First Sunday of Advent – November 30, 2025

Holy Trinity Church – Tom Mount

 

Scripture reading: Luke 20:27-40

Introduction

  • One of questions we want ask selves during the Advent season is: what were the reasons Jesus came?
  • Today, we’re going to look at four less obvious but nonetheless important reasons:
  1. To confront our false beliefs (20:27-40)
  2. To assert his divine authority (20:41-44)
  3. To warn against superficial religion (20:45-47)
  4. To reward true godliness (21:1-4)

 

1. Jesus confronts our wrong beliefs (Lk 20:27-40)

  • The Sadducees were one of many religious sects in Judaism. They believed only in the five books of Moses and rejected teachings about angels, the resurrection, afterlife and other supernatural elements. They controlled the temple and were politically powerful.
  • They use the law of levirate marriage to discredit the idea of an afterlife (cf. Dt 25:5-10).
  • Jesus corrects their presuppositions by citing a source they trusted: Ex 3:6.
  • Through His Word and Spirit, Jesus leads each of us into all truth (Jn 16:13; 1 Co 2:9-16).

 

2. Jesus asserts his divine authority (Lk 20:41-44)

41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

“‘The Lord (Heb: Yahweh) said to my Lord (Adonay-i.e., Jesus):
“Sit at my right hand
43 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

  • Jesus initiates, citing Ps 110:1. He is not denying he’s David’s descendent. He is asserting he is not merely David’s descendent: he is David’s Lord…and theirs!
  • The point is clear: Jesus is asserting his divine authority as King. He required that they and we acknowledge him as Lord of our lives if we are going to be in relationship with him. He will not have disciples who are simply interested in a better life here or afterlife (Matt 10:37). “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
  • Is Jesus your first, preeminent love? (Rev 2:4-5).

 

3. Jesus warns against superficial religion (Lk 20:45-47)

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

  • These “Teachers of the law” were the bible “influencers” of the Second Temple period. Many were devout. Many others were corrupted by their power and popularity.
  • Note their distinguishing marks: fancy clothes, honorific titles, reserved parking spaces, Important gigs, exploitation of the vulnerable, flowery prayers.
  • Bottom line: Jesus called them out for using religion as a cover for selfish purposes.
  • Jesus says “beware” of the dangers of superficial religion.

 

4. Jesus rewards true godliness (Lk 21:1-4)

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

  • Two lepta – a lepton was the smallest currency in Israel, 1/128 drachma (days wage).
  • Because she was so poor, the widow’s gift showed true piety, godliness and generosity in contrast to the Sadducees (20:27-40) and Teachers of the law (20:45-47).
  • Lesson: no act of devotion to God is so small as to go unrewarded (Mt 10:42). Every small thing you do for the Lord, his kingdom and people is recorded “the books” and will be rewarded (Rev 20:12).

 

Takeaway

What is it that the Holy Spirit has spoken to you about? Take a minute and commit that to the Lord.