Day 23 Monday March 14, 2010
TODAY’S INTRO
Notice how Jesus keeps stirring things on up Sabbath days. I should have counted along the way but this is another example of Jesus willing to break “rules” to demonstrate the priority of human care!
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 13:10-35
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
18He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” 22Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
23Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
What does it mean “to strive”? In the original biblical text it has a rich meaning: 1) to enter a contest; contend in gymnastics games; 2) to fight or contend with an adversary; 3) zeal to obtain something.
Striving for something implies working up a sweat. When we strive for something we are often exercising our whole selves- body, soul, and spirit. We are fully engaged. Jesus today is certainly reminding his followers that being a part of the Kingdom is not about sitting still. To follow Jesus and his ways requires us to be on the move and exercicising our faith, much the same way that an Olympic gymnast must practice every day if she/he is to make progress.
To me, striving means we are passionate about becoming more than we are at this moment in time. Furthermore, it means that we are never finished products.
How can we strive to be more today than yesterday? How can you, as the book of Timothy says, “fight the good fight of faith” today where you are? Each will answer in their own way but I know this- it wont’ be by sitting still and not thinking about concrete actions.
We see Jesus throughout Luke “fighting the good fight of faith.” He is willing to stand up against rules when rules hinder helping someone in need as we see in the crippled woman incident.
Jesus, help us to get moving and strive to demonstrate the ways of your kingdom this day and in the days to come. Teach us to work up a sweat, a passion, and enthusiasm for your ways. Your path is sometimes difficult but we are confident that you are in front of us leading the way, beside us to nudge us on, and behind us to pick us up if we falter. Amen
Friends Added
Bent over woman
Skeptics/Opponents
Leader of Synagogue
Herod
Causes
Striving for the Kingdom of God- the ways of God
Breaking rules which hinder the care of a person in need
Healing Ministry
Protecting “his flock” (mother hen image)
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