Making the Without and the Within - Luke 11:40

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty of his book Luke shared how Jesus asked, “did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?” where we read:

You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

The verse reads, “You fools, did not he that made that which is without ...” Luke began with the words, “you fools” or “you Pharisees are without reason, senseless, foolish, stupid and without reflection or intelligence and act rashly”, “did not he that made” which means “did not God make ready, prepare, produce, render and declare” “that which is without” or “the parts that are outward or external”. Luke shared how Jesus questioned the Pharisee concerning God creating and making the “outward” part of people.

The verse goes on to say, “... make that which is within also?” Luke added the words, “make that which is within or “make ready, prepare, produce, render and declare the parts that are inward or internal” “also” which means “even so and indeed”. Luke shared how Jesus questioned whether the Pharisee knew “God” also created the “inward” part of people.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus reasoned with the Pharisee concerning the “make up” or “creation” of people. The idea was that God made both the “outward and inward” parts of people, and He desires to “clean and purify” both of them. People often focus upon their “outward” appearance, and yet, God desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus so they are “cleansed” from “within”. Those who align themselves with Jesus receive the Holy Spirit of God who continually works to help them not only identify inward defilement, but also gives them the ability to be “purified” inside. “Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shalt make me to know wisdom.” (Psalm 51:6)

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “give alms of such things as you have”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".