PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 11:45-54
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You (experts in the law) have taken away the key to knowledge.” (Luke 11:52)
This word from Jesus makes me uncomfortable as an seminary trained ‘master of divinity’.
(Have you ever wondered how anyone could claim to be a master of the divine?).
To understand the bible you need to understand hermeneutics and original languages.
Our focus on accurate interpretation has taken the bible away from the everyday disciple.
Maybe the key to knowledge is not accurate interpretation, but the posture of the heart.
“This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)
Knowing God and Jesus personally, in a humble sincere way is the key to knowledge.
I believe that any person can hear God’s voice through scripture (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
I believe that the Spirit within us does teach us about all things (1 John 2:26-27).
But the focus of this teaching is not to tell others what to think or do.
We’ve turned the bible into a tool to manage and control others – like the Pharisees did.
The Spirit of Jesus applies this truth to each person personally.
When I read the bible, the Lord is somehow comforting, convicting and compelling me!
My job is not to speak for Jesus, but to help people know and hear him for themselves.
PRAYER
Lord, this is what I hear you saying to me. Help me to keep the focus on being in a personal relationship with you, so that they too can experience the key to knowledge.
That is why I like the inductive way of studying the Bible without any commentaries written by others.
God’s spirit will help you understand what you need to learn from the Bible passage.
“you have taken away the key to knowledge.” What is this key? Is it in understanding the place of the law? The law that was given by Moses to set aside a people meant to be a nation of priests – to serve all nations around them? The law was meant to keep order and justice – rights for all people no matter what the status – meant to protect the vulnerable. Yet the intent of the law to do good ended up being used to abuse, take advantage of, and cause harm. Even in our churches, traditions, rituals and wrongful application of church order – when we become judgemental instead of gracious and forgiving. Is the key that Jesus refers to- is correctly understanding the place of the law – to provide justice and peace for all people? So the church is to be a congregation of Christ’s servants – a royal priesthood – who are gracious and fair/just? Lord Jesus, help me to have this key to be able to discern and love like you did – ready to forgive and help me to understand others – and very slow to judge and condemn or profile others but see each person as an image bearer of God – that you also want to welcome home! The key to knowledge for me is knowing Jesus!
The religious leaders focused on their desires and not on the Lord God. They wanted the praise of the people instead of the Lord. Their rules and regulations hindered the people in the worship of the true God. They had become stumbling blocks for the people instead of stepping stones – leading the people to true worship. Help me daily Lord to be a living light showing the love of God to all.
Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant, make me a servant,
make me a servant today.