The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”, and in chapter sixteen and verse sixteen of his book Luke wrote how Jesus told the Pharisees, “you are they which justify yourselves before men where we read:
The law and the prophets were until John:
since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it.
The verse reads, “The law and the prophets were until John:” Luke began with the words, “the law” or “the Mosaic law which included the commands or rules producing a state approved of God” “and the prophets” which means “and the ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declared to men what they received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “were until John” or “existed till the time of John the Baptist whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to how God's “law” and “prophetic men” continued until the time “John the Baptist” came upon the scene.
The verse continues, “since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it.” Luke added the words, “since that time” or “apart and separate from the time when John the Baptist appeared” “the kingdom of God” which means “the royal power, reign, rule, kingship and dominion belonging to the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is preached” or “the glad tidings and gospel of Jesus Christ are heralded, announced and proclaimed”, “and every man” which means “and each, the whole, all and everyone both male and female” “presses into it” or “applies force to and seizes the glad tidings of God”. Luke shared how Jesus said from the time “John the Baptist” came the good news of the Kingdom of God is proclaimed and everyone was eager to be involved in it.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn what Jesus thought of the current situation. He knew the “gospel of the Kingdom of God” was being preached among people, and those who “heard” it were eager to be involved. God's message through Jesus was His desire to “save” them from their sins and offer to them “everlasting life”. Those who are wise “hear” God's message, believe and trust in Him and accept His offer to provide them with “age abiding life”.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus told the Pharisees, “it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” 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".
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