Scripture to Read: Luke 12:57–59
Jesus continued to rebuke the crowd as God had Luke record in Luke 12:57–59, “And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 58 For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.” Jesus then urged the crowd to recognize the significance of the present moment so they could make a clear decision and act right then rather than delay. After rebuking them for failing to “interpret the times,” Jesus asked them why they didn’t judge for themselves what was right and He used a legal example to teach them. Jesus said that if they were headed to court, they should make sure they settled with their opponent on the way so they wouldn’t be punished and suffer costly consequences. The point Jesus did not want them to miss was that they needed to get right with God the Father and reconcile with those in their lives. If they chose not to get right with God, then it would be too late, and they would face His judgment and incur upon themselves irreversible loss. This was Jesus reminding them, and of course a reminder for everyone today, of the great penalty of not settling with God before His final day of judgment.
Challenge & Application
Why do people think they have plenty of time to get right with God?
Why is it critical that people realize they must repent of their sin, confess to God their willingness to surrender to Christ as Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!