Exodus 13; Luke 16
Daily Catechism
QUESTION 37: WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?
Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, by which he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Scripture: Romans 3:24; 5:19; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16.
Exodus 13
Later...Luke 16
Ready:
The previous chapter spoke on the celebration of recovering lost things and the recognition of what blessing we have in the family of God…we have God!
Seeing what’s there:
This chapter picks up from the parable of the prodigal son and illustrates that one can waste away resources without going anywhere. In a series of statements and another parable Jesus makes clear that being “found” involves a proper separation from the old contract of performance (which tends toward pride in the human heart) and an embracing of a new contract of dependance (which requires and sustains humility). Obedience of faith fulfills and now upholds obedience to a law that could previously only enslave.
Theme:
Death to self-justification by the law is required to enjoy Christ-justification by faith. To keep self-justification and add justification by faith is akin to adultery and will exclude us from union with Christ.
Thinking about the message:
v1-9. This dishonest manager never left but he spoiled away the master’s resources right where he was. This manager was not interested in the purposes of the master but in his own purposes. So he was misusing what he was blessed with by the master. He then worked to justify himself before his friends by spending more of his masters money, which was wicked. However, surprisingly, the master praises the man for his shrewdness because he was planning ahead and was spending resources to bless others. The motive in this case was skewed, but the action was compassionate. This compassion, this mercy, is salty…it’s attractive. Christians should spend more resources like this and draw others into the kingdom by compassion like how the Philippian jailer was saved (Acts 16:26-30).
v10-13. Here Jesus teaches that if I am in love with money and it rules me such that I use it for my own purposes instead of God’s purposes then I am like the dishonest manager and there is no reason for him to put me in charge of the gospel advancement. If I waste his money instead of blessing others and extending the gospel with it then I am serving money instead of God. The closing statement is that nobody can serve two masters at once and this leads into the next teaching.
v14-17. Here Jesus speaks on the law vs the gospel. He suggests that the Pharisees were using the law to try to justify themselves by demonstrating godliness (Rom 9:31-32) when justification does not come through one’s own righteousness (Phil 3:9), but through one’s trusting of God to save the ungodly (Rom 10:9-13; Rom 4:2-5). The prideful thought of earning the mercy of God is abominable and a stench to God (Rom 11:6). He makes clear the John the Baptist was the end of the OT law based message and now the solution (grace) has arrived that will not nullify or erase the law but will fulfill it (Rom 8:4; Rom 4:30-31) by love (Gal 5:5-6; Rom 13:8-10)!
v18. In a seemingly odd spot Luke decides to record what Jesus said about divorce but I take this as related to the preceding paragraph on the law vs. gospel. Rom 7:1-3, 4-6 spells out how we are bound to the law like a husband and we must die to be freed from this law of marriage in order to be joined to another. Jesus refers to the Pharisees as an adulterous and sinful generation that would deny him and his words (Mark 8:38). Jesus speaks in Ephesians 5:25-33 about the bond of marriage being a mystery that is actually about the bond between Jesus and the church. It becomes clear that it is adultery to maintain a trust in the law when Jesus is the bridegroom of the church. We must die to the law and put faith in Jesus alone or we are adulterers and we are not united to Christ.
v19-31. Here the rich man received just what he desired in this life and the main point of this story seems to be that no signs will make a difference for this wicked generation, not even a resurrection. This is evident and for our day today this is Jesus’ word to us that the testimony of his Word is adequate and there are no special evidences due to anyone. God has worked wonders and it is all presented to us in his inspired Word. Let us listen and fear the Lord.
Meaning, Implications, and Significance
Jesus makes it clear that there is no room for justification by works. There is no room for boasting. There is no place for pride. The implication is that I need to drop any effort to win my salvation or my standing with God by any effort of my own. The significance for me is that I need to simply accept that Jesus did the work and rest in his wonderful provision. I do not need to stress out each day with how well I am doing or if I am living up to the Christian standard each second. I need to seek Jesus and trust his Spirit to be at work in me.
Valuing the message:
This message is valuable because if I trust in the law or in my works then I am not under grace and I am doomed.
Reflecting on the message:
I need to consider my motives and actions and make sure I am not acting out of an effort to merit my position with God. I need to trust him and joyfully surrender in love.
Questions to ask:
- Are their ways that I am relying on my works instead of on Jesus’?
- Am I trying to serve the law and Jesus?
Responding to God & Reacting to His Lesson:
Tell God about your observations and your thoughts and your struggles with the chapter and determine how it will change or impact your thinking and your decisions. Be sure to react in some way to the truth rather than remain silent.
Proclaiming the Truth to Others:
Decide who you can share what you have learned with and ask for God’s help in reaching out to love others.
Soli Deo Gloria!
