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But, the crowds being assembled together, he began to state, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. Because, just as Jonah came to be a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.” (Luke’s AD 60 research report re Jesus: Chapter 11: 29 – 41) |
The year is around AD 30. Jesus issues a wake-up call to “this evil generation” – people alive at that time. “Evil”? Why? Without “a sign” from him of their choosing, they would not change their evil ways.
Jonah was a prophet around BC 750 who was 3 days within a huge fish before being discharged so as to call the Ninevites to repentance. Jesus would later rise from 3 days in the grave - a sign to “this generation.”
“The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and (look and see!) something greater than that of Solomon, here.”
Jesus was referring to the Queen of Sheba, around BC 950. What “something” did Jesus have which was “greater than that of Solomon”?
“Men of Nineveh will arise in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented towards the preaching of Jonah, and (look and see!), something greater than that of Jonah, here.”
What “something” did Jesus have which was “greater than that of Jonah”?
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“No one places a hand-held lamp into a hidden place nor even under a measuring vessel, instead upon a stand, so that those going in may see the brilliance.”
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I wonder if Jesus said this about himself. Was he the one, in humility, holding himself openly – the lamp – so that all were able to see? His concern - for the poor and the ill, for those with mental issues and with mini-gods, for sinners and for those in captivity to evil – was a shining light.
“Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is single, your whole body also is made of light, but once it may be evil, your body also is made of darkness. Be careful, therefore, that the light in you is not darkness.”
The shining lamp will only illuminate a person through that person’s “eye.” A decision not to see – by those of that “evil generation” would leave only “darkness” within. When a real light shines near me, do I allow my eye to receive it into myself, and guide my whole being? Do I have a “single eye” focussed on the Lord God or is my eye “evil” – harmful?
“If then your whole body is made of light, not having a certain part made of darkness, it will be wholly made of light, as when a lamp in its lightening-flash may enlighten you.”
But what’s this about “a lamp in its lightening-flash”? It seems that that particular “lamp in its lightening flash” will so change a person that he or she will become “wholly made of light.” That indeed is “something.” Maybe “something greater than that of Solomon.” And “of Jonah.”
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But, in speaking to him, a Pharisee asked that he might breakfast with him. But, coming in, he sat down. But the Pharisee, seeing, marvelled that he was not first baptised before the breakfast. But the Lord said to him, “Now the Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but the inside of you is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones. Did not the one who made the outside also make the inside?”
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This dear Pharisee illustrated the teaching of Jesus by being devoted to the opposite. Still today, we move heaven and earth to polish and protect our ‘reputation’ – even when the truth inside is quite the opposite and needs massive change. Change from being, “full of greed and wickedness.”
“On the contrary, give mercy! The within things. And, (look and see!), everything is clean in you.”
Instead of washing my outside, I’m to “give mercy” - so as to receive it.
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