Luke 20:1-8

Luke 20:1-8

1. Let us notice the demand which the chief Priests and scribes made upon our Lord.
2. Let us notice the manner in which our Lord speaks of John the Baptist's ministry.
3. Let us notice the falsehood of which our Lord's enemies were guilty.

"The world's opposition is sure to attend every really good work. If the servants of Christ are to cease from every movement which the world calls in question, they will soon come to an entire stand-still. If we are to wait until the world approves our plans, and is satisfied with the propriety of our efforts, we shall never do anything on earth."

"However little man may esteem the work of faithful ministers there is One in heaven who sees it, and keeps account of all their labor. However little their proceedings may be understood, and however much they may be slandered and misrepresented, the Lord Jesus Christ writes all their doings in His book."

"Lying is just one of the sins to which the human heart is most naturally inclined, and one of the commonest sins in the world. Gehazi, Ananias, and Sapphira have more followers and imitators than Peter and Paul."

Questions:

1. Ryle encourages us to remember Jesus and his opposition when we face any opposition for any good work. Does opposition surprise us or the fear of opposition restrain us from doing good works in Jesus name?

2. By the time Jesus said these words, John the Baptist was already dead. Yet, Jesus recalls his works, and he who recalls the works of His saints keeps a record of them in heaven. How does this encourage us even today to keep pressing on in faithfulness?

3. Our Lord Jesus exposes the Pharisees and scribes by asking them a question they could not but lie about, and Ryle tells us that this is still very common today. He says that Gahazi, Ananias and Sapphira have more followers and imitators than Peter and Paul! Are we surprised when sinners lie about what they know to be true? Are we aware of our own inclinations to lie to get out of trouble?