Thoughts on Luke 22:52-53

 Thoughts on Luke 22:52-53 by Martin C. Collins

"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.'"

This situation shows unbelief to be destructive, ugly, and cruel. Christ possessed all the power to serve—to heal and to bring peace—yet He was seized and bound to suppress His good works. He lived, died, and rose again so that one day He could fulfill His own inspired words from Isaiah 61:1: “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Yet, his captors and eventual slayers, in their ungodly malice, could see His good words and works only as threats and Him only as an enemy, a man to shame, wound, and kill.

People are no better today. Christians are prohibited from praying in many government buildings or at public gatherings, and they are sometimes prevented from speaking the truth because man's laws have, in effect, seized and bound such activity. The powers of darkness have influenced this world to hinder and persecute Christians so God's truth could not be told from their lips.

Jesus' captors took Him into custody despite being witnesses to the greatest Source of knowledge and truth ever manifested on earth. Foolishly thinking they were superior-minded to Christ and His disciples, these men's actions will forever be a shameful tribute to unbelief (Romans 1:18-22). Had they truly known Him and the truth He brought, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).

Yet, their folly persists today. Many of us deny the truth and neglect to share it with the lost and dying world around us. Why? Perhaps our denial springs from fear of being persecuted ourselves. Perhaps our denial springs from fear of being mocked for our faith. Perhaps our denial springs from our own unbelief.

Whatever our reason, our neglect to speak the truth of God "in season and out of season" is a basis for our condemnation before the Throne of Mercy and Grace. Instead of wallowing in our unbelief, may we stand boldly to proclaim the power of Christ, alive in us, and to boldly affirm His truth to everyone whose life touches ours.