“Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.” (Luke 11:49-51 KJV).
These passages are amazingly sharp and true! The Lord’s pointed words towards the hypocritical religious people are severe. Why are His pronouncements so harsh? How can He say as such? We can surmise several reasons why the Lord’s words are so direct and strong:
Firstly-He, the Messiah, the Son of God (whose name is above all names) is greater than the great figures and prophets of the past generations. He comes for His people, but the religious leaders murdered Him to protect their interests and legalistic religion.
Secondly-The Lord Jesus wants them and the religious people of these days to realize, out of His compassion, how utterly flawed their approach to relationship with God had become.
Thirdly-The Lord Jesus wants them and us to see how horrendous and fatal is following and protecting religious doctrines and worldly precepts can be. Rather than religious concepts, our relationship with our Father and Creator must be shaped by the message of grace and truth, not by laws. Let it be revealed that the law is just a crisis management apparatus for a broken world. God’s grace by faith in Him is what the people of the world need, not laws (Romans 6:14).
Fourthly-The Lord Jesus confronts them as they idolize the past, without recognizing their connection to the sins of the past.
Yes, His words were sharp and harsh. However, they’re true and needed, then, as well as in the now! The sins against the blood of those who perished are demanded of this generation unless they come to grace and be saved by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. Scriptures declare: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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