HANGING ON

Jesus “was teaching in the temple area from day to day. The chief priests and scribes meanwhile were looking for a way to destroy Him, as were the leaders of the people, but they had no idea how to achieve it, for indeed the entire populace was listening to Him and hanging on His words.” –Luke 19:47-48

Jesus was teaching in the temple area each day, even at the risk of His life (Lk 19:47). The people found His teaching sweet to their taste (see Rv 10:9-10). They were hanging on His words (Lk 19:48); to them, His words tasted sweeter than honey from the comb (Ps 119:103).

The fact that the people were hanging on Jesus’ words basically guaranteed that Jesus would likewise soon be hanging, nailed to a cross. If the people did not pay attention to Jesus’ teaching, the chief priests and scribes and the leaders of the people (Lk 19:47) would not have been jealous of Jesus and would possibly have left Him alone.

This is the consequence of the sweetness of the Word of God: it will turn sour in the stomach of those who proclaim it (Rv 10:9) — the sour taste of persecution that comes with being faithful to sharing the Word of God (Ez 3:1-4; Rv 10:9-10). Nevertheless, hang on to the promises of God. Feed God’s people by teaching them His Word (Jn 21:15-17).

PRAYER: Father, I will consume the scroll of Your Word. Make me a servant of Your Word, no matter the cost.
PROMISE: “The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” –Ps 119:72
PRAISE: “The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” –Ps 119:72