The Bible IS NOT About You
When doing devotions or daily Bible Study, it can be a subtle trap of seeking only for hidden gems of wisdom that help us live a "better more productive or peaceful life."
Sometimes the Bible isn't about you. In fact large portions of the Bible are about Jesus completely and totally with nothing about you practically. Many times you just need to understand what story God is writing even if you're daily habits aren't precisely affected by it.
That's what I come away with as we go through these last few chapters of Luke. Jesus has come to Jerusalem, to the seat of authority for what's left of the Jewish nation under Roman occupation. He is the final act in God's saving plan of redemption. Hostility is at an all time high and each conversation gets more heated than the previous one. They have questioned him, derided him, sought to kill him and undermined his authority.
It's okay, it's part of God's plan from before (See Acts 2:23)!
In the parable of the Tenants, Jesus sums up the history of the people of God... After sending prophet upon prophet to His people, the owner of the vineyard (God) sends his Son...
Luke 20:13–18 (ESV) Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Sometimes the Bible isn't about you. In fact large portions of the Bible are about Jesus completely and totally with nothing about you practically. Many times you just need to understand what story God is writing even if you're daily habits aren't precisely affected by it.
That's what I come away with as we go through these last few chapters of Luke. Jesus has come to Jerusalem, to the seat of authority for what's left of the Jewish nation under Roman occupation. He is the final act in God's saving plan of redemption. Hostility is at an all time high and each conversation gets more heated than the previous one. They have questioned him, derided him, sought to kill him and undermined his authority.
It's okay, it's part of God's plan from before (See Acts 2:23)!
In the parable of the Tenants, Jesus sums up the history of the people of God... After sending prophet upon prophet to His people, the owner of the vineyard (God) sends his Son...
Luke 20:13–18 (ESV) Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
They tripped over the cornerstone of God's house. They missed the hour of their visitation. Perhaps they wrongly believed God's story centered on their prosperity and peace... on them living a better more meaningful life.
When coming to the Bible remember - it's about Jesus! Later Jesus will explain who he is to the two on the road to Emmaus citing "all the prophets" beginning with Moses and how they wrote concerning HIM! The Bible is not about you, it's all about Jesus.
Don't miss Him! Look at him! Love Him! Serve Him! Worship Him! He is more beautiful and wonderful than any other! D
PRAYER:
Father I want to see Jesus. I ask for eyes to read your Word with a clearer understanding of the centerpiece of your creation and redemption. Jesus is Worthy to be praised! Thank you Lord. Amen.
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