Intentional Witness



Scripture


Luke 11:37   While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table.  38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner.  39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.  40 You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?  41 So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

Observation

The Pharisee was not inviting Jesus to dinner because he was honored by his presence, but because he wanted Jesus to be the entertainment. He was using Jesus, but Jesus was completely aware of what was happening. Jesus was also quite aware that he did not wash before dinner, for this was a part of his intentional plan to witness to the Pharisee. Jesus had a point to make regarding the behavior of the Pharisee who was so focused on the external that he was ignoring the internal and eternal.

The Pharisee wanted to look good among his guests. He did all the right things including washing before dinner. He had brought Jesus to be the excellent entertainment — also making himself look good among his guests but Jesus knew more. He would take this opportunity to intentionally witness to them, turning their “right behaviors” into an object lesson regarding their faith. He was insinuating that the host had cleaned the outside of his own cup but was completely self-centered on the inside.

Jesus never wasted an opportunity to bring home a truth.

Application


I have been challenged to think about the opportunities that I have in life to share about the truth of Jesus Christ. Do I take advantage of every opportunity that I may encounter? Jesus was keenly aware of his responsibility and was constantly looking for opportunities to reveal the truths of God to those around him. There were stubborn audiences, such as the Pharisees. They didn’t want to listen to his preaching so he used their daily lives as an object lesson.

Passion for Christ means we make the most of every opportunity. Our responsibility is to join Christ in revealing him to the world. Every single day there are opportunities which slip through our fingers if we are not intentional.

The Pharisees needed to hear words of truth. We will encounter someone today who needs truth revealed. Jesus wasn’t always preaching, he was sometimes just living the ordinary moments which became object lessons for transformation. This was his intentional witness.

Prayer

Lord, I pray for your wisdom in helping me be intentional in my witness.  Amen.

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