Things are really starting to heat up as we progress through Luke's gospel. People are crowding around and the mood is becoming like that of a politcal rally married to a military coup d'etat. Jesus offers his disciples some additional warnings as they continue their journey to Jerusalem. These are warnings that we ought to bear in mind as we answer the altar call of Jesus as join him in his march towards his vision of a world set right.
First he says listen, people are crowding round. Do not be like one of those play actors! I need you to be completely loyal to me and the Kingdom. Watch out for gossip from your mouths and further more be wise about what you say, be careful of your speculations. Do not be like those who listen to me and invite me for dinner only to deny me before others.
If your loyalty to me fails and you get caught up in all this business there is Herod or Rome who may kill you, but there is one who starts by killing and then has the right to throw people into Gehenna. That's the one to fear.
God however you can trust! Do not be afraid! You are worth so much to Him! So do not deny me and I will not deny you before God's angels! Now you might speak something against me and that can be forgiven, but do not deny what the Holy Spirit has been up to....that will not be forgiven! So when they bring you to accusation it is the Holy Spirit that will give you utterance even at that very moment. So do not fear, but trust.
May we go forth with Jesus in faithfulness and in truth. May we be wise and committed even when pressure builds upon us and fear seeks to over take us. May we give no right to the world or to the evil one to kill us or torment us, but may we trust God, our loving Father in all things and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent us, following Him in the works He has prepared before hand that we should walk in them. Amen
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