Follow Jesus or the Opiate of Religion: Luke 19:47-48
“47) And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, 48) and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said.” Luke 19:47-48
These verses amplify an important point; Jesus was crucified not for any sin or wrong He had done, but solely for Who He claimed to be!
The religious leaders were blinded by jealousy. They could not match His words, signs, wonders, power or authority. Prophesy was increasingly pointing to His true identity. They were motivated by greed and self preservation.
However, the people saw the difference. He was not only innocent, God was working in and through Him. He was having a major impact on the people.
From the perspective of the religious establishment, they were losing control. The people were quickly turning away and following Jesus. Time was of the essence. It was either destroy Jesus or forfiet their control.
We now see a great mystery taking shape. God was about to use sinful man, human depravity and demonic ignorance to accomplish human redemption. God is always in control.
There comes a point when every person has to decide between loyalty to established human religion or following Jesus. As easy as this may sound, religion is an opiate. It can blind and control people. These verses highlight that tension.
I am not only talking about liberal, false and apostate brands of Christianity, but also other world religions. Satan uses a wide spectrum of human religion including atheism, naturalism and humanism to blind people from the truth of the gospel and keep them from following Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“47) And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, 48) and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said.” Luke 19:47-48
These verses amplify an important point; Jesus was crucified not for any sin or wrong He had done, but solely for Who He claimed to be!
The religious leaders were blinded by jealousy. They could not match His words, signs, wonders, power or authority. Prophesy was increasingly pointing to His true identity. They were motivated by greed and self preservation.
However, the people saw the difference. He was not only innocent, God was working in and through Him. He was having a major impact on the people.
From the perspective of the religious establishment, they were losing control. The people were quickly turning away and following Jesus. Time was of the essence. It was either destroy Jesus or forfiet their control.
We now see a great mystery taking shape. God was about to use sinful man, human depravity and demonic ignorance to accomplish human redemption. God is always in control.
There comes a point when every person has to decide between loyalty to established human religion or following Jesus. As easy as this may sound, religion is an opiate. It can blind and control people. These verses highlight that tension.
I am not only talking about liberal, false and apostate brands of Christianity, but also other world religions. Satan uses a wide spectrum of human religion including atheism, naturalism and humanism to blind people from the truth of the gospel and keep them from following Jesus.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
