Luke 6:11-45

"But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus." 

Luke 6:11 (NIV)

This is the first hint in Luke’s record of the ministry of Jesus, that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law would end up falsely accusing Jesus of crimes He didn’t commit, and then coercing Pilate into executing Jesus. The new cannot mix with the old, and they like the taste of the old wine so much, they were willing to throw out the new.

We may say that this is crazy - to remove the Grace of God from their midst! Yet would we have done any different? Do we not act as the Pharisees did in our own lives today? How many times have I chosen to “throw” Jesus out of an area of my life, when what I need desperately is His saving, healing Presence? I choose being “right” over grace. I choose self-pity over repentance. I choose the old over the new, because I like the taste of the old.

As we read on in Luke 6, we will realize that Jesus started immediately to implement the plan of God regarding His imminent departure, and that His plan is US! Jesus calls His disciples to Him and names them apostles. This is not a gifting of apostleship - this is the church office of apostle. The Lord’s plan is His church, and His church is based on the apostles and their teaching.

This passage makes it so clear that the church is the Lord Jesus’ church. He is the One who calls people into it. He is the One who appoints leaders. He is the One to whom all leaders will give an account. We see three distinct groups listed by Luke: the 12 apostles, the larger group of disciples (followers) and those who are called listeners.

Friend, I wonder which group you belong to.

Are you a leader in the church? Then remember your call and the truth that Jesus is your boss.

Are you a follower? A disciple of Jesus? Then imitate Him, and be the child of God you can be.

Are you a listener? Oh friend, it is true; we could be a leader and not a listener (Judas). We could be a disciple and not a listener (John 6:66).

Friend may we always listen to the words of our Lord, especially today.

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