WHEN GOD COMES TO VISIT

The title of this lesson is suggested by Luke 19:44 (read). It is late in the ministry of Jesus. The events accumulate quickly, the tension builds. Both disciples and enemies sense that the end is near and that a climax is coming. A great showdown is inevitable and imminent.

To skim this portion of Luke's Gospel is to see one critical incident after another, all pointing to the Cross. Jesus foretells His passion (18:31-34). He heals blind Bar-Timeaus, who calls Him "Son of David" (18:35-43), a highly-loaded Messianic title. In 19:1-10 Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, bringing him salvation as a true son of Abraham (verse 3), but condemning the religious leaders by contrast. The parable of the ten pounds (19:11-27) denounces the scribes and Pharisees for their lack of faithful stewardship with the Word of God, following which Jesus enters Jerusalem in fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of Zechariah (19:28-40). He weeps over the unrepentant city (19:41-44), then, in a symbolic gesture, cleanses the house of God from which the divine Glory is about to depart forever (19:45-48). The statement suggesting our lesson is found in the Lord's lamentation over Jerusalem.

Body

I. "VISITS" OF GOD IN GENERAL ARE OCCASIONS OF GREAT EVENTS, OFTEN PRECEDED BY OCCASIONS OF CRISIS AND DECISION.

   A. Sometimes the "visit" is for good.

        1. A promised child (Genesis 21:1; I Samuel 2:21).

        2. The Exodus (Genesis 50:24,25).

        3. Return from Exile (Jeremiah 29:10).

        4. In nature (Psalm 65:9-13).

   B. Sometimes the "visit" is for evil (from the human standpoint).

        1. Death (Numbers 16:29).

        2. Judgments on nations for their sins.

            a. Assyria (Isaiah 10:3).

            b. Egypt (Jeremiah 46:21).

            c. Moab (Jeremiah 48:44).

            d. Babylon (Jeremiah 50:27).

            e. Israel or Judah (Jeremiah 8:12; Micah 7:4).

II. GOD'S GREATEST "VISIT" WOULD BE THE ADVENT OF THE MESSIAH AND THE USHERING IN OF THE KINGDOM OF PROPHECY AND PROMISE.

   A. This would be a time of mercy and of judgment, for God's friends and His enemies respectively.

   B. The Jews expected this to mean blessings to fleshly Israel and punishment or servitude on the heathen gentiles.

   C. Jesus, by His signs and words, claimed to be the "Coming One," who would execute the judgment and mercy of God.

   D. He upset the religious leaders of His day because He did not divide the sheep and the goats in the way they had planned - daring even to include some of them among the "goats"! (See the entire context of this passage, as outlined in the "Introduction" above.)

III. NOW JESUS WAS HERE, BRINGING A CRITICAL "VISIT" OF GOD AMONG MEN, FORCING MEN TO MAKE A CHOICE INVOLVING FEARFUL CONSEQUENCES.

   A. At His birth (Luke 1:68,78).

   B. In His work (Luke 4:17ff; 7:15-23; 19:37ff).

   C. Here was a day of decision or "visitation" for the Jews. The Messiah had come. His works declared Him. The people are acknowledging Him as He enters Jerusalem. What will the religious leaders do?

        1. Verse 39: "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, Master, rebuke thy disciples....

        2. Verse 40: "And He said unto them: I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."

IV. YOU FACE A SIMILAR DAY OF DECISION OR "VISITATION" EACH TIME THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED OR GOD'S WORD IS HELD BEFORE YOU (Acts 15:14).

   Every such occasion is a time of visitation, a time for choosing. You must decide between judgment or mercy, progress or regression, growth or decay. God's Word never leaves a person as he was before: he is either better or worse.

Conclusion

Realize the fearful and critical choice before you each time you come before the Word of God. Decide now to be judged by it with humility, instructed by it gladly, moved to action by it with gratitude for God's grace. The "visitation" is here: the choice is yours personally. Now you must decide.

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