Thanks for joining me this Lent as we walked through Luke. Get daily devotions from Luke's Second Edition, the Book of Acts, starting Monday, April 5.
http://www.ripplingout.blogspot.com/
also posted daily to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Gaithersburg FACEBOOK Page (become a Fan!)
Pastor Dave
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
CROSSING OUR PATH---- Day 40-- Saturday April 3 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Day 40! The entire way through Luke. Death does not have the final answer.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 24
24But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8Then they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Here’s a strange way to begin. Do you remember the movie ELF. It is one of my favorite movies of all time. Elf is the story of a baby who snuck into Santa’s sack one Christmas Eve and got taken back to the North Pole. The elves fell in love with the kid and one of them (played by Bob Newhart) took him in as his own son. The elf grew up to be enourmous. After all, he was human. Buddy (played by Will Ferrell) grew up with the elves but always was “different”. Buddy was given the job in the toy factory (after failing as a toy maker) of testing the quality control of the jack in the box toys. He’d crank be turning the crank on the side of the box and you’d hear the familiar tune (around and round the mulberry bush, the. . . ..and pop goes the weasel). At “pop” the jack in the box was supposed to explode out. So, over and over Buddy tested each one. If it worked, he put a check. If it didn’t it got an X. As only Will Ferrell can do, he somehow made the testing of this seem hilarious.
My point is simple- each time the hope was that things would be predicatable, that “Jack” would appear at the same exact time, every single time.
At Easter, we are reminded that for as much as we would like to have Jesus in a box and that he would come into our lives in a nice, neat, predictable, and orderly way ---he does not! At Easter, we are reminded that Jesus loves to show up and disappear and reappear . He likes to meet us on the road and journey with us and then leave us. Does he do that to keep us on our tows? Does he do that to keep us looking? Does he do that because he’s always one step ahead? Yes. Yes. Yes. Ultimately, we realize Jesus can’t be confined. When we try and confine him, we can’t stop him. When we invite him in, he’ll come and hang out (for a while). But, he is too busy to stay put. There’s a whole world out there to be reached. His resurrection is like a pebble dropped into a still pond. It starts a ripple effect that won’t be finished till it reaches the ends of the earth. May we be part of the Ripple effect of Jesus reaching out in this generation. May we be an active part of that Ripple Effect.
*Thanks for walking with me this Lent through Luke. I hope you will do a few things:
2) I hope that you will provide me with some feedback on this experience. Click this link to provide me with feedback. Your comments can be anonymous. https://goodshepherdlc.wufoo.com/forms/feedback-for-jesus-facebook-page-devotion-series/
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Until the Bitter End Day 39- Friday April 2 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
On this Good Friday, many of us will go to worship services and hear the final words of Jesus. The Tenebrae service is one of my favorites- the service of shadows. Read through Luke’s account of the crucifixion below. (You might also read the other accounts in Matthew, Mark, or John to compare)
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 23: 32 to 56
32Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. 47When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Hanging in with someone to the “bitter end” is a tough thing. Yet, Luke makes it chrystal clear that there was a group of women who did. They followed him from Galillee. They listened to his teaching. They provided from their resources to further his ministry. When he was taken into custody and then sentenced to death, they marched behind him. They weeped and wailed and were not afraid to be seen as his followers. They stayed there as he was nailed to the cross and stayed there until he died. They stayed there after he died and were there until he was put in the grave.
We so often emphasize the total abandonment Jesus experienced. Luke makes the case that even as Jesus went through agony, devoted followers were still present. They were surely helpless to do much other than be a witness but. .. . . ..isn’t that what we are supposed to do for the dying.
Death is awkward. People don’t know what to say or do or think or . . . .whatever. People apologize for not knowing what to say or do. Step one—be there! It’s the greatest gif t you can offer. To die well takes courage (Jesus certainly demonstrated that) but so does walking with someone who is dying. It takes love and compassion and the willingness to suffer as well (albeit in a different way than the one who physically dies).
I am very thankful for the witness of these women this day. They loved Jesus to the bitter end. I only hope and pray that at the end of my life they say, “he was so stirred up that he loved the Lord till the bitter end”. May that be said for all of us.
Thanks for walking with me this Lent through Luke. I hope you will do a few things:
1) Join me for a daily walk through Acts starting on Monday, April 5—www.ripplingout.blogspot.com (note that this blog appears on my facebook page as well as “good shepherd Lutheran Gaithersburg “ facebook page.
2) I hope that you will provide me with some feedback on this experience. Click this link to provide me with feedback. Your comments can be anonymous.
https://goodshepherdlc.wufoo.com/forms/feedback-for-jesus-facebook-page-devotion-series/
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
STIRRING THINGS UP--- Day 38 Thursday April 1 2010
Day 38 Thursday April 1 2010
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 23: 1-31
23Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.” 6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
13Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” 18Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
26As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Stirring is important. Stirring is an act that mixes things up; it agitates, it prevents the status quo from remaining in effect. When we cook, stirring up multiple ingredients enables a new and exciting mixture.
So it is in life. The Pharisees were happy with the existing mixture and they didn’t like people to come in and stir up crowds. For that matter, neither did Roman leaders. Stirred up people in Jesus’ day were people who might potentially be dangerous. Leaders who stirred up others needed to be put in place. They as the “straw” that stirs up the drink (if you will), needed to be trashed. That is what happens to Jesus. He is deemed too much of a threat and therefore, he is sent to be “trashed” on the cross. Yet, from the trash heap of the cross and the grave, Jesus will re-emerge and get back to work. The gift of the spirit (as we will see in the book of Acts)- Jesus’ spirit- will stir things up over and over and over again.
We have a lot of work in our world. We have a lot of people who have yet to hear or experience the saving love of Jesus. We have a lot of Christian people who are fairly comfortable with the status quo. I’m 41 now. I’m at the point where I feel a sense of urgency. I don’t want to a safe faith or be part of safe Christianity. I want Jesus to stir up a tsunami in my soul and a tsunami in the people of my church so that the world around us will never be the same. Status quo will not reach the world around us. Stirred up, charged, up , and re-energized people will if we let Jesus do the stirring!
Jesus, stir away. Stir up the Tsunami within us. Even though the world tried to throw you to the trash heap, we know that nothing can stop you.
Thanks for walking with me this Lent through Luke. I hope you will do a few things:
1) Join me for a daily walk through Acts starting on Monday, April 5—www.ripplingout.blogspot.com (note that this blog appears on my facebook page as well as “good shepherd Lutheran Gaithersburg “ facebook page.
2) I hope that you will provide me with some feedback on this experience. Click this link to provide me with feedback. Your comments can be anonymous.
https://goodshepherdlc.wufoo.com/forms/feedback-for-jesus-facebook-page-devotion-series/
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 23: 1-31
23Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.” 6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
13Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” 18Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
26As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Stirring is important. Stirring is an act that mixes things up; it agitates, it prevents the status quo from remaining in effect. When we cook, stirring up multiple ingredients enables a new and exciting mixture.
So it is in life. The Pharisees were happy with the existing mixture and they didn’t like people to come in and stir up crowds. For that matter, neither did Roman leaders. Stirred up people in Jesus’ day were people who might potentially be dangerous. Leaders who stirred up others needed to be put in place. They as the “straw” that stirs up the drink (if you will), needed to be trashed. That is what happens to Jesus. He is deemed too much of a threat and therefore, he is sent to be “trashed” on the cross. Yet, from the trash heap of the cross and the grave, Jesus will re-emerge and get back to work. The gift of the spirit (as we will see in the book of Acts)- Jesus’ spirit- will stir things up over and over and over again.
We have a lot of work in our world. We have a lot of people who have yet to hear or experience the saving love of Jesus. We have a lot of Christian people who are fairly comfortable with the status quo. I’m 41 now. I’m at the point where I feel a sense of urgency. I don’t want to a safe faith or be part of safe Christianity. I want Jesus to stir up a tsunami in my soul and a tsunami in the people of my church so that the world around us will never be the same. Status quo will not reach the world around us. Stirred up, charged, up , and re-energized people will if we let Jesus do the stirring!
Jesus, stir away. Stir up the Tsunami within us. Even though the world tried to throw you to the trash heap, we know that nothing can stop you.
Thanks for walking with me this Lent through Luke. I hope you will do a few things:
1) Join me for a daily walk through Acts starting on Monday, April 5—www.ripplingout.blogspot.com (note that this blog appears on my facebook page as well as “good shepherd Lutheran Gaithersburg “ facebook page.
2) I hope that you will provide me with some feedback on this experience. Click this link to provide me with feedback. Your comments can be anonymous.
https://goodshepherdlc.wufoo.com/forms/feedback-for-jesus-facebook-page-devotion-series/
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Embrace that Could Have Been--- Day 37 Wednesday March 31 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Intro—yesterday we read the story of Jesus’ final meal with the disciples. Today, we hear Jesus’ heart wrenching prayers in the garden and his arrest. In many ways it is so tragic.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 22:39-71
39He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” 41Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” 43Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. 45When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”
47While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” 49When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
54Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62And he went out and wept bitterly.
63Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65They kept heaping many other insults on him. 66When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68and if I question you, you will not answer. 69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” 71Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
He just stopped following at some point! Unless I have totally missed it, this is the final time Judas’ name is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. There is no mention of tragic death or sorrow or heartache. He simply stopped being a disciple of Jesus and instead turned away. Was it the comment at the last supper that “greatness comes from serving others” not in living for self? Was it Jesus failure to take up the sword? Whatever the case, he was turned off to Jesus. The connection became distorted or altogether lost. The tragedy is that others turned away—Peter, the other disciples--- they all ran away in the heat of the moment. Yet. .. they all returned. They all would be restored. They all would be forgiven. But, Judas remains out of the picture. I would with 100% certainty imagine Jesus would have greeted Judas like the Father did to the prodigal son (back in Luke 15). We remember in that story the younger son took matters into his own hands, sought control, yet failed miserably and let the father down. He treated the Father as if he was already dead, yet the Father runs to meet him. The Father throws a party. The Father yearns to forgive. I suspect that kind of greeting would have been for Judas yet, he just goes on from this point totally away and never returns.
Let us always remember that even if we let Jesus down, he will be ready and willing to bring us back into his fold. As the song goes, “return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. “
Monday, March 29, 2010
TRUE GREATNESS Day 36 Tuesday March 30, 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
It is fitting for us to read this as Passover 2010 is now underway.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 22: 1-38
Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.
7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” 9They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” 10“Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 12He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” 13So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 14When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
21But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this. 24A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28“You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” 34Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.” 35He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” 36He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 38They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
The disciples were participating in the annual Passover meal with Jesus- a meal full of ritual, storytelling, and great meaning. During the course of this lengthy meal, the disciples would have had time to talk with Jesus and each other in addition to the formal rituals, words, and readings. I find it interesting that, according to Luke, the disciples got into a dispute as to which of them was the greatest. Although there is no footwashing story (only in John’s Gospel, chapter 13), Jesus makes it chrystal clear—greatness is found only in those who are willing to serve! Greatness is setting aside our hunger for riches, rewards, and recognition in favor of a hunger to enrich the lives of other people.
As Martin Luther King once said, “everybody can be great because everybody can serve”.
As this is one of Jesus’ final teachings before his death, we would do well to stand up and pay attention. May God’s greatness be seen in your life as you set aside ego in favor of a life of humble service.
NO ELEPHANT CARRYING-- Day 35 Monday, March 29, 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Sorry for posting this late. The combination of being exhausted and having workers arrive at our house early kept me from my normal early AM writing.
Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday at church- joining our brothers and sisters all over the world in that celebration. I pointed out the reality that in Luke, there was no mention of Palms being spread on the ground. In Luke, what people put on the ground was the “coat off their back”- something that is far more sacrificial that ripping off a part of a tree! Are we willing to give the coat off our back/to sacrifice to see Jesus’ mission advance in this day and age?
I like the Lukan version of Palm Sunday much better for radical generosity and concern for others goes much further in building the world God intends. Today, we find Jesus in the temple teaching. Like a conference where you are spellbound by the presentations, the crowds listen all day and are eager to return the next day. Read on friends.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 21:5- 37
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’
7 They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ 8And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”* and, “The time is near!”* Do not go after them.
9 ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ 10Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; 15for I will give you words* and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.
20 ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.* 21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; 22for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; 24they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
37 Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. 38And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Have you ever tried to carry and elephant? The average weight of an adult African elephant is 4.6 tons (9,200 pounds). Of course, we have never literally carried an elephant but so many of us carry on “spiritual and emotional elephants”. Worry and stress and the concerns of everyday living have a weight that can be back breaking for so many.
People say things that offend us or they are quick to complain or quick to find fault and it can quickly derail us from living the faith. What Jesus reminds tells us today is that “life is not easy” and you will need strength beyond yourself. Jesus doesn’t promise that the problems of life will go away or the pessimistic and angry people will disappear. He simply promises to provide for us and to carry the weight for us. Endurance in life comes from saying to God- “I can only go so far in being faithful. I can’t take another step without you.”
Friday, March 26, 2010
Hall of Fame Generosity--- Day 34 Saturday March 27 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Yesterday Jesus chastised the religious leaders for not caring, for putting their needs first, and letting the “helpless widows” of the world be trampled on.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 21:1-4
He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Yesterdays text was about widows being “trampled on” by the wealthy religious leaders. Community had been jeopardized because one group put there needs over the rest. The irony is that today, Jesus shows us one of the ways that community forms- through radical and sacrificial generosity. The widow today, who has little, gives so much. It is a gift of gratitude and thanks and offered with heartfelt devotion. Giving, being generous, and sharing without seeking reward is one of the most profound things we can do. Lets get to it! Let’s build community through our actions of gracious generosity.
A GREAT STATUS- "BUILDING COMMUNITY" Day 33 Friday, March 26 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Once again- the religious leaders circling around Jesus—trying to trap him. Once again, Jesus ends up challenging them and likely—upsetting them!
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 20:27-47
27Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28and asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30then the second 31and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32Finally the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.” 34Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”
39Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40For they no longer dared to ask him another question. 41Then he said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son? 42For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 43until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 44David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” 45In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, 46“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Luke has shown us that Jesus is the champion of the poor and the oppressed. Here again, we have Jesus commenting on the power players of the day; the scribes. They are people with wealth, power, and respect. They wore special clothes and had special privileges. Yet, Jesus points out the simple fact—they have shown no concern for the “widows” of their day (a group that was not self sustaining in Jesus’ day and needed the community to support).
Jesus is saying something we can relate to. He is reminding us that we can’t simply look out for ourselves without building up and caring for the others. If we only look out for self and our own gain and status, we tear apart community. If we say, my best “status” is this- WILLING AND READY TO CARE, we become agents of care for Jesus.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Author of New Chapters-- Day 32 Thursday March 25 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Tense moments. It seems like the wagons are circling around Jesus. Many are trying to capture him, yet he does not appear to be tense about this. Rather, he tells what I consider a “sticky story”- foreshadowing what will happen in the days to come.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 20:1-26
20One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders 2and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?” 3He answered them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: 4Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” 5They discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
9He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. 10When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. 12And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. 13Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Heaven forbid!” 17But he looked at them and said, “What then does this text mean: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” 19When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.
20So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. 21So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. 22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 23But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, 24“Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “The emperor’s.” 25He said to them, “Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
I have great respect for authors. They are able to take blank screens or blank paper and bring a story to life. Their words bring us awareness to others or stir imaginations or can challenge people. Great authors have words that matter- words that people want and need to hear.
Such is the case with Jesus. He is the “author of life” who has inspired many along the journey to Jerusalem. He has written new chapters in people’s lives- sinners, tax collectors, the lame, the blind, and people without much hope.. He wrote a new chapter in their lives. New chapters are hard for some people to read or listen to. The Pharisess seemed to have trouble with Jesus’ words, his acceptance of others, and his willingness to tell new stories that were challenging. They remind him that he is out of line. He should sit down and be quiet in their opinion. But. . . .
Jesus is not going to stop. In my mind, he came to write new chapters in our life. If we are stuck, he’s ready to write a new story in our life. If we are in need, he’s ready to tell a story of care. If we are struggling, perhaps his next chapter will about walking right alongside of you. Whatever the next chapters in our lives, Jesus will be the one to write them. He has the authority and no person in power can stop him.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
TEARS FOR PEACE Day 31- Wednesday March 24, 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Outside Jerusalem.
Entering Jerusalem
Starting to make an impact in Jerusalem.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 19:11-48
11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,* and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” 14But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” 15When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” 17He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” 18Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” 19He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” 20Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” 22He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” 24He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” 25(And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) 26“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.” ’
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ 34They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ 35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38saying,
‘Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!’
39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ 40He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’
41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.’*
45 Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; 46and he said, ‘It is written,
“My house shall be a house of prayer”;
but you have made it a den of robbers.’
47 Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; 48but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
For the life of me, I can’t remember what the pictures are called so I will do my best to describe them. The pictures I am referring to appeared in the mid 1990’s and were these computer generated posters. The posters were a busy mosaic of colors but didn’t appear to be much of anything. However, if you stared and stared and stared and stared (without blinking) for a long time, there was a transition moment—all of sudden a hidden image leaped into view. Without in depth and focused attention, it remained hidden from view.
In some sense, Jesus enters Jerusalem today and stares at the mosaic and is able to see a vision of a peaceful world; a world that lives by his ways but. . . no one else can see it. He weeps.
His weeping is important for he can see possibilities that others can not. His weeping is important for it reminds us that “peace is possible” . One of the tasks of the Christian journey is to not try and change the entire world for that will always overwhelm and disappoint us. The true calling of the Christian is to focus on our local world, in the relationships we have on a daily basis and to say “how can I offer peace and hope to others” where I am.
Blessed are the peacemakers. They give others a glimpse of what Jesus saw in “plain view”.
Jesus, bring the day of peace where there is no more weeping, no more sorrow.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tranformers Day 30 Tuesday, March 23 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
What was Zaccheus’ net worth in the morning?
What was Zaccheus’ net worth in the evening?
Was the change an accident, a drop in the stock market, or intentional?
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 19:1-10
19He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ 8Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ 9Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.’
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Transformers- they were a popular toy a few years back.. As I recall , they were these action figures that looked like regular people but if you twisted them in certain ways they became these “super heroes”. A few twists and they were radically transformed into something really exciting.
Zaccheus is nothing less than a transformer today. He is in a despised occupation in the morning- a 1st century jerk. By the afternoon, he has encountered Jesus and he is all of a sudden an agent trying to make peace, trying to make a mends, and he has intentionally shared half his net worth to advance Jesus’ mission to serve the poor! In the morning, prior to meeting Jesus he is living for self. In the afternoon, he has been transformed into a follower- overflowing with generosity. Nothing is held back. Generosity prevails. Connecting once more to people is what matters to Zaccheus.
How do you and I need to be transformed? Have we been transformed? Are we agents of generosity yet? Are we like Zaccheus in the morning, at midday, or in the evening? Which would we like to be?
Jesus, transform us this day as you once transformed Zaccheus. Help us to overflow with generosity each day. Amen
ENDING THE ARROGANCE! Day 29 Monday, March 22 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Which part of today’s text will stand out for you? There are some sections that challenge, some that comfort, and some that speak of destiny!
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 18: 9-43
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 13But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’
18 A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 19Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother.” ’ 21He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money* to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ 23But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. 24Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’
26 Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ 27He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’
28 Then Peter said, ‘Look, we have left our homes and followed you.’ 29And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’
31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. 33After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ 34But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth* is passing by.’ 38Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 39Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 40Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ 42Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ 43Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
“I’m glad I’m not like that person.” -- I guess that is the one that stands out to me today. In our world, it seems that people are quicker to find the flaws in others instead of celebrating the good things.
We live in an ultra-competitive world where we are often taught early to be better than others or to try and be the best. Finding the flaws in others is often a key defense mechanism. We see the problems of another and feel better about ourselves. That reality, of pointing out the flaws in others, exists in high schools, middle schools, facebook conversations, blogs, news, and in face to face conversation.
Jesus, however, points us to a new way. It is one that does not drag down “the other”. It simply starts with self-examination and a humble request for god to help us with our lives. We ask God to humbly bless us so that we might be a blessing for others. Start there and then seek to bless others & not pick out their faults.
Jesus never looked at the people of this world and said, “I am glad I am not like them.” The great story of God sending Jesus into this world was that he would “become one of us” but then truly show us how to live. His life was marked by humilty, servanthood, and a desire to lift up every person he encountered (even those that others wrote off!)
Will you bless others today or will you be quick to see the flaws? Let’s seek to find the goodness in others today. Let’s play our part in bringing out the best in others.
FRIENDS ADDED
Humble
Children
Those who “give all” for the advancement of the Kingdom
Proper use of possessions
NOTES
We are a mere two weeks from Easter. Our devotions through Luke will finish right around Easter.
On Monday, April 5 we will start walking through Luke’s 2nd edition, the Book of Acts. http://www.ripplingout.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 20, 2010
DON'T LOSE HEART--- Day 28 Saturday, March 20 2010
Day 28 Saturday March 20 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
We are exposed to photography, artwork, paintings throughout our lives. Some works of art inspire us. Others leave us indifferent. The point is simple- we look at some art and say, “I like that”. We are drawn to it for some reason. Other works of art leave us saying, “I don’t like that picture”. I’m not real keen on the picture Jesus paints today but. . .I have learned that beauty is often not seen at first glance.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 18
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Our text today is brief but one that is worthy of a whole sermon and extensive research.
What I like about it is the Lukan addition at the very beginning which reminds us to pray and not lose heart. The people of God are called to be faithful, to hang in there despite obstacles, and to believe that with God- “all things are possible”. That isn’t a passive naivete but an active asking for God to bring a “new day”, a “brighter day”, a day of hope realized.
The widow is persistent. She is not willing to say this is “God’s will” and sit back and wait. She communicates. She states her need over and over and over again. She reminds me that faith demonstrated is continually turning to the one who has the power to bring about change.
Faith is shown in “returning to our sender” over and over again- in times of joy and, as the widow shows us, in our times of need.
NOTES
We are a mere two weeks from Easter. Our devotions through Luke will finish right around Easter.
On Monday, April 5 we will start walking through Luke’s 2nd edition, the Book of Acts.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Don't Lend Your Strength. . . .Day 27 Friday, March 19 2010
Day 27 Friday March 19 2010
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 17
Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” 5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”
11On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
20Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” 22Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. 26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32Remember Lot’s wife. 33Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
The singer, Jewel, wrote a song time with lyrics that have stuck in my head. It went like this- “don’t lend your strength to that which you wish to be from. Give your lives to love and bravery and you will live a life uncommon!”
I hear those words in the text today as Jesus speaks on the issue of forgiving someone who is repeatedly wronging someone- only to beg for forgiveness (and then do it again). We know people like that who wrong us “over and over and over again.” And if we are not careful we can be filled with bitterness (at them) over and over and over again. Jesus reminds us that the only way to break that cycle is not to lend our bitterness to the occasion but rather our forgiveness. Forgiveness can transcend. It can give a fresh start. It can remove bitterness. And—it is not easy. To forgive is to lean on God. To forgive is to say- “God, I need you to help me give this person another chance”. To forgive is to be taken over by God’s spirit working within us for I don’t think any of us can really do it on our own power. It’s pretty easy for me to get bitter, angry, or resentlful. I can do that on my own power. To do the opposite, I need God’s power. I need him to lend me strength. I know the same applies for you.
This day, if you are dealing with bitterness toward someone who has wronged you- hear this, “I hope and pray that God will lend you his strength and courage so that you might be able to forgive.” As the disciples prayer, so may we pray—“Lord, increase our faith!”
**Again, please know of my gratitude for walking with me on this journey through Lent. Know that I have appreciated the kind notes and words of encouragement. I have enjoyed this walk through Luke (which is approaching the ¾ mark). It is a rich book with many great themes/stories/and lessons.
Friends Added
10 Healed
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 17
Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” 5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”
11On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
20Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” 22Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. 26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32Remember Lot’s wife. 33Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
The singer, Jewel, wrote a song time with lyrics that have stuck in my head. It went like this- “don’t lend your strength to that which you wish to be from. Give your lives to love and bravery and you will live a life uncommon!”
I hear those words in the text today as Jesus speaks on the issue of forgiving someone who is repeatedly wronging someone- only to beg for forgiveness (and then do it again). We know people like that who wrong us “over and over and over again.” And if we are not careful we can be filled with bitterness (at them) over and over and over again. Jesus reminds us that the only way to break that cycle is not to lend our bitterness to the occasion but rather our forgiveness. Forgiveness can transcend. It can give a fresh start. It can remove bitterness. And—it is not easy. To forgive is to lean on God. To forgive is to say- “God, I need you to help me give this person another chance”. To forgive is to be taken over by God’s spirit working within us for I don’t think any of us can really do it on our own power. It’s pretty easy for me to get bitter, angry, or resentlful. I can do that on my own power. To do the opposite, I need God’s power. I need him to lend me strength. I know the same applies for you.
This day, if you are dealing with bitterness toward someone who has wronged you- hear this, “I hope and pray that God will lend you his strength and courage so that you might be able to forgive.” As the disciples prayer, so may we pray—“Lord, increase our faith!”
**Again, please know of my gratitude for walking with me on this journey through Lent. Know that I have appreciated the kind notes and words of encouragement. I have enjoyed this walk through Luke (which is approaching the ¾ mark). It is a rich book with many great themes/stories/and lessons.
Friends Added
10 Healed
Will You Cross the Chasm? Day 26 Thursday March 18 2010
Day 26 Thursday March 18 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Jesus spoke about the issue of possessions over and over and over again- not to make people feel bad, but so that they would get it right! It’s a challenging subject for many people but one that Jesus never shied away from- nor should we. Kind of a complex passage. Usually this would be chopped up in sermons into more than one story and we’d have an abundance of time to focus on the various pieces. Phil Hirsch, our Assistant to the Bishop in my area spoke on the first story in today’s text in a forum last Sunday at Good Shepherd. Read on.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 16
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. 10“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” 14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. 15So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God. 16“The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. 17But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped. 18“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
When Jesus told a parable, he was being extremely clever and provocative. Parables teach us something about God and God’s ways but they also invite us to participate- to identify with one of the characters. Who do we identify with today?
At first glance, I can’t see myself as the man who feasted “sumptuously” every day. I looked up the definition for sumptuous. It means “extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent”. At first glance, it would be easy for me to say- “that’s not me!” It’s easy to jump quickly and say- “look at that persons clothing, or the car they drive, or the homes in that zip code. It’s easy to think about the vacations that “others’ take. But. . . . .that’s hiding from the reality so let me say it- “In the grand scheme of the globe, I am that man in the story who has an abundance”. I suspect many of you reading this are as well! I may not live in the fanciest or costly home but God has provided for me magnificently throughout my life. I was raised by two loving parents who gave me plenty of attention and lots of nurture. I have had the luxuries of a good education including college and graduate school. I have had a safety net along the way. I have never been in any dramatic financial need. I have access to technology, books. I can go on vacation. If I need to buy new clothes at some point, I can do that.
I will send my kids to college as I was “sent” by my parents. ETC. I know many people like myself who have been blessed abundantly in similar ways. We’re in the same boat.
Long list. . .but the point I have come to is that I stand on the side of one who has been blessed and cared for throughout life. ! The call in this story, for people who identify with that man (as I do), is to see beyond self and to learn (or continue) to be generous. And . . ..not only hear the call, but to “answer that call” over and over and over again.
One of the great joys in sharing is that we truly express our worldview! When we learn to give from the abundance that God provides, we trust: 1) that God will continue to provide; and 2) we express our value that all people deserve to be cared for in tangible ways.
The man in the story stayed on one side of the chasm. He expressed his world view. I want to be the next chapter. I want to be a person who builds a bridge or jumps over the chasm. I want God to help me overflow with generosity to help bless the lives of others- family, friends, the church, and people in need. I want to be challenged by Jesus to do that more and more as I think that leads to the “abundant life” that Jesus spoke about. I hope you do as well. It’s a process, a journey. The more we can be open about topics such as this and encourage each other, think about how the world will benefit. Think about how the man on the side of the chasm would have benefited with some gently nudging from some of his friends. Might that have changed his life?
Tough stuff. We are always told, “it’s better to give than receive”. Do we believe that?
Friends Added
Lazarus' of the world
those who dare to cross the chasm
Opponents/”Annoyed”
Pharisees
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Daring Love - Day 25 Wed March 17 2010
Day 25 Wednesday March 17 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
My favorite chapter in scripture!
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 15
15Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3So he told them this parable: 4“Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
What we see here is one of the clearest pictures of God. It describes God in the 3 stories as the one taking initiative- even obsessing- over the desire to find a “precious object/person”. Luke makes it clear that rest will not occur “until what is lost is found”. What other characteristics do you see?
I once heard a quote (can’t remember where it came from) that said, “the task of childhood is to become an individual. The task of adulthood is to give that individuality away.” In that final story of the Father and 2 Sons, I find the task of a lifetime- can I be daring enough to actually try and be like the Father who “dares to love”? He is radical, forgiving, and willing to be hurt time and time again because he is not afraid to go the extra mile to love. It is so easy to be the resentful older brother. It is so easy to see the negatives in others and in the world. It is easy to be the younger brother and “live for self”. What is hard, what is radical, what is challenging is to try and take the initiative in life to love “the extra mile”.
P.S. If you are looking for a good book to read, Henri Nouwen wrote the book, “The Return of the Prodigal son” in the early 1990’s. I actually had to buy 3 copies of this book as I found myself loaning it out over and over again. It is well worth the read.
Friends Added
Tax collectors and Sinners
Opponents/”Annoyed”
The Pharisees
Causes
Pursuit of those “not at home”
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Jesus' Worldview Demonstrated Day 24- Tuesday March 16 2010
Day 24 Tuesday March 16 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
There is a lot here- as always. Read it all but one part of the story today reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the sower. The sower was a farmer who spread seeds in the soil very liberally. Some seed sunk in. some was choked. Some hit shallow soil and withered. Some seed found good soil and grew and grew and grew. What is profound is the farmer (sower’s) willingness (and faith) to keep on spreading- knowing that some seed will never have an impact. But. . . some will.
There is a lot here- as always. Read it all but one part of the story today reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the sower. The sower was a farmer who spread seeds in the soil very liberally. Some seed sunk in. some was choked. Some hit shallow soil and withered. Some seed found good soil and grew and grew and grew. What is profound is the farmer (sower’s) willingness (and faith) to keep on spreading- knowing that some seed will never have an impact. But. . . some will.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 14
14On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” 4But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. 5Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?” 6And they could not reply to this.
7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
15One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ 19Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ 20Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” 23Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’”
25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. 34“Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
There is a sense of urgency to the text today. In Luke, eating with someone is so significant. Eating with another implies acceptance of the other; it says you have something in common; and that you consider the other worthy.
Who we eat with is a microcosm of our world view! Who Jesus eats with and invites to his table is a view of his world! Jesus offers us that view in todays story. He imagines a glorious banquet that has been prepared and it is “ready” to be served. He sends out a helper to issue invitations. He is generous with the invitations but some of those invited are full of excuses. They turn Jesus down, yet they have still been invited. In response, Jesus sends out more workers to be even more generous with inviting others to the feast. Those invited include the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame, and a lot of people that they meet along the way. The invites go out and many accept and there is still room at the table. Jesus says, keep going out and inviting others.
It’s a worldview that says to us- our faith is not about making excuses, its about sharing it and inviting others in. It’s about inviting and including others who we may not always be comfortable with but who are “worthy” in the eyes of the king. The great mystery of eating with someone is that often our interpersonal barriers are overcome and new understandings emerge.
Jesus’ worldview is often demonstrated at meals and begs us to pay attention. For our hope and prayer is that his worldview may become our worldview. If that happens, our lives will be much more compassionate, caring, and loving. If that happens, we will claim that sense of urgency in our lives and seek to invite others.
Friends Added
Man with dropsy
Those who accept the invitation
Skeptics/Opponents
Those who make excuses
Those who exalt themselves
Those irritated by Jesus’ challenge
Causes
Humility
Inviting others
Helping people understand the proper relationship of possessions- priority of faith
Giving honor to others (not self)- honoring is something you “give to others”, not claim for self
Being salt for the world
Inclusion of the poor, the lame, the less fortunate in the community
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
