The ministry of Jesus was counter to the culture of the world. Jesus was true to what he believed and came into conflict with those who had “hedged out” God’s law from the people. It was the religious establishment who bore the brunt of the rebuke from Jesus.

1 – The sins of dull people

There are several listed here in this passage.

• Stressing the unimportant. (vs. 42). They were into outward appearance rather than love and justice. They strained at gnats – the unimportant things. The main things should remain the main things in our lives.
• Seeking the undeserved (vs. 43). They made sure that people saw them at the right meetings. They were looking for prominence and position.
• Concealing the unworthy (vs. 44). It is not about what you look like on the outside if there is deadness on the inside. They were like unmarked graves! They were going through the motions of religious observance. They were concealing their deadness on the inside by using outward appearance.
• Preaching the unfulfilled (vs. 46). They were all talk. They burdened people with additional rules and made their lives a misery. They did nothing to help their burden.
• Reverencing the unwanted (vs. 47). They were rewriting history. Their ancestors had killed the prophets. They had not welcomed the prophets and they would do the same to Jesus.
• Hindering the unbelieving (vs. 52). The hypocrisy of their lives was preventing unbelievers from coming to God.

2 – How to avoid spiritual dullness

Like Caleb of the Old Testament (Numbers 13, 14; Joshua 14) who lived life to the fullest, you, too, can maintain a faith-based optimism, a give-me-this-moment attitude, and a soft heart of gratefulness and servant hood. Caleb was one of 12 spies sent by Moses into Canaan. He and Joshua were the only two who returned with an accurate report of the obstacles ahead of them – and with great faith, implored the Israelites to trust God for protection. To avoid spiritual dullness we need to:-

• Avoid gossip. Find good news about other people. Believe the best rather than assume the worst. Spread good rumours and avoid judgmental condemnation. Gossip diminishes your worth because you live at the expense of others – tearing them down by saying, I may not be much, but at least I’m not as bad as that guy.
• Release bitterness. Don’t blame others, and don’t walk around waiting for someone to apologise to you. Caleb and Joshua could have exhausted themselves in bitterness by blaming the 10 disbelieving spies. Instead, they seem to have released the people who hurt them, and in so doing they liberated their own souls.
• Take risks. Step out in faith, believing in God. Caleb gave the report which paraphrased said “Let’s go for it – we can certainly take this land”. (Numbers 13:30). The others cowered in fear of exaggerated giants.
• Trust. Living a life of worry guarantees a sad life. When you try to be God by grabbing control, you shrivel because you cannot bear the weight. You can live comfortably with the unknown when you choose to trust God.
• Don’t live for stuff. Keep materialism in check. When you live for the accumulation of things – either by purchasing these things or by constantly longing for what you can’t afford – you become a shrinking soul.
• Master your appetite. If you are controlled by your cravings your spiritual capacity will lessen – because food, lust, or other unchecked desires will take over. Caleb attended to the physical as well as the spiritual discipline; how else could he have said, I’m just as strong today as when we left Egypt 45 years ago (Josh. 14:11).
• Grow deep. Spend time thinking about the meaning of life. Build your life on a firm theological and philosophical foundation. Think of the important things and don’t burn up your intellectual energies on monumental facts such as sports scores or the weather.
• Live today. Celebrate the past, embrace the present, and anticipate the future. Learn from the past but don’t live there. Recognize that the good old days are never going to return and maybe weren’t as good as you recall. Engage fully in this day.
• Think globally. Realise that God is Lord and creator of the whole world. That means you must live comfortably with all the diversity He made, and reach out to serve His world.

3 – You do not always know why the storm stops

The other ships did not know why the storm was stopped. I wonder what the men in those other little ships must have been thinking. Here they are in their boats being tossed to and fro with the winds and the waves. Their boats were filling with water. They were in grave danger of losing their boats, and perhaps drowning! Then suddenly and for no apparent reason at all, the winds hushed and the waves lay quietly in the sea. They, too, were saved –by the Master of the sea!

4 – Your anchor will hold in the storm

When a ship was in great trouble near the shore it was possible to get a little ship to get a line to the distressed ship and for it to drop anchor and winch in the ship to safety. Jesus is the anchor in the harbour and is pulling us safely in. Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and His presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it is in a little ship.

When all man’s striving was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of calm; then was the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral’s flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He Himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in His wake, mark His signals, steer by His chart, and never fear while He is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every boat in safety to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day’s cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in Him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours.

Categories: Luke