Luke 11:45-54
Suggested further reading: Luke 18:1-8
A reckoning day for persecutors shall surely come (vv. 50-51).
There is something solemn in this statement. The number of those
who have been put to death for the faith of Christ in every age of
the world is exceedingly great. Thousands of men and women have
laid down their lives rather than deny the Saviour and have shed
their blood for the truth. At the time they died they seemed to have
no helper. Like Zacharias, James, Stephen, John the Baptist,
Ignatius, Huss, Hooper and Latimer, they died without resistance. They
were soon buried and forgotten on earth and their enemies seemed to
triumph utterly. But their deaths were not forgotten in heaven.
Their blood was had in remembrance before God. The persecutions
of Herod, Nero, Diocletian, Bloody Mary and Charles IX are not
forgotten. There will be a great assize one day when the
psalmist's words shall be seen to be true (Ps. 116:15).
Let us often look ahead to the Judgement Day. There are
many things going on in the world that try our faith. The frequent
triumphing of the wicked is perplexing. The frequent depression of
the godly is a problem that appears hard to solve. But it shall all
be made clear one day. All shall be unravelled and put in its right
place. Every drop of righteous blood that has been spilt shall be required.
How wicked it is to keep others back from religious
knowledge! (v. 52). The sin denounced here is awfully common. It is the sin
of the Roman priest who forbids his people to read the Bible. It is
the sin of the unconverted Protestant minister who warns his
people against extreme views and sneers at the idea of conversion. It is
the sin of the marriage partner or parents who hold back their
loved ones from getting involved or becoming serious in religion. All
these bring down our Lord's denunciation on themselves by
hindering others from entering heaven.
Let us watch ourselves that we never hinder any from
reading the Bible, hearing the gospel or private prayer. Let us rather
cheer them, encourage them, help them and thank God if they are
better than ourselves.
For meditation: `In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly
life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted' (2 Tim. 3:12).
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