher truth apart from God's written word. All truth must be seen through the written word and by God's Spirit. We are to speak the gospel until the end.

Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Do not turn from God's word and His Spirit, to another teaching. Beware of those who teach "another" gospel, that say that the finished work of Jesus is not enough. Some will bring the old testament laws to put you into bondage again, saying Jesus is not enough, you must do this other thing also. Paul said, let them be accursed.P> Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Beware coming under the bondage of men or women with a new way, or some old testament curse or following what is not the gospel taught by our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles.

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

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