JE 26
June 26
Luke 12:54 to end. Christ reproves the people for not discerning the signs of the time.
The long discourse contained in this chapter was addressed to the disciples, excepting these few words at the conclusion. They were addressed to the people —to the immense multitude who surrounded the Savior, and who were pressed so closely together that they trod upon each other.
The Lord had spoken to his own disciples with tenderness. He had called them his "friends," (see ver. 4.) "My friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body." But he spoke to the people with displeasure. He called them "hypocrites." This was the name he had given to the Scribes and Pharisees. The people were like the teachers they admired. Blind leaders have blind followers. Hypocritical teachers have hypocritical disciples. The Scribes would not discern the signs of the time, and the people who reverenced them would not discern them either. "Like people, like priest." (Hos. 4:9.)
As there are certain appearances by which close observers are able to foretell the kind of weather that may be expected, so there are certain signs by which reflecting minds might discover the kind of time that is approaching. When the time for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt drew near, the parents of Moses knew it was near, and Moses knew it also; but the Israelites understood not the signs of that time. When the captivity of Babylon drew near, the people of God knew the time; but the world knew it not.
When the time for Israel's release approached, Daniel knew it; but many of the captives knew it not. When, in the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son, some were prepared to receive him. Simeon and Anna knew the signs of the time, and spoke of Jesus to those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem; but the world knew not the signs of the time.
Thus it shall be in the last time. It is prophesied in Daniel, that the wise shall understand, but none of the wicked shall understand. (See Dan. 12:10.) The wicked shall go on doing wickedly, just as the people did before the flood.
Had the Jews of old understood the time, they would have repented before it was too late. They knew not that their opportunity would be so short. The Savior would remain with them but a little while, the apostles would preach only for a few years, and then their city would be destroyed, their temple burnt, and their country laid desolate.
Their compassionate Lord knew that their day of grace was fast hastening to a close, and he related a little parable (which he had before related in his sermon on the mount) to warn them of their danger. He compared the nation to a criminal on his way to the judge. While on his way, the criminal had the opportunity to entreat his enemy to be reconciled; but if he neglected this short opportunity, he would be tried, condemned, and cast into a prison, whence he would never escape.
The Lord knows for how long a period we shall enjoy the privileges we now possess—He has numbered our Sabbaths, our meetings together as a family to read and pray, our interviews with pious friends, our opportunities of secret prayer. In mercy He often gives signs before He removes these sacred privileges. Sometimes the signs are terrible judgments inflicted upon others, and gracious deliverances granted to ourselves. Thus the Lord said to Israel, "I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah—and you were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning; yet have you not returned unto me, says the Lord." (Amos 4:11.) "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel." The Lord Jesus is now easy to be entreated, and ready to forgive; but when He is on his throne of judgment, he will hearken to no entreaties, and grant no forgiveness.
In the lone land of deep despair,
No Sabbath's heavenly light shall rise—
No God regard your bitter prayer,
No Savior call you to the skies.
Now God invites, how blessed the day!
How sweet the gospel's heavenly sound!
Come, sinners, haste, O haste away,
While yet a pardoning God is found.