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This week we are concluding our studies in Luke Chapter 12. Please read verses 49-59 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 12:54-56 (NIV)
‘He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”’
‘You’ve been framed’ is a hugely popular TV programme. It is shown in many, many countries all over the world and brings laughter and enjoyment to millions. There are also many spin-off shows and in fact the internet is overflowing with clips of accidents. It seems that the more injured the person is, the funnier the clip!
Well, I admit that I’m a huge fan of this type of show and love watching people make mistakes that have been captured on video. One such clip is of a man perched high on a tree. In his hand is a powerful chain saw with which he is attempting to fell the tree. He has worked his work up the tree and is now sat on a particularly large branch. He turns toward the tree trunk and begins to saw on the very branch on which he is sitting. He is suspended many feet from the ground and he is now cutting away his means of support. Everyone who is watching can clearly see what is about to happen. This guy however fails to see the error of his way and in a few moments, the law of gravity comes into play as he plummets, chainsaw in hand, to the ground below.
What is wrong with people? Surely they can see what’s going to happen if they continue on their course of action? The short answer is ‘No’. They are only focusing on one thing and cannot appreciate what else is going on around them. They are blinded by their own thinking and focus.
This is a similar thing to what is happening in our verses today. Jesus is rebuking the people because they are paying attention to the wrong things. They look carefully at the weather conditions and know how to interpret what is going to happen. They are knowledgeable enough to say that if the wind blows from the south, then it will be hot. They can see a cloud forming in the distance and deduce that it will bring rain.
They can see all those things but can’t see what’s happening right in front of their very eyes. Jesus came and focused on a message of grace, love and power over sin but all they could see was the continuation of a legalistic life that led to bondage. He brought revelation about the Kingdom that emphasises the love of God and all they could do was find ways to prevent the extension of that Kingdom. Were they completely blind? They were sawing at the branch that was their only means of support! Jesus was the ONLY way to God and they were plotting His death. Belshazzar couldn’t understand the writing on the wall, but these critics were failing to see the wall!
Jesus was asking why they could interpret the weather but not interpret ‘this present time’. The English word ‘time’ has two words in the original language. One is ‘chronos’ and means ‘duration’ or ‘succession of moments’. The other word, the one that Jesus uses here is ‘kairos’. This means ‘a window of opportunity’. Jesus is imploring them to take advantage of this small window of opportunity and to see the greatness of God. May we all seize each opportunity God gives us and see Him in all His greatness.
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