“All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words
that came from his lips.”
(From the Gospel reading for 1.27.13)
“Why Didn’t Jesus ‘Leave Well Enough Alone' ?”
Get To Know Your “Neighbor”
+ When is it ok to settle for less than the best? __________
God’s Blueprint
+ What if God had only half heartedly tried when He made this creation? __________
Is it even possible for God to only “half heartedly” try or does His nature, His character require Him to give His best? __________
In Isaiah 57:7closeIsaiah 57:7
7 On a high and lofty mountain
you have set your bed,
and there you went up to offer sacrifice. (ESV)
closeIsaiah 57:7closeIsaiah 57:7
7 On a high and lofty mountain
you have set your bed,
and there you went up to offer sacrifice. (ESV)
7 On a high and lofty mountain
you have set your bed,
and there you went up to offer sacrifice. (ESV)
; God says that Israel is His “vineyard”. This is important because earlier, God says, “Judge between Me and My vineyard, what more could I have done for it?” God actually wants you to judge Him in this matter.
Does that surprise you? __________
Since God wants you to judge Him; what grade would you give God in this matter? __________
Why? __________
God’s Best
+ In Luke 21:33-41closeLuke 21:33-38 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. (ESV) closeLuke 21:33-38closeLuke 21:33-38 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. (ESV) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. (ESV) , Jesus teaches us a parable about a vineyard and it’s owner.
Do you think Jesus intentionally used the metaphor of a vineyard and it’s theological meaning in Isaiah of the vineyard being Israel? __________
+ God’s charter with Israel (Exodus 19:6closeExodus 19:6 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (ESV) closeExodus 19:6closeExodus 19:6 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (ESV) 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (ESV) ) was that they would be a nation of priests- their job was to be a light to the nations. God’s best for the world meant the creation of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31closeJeremiah 31:31 The New Covenant 31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, (ESV) closeJeremiah 31:31closeJeremiah 31:31 The New Covenant 31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, (ESV) The New Covenant 31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, (ESV) ); which is why Jesus says that His cup is “the new covenant” (Luke 22:20closeLuke 22:20 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (ESV) closeLuke 22:20closeLuke 22:20 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (ESV) 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (ESV) ); which we proclaim, until His return.
God can’t leave “well enough, alone”; because that mean accepting sin.
Reflect on God’s grace to you: __________
God’s Baptized
+ Jesus could have stopped when He saw the people were happy; but He had to tell them the full truth.
How will you handle this temptation? __________
Jim Buckman
