There is a philosophy out there today that says man is basically good and if you take off the restraints and the laws we will eventually grow into a utopian world where crime and poverty will be a thing of the past. There’s only problem with that philosophy: its dead wrong; its 180 degrees out of phase with reality.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? NKJV
Ephesians 4:17-19 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. NIV
The Bible says that our hearts are not good on the inside, they are black and sick with an incurable disease called sin. Left alone we don’t gradually get better we very quickly get worse.
That is no more evident than with the power of darkness that is unleashed in the second half of Luke 22 where we see what man does to the Son of God-inspired by the enemy: Lucifer.
In this chapter we see Jesus giving men the straight truth, that Lucifer seeks to make them an enemy of God and will use any means possible to do it. We see Judas betray Jesus with an act of respect, we see Peter betray Jesus by self interest, we see men with power mock and beat Jesus, and finally men in authority deny Jesus even when He clearly represents who He is.
It’s tough to look at because as people we are capable of doing the same thing when we allow the power of darkness to rule. But in the midst of it, God’s truth speaks out, and there are lessons for us to learn when faced with the power of darkness in our own lives.
Before we get into Luke I want to explore the character of the mastermind of evil: Satan. Jesus describes him in two ways in the gospel of John:
John 8:44-47 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." ESV
And: John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. ESV
The book of the Revelation gives two other names for Satan: Abaddon, which means destruction, and Apollyon, which means destroyer. Lucifer used to be one of God’s chief angels. In Isaiah 14 we read how Lucifer, called "Day Star, son of the dawn" wanted to be God. He was thrown out of his place and his anger and jealousy towards God or anything that God loves has never abated. So his character is to never tell the truth and his action is to always do things that hurt or destroy. Did Satan ever have to touch Jesus? No. He prompted men to do his bidding for him. As we go through the section let’s look for the lie and how Satan steals, kills, and destroys in each of these situations then look for God’s truth and what could have happened had faith ruled instead of the power of darkenss.
Verses 31 - 34
We will fail the Lord when we try to hold onto Him or serve Him from our own strength
Oddly, and this doesn’t show up in English, the "you" in verse 31 is plural (2x), but all four times in verse 32 it is singular. It is almost as if Satan’s aim was to attack all those that belonged to Jesus and represented him in the world. The Father, though, would allow only one to be tested, or "sifted" in this way, and that was the leader of the disciples: Peter.
Good old head strong Peter wasn’t listening to Jesus. Instead of just saying "thank you Lord for praying for me," he got his bravado all up and declared that he was capable of supporting Jesus no matter what. We all know that’s not what happened, but it is good for us to see that man’s best falls far short-that without the power of Jesus in us we are incapable of following or belonging to Him. Later we see Peter attempt to defend Jesus with a sword, which fails miserably and was actually counter to what God was doing. Then we see him try to get close to Jesus but will not own his relationship with him-all signs of his total failure in the flesh to belong to Jesus.
There may be times when Satan seeks to sift you like wheat (what an awful picture). Know that 1) Jesus is praying for you, that 2) you may indeed fail but that 3) there will be a restoration (like there was for Peter in John 21), forgiveness, and ministry ("strengthen your brothers"). We do not have to be destroyed when we are tempted to abandon Jesus of fail Him.
Jesus tells Peter exactly what is going to happen, and yet that doesn’t stop it from happening-that’s because in our flesh we act like our flesh. Romans 8:7-8
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Satan’s Lie: you can do it on your own
Satan’s Purpose: keep us from relying on Jesus
God’s Truth: we are weak in our ability to follow Jesus
What we can learn: Know your weakness, be dependent on the Lord in all situations.
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. ESV
Verses 35 - 38
Here we have an interesting interlude and a difficult passage to interpret. On the one hand Jesus seems to be reversing his instructions to the Disciples in chapter 10 about bringing provisions with them on missionary journeys. Further He seems to advocate violence by suggesting they buy swords, but will then stop violence in just a few verses. One way to look at this is that Jesus is telling His men that this is a time of crisis and they need to be prepared. They are about to be attacked
Verses 39 - 46
We will fail the Lord if we let sorrow overcome our faith and reliance on God
Satan’s Lie: I can let myself and my feelings be carried along by circumstance
Satan’s Purpose: We lose hope, heart, and the ability to cope
God’s Truth: There is an enemy out there that will try to make you stumble in the hard times.
What we can learn: We must remain vigilant and prayerful to withstand the hour of temptation.
1 Peter 5:8-10 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ESV
Notice something here too: Jesus prays for the cup to pass from Him. This is not a plea to get out of His mission; it is not weakness on Jesus’ part. He is saying "Father if there is any other way to get salvation for these that you love, then do it." But Jesus submitted to the Father’s will and indeed, this is another place that shows us there was no other way.
Verses 47 - 53
We will betray the Lord if we do not really know Him (Judas)
Satan’s Lie: Jesus is not the Messiah
Satan’s Purpose: to get us to reject Him despite the words of the gospel
God’s Truth: You can be close to Jesus without knowing Him
What we can learn: We must recognize who Jesus is, and accept His lordship in our lives in all areas, even where we think we are strong on our own.
This is also Peter’s attempt to rescue the Lord and defend him using what he knows-violence. Jesus rejects it. The enemy will not be overcome by violence towards him, but by allowing violence towards Jesus.
Verses 54 - 62
We will deny Jesus unless we have given our lives to Him (Peter)
Peter wanted to be close to Jesus but not to be associated with Him. In a way he was presented with the same circumstance as Judas, and both betrayed Jesus. The difference is that Peter realized what he had done and since he really loved the Lord was totally crestfallen and wept bitterly. Judas was sorry his plan didn’t work but didn’t repent for his sin and seek God’s mercy - and that is the chief difference between someone who is destined for hell and someone going to heaven. We are all betrayers, the only difference is that those who are saved recognize it and seek mercy through Jesus Christ.
Satan’s Lie: I can follow Jesus at a distance
Satan’s Purpose: Ruin our witness and our faith
God’s Truth: You don’t know Him unless you acknowledge Him publicly.
What we can learn: We must acknowledge our allegiance to Jesus Christ in all situations. 1 Peter 3:15-16 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
Verses 63 - 65
We will fail the Lord when we let someone else’s authority provide an excuse for giving into the flesh
Satan’s Lie: I am not accountable
Satan’s Purpose: to bring his hatred for God to bear on God’s Son
God’s Truth: I must answer for everything I do
What we can learn: All that matters is how you treat Jesus.
Luke 12:8-10 "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God."
The soldiers here play a cruel children’s game where they blindfolded one and used reeds in more mocking than torture. They were really only doing what the religious leaders had done (Matthew 26:57-68 and Mark 14:53-65)
Verses 66 - 71
We will look for any excuse to reject Jesus if are hearts are closed to Him
This was an illegal council - held at night which was against the Law for a case that could result in execution. (Mishnah 4.1 http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/jesus/sanhedrin.html).
That’s why they waited until daylight for the full Sanhedrin to meet and condemn Jesus. There were actually six trials that Jesus underwent. Three before the Jews and three civil trials. The night trial was before ex-high priest Annas. The second was before the current high priest Caihaphas (verses 54, 63-65). This one (66-71) was before the Sanhredin - then He’ll be taken before Pilate, Herod, and finally Pilate again.
Satan’s Lie: I determine truth for myself
Satan’s Purpose: We will be judged by ultimate truth
God’s Truth: I have spoken in my Word and you must obey it
What we can learn: Creating your own idea of truth will not fly
(Deuteronomy 16:19 and 27:25), bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16), and mob action or following a crowd to do evil (Exodus 23:2, 3).
Conclusions
Left to our own the enemy and our own flesh will descend rapidly into evil and will become an enemy to God. Even Christians can become an accomplice to the power of darkness. It happens when we:
Give in to temptation
Gossip & Backbite
Allow false doctrine to take hold
Live our lives for our glory instead of God’s
There are some truths that come out from this section:
1. There is no other way to salvation other than through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and our acknowledgment of Jesus as the Savior.
2. There is the presence of an enemy who seeks to destroy God and us, and that it is only through reliance on Jesus through faith and prayer that we can withstand times of trial.
3. Though we will fail Jesus, He will never fail us and prays for us, forgives us, and restores us.
And;
1. Trust in Jesus even when your circumstances say don’t
2. Love even when you feel hate
3. Give credence to His Word above your own beliefs
4. Acknowledge Jesus even when it is not popular and could even be dangerous.
For more Bible studies, visit our website at: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org
