Download the UBF brochure here
Weekly Message | August 16th, 2009
Passage: Luke 6:37-49
Key Verse(s): 47,48
In today’s passage, Jesus is speaking to his disciples while a large crowd is gathered around him. Jesus is teaching his disciples about building. According to Jesus, we build by hearing Jesus’ words and putting them into practice. Throughout our lives we build many things—relationships, careers, ministries, families, and disciples of Jesus. Through this we learn about becoming wise builders as disciples of Jesus. We are people of Christ who hear his words and put them into practice. May God bless us with his words today.
First, “everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (37-42). The first section is about Jesus’ disciples who can build up others. Jesus points out three primary failures of leaders in regard to judgment, leadership, and shortcomings because Jesus wants his disciples to be wise in these vital areas. Then, Jesus graciously provides alternative actions which we may take. This way we may become more like our teacher Jesus.
Look at verses 37 and 38: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you…” Jesus commands us not to judge others. Here, to “judge” means to engage in unjust criticism. To “condemn” means to make a wrong conclusion about others and to refuse to have any meaningful relationship with them.
If you ever had a dark secret to tell someone, who would you like to tell it to? Would you like to tell someone who will become judgmental and condemning? The fear is that you would be rejected and worse everyone would find out and you would feel targeted for criticism and finally no one would want to have anything to do with you. Or would you like to tell your secret to someone who would like to listen patiently, understand, hold all that is said in confidence, and then provide prayerful guidance and insight? Of course everyone would like the second choice. We all would like to have someone who is willing to listen objectively and most of all forgive us.
The disciples of Jesus would someday represent Christ and serve lost sinners in this world. Sinners would come to them and seek help. It was critical that the disciples of Jesus cultivate spiritual qualities to serve needy sinners properly. Jesus told his disciples not to judge or unjustly criticize, but instead to forgive. Jesus also instructed his disciples not to condemn, to make wrongful conclusions about others and cut off the relationship; but instead to forgive. Through forgiveness, we declare God’s welcome through Christ in spite of any and all sins. We give the love, comfort, instruction, encouragement, correction, and rebuke that people need. Primarily this was the ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, who came full of truth and grace. (Jn 1:14) He did not come into the world to judge and condemn it, but came instead to save the world through him. (Jn 3:17) Jesus wants his disciples to learn to forgive and to learn the life of giving.
Here we see that Jesus primarily cautions against bad judgments. “Do not judge” does not mean to fail to discern what it is precious to God. (Mk 13:5) Likewise, how can anybody forgive others if there is no understanding about sin? Therefore, sound judgment is essential to help others. Forgiveness requires recognition of sin as it is.
In the Bible there are several good examples of what Jesus wants his disciples to do. People’s lives become broken and they do not know about God’s forgiveness, hope, and promise. The result is they become lost. We are familiar with the story of the Prodigal Son. (Lk 15:11-32) In this story a son asked for and received his share of the estate from his father. He took this wealth and squandered it in wild living. He became destitute and this brought him to his senses. He confessed his sin against his father. Upon his return the father welcomed his son and they celebrated. Why? Because the father proclaimed that his son “was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Lk 15:32b. This is the attitude of Jesus toward repentant sinners--therefore this is the attitude Jesus’ disciples should demonstrate. Many coworkers here have the mind of Christ in this way.
Look at verses 39 and 40. “He also told them this parable: ‘Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.’” The first aspect of being a disciple is that we may learn to forgive sinners and to give according to the real needs of others. However, people also need to be led practically in a new life of faith. The imagery that Jesus uses is of a blind man leading a blind man. This sounds dangerous and both blind men seem destined for serious trouble. Even with the best intensions this will not work out because we understand that someone will get hurt. The point is that without knowing Jesus we become like blind guides. Jesus disciples must know and learn from their teacher Jesus.
First, Jesus’ disciples must know Jesus personally. They must know that salvation only comes through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Ephesian 2:8 declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Therefore, disciples of Jesus know God’s hope and the reason for their calling. They understand the power of God in Jesus Christ who overcame death and is the giver of eternal life. They understand the glory of Jesus and his authority over all things.
Secondly, Jesus’ disciples can grow as Good Shepherds like Jesus. Jesus appointed the twelve disciples and designated them apostles. What was this for? It was to teach them to be able to conduct an evangelical ministry after Jesus left. He wanted them to be good shepherds--capable of doing the work of God. Apostle Paul emphasized the qualities of the shepherd as having a servant’s heart, not being quarrelsome, being kind, being capable to teach, patient, and gentle. (2Ti 2:24-26) The disciples of Jesus must know the Lord and be able to minister to others with the mind of Christ. Then, they can truly lead others to Christ. They will not be blind guides but will have a meaningful and spiritual ministry in Christ.
Jesus said, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Spiritual leadership is developed by our personal relationship with Jesus our Savior and through learning the heart and mind of Jesus.
Look at verses 41 and 42a: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?” Once again Jesus shows that he has a sense of humor. A speck is hardly noticeable compared to a plank which is large and heavy. Jesus characterizes the silly nature of how we may view others when we are completely unaware our own glaring difficulties. To find fault with others comes very naturally and then we try to help them but we ignore the essential elements of our own problems. This will hurt others while hurting our own integrity as a servant of God. Here we learn that we must simply keep a humble view of ourselves. (Ro 12:3) When we maintain a humble attitude, we can still work with others objectively to deal with their problems. Our vision of others becomes clear and we can be of genuine help to them.
The disciples of Jesus were very young at this time. But Jesus wanted to teach them the positive aspects of helping others to know Jesus so that they could effectively build up others. Jesus provides the key ingredients to building up people in his grace and truth and salvation. We imitate Jesus through forgiveness and giving according to the needs of others, learning from Jesus, following Jesus, and finally, maintaining a humble view of one’s self. Through imitating Jesus, we build up the community of believers.
Second, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart” (43-45). The second section is about bearing fruit. We all bear fruit—either good, bad, or in between. Here, Jesus teaches his disciples what to focus on in bearing good fruit for life. We need a sound internal spiritual life.
Look at verses 43-44: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.” A good apple tree always bears apples that can be eaten and enjoyed. A good apple tree will not bear poisonous berries. We clearly can recognize each tree by the fruit that it bears.
Look at verse 45: “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Jesus did not focus his effort on improving his disciples' appearances or their general manners. Jesus was more concerned about what their inside was like. He wanted to transform their hearts into good hearts. Good fruit comes from a good heart. Love does not come out of a hateful heart. Joy does not come out of a bitter heart. Peace does not come out of a vengeful heart. What Jesus' disciples need most is a good heart so that good things will come out of the good stored in their hearts.
Earlier this summer, several students studied 1 Samuel in preparation for the Discipleship Conference. Through the testimonies I heard, they learned about the life of Samuel, Jonathan, and David. Samuel learned the life of obedience through his disciplined and structured life. He learned the fear of God and could keep the word of God absolutely. Because of this, he could serve God as a judge for all of Israel. (1Sa 12) Jonathan befriended David based on a covenant with David before the Lord. (1Sa 20:14, 15, 42) The covenant was out love and respect for David who was anointed by God. David, on the other hand, was trained to have a shepherd heart for a nation. He learned to depend on God and have the utmost respect for God’s anointed servant Saul. (2Sa 1:19-27) The point here is that they had heart for the word of God and the work of God through God’s anointed servants. In time they bore good fruit to God. Why? It was because they had good things of God stored up in their hearts: They trusted God’s words. They had deep respect and awe for God’s work through his anointed servants. Their hope was in God’s promises. These things were in their hearts so very naturally good things came out of their lives.
Our heart is the dwelling place for Christ. When we study the word of God with sincere repentance, the word of God comes in, purifies us and creates in us a clean and good heart. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Pr 4:23) If Christ dwells in our hearts, when we look at sinners we see the face of Jesus. Then with our mouths we can speak words like Jesus—words of instruction, encouragement, rebuke, praise, and correction all for one goal: to build up and help people to mature in Christ.
Third, “He…who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice” (46-49). In this third section, Jesus speaks about the reality that people face both in this life and beyond this life. The outcome depends on how we put his words into practice. Jesus is teaching us to be wise builders.
In verse 46 people came to Jesus and were calling him Lord. It was like some confession that they were making. But they actually did not do what he said. It was easy to call him Lord and recognize his teaching, but they failed to obey them.
Look at verses 47 and 48: “I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” It is very probable that Jesus gave this message in the Spring, on the plain, in the vicinity of the Jordan River. The Jordan River was susceptible to flooding in the spring time. Water is channeled from two other rivers from the high mountains in the west (the Yarmouk and Jabbok rivers) and spills out in the plains on the east of the river. So the Jordan River had the tendency to have sudden, large volumes of water that were so powerful and devastating that it destroyed, up rooted, and leveled all things in its path. The destruction of such torrential flooding is real. Jesus wanted to use this analogy to teach that destruction is real. However, the well built house whose foundation is laid on rock could not be destroyed, uprooted, or leveled because it was well built.
Jesus is teaching us to be like wise builders, who hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice. Building good things that last can take time and require hard work. We have been working on the expansion and renovation project for our Center for some time. There are so many details to consider especially since we want to have a quality building that last for the next two to three decades and a building that fulfills our critical needs. Consequently, there is a great deal of preparation, planning, and energy to understand what is needed to do.
The key here is that when we build, we “put into practice” what Jesus teaches us. Abraham is known as our “Father of Faith”. When God called Abraham, he gave him Genesis 12:1-2. Abraham centered his whole life of faith based on the words of God’s blessing: “I will make you into a great nation; and I bless you.” Abraham obeyed and went to a land that God would show him. This was commendable, but later it proved difficult to stay in the land because of a famine and so he left (Ge 1:10). At times, he doubted God’s promise. (Ge 15:1-2; 16:1-3) Abraham’s strength was that he built a life of faith over 25 years based on the promise of God that he would be a blessing to the entire world. A son was born to Abraham and Sarah in God’s time. At first, Abraham was not a man of faith. He failed, at times, because he doubted, but he kept trying and eventually won. We are not men and women of great faith when we are called either. We fail time and time again. But we become men and women of faith because we keep putting into practice the word of God. God’s word eventually becomes part of our thinking and his promises are planted in our hearts. God’s work is slowly done through us as we build our lives in this way.
The real value of what we build is in Jesus Christ. First, the foundation of what we build must be on Jesus Christ. It is his words that are the solid foundation of our lives. According to this passage, we practice forgiveness and a giving life, learn from Jesus, keep a humble view of ourselves, and store good things in our hearts. We are builders of things that last as we imitate Jesus to enable others to taste the eternal life of Jesus Christ. Secondly, the quality of how we build on the foundation is tested. Sufferings in general will enter into everyone’s life. Nobody is exempt from this. (Jn 16:33) The other certain reality of life is death and God’s judgment. In Hebrews 9:27 we read: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” We all have an appointment with death and we will certainly stand before God’s judgment. Either way, we will be ready because we built our lives on the word of God. The ones who build a house on the ground without a foundation ultimately cannot stand in judgment and their destruction is complete.
Thank Jesus who teaches his disciples to be good and wise builders. By the grace given to us we may hear Jesus’ words, put them into practice, and build on the foundation of Christ with work that will last forever!
August 16, 2009; John Wilson; Toledo UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
