Bible Readings... Luke 20
Highlighted Verse... Luke 20:18 - Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.
Thoughts... Jesus has just finished telling the parable about the evil farmers and finishes by telling the people that when the owner returns he will kill the tenant farmers and bring in new ones. The stone Jesus refers to is himself. He is warning the Pharisees, Saducees, and other religious leaders and teachers of the Law that if they stumbled over who he was and what he represented, then they would be broken and crushed.
How it impressed me... I am constantly amazed at how poorly I have paid attention to all the words in the scriptures. I am very familiar with the parables and main themes in Luke 20 and even the individual verses, but I have no recollection of this verse at all. How many of the words have I failed to see? More importantly, how much of the THE WORD have I failed to notice? When one doesn't notice things in their path, they stumble and fall... to be broken and crushed.
My response to God... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path... Dear Lord, Help me to hear your silent whispers, understand your words of truth, and acknowledge your sovereignty over everything.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Paradox of the Parables
Bible Readings... Luke 19
Highlighted Verse... Luke 19:26 - I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
Thoughts... Perhaps nothing confuses more than Jesus' treatment of money and the people who have it. In verse 26 we see apparent preferential treatment given to the rich, which is somewhat echoed earlier in the chapter in Zaccheus' story. But in chapter 18 we see how Jesus addressed the rich young ruler who had kept all of the commandments by telling the apostles that it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God; and chapter 16 has the parables of the rich man and Lazarus and the shrewd accountant who stole from his master yet was priased. So is it better to be poor or rich in God's eyes?
How it impressed me... Jesus never lets us rest in our own position, whatever it is. Whether we be poor or rich, intelligent or slow, black or white, slave or free... He takes no excuses, but simply calls us to follow Him -- Him alone. If we will follow him, then nothing else matters and if we will not follow him, then nothing else can help us.
My response to God... Father God, help me to choose to follow you above all else. Help me to set aside anything and everything that comes between us, but please be patient with my failures and forgive me my trespasses. Call out to me if I stray, that I would return immediately. Help me to rely on you and your strength to see me through.
Highlighted Verse... Luke 19:26 - I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
Thoughts... Perhaps nothing confuses more than Jesus' treatment of money and the people who have it. In verse 26 we see apparent preferential treatment given to the rich, which is somewhat echoed earlier in the chapter in Zaccheus' story. But in chapter 18 we see how Jesus addressed the rich young ruler who had kept all of the commandments by telling the apostles that it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God; and chapter 16 has the parables of the rich man and Lazarus and the shrewd accountant who stole from his master yet was priased. So is it better to be poor or rich in God's eyes?
How it impressed me... Jesus never lets us rest in our own position, whatever it is. Whether we be poor or rich, intelligent or slow, black or white, slave or free... He takes no excuses, but simply calls us to follow Him -- Him alone. If we will follow him, then nothing else matters and if we will not follow him, then nothing else can help us.
My response to God... Father God, help me to choose to follow you above all else. Help me to set aside anything and everything that comes between us, but please be patient with my failures and forgive me my trespasses. Call out to me if I stray, that I would return immediately. Help me to rely on you and your strength to see me through.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The Kingdom of God
Bible Readings... Luke 17-18
Highlighted Verse... Luke 18:17 - I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Thoughts... Since the focus of verses 15 and 16 is on the children it is easy get caught up in ensuring that we bring the children to the Lord and that we take care not to hinder the children from seeking after God. While a worthy and necessary task, it misses another perspective that Jesus is trying to help us to see.
How it impressed me... When taken with a verse from chapter 17... The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation ... because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20), we can see that new perspective. Jesus offers us the very Kingdom of God, and he wants to place it within us, if we will only receive it. Little children have a purity, innocence, and faith uncorrupted by the world around us and unconcerned with physics and scientific proof. We were visiting with some friends from church and their 4-year-old daughter took me by the hand to show me her princess kingdom. I'm certain that if offered the entire Kingdom of God, she would joyfully receive it, and ask for more. Jesus tells us we must do likewise if we wish to enter in. He is offering us much more than we can ever imagine if we will have it.
My response to God... Precious Jesus, still my heart, clear my mind, and steady my soul, so that I do not let the cares and worries of this world distract me from the vision that you have for me. Prepare me to receive your Kingdom that I may enter in.
Highlighted Verse... Luke 18:17 - I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Thoughts... Since the focus of verses 15 and 16 is on the children it is easy get caught up in ensuring that we bring the children to the Lord and that we take care not to hinder the children from seeking after God. While a worthy and necessary task, it misses another perspective that Jesus is trying to help us to see.
How it impressed me... When taken with a verse from chapter 17... The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation ... because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20), we can see that new perspective. Jesus offers us the very Kingdom of God, and he wants to place it within us, if we will only receive it. Little children have a purity, innocence, and faith uncorrupted by the world around us and unconcerned with physics and scientific proof. We were visiting with some friends from church and their 4-year-old daughter took me by the hand to show me her princess kingdom. I'm certain that if offered the entire Kingdom of God, she would joyfully receive it, and ask for more. Jesus tells us we must do likewise if we wish to enter in. He is offering us much more than we can ever imagine if we will have it.
My response to God... Precious Jesus, still my heart, clear my mind, and steady my soul, so that I do not let the cares and worries of this world distract me from the vision that you have for me. Prepare me to receive your Kingdom that I may enter in.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Where's the Faith
Bible Readings... Luke 17-18
Highlighted Verse... Luke 18:8b - When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Thoughts... Just one chapter ago, Jesus had the following exchange with his disciples... The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. (Luke 17:5-6). And now Jesus wonders if he will even find that much faith when he comes.
How it impressed me... Jesus often chides his disciples about their lack of faith, yet they were with him for three years and saw many miracles and still lacked faith. Lest we think that we are justified or excused for our lack of faith, we need only turn back one more chapter to Luke 16 where we see the rich man who goes to hell and asks that Lazarus go back and talk to his brothers to save them. Jesus tells him that "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). Oops, there goes my excuse!
My response to God... Dear Lord, "I do believe; help my unbelief." Help me set aside everything that gets in the way of my faith... that I would trust you completely, surrender to you completely, abandon my life to you.
Highlighted Verse... Luke 18:8b - When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Thoughts... Just one chapter ago, Jesus had the following exchange with his disciples... The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. (Luke 17:5-6). And now Jesus wonders if he will even find that much faith when he comes.
How it impressed me... Jesus often chides his disciples about their lack of faith, yet they were with him for three years and saw many miracles and still lacked faith. Lest we think that we are justified or excused for our lack of faith, we need only turn back one more chapter to Luke 16 where we see the rich man who goes to hell and asks that Lazarus go back and talk to his brothers to save them. Jesus tells him that "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). Oops, there goes my excuse!
My response to God... Dear Lord, "I do believe; help my unbelief." Help me set aside everything that gets in the way of my faith... that I would trust you completely, surrender to you completely, abandon my life to you.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Highly Exalted... in Whose Eyes?
Bible Readings... Luke 16
Highlighted Verse... Luke 16:15 - He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.
Thoughts... How often do I focus on what others think instead of focusing on what God thinks... the things that please God... the things that grieve God. Earlier tonight, a young man named Adam with a real heart for God spoke at our church about a mission trip he took to Taiwan earlier this year. He spoke of the persecuted church in China and the faith and determination of the Chinese Christians. The stories he told speak of a people that uphold the values that are important to God.
How it impressed me... Contrasting the lives of the believers and martyrs in China with what we see in America in the midst of the national conventions of both the Democrats and Republicans, these words ring especially true. We see both parties justifying themselves and their nominees in the eyes of men with scant attention paid to the Creator of the Universe.
My response to God... Father God, help me to grieve over the things that grieve you and rejoice in the things that please you. Help me to set aside the preferences of men to become holy -- set apart -- for you. Give our nation a leader who will set aside personal and party agendas and instead seek to bring us back to you.
Highlighted Verse... Luke 16:15 - He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.
Thoughts... How often do I focus on what others think instead of focusing on what God thinks... the things that please God... the things that grieve God. Earlier tonight, a young man named Adam with a real heart for God spoke at our church about a mission trip he took to Taiwan earlier this year. He spoke of the persecuted church in China and the faith and determination of the Chinese Christians. The stories he told speak of a people that uphold the values that are important to God.
How it impressed me... Contrasting the lives of the believers and martyrs in China with what we see in America in the midst of the national conventions of both the Democrats and Republicans, these words ring especially true. We see both parties justifying themselves and their nominees in the eyes of men with scant attention paid to the Creator of the Universe.
My response to God... Father God, help me to grieve over the things that grieve you and rejoice in the things that please you. Help me to set aside the preferences of men to become holy -- set apart -- for you. Give our nation a leader who will set aside personal and party agendas and instead seek to bring us back to you.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Repentance
Bible Readings... Luke 15
Highlighted Verse... Luke 15:21 - The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Thoughts... The younger son realizes that he has hit bottom and is no longer worthy of his sonship. He humbly evaluates his worth as similar to one of his father's servants and dreams to be treated as such, then sets out to become less than what he was. In the moment of his greatest weakness he finds strength not of his own design, but in the very sonship that he chose to give up as his father receives him back.
How it impressed me... I normally think of the younger son as a scoundrel, but he shows a measure of repentance here unlike any that I've seen. Stripped of everything he displays a true repentance -- an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of heart and mind. He no longer makes excuses, but rather simply asks to be. In his absolute surrender he receives the ultimate gift of reunification. The same unity that Jesus prayed for us... that we would be one with him.
My response to God... Gracious Lord, have mercy on me -- a sinner. Forgive me for all my tresspasses. I stand without excuse, guilty of all offenses, at your mercy. Help me to receive those whom you have reunited; make me worthy of your sonship through your sacrifice.
For the most complete treatment of the parable of the prodigal son that I have run across, try Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son. View previous blog entry with an excerpt.
Highlighted Verse... Luke 15:21 - The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Thoughts... The younger son realizes that he has hit bottom and is no longer worthy of his sonship. He humbly evaluates his worth as similar to one of his father's servants and dreams to be treated as such, then sets out to become less than what he was. In the moment of his greatest weakness he finds strength not of his own design, but in the very sonship that he chose to give up as his father receives him back.
How it impressed me... I normally think of the younger son as a scoundrel, but he shows a measure of repentance here unlike any that I've seen. Stripped of everything he displays a true repentance -- an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of heart and mind. He no longer makes excuses, but rather simply asks to be. In his absolute surrender he receives the ultimate gift of reunification. The same unity that Jesus prayed for us... that we would be one with him.
My response to God... Gracious Lord, have mercy on me -- a sinner. Forgive me for all my tresspasses. I stand without excuse, guilty of all offenses, at your mercy. Help me to receive those whom you have reunited; make me worthy of your sonship through your sacrifice.
For the most complete treatment of the parable of the prodigal son that I have run across, try Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son. View previous blog entry with an excerpt.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Who Has Ears?
Bible Readings... Luke 14, Luke 15:1
Highlighted Verse... Luke 14:35, Luke 15:1 - Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.
Thoughts... Jesus has just finished some of his hard words...
How it impressed me... Jesus consistently sought out the sinners while ignoring or insulting the religious elite... yet the church of today often looks with disdain upon the sinner and welcomes the elite. I wonder about how the specific tax collectors and sinners that listened to him came to hear him. Did they just happen to be nearby when he was speaking? Or were they searching for something that transcended their current lives? Or did Jesus seek them out and invite them in like he invited Matthew? Since the answer may impact how we treat the sinners it is worth looking into. Somehow taking the approach of waiting for them to enter the doors of our church by luck or on their own volition doesn't seem to meet the spirit of Jesus' example, so we're left with seeking them where they live and inviting them in.
My response to God... Merciful God, I know that you desire that none should perish... help me to spread your love to all who need it regardless of their condition or position. Embolden me to share the Word and invite others into your house.
Highlighted Verse... Luke 14:35, Luke 15:1 - Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.
Thoughts... Jesus has just finished some of his hard words...
He followed it up with a couple parable examples then says He who has ears to hear, let him hear. The next thing we read is that tax collectors and sinners were listening while the Pharisees and teachers of the law were grumbling.Luke 14:26-27 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
How it impressed me... Jesus consistently sought out the sinners while ignoring or insulting the religious elite... yet the church of today often looks with disdain upon the sinner and welcomes the elite. I wonder about how the specific tax collectors and sinners that listened to him came to hear him. Did they just happen to be nearby when he was speaking? Or were they searching for something that transcended their current lives? Or did Jesus seek them out and invite them in like he invited Matthew? Since the answer may impact how we treat the sinners it is worth looking into. Somehow taking the approach of waiting for them to enter the doors of our church by luck or on their own volition doesn't seem to meet the spirit of Jesus' example, so we're left with seeking them where they live and inviting them in.
My response to God... Merciful God, I know that you desire that none should perish... help me to spread your love to all who need it regardless of their condition or position. Embolden me to share the Word and invite others into your house.
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