Sermon Snippet – God Forbid – Part V
INTRODUCTION – For the last month, we have been studying the Biblical term “God forbid.” It is an exceptionally strong statement of divine impossibility and is revelatory of God’s character, telling us what is contrary to His impeccable nature. Because we do not want to contradict God, we need to know what His Holy Word both compassionately encourages and kindly prohibits. Let us consider Jesus’ forthright teaching in Luke 20:9-18.
1. SPIRITUAL TALK IS NOT SPIRITUAL ACTION
Using an agricultural parable, Jesus reviews the unspiritual and violent response of the nation of Israel to God’s goodness. The Old Testament record of general rejection (with only a remnant receiving God’s message) is undeniable. Even Jesus’ obdurate opponents correctly cry out, “God forbid!” However, their pious words are incompatible with their impious actions: “And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on Him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them” (verse 19). Self-indictment is not repentance. The promised Messiah, the “beloved son” (verse 13) of the parable, is being “rejected” (verse 17) and would soon be “killed” (verse 15). The result for these benighted leaders is recorded in verse 18: like a pot smashed against or crushed underneath a rock, these people would be destroyed. Not only is the Messiah standing before them, He is also quoting from Psalm 118:22, a Messianic passage familiar to all of the religious leaders. Jesus speaks their language and fulfills their Law, but they choose to crucify Him (also in fulfillment of Scripture – see Psalm 22).
2. GOD TALKS, BUT HEROD DOES NOT REALLY LISTEN
Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was a vile man, having married his niece. John the Baptist calls him to repentance. Jesus said that no greater prophet than John had ever lived (Matthew 11:11); imagine the conviction of having him speak God’s message directly and personally. Herod knows that John is speaking the truth: “For Herod feared John, knowing he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly” (Mark 6:20). Herod knows that John is different, and he is intrigued by the prophet and his words. Yet, he beheads John, choosing his evil wife’s ways over God’s way of repentance and forgiveness (Mark 6:21-29). This example is an extreme one, no doubt, but the principle is applicable to all: when God speaks to us through His Word, we need to hear and to heed Him. God forbid that we refuse to listen.
3. GOD TALKS, AND DAVID REPENTS
David is king of Israel, with absolute authority on the human level. To try to cover up his sin of adultery, he commits murder (II Samuel 11:27-12:13). God speaks to King David through the brave prophet Nathan (12:1-6). The powerful conclusion convicts David: “Thou art the man” (verse 7a). The message is the same as the one Herod rejects; David could reject it, too, and kill the prophet Nathan. Instead, he repents (verse 13).
CONCLUSION – David is one of the exceptions; Herod is the rule. With whom will we identify – the repentant king or the insensate tyrant? God forbid that even one reject the Gospel message today. Let us repent and know God’s forgiveness.