06_01_25_#145_Luke 25:44-53_Returning to Jerusalem

{ILS} Courtroom Cross-examination

• The stress of proving your knowledge and character in public

• The magnified stress of being publicly questioned by a person hoping to trap you

• You can prep with everyone for the moment, but soon it will only be you.

• You cannot waver, yet things you know can seem fragile and difficult to recall

{SCR} Luke 25:44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you--that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

{MPT} The difficult path for the followers of God

• The OT is full of stories of individuals, tribes, nations and kings taking shortcuts

• • Idols they made

  • Alliances they made

  • Enemies they made

  • • If you rank the most remarkable things Jesus did…

    • • Heal those sick for a lifetime

      • Affecting surrounding nature

      • Following the path that had to be followed

      • • No shortcuts

        • No hedges

        • No audibles

{MPT} The central mission is repentance and forgiveness for all

• Unlocked several long held notions from the text

• • nations harmed us, withheld from us, murdered us, WE WILL BE SET APART

  • • How did I choose myself over others?

    • What were the consequences of my choices for me and for others?

• A new cycle must begin and is triggered by the resurrection

• • Visible and physical reminders

  • Remove the shackles from past experiences

{SCR} Mark 12:48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

{MPT} Sending out the Witness

• What could you testify to, regardless of the setting, the stakes, or the people?

• • My God cared so deeply for me, that God sent messengers

  • My God believes so deeply in me, that God will call me to serve as one