We aren't told where, but the context suggests during some part of Jesus' Judean ministry tour, He was before a massive crowd. They were densely packed in their attempt to get closer to Jesus. At some point He turned to His disciples and began instructing them.
Jesus had already defined what He meant by the term translated into English as "hypocrisy." Rather than our modern meaning of "insincerity," it pointed out their shallowness, a hollow holiness which focused so completely on mere conduct they lacked the capacity to think in terms of what was in the human heart. The spiritual leaven of the Pharisees was just about the same thing leaven is in bread dough: air, bubbles, empty space. They were moral lightweights. There comes a time in each life when the core of a man's being would come to light. God is all about revelation and truth, and His Spirit will disclose the truth about everything, including what makes people tick.
For the Pharisees and scribes, this would be a horrifying prospect, for all their perfect behavior would count as nothing in God's eyes. Sure, they had clout in this world. They could arrange to have any of the disciples killed, but in the Kingdom, physical death is a mere circumstance. The Creator kept track of every living creature, kept a count of hairs on everyone's head. In other words, He knew precisely what was in the heart of every man, and it mattered to Him. Simply losing your life in this world was not a serious matter. After that, one stood before God, and His authority was much higher, able to send souls to Hell for eternity.
Clinging to the teachings of Jesus was the path to acceptance in God's eyes. Jesus was the revelation of God in human form, and all who followed Jesus were a part of that. Jesus would claim them as a part of Himself before the Father. Those who rejected His message would find Him their chief accuser before the Throne of Heaven. It's one thing to talk bad about Jesus, but to insult God's Holy Spirit required such a depth of darkness they cannot possibly repent. The Pharisees and scribes could hardly recognize the work of God when they saw it. So being accused by them in public was as much a mark of holiness as anything else. There was no need to plan a defense, because their authority was so limited. Whatever words were suitable for the Kingdom purpose would be revealed to them by the Holy Spirit at that time.
This talk of judgment and advocacy prompted someone in the crowd to make a smart-aleck request of Jesus. What would the Holy Spirit say in a court regarding inheritance? In Eastern lands, the first born son got a double share of his father's estate, while any other brothers got one share. It would seem this fellow wanted it all equal for whatever reason. Jesus wondered out loud how He might get the political leaders of either Judea or Rome to go along with anything He had to say about such a thing.
Having just dismissed the importance of earthly life itself, no one should be surprised when Jesus used this exchange as the anchor for discussing material goods. The Tenth Commandment rather bluntly condemned lusting after worldly comforts God gave to someone else. If all you had in this life were such possessions, you had nothing. The Parable of the Bigger Barns points out the purpose of wealth. It's not about having comfort, but sharing. It's a tool for revealing God's ways. We can't take it with us into Heaven, so it's unworthy of any real concern. Does God not provide for all nature, itself a tool of His revelation? How much more will He provide for those who actively serve His revelation by choice, whatever is needed to empower that choice. Be quick to pass on this world's treasures, and keep your eyes on the spiritual treasures of Heaven.
In Kingdom service, we can't afford to waste time and effort on material goods. We are stewards of the King. Our appointed duties are more than enough to keep us occupied until He comes. It's as if we are preparing this world for His return from the wedding ceremony at His bride's home. Only, when He comes, we household servants will be the guests of honor at the marriage feast. We can't imagine the joys of Heaven! Should we not then be willing to treat this life with some contempt, and throw it away, as it were, in anticipation? Extravagance with our lives and with this world's resources on God's behalf is good stewardship. Our time will come at the most inopportune moment.
Peter asked if this teaching was for the masses or for only His followers. Most people seem to miss Jesus telling Peter this was about Kingdom servants, not the world at large. Indeed, because the Twelve were chosen to be leaders of His followers, their duties were even more critical in waiting for their death. Jesus refers to servants who manage the household, supervising other servants. In the Kingdom, some are chosen to lead other believers. If they are faithful, their spiritual authority, and their joy, will grow. If they take unfair advantage of their position, they show they are no better than the lost world around them. God will surely take into account what a man understands of his calling, and what His servants are capable of doing.
Those committed to the revelation of God's truth can't get enough of it. Their zeal cries out for sin to be judged even in their own lives. Whatever the cost in this world, nothing compares to the fire of God's Spirit! Jesus the man could hardly contain Himself in His drive to the Cross. It wasn't simply His own life, but the whole world as it was known then would end. The old order was passing away, and the new was anchored in Heaven. This world would be in chaos, and never understand what it was all about. Where once there was Judaism, a religion of the family, there would be broken households as God called individuals to join His spiritual family. The very fundamental element of human society, and all the stability it represents, would take a back seat to the primacy of the Kingdom of Heaven in men's lives.
Most Jews of Jesus' day had no clue. He turned to the crowd with a warning. When it came to weather, they could recognize the signs of what was approaching. Creation was fairly predictable in offering clues to such things. God also left plenty of clues in His Word about a coming Messiah, and the end of His dealings with Israel as a nation on earth. Still, the leaders were so absorbed in subtle details of external behavior, they never saw it coming. Most of them were pretty savvy about facing law suits, but were utterly unprepared for facing God's judgment. Jesus was about to haul the nation into Court by dying on the Cross. Rejecting Him would mean rejecting the one path to repentance. The massive debt of sin was more than any could repay, and the nation as a whole would not escape accountability.
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By Ed Hurst
23 August 2008
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