“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 11:24-32:

In our last lesson, the Lord, casting out demons was accused of performing this miracle by the power of Beelzebub (prince of demons). After the Lord dispersed the accusations concerning the power behind the miracles; He returns to those who asked for an additional sign, to attest to His claims (11:16).

In Jewish superstition, it was held that demons and false gods could give signs on earth, but only the true God gave signs from heaven and was a request which had assailed Him from the beginning of His ministry (John 2:18).

Although the Jews were aware that prophets and leaders of old often displayed signs from heaven (Exodus 9:22-24; 16:4; Joshua 10:12-15; 1 Samuel 12:16-18; 1 Kings 18:36-39; Isaiah 38:7-8), this is an evil generation and in fact have not repented in the face of many signs already presented (see the recognition of Nicodemus – John 3:1-2).

The Apostle Paul would recognize that this stiff-necked, sign seeking generation would continue to deny the repentance and belief in Jesus as the Christ that was necessary to achieve the salvation He came to bring them, note:

Romans 2:5 “ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,”

1 Corinthians 1:21-25 “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

So, our theme for this portion of chapter eleven is, “Sign Seekers Reproved”.

Text #1:

Luke 11:24-26 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

Also see: Matthew 12:43-45.

Note: Luke gives this illustration in a little different order than Matthew's account (Luke presents it as an introduction, where Matthew presents it as a conclusion). Luke may present it first because of the added illustration in vs. 27-28, but at any rate, whether first or last in order the illustration stands true of the Jews.

This two verse parable tells of two states or conditions experienced by one man. An unclean spirit left a man for a time and went through places that were cheerless to him, like deserts to man. Upon returning, this unclean spirit finds the man empty; particularly of righteousness and good influences. So he brings with him additional evil, even greater than himself. All of this is given to describe the continued digression of this wicked generation that always wants a sign (Matthew 12:45)!

Text #2:

Luke 11:27-28 “And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”
28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

In the first chapter of Luke, we have recorded the song of Mary. Note this part:

Luke 1:48 “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”

This statement made by this woman from the crowd is the first fulfillment of this note in Mary's song. This was a way for this simple woman to express admiration for the Lord, by pronouncing a blessing on His mother.

More Than That: The Lord recognizes the kindness of this woman concerning His earthly mother; however, distinguishes that which is far more important, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

2 Things:

1)  If the Lord wanted anyone to worship or praise Mary as anything other than the one blessed to bring forth the Messiah into the world, He would have acknowledged it here.

2)  Keep in mind that the Lord's teaching and Luke's inclusion of this exchange is due to the sign seekers. Jesus is actually responding to that which the children of Israel should be seeking rather than signs!

Text #3:

Luke 11:29-32 “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 ends 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.”

See also: Matthew 12:38-42.

This Is An Evil Generation: The Lord focuses the crowd's attention on the issue at hand. Although the actual identity of those who asked for the sign in vs. 16 is not truly revealed , it should be recognized that the Pharisees have asked this before, note:

Mark 8:11 “Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.”

Having been rebuked by the Lord, the Pharisees and scribes may have asked for this sign to appear fair minded to the crowds, who may have thought their accusations concerning the source of His power to harsh.

The Lord in Matthew's account throws in an adulterous generation, which is given to designate that a people who had been betrothed to God had committed adultery to their God and were now untrue to Him.

At any rate, the Lord wants the crowds to know that any who seek signs in place of trusting in the word of God are an evil generation.

No Sign Shall Be Given: The Lord began His ministry performing signs to confirm the words He brought. However, He would not bow to the evil requests on men who had no real desire to repent, regardless of what was displayed for them.

The Sign of Jonah: Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days, as a sign to Nineveh of the Lord's intent that they repent and turn back to Him (Jonah 1:17; 3:1-10), likewise the Lord would be in the grave three days and rise again to be a sign to this generation of their need to repent. Jonah's preaching to Nineveh that resulted in their repentance was not accompanied by signs; yet, the preaching of Jesus was accompanied by signs and wonders and this generation will still not repent. This condemnation is represented in Matthew's account, note:

Matthew 12:41 “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”

The Queen of the South: In a similar case as to that of Jonah, the queen of the south (Queen of Sheba – Which could have been known as Sabaea, or Arabia, which is the southern part of the peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf - or Ethiopia in Africa as some Jewish tradition states) came from her distant country to seek the wisdom of Solomon without a sign.

The Lord states that a greater wisdom than Solomon's is in their presence and all they want is a sign.

The Lord concludes this portion of instruction by returning to the judgment brought on them by the people of Nineveh . A prophet of God came to them without accompanying signs and commanded repentance to God within forty days and they complied (it should also be noted that they were Gentiles – without written law).

Greater than Jonah had come with accompanying signs and wonders, soon to display the greatest sign of all; His death, burial, and resurrection, and He would be joined by His Apostles who preached the gospel of the kingdom accompanied by signs and wonders and after forty years the majority would not repent to their doom!

To this day, we need not seek signs, but trust in the word of God as the source of light that restores us back to God through Christ our Lord!

Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Peter 1:3 “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”

Next: “Continued Rebuke of This Evil Generation!”