The Advocacy of Jesus

Jesus continues in Luke 12:57-59, saying, “ And why also do you not judge for yourselves what is right? For as you go with your opponent to the ruler, on the way make an effort to be reconciled with him, lest he drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the magistrate, and the magistrate throw you into prison. I say to you, you will certainly not get out of there until you repay even the last cent.”

Several things that were pertinent in that time period need to be recognized so that these words can be understood. During that period, if you owed a debt, you could be hauled before the courts and face a judge if you didn’t satisfy the obligation. As sinners, we are in debt to God and the majority of mankind ignores this fact. We are blinded by that sinfulness and unable to judge for ourselves what is right.

When we die, we will stand before the Father, who will judge us and the devil will continue to be our accuser. As each of our offenses are brought before that heavenly court, Jesus will act as our advocate saying that while the offense is true, we are forgiven for it through Him.

Jesus is telling those people in the crowd that they are failing to see Him in the role of Redeemer and Advocate and until they reconcile, they are doomed. These verses seem to be encouraging us to settle affairs in this world before God settles them in the next.

To finish the commentary relating to these verses, I found this summary on the internet. The author escapes me at this time but the content is worth documenting never the less:

A related theme, God's impending judgment of Israel, is also found in the central section. It appears repeatedly in the material leading up to Luke 12:57-59, though it is not confined to the central section. For example, John the Baptist warns that judgment is coming soon and that natural descent from Abraham will not ensure against it (Luke 3:8-9, 17). Elsewhere Jesus warns of the Son of Man coming in judgment (9:26), then speaks harshly to the Jewish towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their rejection of him and his envoys (10:13-16). Later Jesus speaks in a parable about the need for servants to be obedient in the light of their master's absence and sure, but unscheduled, return (12:41-48). The parable is a picture of the need for disciples and others to serve God diligently; it further indicates that disobedient servants (disciples and others) will be judged harshly.1 In Luke 12:49-53 Jesus comments that his mission brings judgment to the earth . . . . ., and division to families.