The Substance and the Shadow

Luke 20:41-47 (46) Beware of the scribes...
also 17-18 But He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written (in Psalm 118): 'The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief cornerstone'? Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."

All my life I've been torn between wanting to be real and wanting people to like me. There is something in each of us that wants to put the best foot forward; that is only natural. But in the realm of relationships, and especially in the realm of religion, it is very dangerous to deliberately strive to appear to be what we are not.

[There is a difference between putting your best foot forward and deliberately deceiving. I don't think there are very many outright, deliberate hypocrites!]

This entire chapter is a warning against appearing to be religious but missing the heart of what religion strives for: GOD HIMSELF!

It is possible to appear religious, and be empty and dead inside. Jesus warns here against trying to appear devout and holy, while at the same time totally neglecting the qualities of character that walking with God should produce in a life.

Here are some of the negative qualities we might seek to avoid: Religion (primarily) concerned with appearance is:

I. INSINCERE

(7)

(v 1,2) The chief priests, scribes and elders- religious professionals- asked Jesus for His credentials. It would seem on the surface a legitimate request. ["TELL US BY WHAT AUTHORITY YOU ARE DOING THESE THINGS? (Cleansing the Temple)"]

But God never merely satisfies curiosity, and certainly never panders to human selfish guile.

So here Jesus asked for a return answer: ["WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JOHN?"] AND THEY HEDGED. They weighed what they would say rather than be honest before Jesus.

Real faith is withheld from insincerity.

Jesus immediately keyed in on this insincerity by telling a story of Stewards who refused their owner his just dues. He climaxed the story with the (mixed) metaphor of the Cornerstone. Jesus is either a Rock upon which to build . . . or He becomes an obstacle that must be rejected and that ultimately comes back to crush and grind in judgment.

A second observation. Religion (primarily) concerned with appearance is often:

II. CRITICAL, CARPING, FAULT FINDING

(22)

There is not a simplistic answer for everything. Some questions almost defy answering. At the same time, when we want to avoid the really painful questions of personal accountability to God, we can hide behind the smoke screen of nitty-gritty details. Almost without exception, when someone is slipping away from God he will seek to justify his backsliding by comparison. Well, what I am doing isn't nearly as bad as ...

"Can we pay taxes to such a corrupt government as Rome?" This was really a sneaky question. It would undercut Jesus either way He answered, either "Yes!" and look like a Rome-lover, or "No" and look like a revolutionary they could report.

Coming back to the 17th verse: Jesus threw the religious people into a panic when He asked them what an OT scripture meant and they didn't know:

Religion primarily concerned with appearance has to be:

III. "IN CONTROL"

(17 +) The people were flustered when Jesus asked them what the meaning of a certain scripture was:

It is disaster when you ask someone who isn't sure of his/her relationship with God a question they aren't sure about!

A genuine Christian is never afraid of saying "I don't know THAT! But I know WHOM!"

Conclusion

  1. SUMMARIZE THIS PICTURE JESUS PAINTS OF DEAD RELIGION:
    1. Worried MORE about appearance than reality
    2. Seeking CREDIT or HONORS rather than seeking to SERVE
    3. GREED for CONTROL
  2. HOW MAY WE END ON A POSITIVE NOTE?
  3. [LOOK INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER:]
    1. Jesus SEES the widow's mites. He sees your desire and mine to be REAL!
    2. Jesus SAYS (14,15) "IF YOU KNOW ME, I WILL BE WITH YOU IN THE HARD PLACES! I WILL HELP YOUR TIMING! I WON'T LET YOU DOWN!"

      [But this is sort of a 'scary prophetic chapter' like Matthew 24 and 25. He does warn that "appearance religion" will then fail; ungrounded hearts will fail them for fear (21:26). And yet His final word is more encouragement than warning:

    3. (28) When you think these things are taking place, "STRAIGHTEN UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS! YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR!" But He also says:

21:34 Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with (1) dissipation and drunkenness, and (2) the worries of life, and so THAT DAY come on you like a trap ... (3) praying that you may have strength to escape ... and to stand before the Son of Man."

[LOOK AGAIN AT THE QUESTION JESUS ASKED THE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE!:] "What does it mean, 'THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE ?'"

Even while they were being insincere with Jesus, HE WAS SHOWING THEM A PROMISE, THE SECRET TO BEING REAL! THE SECRET IS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIM!

If we are REAL with Jesus NOW— He will help us to be more and more real with each other. And when it really counts, JESUS WILL BE THERE FOR US!

203 Ho! Everyone that is Thirsty