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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 4 - JESUS' MINISTRY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Luke 9:51 - 19:27)
9. Jesus opposes the Demand for a Miracle (Luke 11:29-36)
LUKE 11:29-36
29 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the end of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. 33 No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
Christ Jesus is the unique Victor over Satan and death. In a state of human weakness, he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Yet he resisted the temptation, and overcame Satan with his weakness. Christ also submitted himself to death, and truly died on the cross, but he overcame death, and truly rose from the dead. Christ in his weakness is stronger that Satan and death in their strength. Jesus tried to explain this truth to his enemies, but they did not understand it. Their hearts were dark, and they hated him who was born of the Spirit of God.
In spite of that, Christ answered their questions, and said the truth to their faces that they were very wicked. This applied to men, women and children as well as leaders and teachers. All men became wicked. This is why death devoured them, for the old reaper has power over sinners. This is the clear sign to evil: that Christ is risen from the dead, proving that he is righteous and sinless. God alone is the Righteous One. By his resurrection, Christ provided us with the proof of his divinity, holiness, and might.
However, the hard hearts expected other signs, such as showering Manna in the wilderness, or bringing down fire from heaven, as Elijah did. But Christ himself is the unique Sign of God. Did you realize that the Son of God is the Sign of God for you too?
The queen of the South came, but she did not receive a sign from Solomon, she heard only his wisdom. This queen will complain in the Last Judgment against the Jews and their followers who did not believe in the incarnate Word of God. Men from Nineveh will also rise up and speak out against the unbelief of men at the time of Jesus, for the Ninevites repented before their Lord without miracles, when God spoke to them by the mouth of the prophet Jonah. As for us, the Holy One has given us an identifying mark: He that was raised from the dead. Do you worship to him, and preach his name?
Christ is the Light of God in the world. He gives light to whoever comes to him. Have you received light or are you still dark? Your eyes tell about your inner self, for they are the windows of your inner life. Your anger, love, joy, purity are reflected in your eyes. If you are a simple man, your eye will be blessed, but if you follow your lust, cunning hatred and darkness will spread in you.
Sometimes the radiance of joy, holiness, and purity grows from those who are great and small in Christ. Such radiance is not from our world, but originated in heaven. In this manner, our body becomes light as the Son of God is light, and his forgiveness and cleansing are pure as lightning. No mortal can bear such shining glory, just as no one can stare at the sun. Yet he who is in Christ will shine more beautifully than the sun for Christ in us is the hope of glory.
Because of this great design, Christ asks you to examine the light in you. Are you dark or shining? What dwells in you: the joy of the love of God, or the selfishness of hatred and the rejection of others? Did Christ forgive you your impurity, pride and deceit, or do you hide some stolen goods in your house? Have you paid your debts even to the last penny, or do you bear the burden of your sins on your conscience? Ask Christ to show you how your entire life may become light, lest you look dark at the day of his coming.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, You rose from the dead, overcame Satan, death, and all darkness, and sit today to the right hand of the Father in glory. I confess my sins before you, and ask you to help me to return all stolen goods in my hands to their owners, and give over my life to your Spirit. Purify me that I may be enlightened in your light forever.
QUESTION 82: Why did Christ not give the people a notable sign but the sign of Jonas the prophet?