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Luke 22 47-53
📖 Luke 22:47-53
Fri08Oct2021 - *Desiring the praise of man but not God* - _Luke 22:47-53_ - THE HOUR OF DARKNESS (05) - Bible reading: _John 12:42-43_
The Lord is calling us to seek Him and not seek approval or praise from man. We are to walk in the fear of God and not be troubled over the hour of darkness that has come upon the church.
The world has gone far away from God and are seeking the favour of each other and are not seeking to walk in the ways of God.
_Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? (53) When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."_
The leaders came with a crowd to arrest Jesus. They came with swords and clubs. They came at such a time when the general public was not around.
To the general public, these leaders portrayed an image of being religious and holy but in reality, their heart was bent on destroying Jesus. This was the viciousness of the hour of darkness.
_Luke 22:3-6 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. (4) So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. (5) And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. (6) *So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude*._
The clinching factor in the arrangement between Judas and the Jewish leaders was that the arrest of Jesus should happen at a time when the general public would not be present. These leaders were particular that their image before the public should not be tarnished in any way, yet their intention to put Jesus to death was firm.
Just as the wickedness was being schemed, then, at the hour of darkness, this is what is replicated today.
The church is being portrayed as being anti-national. Those who are intent on destroying the church, seek to project themselves as being highly patriotic and are wanting the popular approval of the public.
They harass the church by coming in large numbers to a small church group and there they mete out their hatred against the people of God.
This is the wickedness that is being played out in the hour of darkness.
_Mark 14:1-2 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. (2) But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."_
Let us be aware that wicked schemes are being plotted against the church. These plots are done in such a way so as to accomplish two objectives.
One is to destroy the church. They are fixated on the idea that Christians must be eliminated. This is the main objective. The second objective is to project that they are the custodians of the heritage and culture of the nation.
_Matthew 21:45-46 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. (46) But when they sought to lay hands on Him, *they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet*._
This is the hour of darkness.
_John 5:44 *How can you believe, who receive honor from one another*, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
_John 12:42-43 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; (43) *for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God*._
There is another side to this hour of darkness. This is about the large percentage of people who are the moderates. They are not really against the church.
Yet, this large percentage of people, who are the moderates, will not speak up against the atrocities that are being committed against the church.
Why will this group not speak up? These people are not seeking God. They do not want to be identified as those supporting the church but they are seeking the praise and approval of man. If they had sought to obey God then they would have believed in Jesus.
The world is not seeking God
_Romans 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS; *THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS AFTER GOD*._
Paul is making a general statement that people are not seeking God as a cultural trait. They are seeking their own significance. This is the prevailing cultural ethos.
_Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, *But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD*!_
People want importance and recognition but they are not seeking God.
As the people of God, our position must be clear. We seek God.
He is all we want. Let us not be like the Israelites.
_Hosea 7:10 And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, But they do not return to the LORD their God, *Nor seek Him for all this*._
Let us be aware of what is happening at this time of darkness.
*Thought to ponder*
```The church must set her sights clear and firm that we seek God.```
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