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Jesus-Must Love More Than Family
May 23, 2020

For a few months, we have been studying the life of Jesus and as we move through the chapters recounting the earthly ministry of Jesus, we move closer to His crucifixion and resurrection which changed everything here on earth. Jesus constantly faced the religious elite representing the religious establishment who saw themselves as better than everybody else because they enforced rules which were of their interpretation that were difficult for most people to follow. Among other things, Jesus was even criticized for not following the ceremonial handwashing before meals that was part of their religious practice. Jesus repeatedly warned His disciples to beware the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy which focused on the physical part of our body and not on the spiritual part of our mind. Jesus explained that everything that is done, even things done in private, will be made public, providing not only a warning to His disciples, but also hinting that the Pharisees acted one way in public and another way in private.

These same Pharisees threatened people who did not heed their authority and Jesus told His disciples to not be threatened by people who could only take their life, explaining our prize at the end is eternal life. Jesus reminded everyone that God knows our needs and will provide for our needs, including life. Jesus went on to warn the disciples to confess Jesus to others because we are bought and paid for through the blood of Jesus. We can never hide that fact from others. As we are threatened for our faith, the Holy Spirit will lead us in what to say. Jesus also shared that physical possessions are not of importance compared to spiritual gifts and that we should desire to grow in the fruits of the spirit. When we become rich spiritually, we lay up treasure for ourselves in heaven. When we focus first on the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, we lay up treasure for ourselves in heaven.

Luke 12:1-21
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Jesus knew that the religious elite persecuted people who challenged their authority and for most, the threat of physical death was sufficient to yield authority to these religious elite. It was well known that a few Galileans were sacrificed as part of a Roman ceremony by Pilate, with the tacit approval of the religious elite. Jesus asked the people with Him if they thought these unfortunate Galileans were worse sinners. Jesus also recalled a story of a tower falling on eighteen people near the pool of Siloam and had to remind everyone that these people were no more sinners than the people who were spared. Jesus used these current events to remind everyone that we are quick to judge and find fault and sin in others and gave an example of a barren fig tree. The land owner wanted to cut this tree down but the gardener convinced the land owner to give this tree one more chance. Each of us is like that fig tree at times looking as if we do not bear fruits worthy of salvation and yet in each of our lives, we have Jesus which intervenes on our behalf with the land owner, God the Father, to save our life.

Luke 13:1-9

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Many people were following Jesus at this time in addition to His disciples and He explained to them that if any person loved their family more than Jesus, they could not be His disciple. Jesus used a parable of a man making a great supper to make His point. Everyone the man invited eventually had some excuse as to why they could not come to the supper. Not wanting an empty room, the man replaced each of the invited guests with people found on the streets. In our life when we make excuses as to why something is more important than Jesus, we must remember that we too can be replaced.

Luke 14:16-27
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Each of us has burdens we face as we choose to follow Jesus who obeys God the Father. These burdens can never be greater than our relationship with Jesus nor can we give cause for these burdens to remove us from the love of Jesus.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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