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By Tyson Thorne

August 24, 2016
 
 

The Galilean Ministry at Various Cities (4.14-9.50), 6.46-49 - A Day in the Life of Jesus, Part Five

A struggling believer asked his devout friend to go to a strip bar. “Never going to happen,” the friend replied. “Why, because you’re so holy?” he retorted venomously. “No,” the Christian responded, “just obedient.” Along with all the characteristics of Kingdom Citizens -- a perspective based on future glory, love for enemies, generosity, humility and others -- there is one more piece of our lives that needs to be turned upside-down. In Luke 6.27 Jesus asks a question: “Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?” This lesson is about how ordinary people ought to stop obeying sinful desires and start obeying God.

Jesus reaches the climax of his teaching and opens it with a question: “Why do you call me “Lord Lord” and don’t do what I tell you?” In Greek, the double use of a word emphasized its importance and the emotion surrounding it. Here we see yet another claim of divinity from Jesus, asking his followers why they confess he is Lord of Lords and yet continue to live according to the flesh instead of in obedience. Confession means little without action. Jesus then provides an illustration that to this day is largely misunderstood.

This is the first parable Luke records for us. Parables are a form of teaching Jesus used regularly (there are a total of 35 different parables in the Gospels), and he used them as a form of cipher. That is to say, Jesus wanted his intended audience to understand the message, but not necessarily everyone. Apparently it works in print as well as it did when Jesus told them, for many have mistaken the meaning of the parable of The Wise and Foolish Builder to be about faith instead of obedience.

At the start of the video Apex: The Story of the Hypercar automotive journalist Travis Okulski recalls a moment he was driving a Ferrari he’d never been in before on a track he’d never been on before and with Enzo Ferrari in the seat next to him. Just as the speedometer reaches 180 miles per hour Enzo tells him to take his hands off the wheel and slam on the breaks. It seems counter-intuitive, but as Travis says,

“If the guy who has his name on the car is telling me to do something, I’m going to do it.”

What a great perspective, especially when you consider we all have God’s name written on our hearts. We bear his image, marred and darkened to be sure, but it’s still there. He made us, so why wouldn’t we live the way he tells us to? Who else would know better what is best for us, for our lives, both present and future?

To be clear, none of these attributes are necessary for salvation, rather they are character traits of the saved person. They are the “fruits” of salvation. I say this for two reasons, the first is so we do not misunderstand the nature of our salvation. It has nothing to do with what we’ve done; it has everything to do with what Jesus has done in our place. Secondly, I don’t want to mislead any into thinking this passage teaches that one can lose their salvation. This passage has absolutely nothing to with one’s eternal state. Both the wise and the foolish builder are followers of Jesus. Notice too that both men suffer equal calamity. Yet one lives a life that stands up to the abuse of this world, the other is constantly rebuilding and never enjoying his life with God.

Is it any wonder those who follow Jesus but continue to enjoy their pet sins always appear to struggle more in this life than those who live obediently? It has nothing to do with God’s protection or blessing, as both men in this example suffer equally. What makes the difference, then? Those who humble themselves and strive to obey have a firm relationship with God they can fall back on, whereas those who make no such efforts have no such comforts.