Divinie order in Bible – Law vs Grace

My Pastor has recently been teaching about the divine order of the Holy Bible. He first noted that some verses and chapters in the bible are not chronologically arranged. For example the gospel of Matthew is written chronologically while the gospel of Luke is not so.

Often we have studied the bible parable by parable, verse by verse. By there are spiritual truth to be discovered when you relate chaps to chaps. When the Holy Spirit inspired the writers to put certain incidents in the bible next to each other even when there happen in different time, it is for a divine purpose.  

I will try to share something my Pastor showed us during Bible study.

Luk 18:18 And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luk 18:19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? None is good except One, God.

Luk 18:20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother.

Luk 18:21 And he said, I have kept all these from my youth up.

Luk 18:22 And when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, Yet you lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, follow Me.

Luk 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

Above are the verses for the story on the rich man found in Luke Chap 18. More details of the story can be found in  on Mat_19:16-22 , and Mark_10:21, Mark_10:22 .

“Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Very reasonable question, rite? But Not so to Jesus!!

First He addresses Jesus as Good Teacher. He did not realize he was the Living Son of God. Actually, there is nothing wrong that you dun recognize the truth identity of Christ. But as a very religious young man, he knew the Law well. By using the word Good when the Law clearly state only God is good, he meant it as a flattery. And that does not work on Jesus.  Remember, he can see yr hearts & its intention miles away!

Mistake two – What can I do? His focus is on himself, not God. And when you want to show God that by your own works, you can please him. The Lord will always prove you wrong.  Jesus give his the Law. And he boast he kept them. (how often we thought so ourselves, but did we?)

Benefit of doubt given, Jesus offered him the deal of his life, sell away everything and follow the God u so seek.(actually it is the commandment to seek God, with your all)

Did he? Not a single cent was given. He walked away.

LUKE CHAP 19 Story of Zacchaeus (Luk 19:1-10)

This story did not happen chronologically after the rich young ruler.

There was a cheater, working for the Romans collecting tax from his own named Zaccheaus. He heard that Jesus was coming his town. He climbed a tree to look out for Jesus. Jesus came by and he called out to him, saying he is going to have dinner at his place. Regardless of what the people murmur that the Lord is dinning with a sinner, Jesus want Zacchaeus to host him. Anyway, after the dinner, Zacchaues decided to give away half his wealth and return four folds to anyone he cheated!

Any similarities between the 2 stories?

Luke Chap 18 Luke Chap 19

Rich young ruler Zaccheaus
Think he is righteousness a sinner
Jesus gave him the Law Jesus gave him his love & grace
Walked away not giving a cent Gave half his fortune away

Well, there are more truths and revealations in there... if this interest you...... mediate on it... think why Jesus say the things he said? why one changed, and one did not...

Rem, one thing is for sure, God love both of them, me & you.