Read Luke 19 (find it here)
Of all the people Jesus could've have chosen to hang out with, not only does he choose a short guy he chooses a tax collector. Not just any tax collector but the CHIEF collector of the region! He's the boss of all the corrupt, selfish tax collectors! So, of course, Zacchaeus (Zack-key-yus) is ecstatic and the people were ticked! (vs. 6-7)
Just having Jesus in his presence changes Zacchaeus' perspective. He vows to give away half his wealth to the poor and to repay four times whatever he ripped off someone. That's huge. Remember the rich man in yesterday's post wouldn't give away any! Its like saying the church-goer refuses to give while the "sinner" repays AND gives away! Who has got it right now?
Obviously, it is Zacchaeus, the sinful chief tax collector! Jesus pronounces not only him but his household saved! (v. 9)
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Jesus may have been outside when he was speaking with Zacchaeus because in verse 11 the crowd was listening in to everything that he was saying.
He gave another parable. A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. (v. 12) Pay attention to those italics, reread that last sentence if you have to.
He divides ten pounds of silver between ten men and tells them to "invest it" while he's gone (v. 13)
But, for some reason, his own people hated him and didn't want him to be king. (v. 14)
He was crowned king and returned to see how the servants had done in investing his silver. (v. 15)
All we know is the report from three servants. The first doubled the king's money and was greatly praised for it and promised him riches for doing so!
The next made a 50% profit, was praised and promised riches, as well.
But another servant came to the king and admitted that he was afraid of him. Worse yet, he accuses the king of being a thief and unworthy of recognition by saying that he "takes what isn't [his]" and "harvests crop [he] didn't plant." (v. 21)
Do you remember what the unforgivable sin was? Well the third servant commits it. He calls the noble king a thief and a fraud. In other words, Jesus, who is comparing himself to the noble king, knows the feeling of being called evil.
The noble king has every thing taken away from this servant, even his life. For what is life worth if even the most holiest of things seems evil? What kind of twisted hell would that be?
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Remember verses 36-38 because the same people who spread their garments for the colt to walk on, who shouted and sang Jesus' praises, who revered God for His greatest gift to earth would not only be singing a different tune but a complete opposite one.
But it was meant to be this way because Jesus says that even if everyone was quiet "the stones would burst into cheers!" (v. 40)
Jesus knew the future hypocrisy that would take place over the people in the very near future. When he got close to Jerusalem, he couldn't help but to cry. He knows that they don't really understand who he is. They are expecting a warrior king to overthrow the Romans. Oh no, he's much more than that, he's the ultimate warrior king and Son of the Creator who has come to overthrow the power of evil and death!
Jesus even foretells severe pain in the Jewish people's future; crushed walls of the cities, being surrounded by enemies and entire families slaughtered. He is pretty much describing the tumultuous history of the Jewish people as we know it. If they knew the true meaning and purpose of the Son of God their (the Jews) course of history would've been different. But without salvation, without Christ, there is no peace, there is only the self to treat as god.
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Jesus goes from tears to anger very quickly at the sight of people making money within the temple. Its not that animals are being sold, its that the men selling them are thieves. (v. 46) People racked with guilt would come to the temple to offer a sacrifice of an animal's life. At the temple, the animals would be grossly overpriced, kind of like refreshments in a movie theater. Profit has its place, but not within the temple!
Jesus throws them out with righteous anger coursing through his veins! That's the final straw for the leading priests. Luke is clear now. It isn't scheming or wondering what to do with Jesus, the leaders began to plan how to kill him. (v. 47) It wouldn't be easy though because Jesus was popular...for now.
Questions
1.) Read verse 12 with all the italics again. What is Jesus foretelling about himself in this verse?
2.) If the parable of the noble king and the servants is just a symbol, then what does the silver represent? What is it that we have to invest or we will lose it and suffer dire consequences for it?
3.) Hypocrisy is rampant, even among Christ-followers. In what situations are you most likely to disassociate yourself with Jesus? What could give you the courage to stand for him no matter what?
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Day 25 - Luke 18
Sorry for the late posts here lately. By the end of this week we'll be jumping into the book of Acts! I'm definitely looking forward to it!
Happy reading!
Read Luke 18 (find it here)
In a twist of irony, Jesus compares God to an ungodly judge. When the judge is repeatedly approached by a widow (other than a child, one of the most powerless figures in society), the judge decides to appease the woman just to shut her up.
The lesson behind this parable is simple. If an ungodly judge will grant justice won't God who is just respond to those who "cry out to him day and night?" (v. 7) Of course he will!
--------------------
I'm a fan of this particular parable for an unusual reason. I don't know about you but I liked being called out by Scripture and this parable does that to me.
Jesus had previously said that Pharisees we're superficial; pretty on the outside, dead on the inside. (Luke 11:39) Here's a great example of how that looks.
A Pharisee and tax collector (a legal thief, pretty much) were praying at the Temple. The Pharisee "prayed" aloud and thanked God that he wasn't "a sinner like everyone else." (v. 11) He continues to list the things he doesn't do and even calls out the tax collector while the tax collector is praying! I imagine him praying with his arms open wide and his face pointing heavenward.
Who does this guy think he is?!
Truth be told I don't pray prayers like this. But here's what I do occasionally. I am definitely guilty of looking down my nose at other people and, judging by their appearance, I automatically believe that I know God and they don't.
Who do I think I am?!
The tax collector has a completely different demeanor. His head is bowed and he admits his wrongs (the Pharisees admits his "rights"). The tax collector's focus is on God, while the Pharisee is basically making a speech with his eyes shut about how great he is! Pfft, please...
Jesus says that only the tax collector's humble prayer justified him. It makes sense because what was the Pharisee asking for? Exactly! Nothing! His "prayer" did nothing but exalt himself. It's not that God ignored the Pharisee's prayer, it just wasn't really directed at God.
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Sing with me now, "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are wondrous in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
Well apparently Jesus didn't teach the disciples that song. The disciples are, for some reason, annoyed by children so they shooed them away.
But Jesus loves the little children. They make a great teaching point. You would think that the disciples would've gotten the idea that humility and dependence are the traits that God looks for. Like the previous parable suggests, over-confidence and arrogance lead to a person's destruction and downfall.
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A seemingly sincere religious leader once asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 18) Its amazing to see that even Jesus directs praise to God and not to himself. The rich man knew and had followed all the commandments since he was a boy.
Jesus realized what he was missing. The man was rich and not gracious with his belongings. "Give it all away and follow me," Jesus basically says. The man just couldn't do that. He left Jesus.
Don't you find it strange that a person who follows all of the rules of the church could still end up walking away from God? It happens because following the rules has its benefits. People look up to them, ask for their advice but you'll know what kind of person you have on your hands if you ask them for their money. Some of the tightest people I know grace church pews. They will give to the church but not to any other non-profit organization.
Jesus says that its nearly impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. Its like a camel through the eye of a needle. That (camel through the eye of a needle) doesn't mean what you think. The eye of a needle was a short door into a city that camels would have to walk on their knees to get into. Can you imagine getting a camel, who doesn't want or like to walk on their knees to go through a door?
But those who heard obviously go the imagery. "Who can be saved then?" (v. 26) Because of the seemingly perfect candidate can't, who can? Yes, you heard it here many of the people who go to church every Sunday aren't going to heaven. Billy Graham is even quoted as saying that as much as 70% of church-goers are probably not saved! Wow!
Jesus responds to Peter (and theoretically the crowds, too) by saying that anyone who gives up their home or family for God will be repaid handsomely with the gift of eternal life. Hoarding to what you have earns you nothing. In fact, it may end up separating you from God.
--------------------
Is it just me or is Jesus really clear in telling the disciples what's going to happen with him? Was it because he was referring to himself in the third person? Either way they "didn't understand" and "failed to grasp what he was talking about." (v. 34)
--------------------
Persistence is the theme for the last part of Luke 18. A blind beggar hears that Jesus is walking by. He yells for Jesus, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (v. 38) He was shushed but he yelled all the more. Jesus hears the man over the crowd and simply asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" (v. 41)
As soon as the beggar's site was restored he followed Jesus thereafter. His life was changed and for that, he dedicated the rest of his days in following Christ.
Questions
1.) The woman who begged the unjust judge was begging for justice. Is there anything you're begging God for? If so, what is it? Do you think that God has to respond in just the way you want him to for your prayer to be answered? Why or why not?
2.) Do you ever look down your nose at others? When you pray are the contents of your prayer about attitudes or about asking forgiveness and thanking God for his goodness?
3.) The rich man who said he had followed all the commandments since he was a boy seemed to have it all together, however, he lacked the gift of giving. Whether you're a church person, religious nut or not, without charity and the ability to give you will always be lacking in similarity to Christ. What thing(s) do you find it hard to give up or live without? What things distract you or take time away from your relationship with God or His word?
Happy reading!
Read Luke 18 (find it here)
In a twist of irony, Jesus compares God to an ungodly judge. When the judge is repeatedly approached by a widow (other than a child, one of the most powerless figures in society), the judge decides to appease the woman just to shut her up.
The lesson behind this parable is simple. If an ungodly judge will grant justice won't God who is just respond to those who "cry out to him day and night?" (v. 7) Of course he will!
--------------------
I'm a fan of this particular parable for an unusual reason. I don't know about you but I liked being called out by Scripture and this parable does that to me.
Jesus had previously said that Pharisees we're superficial; pretty on the outside, dead on the inside. (Luke 11:39) Here's a great example of how that looks.
A Pharisee and tax collector (a legal thief, pretty much) were praying at the Temple. The Pharisee "prayed" aloud and thanked God that he wasn't "a sinner like everyone else." (v. 11) He continues to list the things he doesn't do and even calls out the tax collector while the tax collector is praying! I imagine him praying with his arms open wide and his face pointing heavenward.
Who does this guy think he is?!
Truth be told I don't pray prayers like this. But here's what I do occasionally. I am definitely guilty of looking down my nose at other people and, judging by their appearance, I automatically believe that I know God and they don't.
Who do I think I am?!
The tax collector has a completely different demeanor. His head is bowed and he admits his wrongs (the Pharisees admits his "rights"). The tax collector's focus is on God, while the Pharisee is basically making a speech with his eyes shut about how great he is! Pfft, please...
Jesus says that only the tax collector's humble prayer justified him. It makes sense because what was the Pharisee asking for? Exactly! Nothing! His "prayer" did nothing but exalt himself. It's not that God ignored the Pharisee's prayer, it just wasn't really directed at God.
--------------------
Sing with me now, "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are wondrous in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
Well apparently Jesus didn't teach the disciples that song. The disciples are, for some reason, annoyed by children so they shooed them away.
But Jesus loves the little children. They make a great teaching point. You would think that the disciples would've gotten the idea that humility and dependence are the traits that God looks for. Like the previous parable suggests, over-confidence and arrogance lead to a person's destruction and downfall.
---------------------
A seemingly sincere religious leader once asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 18) Its amazing to see that even Jesus directs praise to God and not to himself. The rich man knew and had followed all the commandments since he was a boy.
Jesus realized what he was missing. The man was rich and not gracious with his belongings. "Give it all away and follow me," Jesus basically says. The man just couldn't do that. He left Jesus.
Don't you find it strange that a person who follows all of the rules of the church could still end up walking away from God? It happens because following the rules has its benefits. People look up to them, ask for their advice but you'll know what kind of person you have on your hands if you ask them for their money. Some of the tightest people I know grace church pews. They will give to the church but not to any other non-profit organization.
Jesus says that its nearly impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. Its like a camel through the eye of a needle. That (camel through the eye of a needle) doesn't mean what you think. The eye of a needle was a short door into a city that camels would have to walk on their knees to get into. Can you imagine getting a camel, who doesn't want or like to walk on their knees to go through a door?
But those who heard obviously go the imagery. "Who can be saved then?" (v. 26) Because of the seemingly perfect candidate can't, who can? Yes, you heard it here many of the people who go to church every Sunday aren't going to heaven. Billy Graham is even quoted as saying that as much as 70% of church-goers are probably not saved! Wow!
Jesus responds to Peter (and theoretically the crowds, too) by saying that anyone who gives up their home or family for God will be repaid handsomely with the gift of eternal life. Hoarding to what you have earns you nothing. In fact, it may end up separating you from God.
--------------------
Is it just me or is Jesus really clear in telling the disciples what's going to happen with him? Was it because he was referring to himself in the third person? Either way they "didn't understand" and "failed to grasp what he was talking about." (v. 34)
--------------------
Persistence is the theme for the last part of Luke 18. A blind beggar hears that Jesus is walking by. He yells for Jesus, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (v. 38) He was shushed but he yelled all the more. Jesus hears the man over the crowd and simply asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" (v. 41)
As soon as the beggar's site was restored he followed Jesus thereafter. His life was changed and for that, he dedicated the rest of his days in following Christ.
Questions
1.) The woman who begged the unjust judge was begging for justice. Is there anything you're begging God for? If so, what is it? Do you think that God has to respond in just the way you want him to for your prayer to be answered? Why or why not?
2.) Do you ever look down your nose at others? When you pray are the contents of your prayer about attitudes or about asking forgiveness and thanking God for his goodness?
3.) The rich man who said he had followed all the commandments since he was a boy seemed to have it all together, however, he lacked the gift of giving. Whether you're a church person, religious nut or not, without charity and the ability to give you will always be lacking in similarity to Christ. What thing(s) do you find it hard to give up or live without? What things distract you or take time away from your relationship with God or His word?
January 29, 2012
Day 24 - Luke 17
I would love to get any feedback, thoughts, questions on these posts, especially on the last one about the difference between hell and hades. Just saying:)
Read Luke 17 (find it here)
In many ways, today's chapter is pretty straightforward. But there are some misconceptions that Jesus confronts that are definitely still common in today's culture.
Jesus is very blunt in verse 2 that a person who tempts "little ones" (children) into sin would be better off dead.
Gulp. Ok.
Even though that may have sounded truly harsh, Jesus follows that up with something that sounds ultra-gracious. Jesus says that believers should hold each other accountable and forgive every time a fellow Christ-follower sins against you as long as they ask for forgiveness, even if it happens SEVEN TIMES A DAY! (v. 4) Here again, the average person may forgive twice, maybe 3 times, but that's not how Christ-followers are challenged to live by Jesus.
How many times do we sin against God? Does God have a limit of 2-3 times per each offense? Of course not! So why should hold people to a standard that even God refuses to?
The disciples knew they didn't have the capacity to forgive like this (probably like you're thinking, too).
There are two keys to achieving the ability to forgive others. (This is my way of explaining verses 6-10)
One is that you must place your faith in Christ. No matter how much faith you have in yourself, how much "will power" you think you have, how much you discipline yourself, you cannot be like Jesus without Jesus (makes sense, right?). Take a small step (small as in mustard seed size) in giving God control of your heart by following Jesus' example in how he showed patience to his disciples. Capture negative thoughts and only let encouraging words escape your mouth.
Secondly, you have to stop treating God like he's a treat-bearing master and you're a dog. Say what? What does that mean? If you do something right, don't expect a blessing as if God told you to sit and you didn't poop on the floor. This idea treats God like a vending machine or ATM. We give God something that he wants and we get what we want in return. Is God personal to you or is he a machine that you're looking to get something from?
Luke says this by suggesting that a master doesn't thank the servant for doing what he was told. (v.9) Do citizens get plaques and trophies for not killing people? Do cops pull over people to give them a prize for not speeding? Of course not! Not killing people or speeding is what you're supposed to do!
Actually, we should thank God for giving us the morals, laws and precepts that are for our own good.
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Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan, the half-breed that was the only one to care for the attacked man on the road (Luke 10)? That parable becomes a reality, in a way. Jesus heals 10 men of leprosy and gives them the command to "show yourselves to the priests." (v.14) They were to do this because a priest was the one who could classify them as clean and worthy to be accepted by society (unclean people were rejected, relegated to leper colonies and avoided at all costs).
The ten men went to the priest without any hesitation. Only one returned to thank Jesus for what he had done and, yes, he was a Samaritan. (v.16) It isn't that the others weren't healed but Jesus wanted to make a point that somehow Israelites expect God's healing (as if they specifically deserve it) but Samaritans (or foreigners) are truly thankful for it.
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The Pharisees wanted to know, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” (v. 20) In other words, when will God reign and render the evil in the world powerless and obsolete? Jesus says it (the Kingdom of God) is "already among you." (v. 21)
Really? Last I checked evil is everywhere!
But the truth is, everyone wants the peace but everyone wants it on their own terms. They want the peace without the Prince of Peace (a name attributed to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6). Its about our will power, making people follow our discipline and rules. Its only when people all buy in to something that is greater than any one person that people can actually get along. That greater thing is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, God in the flesh.
But even the name of Jesus has been damaged by church folk. Many of those outside of the church will just go about their lives without ever knowing the true loving, compassionate, sacrificial God that is found in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
The only way to change someone is to allow God to change you first. Then you'll quickly notice that you still won't be able to change anyone. That's God's job! Just give people the clearest picture of Jesus through your life and move, GET OUT THE WAY! Its you that will hold a grudge, its God that will forgive. Show less of you and more of God in your lifestyle.
Noah (the arc & great flood, that guy) and Lot (the last guy to escape Sodom before it was destroyed) were both part of societies that didn't know that God's coming was imminent. Christ-followers know that God is coming back soon. But do the people around you know that? If not they will be caught by surprise when the Son of Man is revealed. (v. 30)
Do whatever you have to do show the people around you that life is much more than clinging to possessions and comfort. Tell your family members (as depicted in verse 34) and those you work or go to school with (as depicted in v. 35). Don't let them be left behind!
Jesus is asked again, "when will this happen?" All Jesus says is, (remember he doesn't know exactly when) "soon." (v. 37)
So....what are you waiting for?!
Questions
1.) So people who tempt others into sin are better off dead, we read that. But here's my question. Does Jesus make a difference between people who knowingly tempt others and those who don't know but tempt others by their example? Does that make you think about what kind of example you're projecting to others? Why or why not?
2.) Jesus also tells us to forgive other believers whenever they ask for it. What about those who don't ask for forgiveness, how should we treat them?
3.) Sharing your faith is one of the most daunting things for the majority of Christians. They imagine themselves having to present an intellectually-based theory on why people MUST have Jesus when the strongest indicator of faith is your lifestyle. What can you do (before you say anything) to prove there's something different about you in order to share Christ?
Read Luke 17 (find it here)
In many ways, today's chapter is pretty straightforward. But there are some misconceptions that Jesus confronts that are definitely still common in today's culture.
Jesus is very blunt in verse 2 that a person who tempts "little ones" (children) into sin would be better off dead.
Gulp. Ok.
Even though that may have sounded truly harsh, Jesus follows that up with something that sounds ultra-gracious. Jesus says that believers should hold each other accountable and forgive every time a fellow Christ-follower sins against you as long as they ask for forgiveness, even if it happens SEVEN TIMES A DAY! (v. 4) Here again, the average person may forgive twice, maybe 3 times, but that's not how Christ-followers are challenged to live by Jesus.
How many times do we sin against God? Does God have a limit of 2-3 times per each offense? Of course not! So why should hold people to a standard that even God refuses to?
The disciples knew they didn't have the capacity to forgive like this (probably like you're thinking, too).
There are two keys to achieving the ability to forgive others. (This is my way of explaining verses 6-10)
One is that you must place your faith in Christ. No matter how much faith you have in yourself, how much "will power" you think you have, how much you discipline yourself, you cannot be like Jesus without Jesus (makes sense, right?). Take a small step (small as in mustard seed size) in giving God control of your heart by following Jesus' example in how he showed patience to his disciples. Capture negative thoughts and only let encouraging words escape your mouth.
Secondly, you have to stop treating God like he's a treat-bearing master and you're a dog. Say what? What does that mean? If you do something right, don't expect a blessing as if God told you to sit and you didn't poop on the floor. This idea treats God like a vending machine or ATM. We give God something that he wants and we get what we want in return. Is God personal to you or is he a machine that you're looking to get something from?
Luke says this by suggesting that a master doesn't thank the servant for doing what he was told. (v.9) Do citizens get plaques and trophies for not killing people? Do cops pull over people to give them a prize for not speeding? Of course not! Not killing people or speeding is what you're supposed to do!
Actually, we should thank God for giving us the morals, laws and precepts that are for our own good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan, the half-breed that was the only one to care for the attacked man on the road (Luke 10)? That parable becomes a reality, in a way. Jesus heals 10 men of leprosy and gives them the command to "show yourselves to the priests." (v.14) They were to do this because a priest was the one who could classify them as clean and worthy to be accepted by society (unclean people were rejected, relegated to leper colonies and avoided at all costs).
The ten men went to the priest without any hesitation. Only one returned to thank Jesus for what he had done and, yes, he was a Samaritan. (v.16) It isn't that the others weren't healed but Jesus wanted to make a point that somehow Israelites expect God's healing (as if they specifically deserve it) but Samaritans (or foreigners) are truly thankful for it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Pharisees wanted to know, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” (v. 20) In other words, when will God reign and render the evil in the world powerless and obsolete? Jesus says it (the Kingdom of God) is "already among you." (v. 21)
Really? Last I checked evil is everywhere!
But the truth is, everyone wants the peace but everyone wants it on their own terms. They want the peace without the Prince of Peace (a name attributed to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6). Its about our will power, making people follow our discipline and rules. Its only when people all buy in to something that is greater than any one person that people can actually get along. That greater thing is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, God in the flesh.
But even the name of Jesus has been damaged by church folk. Many of those outside of the church will just go about their lives without ever knowing the true loving, compassionate, sacrificial God that is found in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
The only way to change someone is to allow God to change you first. Then you'll quickly notice that you still won't be able to change anyone. That's God's job! Just give people the clearest picture of Jesus through your life and move, GET OUT THE WAY! Its you that will hold a grudge, its God that will forgive. Show less of you and more of God in your lifestyle.
Noah (the arc & great flood, that guy) and Lot (the last guy to escape Sodom before it was destroyed) were both part of societies that didn't know that God's coming was imminent. Christ-followers know that God is coming back soon. But do the people around you know that? If not they will be caught by surprise when the Son of Man is revealed. (v. 30)
Do whatever you have to do show the people around you that life is much more than clinging to possessions and comfort. Tell your family members (as depicted in verse 34) and those you work or go to school with (as depicted in v. 35). Don't let them be left behind!
Jesus is asked again, "when will this happen?" All Jesus says is, (remember he doesn't know exactly when) "soon." (v. 37)
So....what are you waiting for?!
Questions
1.) So people who tempt others into sin are better off dead, we read that. But here's my question. Does Jesus make a difference between people who knowingly tempt others and those who don't know but tempt others by their example? Does that make you think about what kind of example you're projecting to others? Why or why not?
2.) Jesus also tells us to forgive other believers whenever they ask for it. What about those who don't ask for forgiveness, how should we treat them?
3.) Sharing your faith is one of the most daunting things for the majority of Christians. They imagine themselves having to present an intellectually-based theory on why people MUST have Jesus when the strongest indicator of faith is your lifestyle. What can you do (before you say anything) to prove there's something different about you in order to share Christ?
January 28, 2012
Day 23 - Luke 16:16-31
As some of you might have noticed, I missed yesterday's post. However, I will be doing a post today and tomorrow to catch up. I didn't realize until today how much I needed some extra rest (Jenny, too). Yesterday I called in sick to work because I felt like crap. I slept all the way until 11am. Today Jenny and I both slept in until noon! The first thing we did was watch a Mavs game that we missed last night. During the game we had an impromptu lunch of a bag of chex mix. The game ended at 1:45pm and before we knew it we had passed out into another nap. We just woke back up about 30 minutes ago (it is now 4:30pm!!!). I guess we both were in need of the rest.
I've been thinking a lot about the latter half of Luke 16, to change the subject. I've been itching to get back to it because it raises a bunch of great questions and good debate topics. So without further ado, let's do it!
Read Luke 16:16-31 (find it here)
We're actually picking up on the end of the parable of the shrewd manager here in verse 16. Jesus tells the Pharisees that since the Kingdom of God is not all about the Law, everyone wants to "get in." I don't want you to confuse this Law with the rules that were set up for the Sabbath. We've already concluded that those aren't actually found within the Bible.
But if you read through the first five books of the law, especially the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th books (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) you'll read many detailed laws that God gave the Israelites through Moses. But in Luke 16, God is giving grace and a different way through Jesus. The Law isn't to be ignored but it is no longer the requirement to please God. Since God's words are eternal, the Law is not going to be overturned. When we receive Christ, it is his life (words, actions, etc) that we follow that gives us a better example to pattern our lives after.
For example, God was, is and never will be pro-divorce. It was a common practice in the Old Testament to treat a woman who is divorced from her husband as an adulterer unless he cheated on her (see Matthew 5:31-32 or 19:9). And, with today's culture in mind, I can easily venture to say that it would only be advisable for women their husbands to divorce in case of infidelity. In Malachi 2:16 God flat out says, "I hate divorce!"
Jesus gives a much stronger picture of the affects of selfishness or hoarding of wealth. See the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, for example.
The rich man knows that Lazarus is begging on his doorsteps for table scraps day after day. Lazarus' quality of life is no better than that of a dog. Lazarus is also in need of medical attention, as well (he has sores).
Lazarus dies and is ushered into heaven with Abraham (the ultimate father of the faith). When the rich man died "his soul went to the place of the dead" (v. 23) and there he is suffering. The rich man is able, somehow, to see Lazarus and Abraham in the distance.
Before I go any further I want to confess my inability to completely understand what this means. I say that for one big reason. The word that Luke uses for "place of the dead" is NOT hell. It is the word Hades. Hades, in the New Testament, is defined as a temporary holding place for the dead or as Latin translators later would define it as purgatory. I know this has the potential to open up a can of worms. Either this rich man is being held here until the final judgment (generally the orthodox Christian view) or he is waiting for a chance at redemption (generally a Roman Catholic view). Hades, in Revelation 13-14, will be thrown into the "lake of fire" but not before all the dead are removed and judged. My question is why do the people who are sent to Hades even need to be judged? They seem to have been judged already if they are in Hades, no? Do they have a second chance or do they just a date with their Maker?
Interesting, eh?
Either way, the rich man wants relief then he wants Lazarus to go warn his brothers. Abraham tells him that both are impossible.
And HERE is how ineffective the Law has become in those days. Abraham tells the rich man that his brothers have the Law and the warnings from Moses and the prophets. (v. 29) The rich man knows that the Law is useless in convincing his brothers. The rich man says, "If Lazarus were resurrected and went to my brothers, then they would believe, repent and turn to God." (v. 30)
After listening to Jesus, we should know that performing a miracle to a negative skeptic never works. They will either explain it away or call it demonic, right? So Abraham knows this, too and says that "they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead." (v. 31)
With what we know about Jesus' future resurrection, it is clear to see that Abraham knows that all of humanity will not come to God because a man (who claims to the be the Son of God) rises from the dead, much less if a beggar were to resurrect. Miracles are only useful and produce a change in those that are seeking not actively trying to disprove God!
Even though we delved into these great topics, Jesus' ultimate point is to note how powerful riches and selfishness are in leading people away from God.
Questions
1.) You'll notice that Jesus allows divorce only in the case of unfaithfulness. Some may be thinking, "what about in the case of abuse?" That is a fair question. In ancient times, women didn't have the choice of whether to get married or divorced, it was decided for them. Today, that is not true in America. So how can both men and women protect themselves from the possibility of divorce? What practices, expectations, boundaries, etc should people utilize before they get married?
2.) What is your opinion about where the rich man is? Do you believe he is in a place that is forever locked away (a precursor to hell) from the possibility of redemption or does he have a shot if Hades will someday be emptied of all its dead?
3.) Do you believe that people of today are similar to those in Jesus' day in the way that miracles really don't do much for those who are really anti-God? Why or why not?
I've been thinking a lot about the latter half of Luke 16, to change the subject. I've been itching to get back to it because it raises a bunch of great questions and good debate topics. So without further ado, let's do it!
Read Luke 16:16-31 (find it here)
We're actually picking up on the end of the parable of the shrewd manager here in verse 16. Jesus tells the Pharisees that since the Kingdom of God is not all about the Law, everyone wants to "get in." I don't want you to confuse this Law with the rules that were set up for the Sabbath. We've already concluded that those aren't actually found within the Bible.
But if you read through the first five books of the law, especially the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th books (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) you'll read many detailed laws that God gave the Israelites through Moses. But in Luke 16, God is giving grace and a different way through Jesus. The Law isn't to be ignored but it is no longer the requirement to please God. Since God's words are eternal, the Law is not going to be overturned. When we receive Christ, it is his life (words, actions, etc) that we follow that gives us a better example to pattern our lives after.
For example, God was, is and never will be pro-divorce. It was a common practice in the Old Testament to treat a woman who is divorced from her husband as an adulterer unless he cheated on her (see Matthew 5:31-32 or 19:9). And, with today's culture in mind, I can easily venture to say that it would only be advisable for women their husbands to divorce in case of infidelity. In Malachi 2:16 God flat out says, "I hate divorce!"
Jesus gives a much stronger picture of the affects of selfishness or hoarding of wealth. See the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, for example.
The rich man knows that Lazarus is begging on his doorsteps for table scraps day after day. Lazarus' quality of life is no better than that of a dog. Lazarus is also in need of medical attention, as well (he has sores).
Lazarus dies and is ushered into heaven with Abraham (the ultimate father of the faith). When the rich man died "his soul went to the place of the dead" (v. 23) and there he is suffering. The rich man is able, somehow, to see Lazarus and Abraham in the distance.
Before I go any further I want to confess my inability to completely understand what this means. I say that for one big reason. The word that Luke uses for "place of the dead" is NOT hell. It is the word Hades. Hades, in the New Testament, is defined as a temporary holding place for the dead or as Latin translators later would define it as purgatory. I know this has the potential to open up a can of worms. Either this rich man is being held here until the final judgment (generally the orthodox Christian view) or he is waiting for a chance at redemption (generally a Roman Catholic view). Hades, in Revelation 13-14, will be thrown into the "lake of fire" but not before all the dead are removed and judged. My question is why do the people who are sent to Hades even need to be judged? They seem to have been judged already if they are in Hades, no? Do they have a second chance or do they just a date with their Maker?
Interesting, eh?
Either way, the rich man wants relief then he wants Lazarus to go warn his brothers. Abraham tells him that both are impossible.
And HERE is how ineffective the Law has become in those days. Abraham tells the rich man that his brothers have the Law and the warnings from Moses and the prophets. (v. 29) The rich man knows that the Law is useless in convincing his brothers. The rich man says, "If Lazarus were resurrected and went to my brothers, then they would believe, repent and turn to God." (v. 30)
After listening to Jesus, we should know that performing a miracle to a negative skeptic never works. They will either explain it away or call it demonic, right? So Abraham knows this, too and says that "they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead." (v. 31)
With what we know about Jesus' future resurrection, it is clear to see that Abraham knows that all of humanity will not come to God because a man (who claims to the be the Son of God) rises from the dead, much less if a beggar were to resurrect. Miracles are only useful and produce a change in those that are seeking not actively trying to disprove God!
Even though we delved into these great topics, Jesus' ultimate point is to note how powerful riches and selfishness are in leading people away from God.
Questions
1.) You'll notice that Jesus allows divorce only in the case of unfaithfulness. Some may be thinking, "what about in the case of abuse?" That is a fair question. In ancient times, women didn't have the choice of whether to get married or divorced, it was decided for them. Today, that is not true in America. So how can both men and women protect themselves from the possibility of divorce? What practices, expectations, boundaries, etc should people utilize before they get married?
2.) What is your opinion about where the rich man is? Do you believe he is in a place that is forever locked away (a precursor to hell) from the possibility of redemption or does he have a shot if Hades will someday be emptied of all its dead?
3.) Do you believe that people of today are similar to those in Jesus' day in the way that miracles really don't do much for those who are really anti-God? Why or why not?
January 26, 2012
Day 22 - Luke 16:1-15
Today's post will be short. It has been a long, tiring week for me. Getting up at 5:45am and going to bed at 12:30am has been wearing me thin. I love the comments I've been getting from people and would love to hear from you, too!
Anyone who interacts with the contents of this blog is so much of an encouragement to me!
Let's continue!
Read Luke 16:1-15 (find it here)
Two of the main characteristics that Jesus confronts time and time again is arrogance and greed. Jesus has been pounding on humility and avoiding hypocrisy, but over the next two posts Jesus gives two parables regarding rich men.
The story of the shrewd manager is not an easy parable to just read and interpret, in my opinion. The word 'shrewd' is very, very misleading to me. I usually think of someone being harsh and deceptive but this story also paints the manager as being clever and crafty, which aren't always negative characteristics.
The rich man is about to fire the manager for inefficient or sloppy work. We all can be guilty of that from time to time, right? The manager is told to get everything that he was supposed to do DONE.
The manager decides to kill two birds with one stone. There's no hope of keeping his job so he calls in all the people who owe his employer money and gives them a discount. These people who owe money, owe a HUGE chunk of change! He gives the discounts in order to gain a good reputation with the debtors. He believes that these people will look after him, like he did for them, when he looses his job.
The rich man actually is impressed with his manager's trickery. He couldn't be that upset because he got money from the debts that were owed to him.
Jesus says that this is what "average" people do; bend the rules just to get people to like you. But that isn't what "children of light" do. Light, in this instance, refers to righteousness or more specifically someone who is completely transparent and hides nothing.
Jesus says, "Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home." (v. 9) So take this parable and Jesus' lesson and put them together.
Take the material resources you have and use them to benefit and influence others for good. If you do so, you'll never be abandoned, never be alone. Also, if you are faithful with little money, you will be faithful with more. The opposite is true, too. If you're not faithful with material things, no one is going to trust you with their stuff, either.
But if your world circulates around your money benefiting you and not others it proves only one thing; you are a slave to money, God is not your master. Literally, cash rules everything around you. (Didn't think you would get a Wu Tang reference, did ya?)
God hates all the material crap of the world because materialism benefits only the rich! And the more people are greedy, the less the poorest of the world are cared for. It is sad when "average" people become materialistic. The stereotype of a rich, tight hoarder is thought to be normal, when it never was meant to be that way.
Questions
1.) How do you spend your money? For example, do you give regularly to a church or a non-profit that really matters to you? If not, why?
2.) How would the USA or your specific city be a different place if everyone was generous with their money?
Here's a challenge for all of you out there. Next time you're out and about, ask God to give you an opportunity to give your money away (I know it sounds nuts). Maybe that will be when you're in the drive-thru at a fast food place (pay for the person behind you). Maybe you'll see a needy person on the corner (buy that person a jacket or meal).
Do whatever you have to do to train yourself to give. It truly is one of the best feelings in the world. Break the bonds of materialism. Money was never meant to be your god!
Anyone who interacts with the contents of this blog is so much of an encouragement to me!
Let's continue!
Read Luke 16:1-15 (find it here)
Two of the main characteristics that Jesus confronts time and time again is arrogance and greed. Jesus has been pounding on humility and avoiding hypocrisy, but over the next two posts Jesus gives two parables regarding rich men.
The story of the shrewd manager is not an easy parable to just read and interpret, in my opinion. The word 'shrewd' is very, very misleading to me. I usually think of someone being harsh and deceptive but this story also paints the manager as being clever and crafty, which aren't always negative characteristics.
The rich man is about to fire the manager for inefficient or sloppy work. We all can be guilty of that from time to time, right? The manager is told to get everything that he was supposed to do DONE.
The manager decides to kill two birds with one stone. There's no hope of keeping his job so he calls in all the people who owe his employer money and gives them a discount. These people who owe money, owe a HUGE chunk of change! He gives the discounts in order to gain a good reputation with the debtors. He believes that these people will look after him, like he did for them, when he looses his job.
The rich man actually is impressed with his manager's trickery. He couldn't be that upset because he got money from the debts that were owed to him.
Jesus says that this is what "average" people do; bend the rules just to get people to like you. But that isn't what "children of light" do. Light, in this instance, refers to righteousness or more specifically someone who is completely transparent and hides nothing.
Jesus says, "Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home." (v. 9) So take this parable and Jesus' lesson and put them together.
Take the material resources you have and use them to benefit and influence others for good. If you do so, you'll never be abandoned, never be alone. Also, if you are faithful with little money, you will be faithful with more. The opposite is true, too. If you're not faithful with material things, no one is going to trust you with their stuff, either.
But if your world circulates around your money benefiting you and not others it proves only one thing; you are a slave to money, God is not your master. Literally, cash rules everything around you. (Didn't think you would get a Wu Tang reference, did ya?)
God hates all the material crap of the world because materialism benefits only the rich! And the more people are greedy, the less the poorest of the world are cared for. It is sad when "average" people become materialistic. The stereotype of a rich, tight hoarder is thought to be normal, when it never was meant to be that way.
Questions
1.) How do you spend your money? For example, do you give regularly to a church or a non-profit that really matters to you? If not, why?
2.) How would the USA or your specific city be a different place if everyone was generous with their money?
Here's a challenge for all of you out there. Next time you're out and about, ask God to give you an opportunity to give your money away (I know it sounds nuts). Maybe that will be when you're in the drive-thru at a fast food place (pay for the person behind you). Maybe you'll see a needy person on the corner (buy that person a jacket or meal).
Do whatever you have to do to train yourself to give. It truly is one of the best feelings in the world. Break the bonds of materialism. Money was never meant to be your god!
Day 21 - Luke 15
Just in case you think I've got all this figured out, I wanted to let you all in on something I've thought about off and on all day. Jenny tells me every so often that she loves me more than anything else. Today, I thought the same thing in my mind about her.
I was immediately attacked with a bout of conscience about what Jesus said in Luke 14:26 ("If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.")
It led me to this question, "how do I know if I love Jesus more than I love Jenny?" Yes, I know that I can use what I said yesterday. If I listen to Jenny above all else and abandon my faith in Christ, then I love her more than God. But I DO love Jenny more than any other person on earth! How can I show my love for Jesus? I can't hug him, hand him gifts, see a smile on his face. I know that Jesus says, "If you love me, obey my commandments." (John 14:15) But in a way, I want to do much more than that.
I told Jenny of this conversation I was having with myself. This was her way of interpreting this. She told me, "If you had to choose between dying for me (Jenny) or living to fulfill the purpose God gave you, you need to choose to live for God. Or to live for me or die for God, you need to die for God." Wow, that makes sense, but again, not an easy thing to comprehend. Anyone else with me on this?
Anyway, onward we go!
Read Luke 15 (find it here)
Today, we'll cover three parables that Jesus gives to prove how valuable lost people (in other words, those who have not repented and asked for forgiveness from God) are.
With this in mind, Jesus goes into three parables. The first is the example of how a man will go to find one lost sheep even if he has 99 in safety. The one lost sheep, in theory, is more important than all the others. The man doesn't have to worry about the 99, but the one by itself is in danger. The man will celebrate when he finds it. The same celebration is echoed in heaven when someone "repents and returns to God." (v. 7) What kind of party is that, I wonder...
As soon as the son gets his money, he moves away and starts partying, wasting his father's money. When his money runs out, food in the land becomes scarce. He begged a farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. It is there that he starts to consider eating the slops out of the same troughs that the pigs ate from.
Of course, he swallowed his pride and decided to go back home and ask forgiveness from God and his father (this is why the son says that he's sinned again both heaven and his father). He is willing to become his father's slave.
Here's the coolest part of the story. His father has been waiting for him and looking out for him constantly. (Remember, this is a parable. So, Jesus is saying that God is waiting and looking out for those who may return to Him.) The father runs to his son, he doesn't meet him halfway. There is no rebuke, ridicule or blame, just straight up love and compassion. It is almost un-humanlike.
The father almost doesn't even seem to pay attention to his plea for forgiveness before showering his son with a robe, ring, sandals and a celebratory feast!
Just like verse 24 implies, when we return to God, we become alive! We were destined to a purposeless death with God but we return to life when we accept God's love.
What about the other son? Yeah, he's pissed! He doesn't want to celebrate his brother's return. He tells his father straight up why he's upset. He hasn't been given anywhere near this attention. He even implies that he's done nothing wrong! (v. 29)
Really?
This may not make much sense for some of you, but put yourself in the older brother's shoes. He questions the father's judgment (we humans do that with God, too, for sure)! The last thing the father says to the older brother is definitely reassuring. The older brother now, basically, owns everything the father does. The property will not be divided again.
God will definitely bless those who have followed him for years and years. We, as Christ-followers, bear His identity. So we have to reflect that and not be jealous of attention (there was once a celebration in heaven for you, too). This is critical for one humongous reason. If the younger son will ever get a second chance with owning any of the property again, it will be up to his older brother.
Jesus is definitely challenging the Pharisees here. They are the angry big brothers and the tax collectors and sinners are the wayward younger brothers. Do the Pharisees show grace? No. Are they jealous? Yes. Do they question Jesus' judgment? For sure!
If you are a Christ-follower (making you the big brother in this parable), how will you treat the wayward, sinful little brothers? Will you ridicule them or party when they turn to God?
If you choose the path of ridiculing them, they will, most likely, want nothing of your (heavenly) Father. Make sense?
Questions
1.) I'd love to have your feedback regarding the first few paragraphs regarding yesterday's post. How do you define or describe the differences between loving really important people in your life and loving Jesus?
2.) Within the parable of the lost son do you fit the description of the younger or older brother? Do you question God's judgment in who should be saved and who shouldn't? If Christians were to separate themselves (who have the hope their faith gives) from those who don't have that hope, what danger is in that? What should that inspire you to do or act?
3.) Are you, as these parables described, lost? By Jesus' words, what do you need to do? If that's not clear to you, please get in touch with me (private FB message is fine)!
I was immediately attacked with a bout of conscience about what Jesus said in Luke 14:26 ("If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.")
It led me to this question, "how do I know if I love Jesus more than I love Jenny?" Yes, I know that I can use what I said yesterday. If I listen to Jenny above all else and abandon my faith in Christ, then I love her more than God. But I DO love Jenny more than any other person on earth! How can I show my love for Jesus? I can't hug him, hand him gifts, see a smile on his face. I know that Jesus says, "If you love me, obey my commandments." (John 14:15) But in a way, I want to do much more than that.
I told Jenny of this conversation I was having with myself. This was her way of interpreting this. She told me, "If you had to choose between dying for me (Jenny) or living to fulfill the purpose God gave you, you need to choose to live for God. Or to live for me or die for God, you need to die for God." Wow, that makes sense, but again, not an easy thing to comprehend. Anyone else with me on this?
Anyway, onward we go!
Read Luke 15 (find it here)
Today, we'll cover three parables that Jesus gives to prove how valuable lost people (in other words, those who have not repented and asked for forgiveness from God) are.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Jesus was known to have all sorts of non-church people come and hear his teachings. The Pharisees labeled Jesus as being tolerant of their sinfulness, as if he shouldn't hang out with them.With this in mind, Jesus goes into three parables. The first is the example of how a man will go to find one lost sheep even if he has 99 in safety. The one lost sheep, in theory, is more important than all the others. The man doesn't have to worry about the 99, but the one by itself is in danger. The man will celebrate when he finds it. The same celebration is echoed in heaven when someone "repents and returns to God." (v. 7) What kind of party is that, I wonder...
Parable of the Lost Coin
The second parable revolves around a woman who loses one of her 10 coins. If you lost 10% of your money, wouldn't you "tear apart" your house to find it? God will do the same thing. He will not be satisfied with 90%. He will stop at nothing to show his presence, love and compassion for those who don't currently know Him.Parable of the Lost Son
This is, by far, the most prominent and well-known parable of the three here. A rich man had two sons, the younger doesn't want to wait for his father to die so he demands to receive his inheritance (half of what the father owns) NOW! How heartless do you have to be to ask that? The father actually agrees to do this at his younger son's request, though.As soon as the son gets his money, he moves away and starts partying, wasting his father's money. When his money runs out, food in the land becomes scarce. He begged a farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. It is there that he starts to consider eating the slops out of the same troughs that the pigs ate from.
Of course, he swallowed his pride and decided to go back home and ask forgiveness from God and his father (this is why the son says that he's sinned again both heaven and his father). He is willing to become his father's slave.
Here's the coolest part of the story. His father has been waiting for him and looking out for him constantly. (Remember, this is a parable. So, Jesus is saying that God is waiting and looking out for those who may return to Him.) The father runs to his son, he doesn't meet him halfway. There is no rebuke, ridicule or blame, just straight up love and compassion. It is almost un-humanlike.
The father almost doesn't even seem to pay attention to his plea for forgiveness before showering his son with a robe, ring, sandals and a celebratory feast!
Just like verse 24 implies, when we return to God, we become alive! We were destined to a purposeless death with God but we return to life when we accept God's love.
What about the other son? Yeah, he's pissed! He doesn't want to celebrate his brother's return. He tells his father straight up why he's upset. He hasn't been given anywhere near this attention. He even implies that he's done nothing wrong! (v. 29)
Really?
This may not make much sense for some of you, but put yourself in the older brother's shoes. He questions the father's judgment (we humans do that with God, too, for sure)! The last thing the father says to the older brother is definitely reassuring. The older brother now, basically, owns everything the father does. The property will not be divided again.
God will definitely bless those who have followed him for years and years. We, as Christ-followers, bear His identity. So we have to reflect that and not be jealous of attention (there was once a celebration in heaven for you, too). This is critical for one humongous reason. If the younger son will ever get a second chance with owning any of the property again, it will be up to his older brother.
Jesus is definitely challenging the Pharisees here. They are the angry big brothers and the tax collectors and sinners are the wayward younger brothers. Do the Pharisees show grace? No. Are they jealous? Yes. Do they question Jesus' judgment? For sure!
If you are a Christ-follower (making you the big brother in this parable), how will you treat the wayward, sinful little brothers? Will you ridicule them or party when they turn to God?
If you choose the path of ridiculing them, they will, most likely, want nothing of your (heavenly) Father. Make sense?
Questions
1.) I'd love to have your feedback regarding the first few paragraphs regarding yesterday's post. How do you define or describe the differences between loving really important people in your life and loving Jesus?
2.) Within the parable of the lost son do you fit the description of the younger or older brother? Do you question God's judgment in who should be saved and who shouldn't? If Christians were to separate themselves (who have the hope their faith gives) from those who don't have that hope, what danger is in that? What should that inspire you to do or act?
3.) Are you, as these parables described, lost? By Jesus' words, what do you need to do? If that's not clear to you, please get in touch with me (private FB message is fine)!
January 24, 2012
Day 20 - Luke 14
I'm really digging this section of chapters. Jesus is being so raw and seemingly without a filter. He kind of reminds me of Dr. House (except the whole hooked on drugs and insanely egotistical character).
Let's dig in!
Read Luke 14 (find it here)
Jesus healing on the Sabbath caused quite a ruckus, but that didn't stop him from doing it again! But this time Jesus heals a man in the home of a Pharisee (how is Jesus getting these constant invites from these guys?).
Jesus asked them if it was permitted by law to heal on the Sabbath (v. 3). Its a trick question, actually. The law doesn't mention healing, specifically, but in the mind of the current-day religious leaders healing counted as work. However, they didn't have a specific law to point to (especially since none of them were demanded by God himself).
Again, Jesus nails them with their own hypocrisy with this question, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son...falls into a pit, [won't] you [save] him?" (v. 6) Of course, they have no response to that, either.
Interestingly enough, Jesus does make it to the dinner table. I'm surprised he wasn't kicked out.
All the dinner guests were jockeying for the head of the table. Jesus feels no shame in offering up some advice. This is basically what he says: "When you have an opportunity to elevate yourself be humble or you run the risk of being humiliated. If you're humble, most likely, people will give you props for your character (elevate you).
Remember when Jesus challenged his listeners with the thought, “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!" That was from Luke 6:32, btw. Jesus hits the same vein here in verse 12. Don't just include your friends, family and people you want to notice you in all of your activities.
Many times there are rewards from these hanging out sessions. Your family will appreciate it, your friends will think to include you, too and the ones you wanted to impress may notice you more. Seriously? Do we even have motives for why we hang out with people? I have before and still do sometimes.
Jesus says to hang with those who can't repay us with anything. That's where the true reward lies. Think about it, have you ever dreaded the idea of serving meals to the homeless or visiting someone in the hospital or nursing home just to discover that you feel much better than expected once its over? That's the earthly reward that God gives you (there's a eternal reward, too), a peace of mind to know that you've humbled yourself for the benefit of others who cannot repay you.
Just in case we needed to know how God treats the less fortunate, Jesus gives us another parable. At first the feast is prepared for specific guests (this is symbolism that the gospel was first for the Jews). They all make excuses (very similar to what we read earlier in Luke 9 with the excuses 'let me bury my father first' and 'let me say goodbye to my family first').
When the master hears all the excuses he extends the invitation to "the poor, crippled, blind and lame." (vs. 21, this is symbolism of how Jesus began healing people of all different deficiencies, no matter of their nationality).
Even though all these were invited, there was still more room at the banquet feast. So the master basically gave the green light to invite anyone (symbolism of how God accepts everyone, the gospel being for every person of every nation).
I find it really striking to see how Jesus says, "none of the those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet." (v. 24) To this day, the overwhelming majority of Jews are not Christ-followers (only 1 of every 400 Jews are Christians).
I want to call your attention to the excuses Jesus heard in Luke 9 again because it is directly related to what Jesus says next. Jesus says in Luke 14:26, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison -- your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."
Even though Jesus probably has those excuses from Luke 9 fresh on his mind also with the excuses that the first guests of the banquet feast give, too, this challenge isn't easy to swallow.
In fact, it's down right impossible to consider it at first. Hate my father and mother, my wife?
Before you lose any respect for Jesus, let me bring out one little but HUMONGOUS detail in his challenge. The little detail is found in two words by comparison.
If you love your parents, your spouse, girlfriend or anyone else, let that be a measuring stick to see how much you love Jesus. If you put someone's desires before your relationship and worship of Jesus, that's very dangerous ground (mind you, Jesus may use you to fulfill their needs). If dating or marrying someone causes you to abandon God, you, most likely, never loved Him much anyway.
If you let someone in authority steer you away from what you KNOW is right and expected of you by God, then you fear and respect that person in authority more than God himself. How jacked up is that?
Don't waste your time with pretending to follow Jesus if someone else can easily steal your attention, focus and loyalty away from God. Make sense?
Jesus says that you have to think ahead of what following him is going to cost you (friends, popularity, the career you thought you always wanted, etc). Again, its apparent that Jesus respects our decision. But if we decide on Jesus, he holds us true to our words, we HAVE to be ALL-IN!
When you are all in, you give up everything you own (v. 33) as God's property (He created and gave you everything you have, anyway), free for Him to use as He sees fit.
Questions
1.) Do you tend to humble or elevate yourself? Do you find yourself being humiliated or elevated? How have you done this?
2.) Have you ever given God excuses (as to why you couldn't share your faith, read your Bible, pray, etc) or elevated someone as more important than him? Why (because we all have)? Are you still giving those same excuses? Why or why not?
3.) Are you all in? Are your possessions free for God to use? Can possessions be deemed as more valuable than God to some people? What can you give up to prove your allegiance?
Let's dig in!
Read Luke 14 (find it here)
Jesus healing on the Sabbath caused quite a ruckus, but that didn't stop him from doing it again! But this time Jesus heals a man in the home of a Pharisee (how is Jesus getting these constant invites from these guys?).
Jesus asked them if it was permitted by law to heal on the Sabbath (v. 3). Its a trick question, actually. The law doesn't mention healing, specifically, but in the mind of the current-day religious leaders healing counted as work. However, they didn't have a specific law to point to (especially since none of them were demanded by God himself).
Again, Jesus nails them with their own hypocrisy with this question, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son...falls into a pit, [won't] you [save] him?" (v. 6) Of course, they have no response to that, either.
Interestingly enough, Jesus does make it to the dinner table. I'm surprised he wasn't kicked out.
All the dinner guests were jockeying for the head of the table. Jesus feels no shame in offering up some advice. This is basically what he says: "When you have an opportunity to elevate yourself be humble or you run the risk of being humiliated. If you're humble, most likely, people will give you props for your character (elevate you).
Remember when Jesus challenged his listeners with the thought, “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!" That was from Luke 6:32, btw. Jesus hits the same vein here in verse 12. Don't just include your friends, family and people you want to notice you in all of your activities.
Many times there are rewards from these hanging out sessions. Your family will appreciate it, your friends will think to include you, too and the ones you wanted to impress may notice you more. Seriously? Do we even have motives for why we hang out with people? I have before and still do sometimes.
Jesus says to hang with those who can't repay us with anything. That's where the true reward lies. Think about it, have you ever dreaded the idea of serving meals to the homeless or visiting someone in the hospital or nursing home just to discover that you feel much better than expected once its over? That's the earthly reward that God gives you (there's a eternal reward, too), a peace of mind to know that you've humbled yourself for the benefit of others who cannot repay you.
Just in case we needed to know how God treats the less fortunate, Jesus gives us another parable. At first the feast is prepared for specific guests (this is symbolism that the gospel was first for the Jews). They all make excuses (very similar to what we read earlier in Luke 9 with the excuses 'let me bury my father first' and 'let me say goodbye to my family first').
When the master hears all the excuses he extends the invitation to "the poor, crippled, blind and lame." (vs. 21, this is symbolism of how Jesus began healing people of all different deficiencies, no matter of their nationality).
Even though all these were invited, there was still more room at the banquet feast. So the master basically gave the green light to invite anyone (symbolism of how God accepts everyone, the gospel being for every person of every nation).
I find it really striking to see how Jesus says, "none of the those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet." (v. 24) To this day, the overwhelming majority of Jews are not Christ-followers (only 1 of every 400 Jews are Christians).
I want to call your attention to the excuses Jesus heard in Luke 9 again because it is directly related to what Jesus says next. Jesus says in Luke 14:26, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison -- your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."
Even though Jesus probably has those excuses from Luke 9 fresh on his mind also with the excuses that the first guests of the banquet feast give, too, this challenge isn't easy to swallow.
In fact, it's down right impossible to consider it at first. Hate my father and mother, my wife?
Before you lose any respect for Jesus, let me bring out one little but HUMONGOUS detail in his challenge. The little detail is found in two words by comparison.
If you love your parents, your spouse, girlfriend or anyone else, let that be a measuring stick to see how much you love Jesus. If you put someone's desires before your relationship and worship of Jesus, that's very dangerous ground (mind you, Jesus may use you to fulfill their needs). If dating or marrying someone causes you to abandon God, you, most likely, never loved Him much anyway.
If you let someone in authority steer you away from what you KNOW is right and expected of you by God, then you fear and respect that person in authority more than God himself. How jacked up is that?
Don't waste your time with pretending to follow Jesus if someone else can easily steal your attention, focus and loyalty away from God. Make sense?
Jesus says that you have to think ahead of what following him is going to cost you (friends, popularity, the career you thought you always wanted, etc). Again, its apparent that Jesus respects our decision. But if we decide on Jesus, he holds us true to our words, we HAVE to be ALL-IN!
When you are all in, you give up everything you own (v. 33) as God's property (He created and gave you everything you have, anyway), free for Him to use as He sees fit.
Questions
1.) Do you tend to humble or elevate yourself? Do you find yourself being humiliated or elevated? How have you done this?
2.) Have you ever given God excuses (as to why you couldn't share your faith, read your Bible, pray, etc) or elevated someone as more important than him? Why (because we all have)? Are you still giving those same excuses? Why or why not?
3.) Are you all in? Are your possessions free for God to use? Can possessions be deemed as more valuable than God to some people? What can you give up to prove your allegiance?
January 23, 2012
Day 19 - Luke 13
Finally! We get to talk about hell! Well, at least a little bit...
Read Luke 13 (find it here)
Pilate, a name that Jesus will match with a face here soon.
Within Jesus' culture, there was this prevailing thought that people were punished by God for their sins while still alive. Even today that is still a touchy subject that I guarantee most Christians can't articulate with complete certainty. All of us want to believe in total justice but we really admire complete mercy, too, right?
It is unclear as to exactly what happened. If these Galileans weren't priests then offering sacrifices in the Temple is a crime. But would Pilate, the Roman governor, punish Jews for breaking non-Roman laws? If you know how Jesus is crucified, then you know the answer to this question is YES!
Jesus basically asks the question, "Did they deserve to die? Not at all!" (vs. 2-3) He could've left it there and we would've been satisfied, but Jesus continues by saying, "you (not they) will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God." (vs. 3, 5) I can definitely see a double-meaning here. I believe the more we follow ourselves and shut out God, we naturally bring chaos and ruin in our lives. The other meaning is, obviously, that separation from God apart from this word equals hell (also called the second death).
The next parable is a continuation of Jesus' point. If you had an apple tree that you planted, pruned and watered continuously without seeing any fruit, would you keep wasting your time with it or cut it down and get another? In other words, is God blessing you just so you can waste his time? Remember, a good tree is defined by good fruit. Those who consistently produce bad fruit are cut down and burned. (Yeah, another double-meaning).
In a quick side story, Jesus heals a deformed woman on the Sabbath while teaching in the synagogue. Jesus did nothing but lay his eyes on her, had compassion and claimed her healed! (v. 13) Of course, its the Sabbath, no working is allowed, so the religious leader in charge freaks out! Instead of fussing at Jesus, the leader turned his anger to the crowd (and to the woman) by basically saying, "Don't come to church on the Sabbath to be healed!" (v. 14)
Jesus flips the script on this dude, calls him a hypocrite and tells him why. Do you remember me telling you that one of the rules on the Sabbath was no tying knots? Well, apparently Jesus knows that this leader unties and ties a knot every Sabbath! How could this guy compare not working to not getting healed when she had been like this FOR 18 YEARS! How heartless do you gotta be?
The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds. It averages about 1/20th of an inch. However, it can grow into a large bush or shrub that can grow upwards of 6.5 feet! The Kingdom of God is something that can be so easily overlooked but it has the capability to protect you like a bush protects birds. Make sense?
In the same way, a little bit of yeast changes the whole complexion of bread. A tiny bit of yeast can change your bread from pita to King's Hawaiian bread! When the Kingdom of God becomes a part of our lives, it will overpower the dullness and change everything about ourselves.
Just like small is hard to see, the narrow door is easy to miss. Someone asked Jesus if "only a few will be saved." (v. 23) It isn't about trying your best because Jesus says that "many will try to enter but will fail." (v. 24) Faith and humility are much more important necessities of salvation (being saved). If you're found outside the door (in other words after God has judged all of the world) it will be too late.
Even those who plead and insist that they've gone to church, read their Bible and not cussed, God will reply "I don't know you..." (v. 25) Wow! Are you getting this point? If you try to earn heaven and/or salvation you're doomed to fail. If you persist in your effort to obtain perfection, God will insist that it was never about Him; He will reject you. Trying to obtain perfection is equivalent to evil-doing in God's eyes because its ultimately one of the grossest forms of cockiness (the opposite of humility).
Let me bring you into a realization. When Jews heard the phrase, "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (v. 28) it wasn't second-nature to think of burning in hell like most American Christians read it. One of the very first punishments for sin was excommunication (levied on Cain, which is to force someone to leave the safe-haven of a community, city or family). Being cast out into outer darkness where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth would equal to being thrown out of a community or city (where no light existed, no protection) and being overcome with tears (sadness) and anger (gnashing of teeth). Make sense? Don't always jump to they're going to hell. Are you God?
Jesus doesn't want anyone to end up in hell, by the way. At the end of Luke 13, Jesus is deeply troubled over how those in Jerusalem (his own people) will not accept him or the Kingdom of God. He wants to protect them, nurture them but will never do so by force. The same goes with us. He wants to love, care and protect us but we must continually accept that. It will not be forced upon us. Ironically, Jesus respects you too much.
Questions
1.) What do you think about the tension between justice and mercy? Do you believe that God punishes people for their sins while still on this earth? How would you answer that question when thinking about what you know about the Bible and Jesus? How about when you think about your life?
2.) Salvation has a double-meaning in many ways. We need to be saved from ourselves and the horrible tendencies we have to lie, cheat, etc towards others and also we need to be saved from the eternal consequences those sins have on us. Have you ever thought of salvation having a double-meaning? What within yourself do you need saving from? Why not ask God now to deliver you from it with the power of His Spirit?
3.) When you read weeping and gnashing of teeth what did you first think of? Isn't it easy to misinterpret the Bible? We all do it.
Read Luke 13 (find it here)
Pilate, a name that Jesus will match with a face here soon.
Within Jesus' culture, there was this prevailing thought that people were punished by God for their sins while still alive. Even today that is still a touchy subject that I guarantee most Christians can't articulate with complete certainty. All of us want to believe in total justice but we really admire complete mercy, too, right?
It is unclear as to exactly what happened. If these Galileans weren't priests then offering sacrifices in the Temple is a crime. But would Pilate, the Roman governor, punish Jews for breaking non-Roman laws? If you know how Jesus is crucified, then you know the answer to this question is YES!
Jesus basically asks the question, "Did they deserve to die? Not at all!" (vs. 2-3) He could've left it there and we would've been satisfied, but Jesus continues by saying, "you (not they) will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God." (vs. 3, 5) I can definitely see a double-meaning here. I believe the more we follow ourselves and shut out God, we naturally bring chaos and ruin in our lives. The other meaning is, obviously, that separation from God apart from this word equals hell (also called the second death).
The next parable is a continuation of Jesus' point. If you had an apple tree that you planted, pruned and watered continuously without seeing any fruit, would you keep wasting your time with it or cut it down and get another? In other words, is God blessing you just so you can waste his time? Remember, a good tree is defined by good fruit. Those who consistently produce bad fruit are cut down and burned. (Yeah, another double-meaning).
In a quick side story, Jesus heals a deformed woman on the Sabbath while teaching in the synagogue. Jesus did nothing but lay his eyes on her, had compassion and claimed her healed! (v. 13) Of course, its the Sabbath, no working is allowed, so the religious leader in charge freaks out! Instead of fussing at Jesus, the leader turned his anger to the crowd (and to the woman) by basically saying, "Don't come to church on the Sabbath to be healed!" (v. 14)
Jesus flips the script on this dude, calls him a hypocrite and tells him why. Do you remember me telling you that one of the rules on the Sabbath was no tying knots? Well, apparently Jesus knows that this leader unties and ties a knot every Sabbath! How could this guy compare not working to not getting healed when she had been like this FOR 18 YEARS! How heartless do you gotta be?
The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds. It averages about 1/20th of an inch. However, it can grow into a large bush or shrub that can grow upwards of 6.5 feet! The Kingdom of God is something that can be so easily overlooked but it has the capability to protect you like a bush protects birds. Make sense?
In the same way, a little bit of yeast changes the whole complexion of bread. A tiny bit of yeast can change your bread from pita to King's Hawaiian bread! When the Kingdom of God becomes a part of our lives, it will overpower the dullness and change everything about ourselves.
Just like small is hard to see, the narrow door is easy to miss. Someone asked Jesus if "only a few will be saved." (v. 23) It isn't about trying your best because Jesus says that "many will try to enter but will fail." (v. 24) Faith and humility are much more important necessities of salvation (being saved). If you're found outside the door (in other words after God has judged all of the world) it will be too late.
Even those who plead and insist that they've gone to church, read their Bible and not cussed, God will reply "I don't know you..." (v. 25) Wow! Are you getting this point? If you try to earn heaven and/or salvation you're doomed to fail. If you persist in your effort to obtain perfection, God will insist that it was never about Him; He will reject you. Trying to obtain perfection is equivalent to evil-doing in God's eyes because its ultimately one of the grossest forms of cockiness (the opposite of humility).
Let me bring you into a realization. When Jews heard the phrase, "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (v. 28) it wasn't second-nature to think of burning in hell like most American Christians read it. One of the very first punishments for sin was excommunication (levied on Cain, which is to force someone to leave the safe-haven of a community, city or family). Being cast out into outer darkness where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth would equal to being thrown out of a community or city (where no light existed, no protection) and being overcome with tears (sadness) and anger (gnashing of teeth). Make sense? Don't always jump to they're going to hell. Are you God?
Jesus doesn't want anyone to end up in hell, by the way. At the end of Luke 13, Jesus is deeply troubled over how those in Jerusalem (his own people) will not accept him or the Kingdom of God. He wants to protect them, nurture them but will never do so by force. The same goes with us. He wants to love, care and protect us but we must continually accept that. It will not be forced upon us. Ironically, Jesus respects you too much.
Questions
1.) What do you think about the tension between justice and mercy? Do you believe that God punishes people for their sins while still on this earth? How would you answer that question when thinking about what you know about the Bible and Jesus? How about when you think about your life?
2.) Salvation has a double-meaning in many ways. We need to be saved from ourselves and the horrible tendencies we have to lie, cheat, etc towards others and also we need to be saved from the eternal consequences those sins have on us. Have you ever thought of salvation having a double-meaning? What within yourself do you need saving from? Why not ask God now to deliver you from it with the power of His Spirit?
3.) When you read weeping and gnashing of teeth what did you first think of? Isn't it easy to misinterpret the Bible? We all do it.
January 21, 2012
Day 18 - Luke 12
Read Luke 12 (find it here)
Yesterday we covered Jesus' response to the Pharisees' and religious leaders' implication that Jesus was demonic and a rebel (for not washing his hands). Haha, can't help but laugh at that. Today, in Luke 12, we'll see that Jesus challenges his listeners more (the crowd that is now following him numbers in the 1000s)!
Jesus challenges everyone's integrity. I love defining integrity as being the same person no matter if you're in front of people or by yourself. If you're only doing good deeds while people are watching, that is hypocrisy not integrity (or honesty). There are no secrets to God. He hears and sees everything. One day, if we are hypocritical, our deception will be "made known to all." (v. 2)
Jesus knows that the religious leaders are capable of framing and killing their enemies. Jesus is actually number 1 on their list. Nevertheless, Jesus encourages the crowd not to fear death but, more importantly, to fear God. A person can only kill you, yet has no control of your eternity. Only God has that authority.
(Take a breath. God does not want to anyone to go to hell. Its easy to miss what Jesus says next because we're focused on what we think is God's unjustified anger.)
Birds are of worth to God. Humanity is worth so much more. We know that because God knows even the number of hairs on our head (v. 7)!
Anyone who is hypocritical will be called out by Jesus for such behavior in front of God in heaven. But if we accept Jesus, then Jesus will present us as acceptable to God. (vs. 8-9)
So what does it mean when someone "blasphemes the Holy Spirit?" (v. 10) This is an important question because Jesus says this is a sin that is unforgivable!
It is quite simple. In the previous post we learned that the religious leaders were saying that Jesus only cast out demons because he was demonic himself. Also, remember that blasphemy is the act of saying something incorrect about or offensive to God. The Holy Spirit is the source of power for God. That's why you'll see many times throughout the Bible that people are "filled with the Holy Spirit," including Jesus. This means that God's power is flowing through them at that moment.
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit, in yesterday's case, would be to call the Spirit demonic or to label something miraculous an evil trick by God. It is, essentially, lying about God in an attempt to make others hate or doubt Him. That's what the Pharisees were doing (leading people away from God)! Leading others to believe that God is evil is the ultimate sin (this is not the same as thinking it in a severe bout of grief or doubt).
The Holy Spirit is so powerful that when we are being persecuted for our faith we shouldn't "worry about what to say!" (v. 11) The Spirit will flow through you and provide you with the words you need to say. So when you feel like you don't know where the right words at the right time came from, might as well thank God for His Spirit!
Hypocrisy is one thing, greed is another. "Life is not measured by how much you own," says Jesus. (v. 15) If blasphemy is lying about God, then greed is replacing God with our wealth. But the key to greed is what we withhold all for us and no one else. A fool stores up possessions instead of pursuing "a rich relationship with God." (v. 21)
Money is one of the things that most humans worry about. It dominates our thoughts day and night since money buys all our possessions and food. "Life is more than food [and] clothing." (v. 23) Why worry about it, what good does it do? Worrying changes nothing (don't confuse worrying with praying, they are NOT the same) and only adds stress and wrinkles.
If sparrows, ravens and lilies are cared for, won't we be even more since we are more valuable than they are? If we seek God above all else then everything we need will be provided GUARANTEED!
If we are not greedy, then God will use us to give to those in need. Give away whatever you treasure more than any person. Get rid of it especially if it causes a division in your loyalty to God!
This is not something we should wait to practice later. No one is ever too poor to be generous. In fact, most generosity comes from those who have the least, not the most. Go ahead and give because God will outgive you in the return he will bless you with!
Starting in verse 35, we have a slight subject change.
Constantly be ready for the coming of God's Kingdom. (This will make more sense the further we get into the New Testament. If you want to know more now, simply comment below or send a FB message or text!) The way you act should show that you're anticipating God to come anytime!
Many people have been caught up in the hoopla over the end of the Mayan calendar, which has been said to signal the end of the world. If Jesus is God's Son, the creator of heaven and earth in human form, don't you think he would know when the end is supposed to happen?
Jesus speaks of God's coming in very nonspecific terms. "He may come in...the night or just before dawn." (v. 38) Jesus says in Matthew 24:36, "No one knows the day or hour when [this] will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only [God] knows."
No one includes even the Mayans or any other "Christian" quack who thinks he/she knows when the end of the world is going to happen.
So, by what verse 40 says, who will be coming anyway? God or Jesus?
Son of Man = Jesus.
Peter wants to know if this message is just for the disciples or for everyone. (v. 41) Jesus speaks of servants managing and feeding other servants. In other words, to God we are all like servants. However, among us human servants there are leaders lead other servants. If we treat servants like we are a master, then God will reject those who behave in such a way No one is better than another in God's eyes. So why in the world do we think we have the right to think that way, either?
For the leaders among God's servants, much will be required in return from those who have been entrusted with much. (v. 48)
Luke ends this chapter with Jesus speaking on how people will become divided because of him. There will be feuds among families because some will believe in Jesus and some won't. Some of you already know what that feels like. My father has experienced that with his family, for sure.
People have become so good in predicting many things while being blind to the fact that the world isn't getting any better. The process of human beings working together for the common good is becoming, well, more uncommon.
The Holy Spirit will never lead us to belittle another human being, even if they have sinned against us. Don't you remember Jesus saying a little something about "loving our enemies and praying for those who hate you?" That isn't what God hopes to happen, its what He expects to happen!
Questions
1.) If integrity is defined by how you act when no one is watching, then are you really full of integrity? Is that the same way you act in public? If God sees and hears everything then is there really a difference between someone who ignores God and a hypocrite? Why or why not?
2.) If Jesus doesn't know when the earth is going to end, then how could the Mayans? Will you have more confidence now when someone promises the world will end on a certain date? Why would God NOT want us to know the exact time of His return?
3.) To God all humans are like servants. Do you treat anyone like a servant (like they are less than you)? How would you describe a true leader?
Yesterday we covered Jesus' response to the Pharisees' and religious leaders' implication that Jesus was demonic and a rebel (for not washing his hands). Haha, can't help but laugh at that. Today, in Luke 12, we'll see that Jesus challenges his listeners more (the crowd that is now following him numbers in the 1000s)!
Jesus challenges everyone's integrity. I love defining integrity as being the same person no matter if you're in front of people or by yourself. If you're only doing good deeds while people are watching, that is hypocrisy not integrity (or honesty). There are no secrets to God. He hears and sees everything. One day, if we are hypocritical, our deception will be "made known to all." (v. 2)
Jesus knows that the religious leaders are capable of framing and killing their enemies. Jesus is actually number 1 on their list. Nevertheless, Jesus encourages the crowd not to fear death but, more importantly, to fear God. A person can only kill you, yet has no control of your eternity. Only God has that authority.
(Take a breath. God does not want to anyone to go to hell. Its easy to miss what Jesus says next because we're focused on what we think is God's unjustified anger.)
Birds are of worth to God. Humanity is worth so much more. We know that because God knows even the number of hairs on our head (v. 7)!
Anyone who is hypocritical will be called out by Jesus for such behavior in front of God in heaven. But if we accept Jesus, then Jesus will present us as acceptable to God. (vs. 8-9)
So what does it mean when someone "blasphemes the Holy Spirit?" (v. 10) This is an important question because Jesus says this is a sin that is unforgivable!
It is quite simple. In the previous post we learned that the religious leaders were saying that Jesus only cast out demons because he was demonic himself. Also, remember that blasphemy is the act of saying something incorrect about or offensive to God. The Holy Spirit is the source of power for God. That's why you'll see many times throughout the Bible that people are "filled with the Holy Spirit," including Jesus. This means that God's power is flowing through them at that moment.
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit, in yesterday's case, would be to call the Spirit demonic or to label something miraculous an evil trick by God. It is, essentially, lying about God in an attempt to make others hate or doubt Him. That's what the Pharisees were doing (leading people away from God)! Leading others to believe that God is evil is the ultimate sin (this is not the same as thinking it in a severe bout of grief or doubt).
The Holy Spirit is so powerful that when we are being persecuted for our faith we shouldn't "worry about what to say!" (v. 11) The Spirit will flow through you and provide you with the words you need to say. So when you feel like you don't know where the right words at the right time came from, might as well thank God for His Spirit!
Hypocrisy is one thing, greed is another. "Life is not measured by how much you own," says Jesus. (v. 15) If blasphemy is lying about God, then greed is replacing God with our wealth. But the key to greed is what we withhold all for us and no one else. A fool stores up possessions instead of pursuing "a rich relationship with God." (v. 21)
Money is one of the things that most humans worry about. It dominates our thoughts day and night since money buys all our possessions and food. "Life is more than food [and] clothing." (v. 23) Why worry about it, what good does it do? Worrying changes nothing (don't confuse worrying with praying, they are NOT the same) and only adds stress and wrinkles.
If sparrows, ravens and lilies are cared for, won't we be even more since we are more valuable than they are? If we seek God above all else then everything we need will be provided GUARANTEED!
If we are not greedy, then God will use us to give to those in need. Give away whatever you treasure more than any person. Get rid of it especially if it causes a division in your loyalty to God!
This is not something we should wait to practice later. No one is ever too poor to be generous. In fact, most generosity comes from those who have the least, not the most. Go ahead and give because God will outgive you in the return he will bless you with!
Starting in verse 35, we have a slight subject change.
Constantly be ready for the coming of God's Kingdom. (This will make more sense the further we get into the New Testament. If you want to know more now, simply comment below or send a FB message or text!) The way you act should show that you're anticipating God to come anytime!
Many people have been caught up in the hoopla over the end of the Mayan calendar, which has been said to signal the end of the world. If Jesus is God's Son, the creator of heaven and earth in human form, don't you think he would know when the end is supposed to happen?
Jesus speaks of God's coming in very nonspecific terms. "He may come in...the night or just before dawn." (v. 38) Jesus says in Matthew 24:36, "No one knows the day or hour when [this] will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only [God] knows."
No one includes even the Mayans or any other "Christian" quack who thinks he/she knows when the end of the world is going to happen.
So, by what verse 40 says, who will be coming anyway? God or Jesus?
Son of Man = Jesus.
Peter wants to know if this message is just for the disciples or for everyone. (v. 41) Jesus speaks of servants managing and feeding other servants. In other words, to God we are all like servants. However, among us human servants there are leaders lead other servants. If we treat servants like we are a master, then God will reject those who behave in such a way No one is better than another in God's eyes. So why in the world do we think we have the right to think that way, either?
For the leaders among God's servants, much will be required in return from those who have been entrusted with much. (v. 48)
Luke ends this chapter with Jesus speaking on how people will become divided because of him. There will be feuds among families because some will believe in Jesus and some won't. Some of you already know what that feels like. My father has experienced that with his family, for sure.
People have become so good in predicting many things while being blind to the fact that the world isn't getting any better. The process of human beings working together for the common good is becoming, well, more uncommon.
The Holy Spirit will never lead us to belittle another human being, even if they have sinned against us. Don't you remember Jesus saying a little something about "loving our enemies and praying for those who hate you?" That isn't what God hopes to happen, its what He expects to happen!
Questions
1.) If integrity is defined by how you act when no one is watching, then are you really full of integrity? Is that the same way you act in public? If God sees and hears everything then is there really a difference between someone who ignores God and a hypocrite? Why or why not?
2.) If Jesus doesn't know when the earth is going to end, then how could the Mayans? Will you have more confidence now when someone promises the world will end on a certain date? Why would God NOT want us to know the exact time of His return?
3.) To God all humans are like servants. Do you treat anyone like a servant (like they are less than you)? How would you describe a true leader?
January 20, 2012
Day 17 - Luke 11:14-54
More heads are going to roll today! Jesus' divinity is challenged and he fires back with some scathing criticisms that must have been completely devastating to the Pharisees and religious leaders to hear.
What exactly did Jesus say? Let's read and find out!
Read Luke 11:14-54 (find it here)
Here's a common theme. Jesus does a miracle, most are amazed, but some aren't impressed. It sounds like the same mindlessness that the Pharisees and religious experts have said. This time they insist that Jesus can only cast out demons because he's an instrument of Satan! (verse 15) Others wanted more proof, another miracle. Really? As if casting out a demon wasn't enough?
Their argument is flawed. How can Satan fight against himself?
Jesus is healing by the power of God and therefore proving that the Kingdom of God is flexing its muscle!
I love what Jesus says in verses 21 and 22! He admits that Satan is strong, fully armed and able to protect his possessions UNTIL someone stronger (he's definitely implying himself here) attacks him, takes him out, disarms him and takes his possessions (people he has 'possessed,' for example)! Friggin' awesome!
Jesus tells everyone present what happens to a demon when he is cast out of a person, how weird but cool, right? Does it strike anyone else a little funny that the demon has the ability to go back to the person he was cast out of? Not only that, but that the demon can bring 7 others with him! How can that be?
The clues to this start in verse 34. "[The] eye is the lamp of your body." When the eye is exposed to wholesome content, your body will be filled with "light" (or goodness). The opposite is true also. When the eye is exposed to all sorts of "darkness," (or evil) then your body will be filled with darkness. Darkness is where demons feel like home. Don't get light and darkness confused. If you are filled with light your whole life will show it. Its a way you can check yourself (like seeing if you have good or bad fruit coming from your life).
Jesus reminds the skeptical in verse 29 that he will NOT do a miracle just to appease someone's doubt. What is the sign of Jonah, you ask? Jonah was swallowed by a whale (or big fish, as the original Hebrew puts it) and presumed dead for 3 days. However, on the third day, the whale regurgitated Jonah on the shore; Jonah was alive! Ninevah was the place where Jonah was sent to by God to preach right after that experience. The Ninevites repented in response to Jonah, but Jesus (even though he is greater than Jonah) is not receiving repentance from the religious leaders in response to his miracles and preaching.
If you know about Jesus' death and resurrection, then you will know that Jesus was presumed dead for 3 days but was raised on the third day to prove he was from God, too. See the similarity?
Jesus is criticized for not washing his hands before a meal. (verse 38) Jesus rails on the religious leaders in response!
Jesus basically says these things (I'm paraphrasing):
You pretend to be righteous by the way you act but really you're greedy and wicked! (v. 39)
You're all for show by giving money to the Temple but nothing to the poorest who really need it! (v. 42)
You ignore justice and the things that God cares about. (end of v. 42)
You're all about recognition and people showing you respect. (v. 43)
You're like a dead man walking and people don't even know how dead you are on the inside! (v. 44)
An expert in religious law states the obvious, "you have insulted us." (verse 45)
Really? You don't say? Do you think that stopped Jesus? HA! Here's some more verbal smack downs:
You do nothing but make life harder for people with your religious demands! (v. 46)
You pretend to honor the ancient prophets, but it was your ancestors that killed them! (v. 47)
(and probably the strongest one of them all....)
Its YOUR fault that people don't enter heaven because if you're not going to be there, how can you possibly lead someone to heaven?! You do nothing but help people go to hell! (v. 52)
Let's just say that Jesus' tirade had an effect. From that point on, the Pharisees wanted to trap him even more. Just so you know, they wanted him to commit blasphemy (saying something incorrect or offense about God) so they could have him executed.
As you can see the heat is picking up in the story. Its only a matter time before the Pharisees and religious leaders find a way to get their hands on Jesus and kill him.
Questions
1.) Are people generally stronger than Satan to be able to fight him off? What kind of protection do people need in order to shield themselves from the temptation and influence of Satan, the enemy of Christ? How can you get that protection?
2.) Did the comparison of Jonah and Jesus make sense? Again, why do you think that Jesus refuses to perform miracles for skeptical and mean-spirited people? What happens if those type of people do witness a miracle?
3.) Jesus is brutally honest with the Pharisees and religious, essentially calling them fake, hypocritical and stumbling blocks for people. Read over the accusations that Jesus gives again (listed in italics above). If you were completely honest with yourself, are you guilty of any of those accusations? Good news, if you do fess up to them, you're not on the level with a Pharisee:)
What exactly did Jesus say? Let's read and find out!
Read Luke 11:14-54 (find it here)
Here's a common theme. Jesus does a miracle, most are amazed, but some aren't impressed. It sounds like the same mindlessness that the Pharisees and religious experts have said. This time they insist that Jesus can only cast out demons because he's an instrument of Satan! (verse 15) Others wanted more proof, another miracle. Really? As if casting out a demon wasn't enough?
Their argument is flawed. How can Satan fight against himself?
Jesus is healing by the power of God and therefore proving that the Kingdom of God is flexing its muscle!
I love what Jesus says in verses 21 and 22! He admits that Satan is strong, fully armed and able to protect his possessions UNTIL someone stronger (he's definitely implying himself here) attacks him, takes him out, disarms him and takes his possessions (people he has 'possessed,' for example)! Friggin' awesome!
Jesus tells everyone present what happens to a demon when he is cast out of a person, how weird but cool, right? Does it strike anyone else a little funny that the demon has the ability to go back to the person he was cast out of? Not only that, but that the demon can bring 7 others with him! How can that be?
The clues to this start in verse 34. "[The] eye is the lamp of your body." When the eye is exposed to wholesome content, your body will be filled with "light" (or goodness). The opposite is true also. When the eye is exposed to all sorts of "darkness," (or evil) then your body will be filled with darkness. Darkness is where demons feel like home. Don't get light and darkness confused. If you are filled with light your whole life will show it. Its a way you can check yourself (like seeing if you have good or bad fruit coming from your life).
Jesus reminds the skeptical in verse 29 that he will NOT do a miracle just to appease someone's doubt. What is the sign of Jonah, you ask? Jonah was swallowed by a whale (or big fish, as the original Hebrew puts it) and presumed dead for 3 days. However, on the third day, the whale regurgitated Jonah on the shore; Jonah was alive! Ninevah was the place where Jonah was sent to by God to preach right after that experience. The Ninevites repented in response to Jonah, but Jesus (even though he is greater than Jonah) is not receiving repentance from the religious leaders in response to his miracles and preaching.
If you know about Jesus' death and resurrection, then you will know that Jesus was presumed dead for 3 days but was raised on the third day to prove he was from God, too. See the similarity?
Jesus is criticized for not washing his hands before a meal. (verse 38) Jesus rails on the religious leaders in response!
Jesus basically says these things (I'm paraphrasing):
You pretend to be righteous by the way you act but really you're greedy and wicked! (v. 39)
You're all for show by giving money to the Temple but nothing to the poorest who really need it! (v. 42)
You ignore justice and the things that God cares about. (end of v. 42)
You're all about recognition and people showing you respect. (v. 43)
You're like a dead man walking and people don't even know how dead you are on the inside! (v. 44)
An expert in religious law states the obvious, "you have insulted us." (verse 45)
Really? You don't say? Do you think that stopped Jesus? HA! Here's some more verbal smack downs:
You do nothing but make life harder for people with your religious demands! (v. 46)
You pretend to honor the ancient prophets, but it was your ancestors that killed them! (v. 47)
(and probably the strongest one of them all....)
Its YOUR fault that people don't enter heaven because if you're not going to be there, how can you possibly lead someone to heaven?! You do nothing but help people go to hell! (v. 52)
Let's just say that Jesus' tirade had an effect. From that point on, the Pharisees wanted to trap him even more. Just so you know, they wanted him to commit blasphemy (saying something incorrect or offense about God) so they could have him executed.
As you can see the heat is picking up in the story. Its only a matter time before the Pharisees and religious leaders find a way to get their hands on Jesus and kill him.
Questions
1.) Are people generally stronger than Satan to be able to fight him off? What kind of protection do people need in order to shield themselves from the temptation and influence of Satan, the enemy of Christ? How can you get that protection?
2.) Did the comparison of Jonah and Jesus make sense? Again, why do you think that Jesus refuses to perform miracles for skeptical and mean-spirited people? What happens if those type of people do witness a miracle?
3.) Jesus is brutally honest with the Pharisees and religious, essentially calling them fake, hypocritical and stumbling blocks for people. Read over the accusations that Jesus gives again (listed in italics above). If you were completely honest with yourself, are you guilty of any of those accusations? Good news, if you do fess up to them, you're not on the level with a Pharisee:)
January 19, 2012
Day 16: Luke 10:21 - 11:13
Not to sound like a broken record but Jenny and I would love to get your feedback and your responses to the questions below. OR if I don't explain something in the passage we cover, feel free to either ask through a comment or a private message on Facebook. No question is dumb, too detailed or too difficult (I'm not ashamed to say I don't know and get you an answer)!
Let's get to it!
Read Luke 10:21 - 11:13 (find it here)
I love the happiness that Jesus expresses over the work of his 72 disciples. Here's the clear explanation, that I previously noted, as to why Jesus brought a child among the disciples. Jesus says that only the "childlike" will experience the knowledge of being used by God. Again, don't get childlike confused with childish. God is pleased to humble the proud and empower the weak!
Only those who know Jesus will really know God. Only Jesus knows God completely, because He is his father. Those who accept Jesus receive the privilege of knowing God.
How appropriate! In verse 25, a proud expert in religious law decides to test Jesus with the question, "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" He asks the "expert" to revert to his education to answer his own question because he has definitely read the first five books of the Bible (or law of Moses).
The "expert" quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as one statement.
Jesus affirms the expert's quote and assures him that if he were to do this he would have eternal life (verse 28). The next verse is interesting. Luke now calls the "expert" simply a "man" (notice that?). The man wanted to justify his actions, which means that he HASN'T been loving his neighbor as himself. He pretends to be innocent in asking, "Who's my neighbor?"
Jesus' answer would definitely rub this man, formerly referred to as an expert, the wrong way.
Now most people know the story of the good Samaritan. But now, you know that Samaritans are hated by Jews, right? They are considered "half-breeds." Well, Jesus gives an example to the "man's" question of a good Samaritan (which would be an oxymoron to a Jew) who is the only one to help a Jewish man who was attacked. The Samaritan is painted in a more positive light than even a priest and temple worker!
Now Jesus asks a question. "Which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked?" The man didn't even want to muster the despicable word Samaritan from his mouth, so he said, "The one who showed him mercy." (verses 36-37) Now that the former expert has his answer, Jesus leaves no doubt or reason to ignore his neighbor. Jesus commands him to "go and do the same."
As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, they were welcomed into Martha's home. Her sister, Mary, could only focus on Jesus' teaching. Martha gets frustrated that she's doing all the work while Mary just sits and listens. Even though Martha felt short-changed, Jesus tells her that Mary is focusing on the only thing that's worth being concerned about (he was speaking of himself). There's no need to worry over pointless details in this life!
Speaking of an important detail, Jesus is praying again. The disciples were obviously noticing how much and passionately he was praying so they wanted him to teach them how to pray.
This is where we get the "Lord's Prayer."
If I were to completely rephrase Jesus' prayer, it would be something like this:
Father, may Your name always be treated reverently (as a pastor would reference God's name).
Come set up heaven on earth soon.
Give us the food we need,
Forgive our sins as we forgive others.
Don't let us fall into temptation.
If you've ever recited the Lord's Prayer, you'll notice that there's one addition line quoted by Matthew in Matthew 6:13 ("deliver us from evil").
Jesus implies through the following story (about going to a friend's house at midnight to borrow bread), that if we are shameless and persistent in our prayers, God will ultimately respond to our requests. Notice that the request for "bread" is a need-based request, this doesn't mean that if we keep asking for a new car that God will give it to us just to shut us up. Make sense?
Jesus puts the disciples in God's place. What if your child asks for a fish (a need-based request, right?), do you give them a snake? (11:11) If parents know how to provide for their children, don't you think God can provide even greater things, even the Holy Spirit, for His children?
Questions
1. Jesus turns an "expert" into a hypocrite by proving that a neighbor is essentially everyone, even your enemies. Have you been justifying your behavior or attitude towards people you don't like? Do you only love the ones who love you? How would the world be a different place if people DIDN'T justify their behavior?
2. Many people truly believe that if we repeat our prayers enough that God will answer every request with a yes. Would it be a good thing or bad thing if God said yes to every prayer request? Why or why not? Do you find yourself praying for needs or wants? How about others' needs?
Let's get to it!
Read Luke 10:21 - 11:13 (find it here)
I love the happiness that Jesus expresses over the work of his 72 disciples. Here's the clear explanation, that I previously noted, as to why Jesus brought a child among the disciples. Jesus says that only the "childlike" will experience the knowledge of being used by God. Again, don't get childlike confused with childish. God is pleased to humble the proud and empower the weak!
Only those who know Jesus will really know God. Only Jesus knows God completely, because He is his father. Those who accept Jesus receive the privilege of knowing God.
How appropriate! In verse 25, a proud expert in religious law decides to test Jesus with the question, "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" He asks the "expert" to revert to his education to answer his own question because he has definitely read the first five books of the Bible (or law of Moses).
The "expert" quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as one statement.
Jesus affirms the expert's quote and assures him that if he were to do this he would have eternal life (verse 28). The next verse is interesting. Luke now calls the "expert" simply a "man" (notice that?). The man wanted to justify his actions, which means that he HASN'T been loving his neighbor as himself. He pretends to be innocent in asking, "Who's my neighbor?"
Jesus' answer would definitely rub this man, formerly referred to as an expert, the wrong way.
Now most people know the story of the good Samaritan. But now, you know that Samaritans are hated by Jews, right? They are considered "half-breeds." Well, Jesus gives an example to the "man's" question of a good Samaritan (which would be an oxymoron to a Jew) who is the only one to help a Jewish man who was attacked. The Samaritan is painted in a more positive light than even a priest and temple worker!
Now Jesus asks a question. "Which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked?" The man didn't even want to muster the despicable word Samaritan from his mouth, so he said, "The one who showed him mercy." (verses 36-37) Now that the former expert has his answer, Jesus leaves no doubt or reason to ignore his neighbor. Jesus commands him to "go and do the same."
As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, they were welcomed into Martha's home. Her sister, Mary, could only focus on Jesus' teaching. Martha gets frustrated that she's doing all the work while Mary just sits and listens. Even though Martha felt short-changed, Jesus tells her that Mary is focusing on the only thing that's worth being concerned about (he was speaking of himself). There's no need to worry over pointless details in this life!
Speaking of an important detail, Jesus is praying again. The disciples were obviously noticing how much and passionately he was praying so they wanted him to teach them how to pray.
This is where we get the "Lord's Prayer."
If I were to completely rephrase Jesus' prayer, it would be something like this:
Father, may Your name always be treated reverently (as a pastor would reference God's name).
Come set up heaven on earth soon.
Give us the food we need,
Forgive our sins as we forgive others.
Don't let us fall into temptation.
If you've ever recited the Lord's Prayer, you'll notice that there's one addition line quoted by Matthew in Matthew 6:13 ("deliver us from evil").
Jesus implies through the following story (about going to a friend's house at midnight to borrow bread), that if we are shameless and persistent in our prayers, God will ultimately respond to our requests. Notice that the request for "bread" is a need-based request, this doesn't mean that if we keep asking for a new car that God will give it to us just to shut us up. Make sense?
Jesus puts the disciples in God's place. What if your child asks for a fish (a need-based request, right?), do you give them a snake? (11:11) If parents know how to provide for their children, don't you think God can provide even greater things, even the Holy Spirit, for His children?
Questions
1. Jesus turns an "expert" into a hypocrite by proving that a neighbor is essentially everyone, even your enemies. Have you been justifying your behavior or attitude towards people you don't like? Do you only love the ones who love you? How would the world be a different place if people DIDN'T justify their behavior?
2. Many people truly believe that if we repeat our prayers enough that God will answer every request with a yes. Would it be a good thing or bad thing if God said yes to every prayer request? Why or why not? Do you find yourself praying for needs or wants? How about others' needs?
January 18, 2012
Day 15: Luke 9:37 - 10:20
Thanks for coming by! I'm stoked about today's post. Let's not waste any time and get to it!
Read Luke 9:37 - 10:20 (find it here)
As soon as Peter, James, John and Jesus come down from the mountain they are presented with a possessed boy. Apparently, the other disciples that weren't with Jesus couldn't drive this particular spirit out.
Jesus is frustrated. Who is he referring to as faithless and corrupt? (verse 41) With the slumber of Peter, James and John on the mountain coupled with the never-ending wave of crowds needing him, Jesus is, most likely, referring to both. This doesn't mean that Jesus refuses to help, he's just aggravated. He's still human (as well as God, too), you know. Let's not forget that.
While everyone was still shocked by the healing they just witnessed, Jesus again predicts his upcoming death. Peter, James and John get a second chance to hear this prophecy. You can see, in verse 45, why Jesus is aggravated with both the people and his disciples. Luke says that "they didn't know what he meant and they were afraid to ask." No one, for some reason, thought this prophecy was significant. How come? I have no idea.
A possible reason why even the disciples missed the significance of Jesus' foretelling was because they were "arguing about which of them was the GOAT." (verse 46; GOAT stands for greatest of all time, by the way)
Of course, Jesus knows the contents of their argument. He brings a child amongst them.
(Remember, again, that women and children have little to no rights in this culture.)
At first its a teaching moment. "Always welcome a child on my behalf." But then, Jesus drops this little bomb, "Whoever is the least among you is the greatest." In other words, this child is greater than all of you men because you want to be the GOAT! Being cocky is immature and childish. Being child-like in our faith (willing to accept and follow direction, ask questions, be humble, etc) is a sign of great understanding of our role in God's will.
If you didn't know, Jews and Samaritans don't mix. I say mix, ironically, since it is because of the Samaritans mixed race (and culture) that the Jews hated them. Americans have a decent idea of what this is like. Think of the race relations between blacks and whites in the South between the 1950s and 60s (segregation and Jim Crow laws). Now imagine what it was like if you were of mixed race during that time? They wouldn't be wholly accepted by either "pure" race. That is the plight of the Samaritans in a nutshell. They are seen as "half-breeds."
Jesus heads to Jerusalem. In other to get there from where he was, he had to travel through Samaria (hence why they are called Samaritans). Jesus plans to stop in a small village but the Samaritans don't want a bunch of Jews in their town.
No doubt the disciples remember Jesus saying, "If a town doesn't welcome you, leave it to its fate." (Luke 9:5) James and John ask Jesus, basically, "Can we kill them?" Jesus rightly calls them out! Haven't they learned anything from Jesus about compassion for people? Jesus didn't even destroy demons so why would he condone the killing of human beings?!
Want to follow Jesus? Jesus isn't about monetary riches or possessions. Jesus says that he's, essentially, homeless (verse 58).
If you give Jesus excuses as to why you can't share your faith or follow him, then obviously you're not ready or "fit for the Kingdom." (verse 62). Wow, blunt words.
Jesus decides to send his disciples on another mission trip. This time he chooses and sends out 72 disciples in pairs. (Luke 10:1) This time they had specific instructions. Of course they had the responsibility of preaching and healing, but Jesus asked them to make disciples. They needed more people to help them preach and heal. He gave them free reign to recruit workers for the Kingdom. "Don't waste your time by casually talking to people." (my paraphrase of verse 4) Go get the job done, time is precious!
Read Luke 9:37 - 10:20 (find it here)
As soon as Peter, James, John and Jesus come down from the mountain they are presented with a possessed boy. Apparently, the other disciples that weren't with Jesus couldn't drive this particular spirit out.
Jesus is frustrated. Who is he referring to as faithless and corrupt? (verse 41) With the slumber of Peter, James and John on the mountain coupled with the never-ending wave of crowds needing him, Jesus is, most likely, referring to both. This doesn't mean that Jesus refuses to help, he's just aggravated. He's still human (as well as God, too), you know. Let's not forget that.
While everyone was still shocked by the healing they just witnessed, Jesus again predicts his upcoming death. Peter, James and John get a second chance to hear this prophecy. You can see, in verse 45, why Jesus is aggravated with both the people and his disciples. Luke says that "they didn't know what he meant and they were afraid to ask." No one, for some reason, thought this prophecy was significant. How come? I have no idea.
A possible reason why even the disciples missed the significance of Jesus' foretelling was because they were "arguing about which of them was the GOAT." (verse 46; GOAT stands for greatest of all time, by the way)
Of course, Jesus knows the contents of their argument. He brings a child amongst them.
(Remember, again, that women and children have little to no rights in this culture.)
At first its a teaching moment. "Always welcome a child on my behalf." But then, Jesus drops this little bomb, "Whoever is the least among you is the greatest." In other words, this child is greater than all of you men because you want to be the GOAT! Being cocky is immature and childish. Being child-like in our faith (willing to accept and follow direction, ask questions, be humble, etc) is a sign of great understanding of our role in God's will.
If you didn't know, Jews and Samaritans don't mix. I say mix, ironically, since it is because of the Samaritans mixed race (and culture) that the Jews hated them. Americans have a decent idea of what this is like. Think of the race relations between blacks and whites in the South between the 1950s and 60s (segregation and Jim Crow laws). Now imagine what it was like if you were of mixed race during that time? They wouldn't be wholly accepted by either "pure" race. That is the plight of the Samaritans in a nutshell. They are seen as "half-breeds."
Jesus heads to Jerusalem. In other to get there from where he was, he had to travel through Samaria (hence why they are called Samaritans). Jesus plans to stop in a small village but the Samaritans don't want a bunch of Jews in their town.
No doubt the disciples remember Jesus saying, "If a town doesn't welcome you, leave it to its fate." (Luke 9:5) James and John ask Jesus, basically, "Can we kill them?" Jesus rightly calls them out! Haven't they learned anything from Jesus about compassion for people? Jesus didn't even destroy demons so why would he condone the killing of human beings?!
Want to follow Jesus? Jesus isn't about monetary riches or possessions. Jesus says that he's, essentially, homeless (verse 58).
If you give Jesus excuses as to why you can't share your faith or follow him, then obviously you're not ready or "fit for the Kingdom." (verse 62). Wow, blunt words.
Jesus decides to send his disciples on another mission trip. This time he chooses and sends out 72 disciples in pairs. (Luke 10:1) This time they had specific instructions. Of course they had the responsibility of preaching and healing, but Jesus asked them to make disciples. They needed more people to help them preach and heal. He gave them free reign to recruit workers for the Kingdom. "Don't waste your time by casually talking to people." (my paraphrase of verse 4) Go get the job done, time is precious!
Jesus reminds them to depend on their hosts. They are not to bring anything extra. They are to bless everyone but only those who take them in will receive that blessing. Just in case you thought that they didn't have to preach and heal, Jesus does remind them that those two tasks are part of this trip, too. (verse 9
Sodom was known as one of the most evil cities in the Old Testament. Sodom is where we get the English word for sodomy. (If you don't know what that means, click here). Now do you get why it was seen as evil? Bestiality and unnatural sex were commonplace. Sodom was destroyed by God with fire from heaven (see Genesis 19). And Jesus says that this place will be worse off than Sodom! Why? Check out the questions section below.
By verse 17 the disciples are pumped because everyone, even demons, were obeying them when they used Jesus' name! Jesus says that Satan had definitely suffered great loss because of their ministry. He encourages them to have no fear and to be ecstatic not only because they've cast out demons but because their service proves good fruit in their lives. They are destined for heaven!
Questions
1.) Does it bother you that Jesus gets angry? Why or why not? Do you believe his anger is always justified?
2.) James and John wanted to kill all the Samaritans from the village that wouldn't accept them! Does it surprise you that they would want such a thing? How have you been completely shocked by a so-called Christ-follower's outburst of anger? Is our anger always justified? Was James and John's anger justified?
3.) Why would the cities that reject Jesus, his message and healing be worse off than Sodom? Why would they receive a harsher punishment?
January 17, 2012
Day 14 - Luke 8:40-9:36
Even though we didn't see anyone else post their responses to the last post's questions, I'm going to continue to add my answers. It's funny how so few responded to the post on Luke 8 while quite a few commented on my Facebook post on Ron Paul during last night's Republican Presidential Debate. See that comment feed here.
Read Luke 8:40 - 9:36 (find it here)
Jesus usually heals in of two ways, either by speaking his power or seemingly by transferring through touch. Reports of these healings spread like wildfire. One woman wondered, (paraphrasing) "What if I touched Jesus? Would I be healed?"
Jesus was being escorted to heal a local religious leader's daughter. In the hustle and bustle of the crowd, there was a woman who had been constantly bleeding for 12 YEARS! This had to be particularly tough. In that culture, women were deemed "unclean" (as in don't touch them, they are cursed) when they were on their period or after they had given birth. Read about it here.
She touched Jesus' robe (not his body) and her bleeding stopped! Jesus felt "the healing power go out" from him (verse 46). Jesus demanded to know who touched him. After fessing up, the woman explained her situation and her thought process. Jesus affirmed her and dismissed her in peace:)
In the meantime, Jairus' daughter had died. That didn't stop Jesus; he continued to the house and raised her from the dead! Jesus returned the daughter back to her parents and asked them to keep this story to themselves.
Since the disciples had seen and experienced so much with Jesus, it was now their turn to cast our demons and heal people. That was never the full purpose, though. It was only part of the ministry. The ministry centered around them telling "everyone about the Kingdom of God and healing the sick" (Luke 9:2) and that's what they did.
The disciples became the first missionaries. They slept wherever they were welcomed and were dependent on their hosts for everything (food, money and even clothes).
Remember how Jesus' feet weren't washed when he was invited to the home of Simon the Pharisee just two chapters ago? Jesus refers to that unwelcoming feeling when he says, "if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet." (verse 5) In other words, if they won't wash your feet, don't stay there.
Do you find it strange that Herod Antipas thinks that Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected, even though he personally had him beheaded? It shows how much Herod respected (or maybe even feared) John the Baptist.
Jesus and the disciples try to slip out of town. The crowds caught on quick, but Jesus welcomed them, taught them and healed their sick. Jesus doesn't let the ministry be limited to a set time. If they come to him, he never turns them away.
They must have been there a while. The disciples encouraged Jesus to send the people away because it was getting late and the people were getting hungry. Jesus said, "You feed them." (verse 13)
All they had was 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. There were 5,000 men there. (Remember how women and children are second in importance to men?) The total number of people, counting women and children, probably numbered somewhere between 10 to 15 thousand! (to give some perspective, that would be everybody from Perquimans County or double the total number of students at ECSU, COA, Northeastern and P-Tank combined!) If they were sat in groups of 50, that would be approximately 2 to 3 hundred groups and would fill the Hampton Coliseum to capacity!!
Jesus blessed the food (perhaps this is a great inspiration to do the same thing) and he passed the fish and bread out to the people. There were 12 baskets full of LEFTOVERS!
Jesus leaves the crowd again to pray "alone" (with his disciples). He quizzes them. "Who do you say I am?" (verse 18) The disciples shared all the rumors that were flying around (John the Baptist, Elijah, an ancient prophet reincarnate, etc). Only Peter had the guts and certainty to say, "You are the Messiah!" (verse 20)
We'll definitely talk more about this story when its repeated, with way more details, in Matthew 16.
After hearing Peter's statement, Jesus tells about what will happen to him. What a perfect time to challenge the rest of the followers in saying, "if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it but if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." (verse 24) After talking about the thorny-type of people who only care about themselves just recently, this was the time to see if Jesus had thorny or good soil-types following him.
I'm sure that Jesus' crowd thinned out after that speech.
Eight days after, Jesus takes Peter, John and James on a mountain to pray (verse 28). Jesus' face began to change and his clothes sparkled white. Then Moses and Elijah (huge celebrity/prophet/leaders of Israel's past) appeared and talked with Jesus about how he would die and what his death would fulfill.
How could Peter, James and John have any doubt, right? Well...they were asleep when they were talking about this. (It wouldn't be the last time where they would fall asleep while praying, either.)
They woke up just in time to see Moses and Elijah leave. Peter's confession was echoed by the voice of God saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." (verse 35) Now should there be any doubt?
"Don't tell anyone," Jesus said (again). Interesting, eh?
Questions
1.) The woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, had unsuccessfully tried doctors and maybe even other faith healers. If you had a health issue that you would have to conceal in order to participate in society, what would you do to get healed? Don't you think that woman had done all those things? Why did she get a different outcome when she came to Jesus?
2.) Have you ever thought about how many people Jesus really fed in the feeding of the "5,000"? Do you think that everyone there knew what happened? How would you have reacted if you were one of the disciples? Is that reaction anywhere near close to how you feel when reading the story?
3.) Jesus continually tells people NOT to tell others who he is. Why do you think he does that? Does it help or hurt his cause?
Read Luke 8:40 - 9:36 (find it here)
Jesus usually heals in of two ways, either by speaking his power or seemingly by transferring through touch. Reports of these healings spread like wildfire. One woman wondered, (paraphrasing) "What if I touched Jesus? Would I be healed?"
Jesus was being escorted to heal a local religious leader's daughter. In the hustle and bustle of the crowd, there was a woman who had been constantly bleeding for 12 YEARS! This had to be particularly tough. In that culture, women were deemed "unclean" (as in don't touch them, they are cursed) when they were on their period or after they had given birth. Read about it here.
She touched Jesus' robe (not his body) and her bleeding stopped! Jesus felt "the healing power go out" from him (verse 46). Jesus demanded to know who touched him. After fessing up, the woman explained her situation and her thought process. Jesus affirmed her and dismissed her in peace:)
In the meantime, Jairus' daughter had died. That didn't stop Jesus; he continued to the house and raised her from the dead! Jesus returned the daughter back to her parents and asked them to keep this story to themselves.
Since the disciples had seen and experienced so much with Jesus, it was now their turn to cast our demons and heal people. That was never the full purpose, though. It was only part of the ministry. The ministry centered around them telling "everyone about the Kingdom of God and healing the sick" (Luke 9:2) and that's what they did.
The disciples became the first missionaries. They slept wherever they were welcomed and were dependent on their hosts for everything (food, money and even clothes).
Remember how Jesus' feet weren't washed when he was invited to the home of Simon the Pharisee just two chapters ago? Jesus refers to that unwelcoming feeling when he says, "if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet." (verse 5) In other words, if they won't wash your feet, don't stay there.
Do you find it strange that Herod Antipas thinks that Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected, even though he personally had him beheaded? It shows how much Herod respected (or maybe even feared) John the Baptist.
Jesus and the disciples try to slip out of town. The crowds caught on quick, but Jesus welcomed them, taught them and healed their sick. Jesus doesn't let the ministry be limited to a set time. If they come to him, he never turns them away.
They must have been there a while. The disciples encouraged Jesus to send the people away because it was getting late and the people were getting hungry. Jesus said, "You feed them." (verse 13)
All they had was 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. There were 5,000 men there. (Remember how women and children are second in importance to men?) The total number of people, counting women and children, probably numbered somewhere between 10 to 15 thousand! (to give some perspective, that would be everybody from Perquimans County or double the total number of students at ECSU, COA, Northeastern and P-Tank combined!) If they were sat in groups of 50, that would be approximately 2 to 3 hundred groups and would fill the Hampton Coliseum to capacity!!
Jesus blessed the food (perhaps this is a great inspiration to do the same thing) and he passed the fish and bread out to the people. There were 12 baskets full of LEFTOVERS!
Jesus leaves the crowd again to pray "alone" (with his disciples). He quizzes them. "Who do you say I am?" (verse 18) The disciples shared all the rumors that were flying around (John the Baptist, Elijah, an ancient prophet reincarnate, etc). Only Peter had the guts and certainty to say, "You are the Messiah!" (verse 20)
We'll definitely talk more about this story when its repeated, with way more details, in Matthew 16.
After hearing Peter's statement, Jesus tells about what will happen to him. What a perfect time to challenge the rest of the followers in saying, "if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it but if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." (verse 24) After talking about the thorny-type of people who only care about themselves just recently, this was the time to see if Jesus had thorny or good soil-types following him.
I'm sure that Jesus' crowd thinned out after that speech.
Eight days after, Jesus takes Peter, John and James on a mountain to pray (verse 28). Jesus' face began to change and his clothes sparkled white. Then Moses and Elijah (huge celebrity/prophet/leaders of Israel's past) appeared and talked with Jesus about how he would die and what his death would fulfill.
How could Peter, James and John have any doubt, right? Well...they were asleep when they were talking about this. (It wouldn't be the last time where they would fall asleep while praying, either.)
They woke up just in time to see Moses and Elijah leave. Peter's confession was echoed by the voice of God saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." (verse 35) Now should there be any doubt?
"Don't tell anyone," Jesus said (again). Interesting, eh?
Questions
1.) The woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, had unsuccessfully tried doctors and maybe even other faith healers. If you had a health issue that you would have to conceal in order to participate in society, what would you do to get healed? Don't you think that woman had done all those things? Why did she get a different outcome when she came to Jesus?
2.) Have you ever thought about how many people Jesus really fed in the feeding of the "5,000"? Do you think that everyone there knew what happened? How would you have reacted if you were one of the disciples? Is that reaction anywhere near close to how you feel when reading the story?
3.) Jesus continually tells people NOT to tell others who he is. Why do you think he does that? Does it help or hurt his cause?
January 16, 2012
Day 13 - Luke 8:4-39
Perhaps I should start answering my own questions just to get the ball rolling. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on how their answering the questions! So, today, you'll see my responses to the questions. Join in with me! I'm going to try to get Jenny to give her answers, too:)
Read Luke 8:4-39 (find it here)
Jesus stops to tell a parable (a story with a spiritual message). Who knows, with so many people being there from many different towns, he could've stopped to speak in a field. It would've been the perfect place with adequate space.
Even though Jesus gives the disciples the privilege of understanding the parable by explaining it to them thoroughly, Jesus knows that even a symbolic parable will go over many people's heads.
God showers his word upon all different types of people in the world. The footpath represents those who hear the message but do nothing with it. They are course and give God no time of day. God still deposits His word in their lives, anyway. It leaves them just as quickly as it arrives.
The rocky soil is symbolic of those who hear and accept the message. Even though they may believe for a while, temptation makes them change their mind. The Greek word for temptation (peirasmo) is not that simple. Temptation could be defined as peer pressure, for example, when non-Christ followers ridicule new believers as being simple- (in other words, stupid) or closed-minded (intolerant). Another form of temptation, as seen in clues by how its used in the original Greek, could suggest that unanswered questions or doubts may have caused this person to ultimately dismiss God's word as wrong, immoral or useless.
Unlike the rocky soil, the culprit of the thorny soil is not outside (as in peer pressure or ridicule) but more individual and personal. The cares, riches and pleasures of this life are those things that we are NOT willing to give up into order to follow Christ. For example, God commands us to give to the poor. Um, no thanks. That money is mine! Selfishness proves immaturity (my interpretation of verse 14).
With that mindset, its no surprise that the thorny variety doesn't receive the message with joy like the rocky soil-type people do.
Remember when we talked about how good people produce good fruit? That is what happens when people "hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest." (verse 15) Patiently, Jesus says. You don't break all of your bad habits all at once.
Check out this thought. If you listen to Jesus' teachings, you will understand more and more. For those that don't, "even what they think they understand will be taken away from them." They will think they are brilliant but the opposite will be true. That makes me think of someone like Stephen Hawking. The man is so smart but misses the truth of God's greatness by a mile because he only trusts his own, limited mind and not God's word.
(See verses 19-21) I said that when Jesus was choosing his disciples he was essentially choosing his family, right? It wasn't as if Jesus was disrespecting his mother and brothers, but he was calling his followers part of his or God's family!
I can't blame the disciples for being scared of drowning while being in a storm. But, then again, if Jesus could raise from the dead, I guess it would be logical to assume he can calm a storm, right? However, raising ONE person and controlling NATURE is completely different. That's why the disciples were still befuddled when the wind and waves obeyed him!
They get to the other side of the sea just in time to meet a naked, homeless, screaming, demon-possessed man. They almost drown and then the disciples see THIS! The name Legion is an important clue here. A legion is a well-trained battalion of 5,000 Roman soldiers. Can you imagine hearing 5,000 demons talking at once?! That may have been what is was like to hear this guy scream or talk. No wonder people were freaked out by him!
The demons were sent out of the man and into a herd of pigs, which immediately went crazy and drowned in the nearby lake. That freaked the herdsmen out. They ran back to tell everybody what they saw. The crowd saw the man, completely healed and sane!
Happy ending to the story, right? No...
The people reacted in fear and wanted Jesus to leave. Jesus respected their wish and left. Why did they want him to leave? Maybe this is what the people were thinking, "If it costs the waste of thousands of pigs (which is equal to about $200,000+) to get this guy sane, what will it costs to heal other people in our town?" Sadly enough, their possessions were more important than anything else. So Jesus left.
The healed man wanted to go with them. Jesus declines and orders the man to go back to the town and tell them "everything God has done for you." (verse 39) So that's what he did. Do you know what happened after that?
...here's a clue, check out Mark 5:19-20
Questions
1.) What do you think is more common in today's culture; to find someone who represents rocky (is influenced by peer pressure and doubts) or thorny (selfishness) soil? Why do you say that?
2.) Do you know people who are so smart that they miss the point of faith? Do you try to have an answer to all of your questions about the faith in order to just appease your curiosity? If we knew everything about God, would we need faith, heck, would we need Him? Doesn't faith make sense after all?
3.) The man that Jesus healed wanted to leave with Jesus. Jesus gave him a job, "Go tell your story to your town!" He goes far beyond that! The man goes to TEN TOWNS and people accept his story with amazement! Think about it: sometimes we want something specific from God. He tells us no and gives us a duty that seems pointless but ends up causing a HUGE impact for good! Does that help you consider why it feels as if God answers your specific prayer request with a no? Why or why not?
Read Luke 8:4-39 (find it here)
Jesus stops to tell a parable (a story with a spiritual message). Who knows, with so many people being there from many different towns, he could've stopped to speak in a field. It would've been the perfect place with adequate space.
Even though Jesus gives the disciples the privilege of understanding the parable by explaining it to them thoroughly, Jesus knows that even a symbolic parable will go over many people's heads.
God showers his word upon all different types of people in the world. The footpath represents those who hear the message but do nothing with it. They are course and give God no time of day. God still deposits His word in their lives, anyway. It leaves them just as quickly as it arrives.
The rocky soil is symbolic of those who hear and accept the message. Even though they may believe for a while, temptation makes them change their mind. The Greek word for temptation (peirasmo) is not that simple. Temptation could be defined as peer pressure, for example, when non-Christ followers ridicule new believers as being simple- (in other words, stupid) or closed-minded (intolerant). Another form of temptation, as seen in clues by how its used in the original Greek, could suggest that unanswered questions or doubts may have caused this person to ultimately dismiss God's word as wrong, immoral or useless.
Unlike the rocky soil, the culprit of the thorny soil is not outside (as in peer pressure or ridicule) but more individual and personal. The cares, riches and pleasures of this life are those things that we are NOT willing to give up into order to follow Christ. For example, God commands us to give to the poor. Um, no thanks. That money is mine! Selfishness proves immaturity (my interpretation of verse 14).
With that mindset, its no surprise that the thorny variety doesn't receive the message with joy like the rocky soil-type people do.
Remember when we talked about how good people produce good fruit? That is what happens when people "hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest." (verse 15) Patiently, Jesus says. You don't break all of your bad habits all at once.
Check out this thought. If you listen to Jesus' teachings, you will understand more and more. For those that don't, "even what they think they understand will be taken away from them." They will think they are brilliant but the opposite will be true. That makes me think of someone like Stephen Hawking. The man is so smart but misses the truth of God's greatness by a mile because he only trusts his own, limited mind and not God's word.
(See verses 19-21) I said that when Jesus was choosing his disciples he was essentially choosing his family, right? It wasn't as if Jesus was disrespecting his mother and brothers, but he was calling his followers part of his or God's family!
I can't blame the disciples for being scared of drowning while being in a storm. But, then again, if Jesus could raise from the dead, I guess it would be logical to assume he can calm a storm, right? However, raising ONE person and controlling NATURE is completely different. That's why the disciples were still befuddled when the wind and waves obeyed him!
They get to the other side of the sea just in time to meet a naked, homeless, screaming, demon-possessed man. They almost drown and then the disciples see THIS! The name Legion is an important clue here. A legion is a well-trained battalion of 5,000 Roman soldiers. Can you imagine hearing 5,000 demons talking at once?! That may have been what is was like to hear this guy scream or talk. No wonder people were freaked out by him!
The demons were sent out of the man and into a herd of pigs, which immediately went crazy and drowned in the nearby lake. That freaked the herdsmen out. They ran back to tell everybody what they saw. The crowd saw the man, completely healed and sane!
Happy ending to the story, right? No...
The people reacted in fear and wanted Jesus to leave. Jesus respected their wish and left. Why did they want him to leave? Maybe this is what the people were thinking, "If it costs the waste of thousands of pigs (which is equal to about $200,000+) to get this guy sane, what will it costs to heal other people in our town?" Sadly enough, their possessions were more important than anything else. So Jesus left.
The healed man wanted to go with them. Jesus declines and orders the man to go back to the town and tell them "everything God has done for you." (verse 39) So that's what he did. Do you know what happened after that?
...here's a clue, check out Mark 5:19-20
Questions
1.) What do you think is more common in today's culture; to find someone who represents rocky (is influenced by peer pressure and doubts) or thorny (selfishness) soil? Why do you say that?
2.) Do you know people who are so smart that they miss the point of faith? Do you try to have an answer to all of your questions about the faith in order to just appease your curiosity? If we knew everything about God, would we need faith, heck, would we need Him? Doesn't faith make sense after all?
3.) The man that Jesus healed wanted to leave with Jesus. Jesus gave him a job, "Go tell your story to your town!" He goes far beyond that! The man goes to TEN TOWNS and people accept his story with amazement! Think about it: sometimes we want something specific from God. He tells us no and gives us a duty that seems pointless but ends up causing a HUGE impact for good! Does that help you consider why it feels as if God answers your specific prayer request with a no? Why or why not?
January 15, 2012
Day 12 - Luke 7:36-8:3
I barely made yesterday's post before midnight. We won't have that issue today:) Let's jump right on in!
Read Luke 7:36-8:3 (find it here)
Even with Jesus calling out the Pharisees during the last post, one Pharisee invites Jesus over to dinner. (If I were Jesus, I would immediately be skeptical about why I was invited.) Jesus comes in, sits down and, seemingly out of nowhere, an "immoral woman" (most likely meant she was a prostitute) invites herself in, kneels at Jesus' feet and uses her hair to wipe the flowing tears that she drips on his feet. She kisses and repeatedly puts "expensive perfume" on his feet.
How expensive?
Most scholars agree that the alabaster jar of perfume was worth more than a year's worth of earnings. In today's terms, that would at least be $30,000! This was, most likely, a family heirloom or a gift that was given to her. Instead of selling it and buying her way out of her lifestyle, she uses it to show her adoration of Jesus.
When we read this story again in John, you'll see that someone else actually speaks up in protest of the use of this perfume. But here, in Luke 7, the Pharisee said to himself, (paraphrasing) "Does he not know who this woman is?"
Jesus responds to the Pharisee's thought with an analogy and a summary question to test his common sense. Simon, the Pharisee (not Jesus' disciple), correctly answers Jesus' question. I can see him rolling his eyes as he knows that Jesus got him to answer the way he wanted.
Now that's not the attention-getter for Simon. It was when Jesus points out how this woman has been much, much more hospitable than he has been. It was customary for guests to wash their feet upon entering any home that wasn't their own. It was done in appreciation of their travel from their home to the guest's home. Simon ignores Jesus' customary needs, but this woman takes care of that.
Jesus even says that he wasn't greeted upon entering the house. How awkward is that?! Only the "sinful woman" has shown him attention.
Even though the Pharisee was a trained religious leader who despised such a sinner, Jesus proved that God's love is not limited, even to a person who has many sins. Just like before, the Pharisees (there are said to be many Pharisees present now) question his ability to forgive sins but Jesus ignores them (just as he was earlier), focuses on the woman and says that she is saved! She has come, paid a fortune, cried her eyes out and left a new woman, completely forgiven.
Its not a surprise that right after this many woman start to follow Jesus. Stories spread fast. Just a few of those women are listed by name in Luke 8:2-3. These women, like the one who just used a $30,000 jar of perfume, were supporting Jesus and his disciples with their money and resources, as well. If these women were outcasts or widows, Jesus was definitely the male figure that could give them a good standing in their society. (Remember, women don't work to support themselves in this culture.) Even though women were never educated or considered as followers of rabbis, that didn't stop Jesus from including them! It was like a huge traveling family.
Its amazing how much influence you can possibly gain by just showing mercy to people, isn't it?
Questions
1.) If you were the sinful woman, what would you have done with the $30,000 worth of perfume? Do you think she made the right decision?
2.) The Pharisees ignore Jesus while the woman shows him a lot of attention. How would you react if Jesus were to come to your house for dinner? What would you do and say?
3.) Jesus ignores the Pharisees, forgives the woman and immediately has a group of women who not only start to follow him but also to care for his and his disciples' needs. Knowing what you know about Jesus and if you were there, would you leave your family to follow him, too? Why or why not?
Read Luke 7:36-8:3 (find it here)
Even with Jesus calling out the Pharisees during the last post, one Pharisee invites Jesus over to dinner. (If I were Jesus, I would immediately be skeptical about why I was invited.) Jesus comes in, sits down and, seemingly out of nowhere, an "immoral woman" (most likely meant she was a prostitute) invites herself in, kneels at Jesus' feet and uses her hair to wipe the flowing tears that she drips on his feet. She kisses and repeatedly puts "expensive perfume" on his feet.
How expensive?
Most scholars agree that the alabaster jar of perfume was worth more than a year's worth of earnings. In today's terms, that would at least be $30,000! This was, most likely, a family heirloom or a gift that was given to her. Instead of selling it and buying her way out of her lifestyle, she uses it to show her adoration of Jesus.
When we read this story again in John, you'll see that someone else actually speaks up in protest of the use of this perfume. But here, in Luke 7, the Pharisee said to himself, (paraphrasing) "Does he not know who this woman is?"
Jesus responds to the Pharisee's thought with an analogy and a summary question to test his common sense. Simon, the Pharisee (not Jesus' disciple), correctly answers Jesus' question. I can see him rolling his eyes as he knows that Jesus got him to answer the way he wanted.
Now that's not the attention-getter for Simon. It was when Jesus points out how this woman has been much, much more hospitable than he has been. It was customary for guests to wash their feet upon entering any home that wasn't their own. It was done in appreciation of their travel from their home to the guest's home. Simon ignores Jesus' customary needs, but this woman takes care of that.
Jesus even says that he wasn't greeted upon entering the house. How awkward is that?! Only the "sinful woman" has shown him attention.
Even though the Pharisee was a trained religious leader who despised such a sinner, Jesus proved that God's love is not limited, even to a person who has many sins. Just like before, the Pharisees (there are said to be many Pharisees present now) question his ability to forgive sins but Jesus ignores them (just as he was earlier), focuses on the woman and says that she is saved! She has come, paid a fortune, cried her eyes out and left a new woman, completely forgiven.
Its not a surprise that right after this many woman start to follow Jesus. Stories spread fast. Just a few of those women are listed by name in Luke 8:2-3. These women, like the one who just used a $30,000 jar of perfume, were supporting Jesus and his disciples with their money and resources, as well. If these women were outcasts or widows, Jesus was definitely the male figure that could give them a good standing in their society. (Remember, women don't work to support themselves in this culture.) Even though women were never educated or considered as followers of rabbis, that didn't stop Jesus from including them! It was like a huge traveling family.
Its amazing how much influence you can possibly gain by just showing mercy to people, isn't it?
Questions
1.) If you were the sinful woman, what would you have done with the $30,000 worth of perfume? Do you think she made the right decision?
2.) The Pharisees ignore Jesus while the woman shows him a lot of attention. How would you react if Jesus were to come to your house for dinner? What would you do and say?
3.) Jesus ignores the Pharisees, forgives the woman and immediately has a group of women who not only start to follow him but also to care for his and his disciples' needs. Knowing what you know about Jesus and if you were there, would you leave your family to follow him, too? Why or why not?
Day 11 - Luke 7:1-35
Many thanks to all the people who wished me a happy birthday! It has been three days of festivities for Jenny & I. On my actual birthday (Thursday), we had dinner at PF Changs. Last night we used a $50 gift card from my parents for a fantastic dinner at Olive Garden (you must try the fried lasagna!) and tonight my friend, Kristine, organized a birthday dinner to Doc Chey's here in downtown Asheville. The food was almost as good as the company. BUT, I have been itching to get back to the blog, even though I'm just getting to writing at 10:30 on a Saturday night.
Read Luke 7 (find it here)
Back in Luke 4 Jesus ticked off people in his hometown by implying that God didn't exclusively care about only Jews (his said this by noting that Elijah didn't help Israelite widows but a foreigner instead, the same with Elisha). Jesus says something similar to this again in the first part of Luke 7.
While traveling Jesus is met by "some respected Jewish elders" who were sent by a Roman officer to ask Jesus if he could heal his "highly valued slave." There are two things interesting right off the bat.
A Roman sends two Jews.
In this time period, these two types of people didn't mesh well together. Rome had essentially occupied Jewish territory and claimed it as their own. But this officer didn't treat Jews like most Romans did. He loved Jewish people and "even built a synagogue (like a church)" for them. So, "respected Jewish elders" honored his request to go to Jesus on his behalf.
This Roman officer is also said to have "highly valued" his slave. Slaves were property and to see the words "highly valued" (as in this slave was important to him as a person, not as worker) and slave together is uncommon in Scripture. It shows the Roman officer's compassion.
Before Jesus gets to the slave, the officer decides that instead of troubling Jesus to come all the way to his home, he sends friends to ask Jesus just to speak the word and the slave would be healed. The officer thought, "If I can command people to come and go, surely Jesus can do the same with sicknesses." No doubt he had heard of Jesus healing people!
Jesus, in verse 9, was amazed! This guy blew Jesus' mind! Jesus turned to the crowd that was following him and basically called everyone out by saying, "I haven't seen faith like this in all of Israel!" He basically said, "this Roman has shown more faith in me than any other Jew I've seen."
I bet that was a hard pill to swallow for his followers. And, oh by the way, the slave was healed, too.
This is another instance where one person's faith saved someone else (remember the guy lowered through the roof in Luke 5?).
Jesus continues to travel with a large posse behind him. They come across a funeral procession. Instead of shiny black Cadillacs and a hurse, this scene probably looked more like people openly weeping aloud, dressed in sackcloth (like a burlap or potato sack) as they follow the casket to its burial site. It was the procession for a widow's only son.
Jesus' heart overflowed with compassion (verse 13). This is an example of when Jesus produced a miracle even when it wasn't asked for. In this instance, with the mother being a widow (which means she has no one to provide for her), losing the only male in her family would ultimately leave her poor. The only women who "worked" were pretty much prostitutes. Any who did common labor would be characterized as abnormal. So Jesus repaired the life of the mother just as much as he did for her son.
Jesus' miracle produced great awe, instead of ridicule. Its almost as if Jesus knew the positive reaction he would receive.
Its evident that John and Jesus aren't hanging out or even communicating that much because John send two of his boys to Jesus to ask, "Are the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking?" For some reason, the news of all of Jesus' miracle haven't made their way back to John. John doesn't know all the stories we know, at this point.
Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:18-19 in verse 22 by saying (paraphrasing here), "I've done the same things that Isaiah said the Holy One of Israel (or Messiah) would do." That answers that.
After that, Jesus decides to tell his following crowd about John. He refers to John as more than a prophet (remember, one who speaks for God), but as the man destined to prepare the way for Jesus. John pretty much gave Jesus' ministry a launching point with his baptism.
Jesus builds John up BIG TIME and then says something that is completely befuddling. Jesus says, "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!" This was so confusing to me that I had to seek help.
John was the last and first of a generation. John was the last of the generation to live by the 600+ laws. He was the launching point for Jesus' ministry, which was all about fostering a relationship with God through forgiveness of sin. So, John was the greatest of the "Law generation," but when it comes to people who accept God's forgiveness, Jesus deems the faith to accept forgiveness as being greater than following the old Law.
Naturally, all the people, thought that accepting God was easier and more understandable than trying to please God through the Law. It seemed "right." (verse 29)
Everyone agreed except the enforces of the Law, the Pharisees and religious experts. They rejected God's plan of forgiveness (through accepting Jesus instead of the old way of following the law and offering sacrifices).
Jesus says that "this generation" (or these people) are unsatisfied with whatever is done for them. They can't be pleased. And to make matters worse, the Pharisees and religious experts spread rumors about John and Jesus. They called John demonic and Jesus a fat drunkard who hangs out with scum.
Jesus gives out one more little shot to those "experts" when he says the true wisdom is shown by those who follow wise teaching. That's just a fancy way of saying, "Pharisees you're so smart that you can't see the obvious wise (and easy) thing to do."
Questions
1.) The thought of Jesus being amazed is mind-blowing! Do you think you've ever amazed Jesus? In other words, do you do the unexpected? Have you exceeded what the average person does?
2.) Jesus says that anyone who accepts him is blessed and greater than John the Baptist. How does it make you feel to have Jesus say that anyone who accepts him (is that true of you?) is greater than the greatest prophet that has ever lived?
3.) Are you thinking too much about the Christian faith? Everyone except the "experts" thought that accepting God's forgiveness and turning from their old ways was the right and obvious thing to do. Do you set too many rules for yourself and forget that the Christian faith is more about being led by God? How can you break free of the Law and huge expectations that you put on yourself? Why not focus that energy on serving others instead of just being a "better person." Being a "better person" was what the Pharisees wanted people to be.
Read Luke 7 (find it here)
Back in Luke 4 Jesus ticked off people in his hometown by implying that God didn't exclusively care about only Jews (his said this by noting that Elijah didn't help Israelite widows but a foreigner instead, the same with Elisha). Jesus says something similar to this again in the first part of Luke 7.
While traveling Jesus is met by "some respected Jewish elders" who were sent by a Roman officer to ask Jesus if he could heal his "highly valued slave." There are two things interesting right off the bat.
A Roman sends two Jews.
In this time period, these two types of people didn't mesh well together. Rome had essentially occupied Jewish territory and claimed it as their own. But this officer didn't treat Jews like most Romans did. He loved Jewish people and "even built a synagogue (like a church)" for them. So, "respected Jewish elders" honored his request to go to Jesus on his behalf.
This Roman officer is also said to have "highly valued" his slave. Slaves were property and to see the words "highly valued" (as in this slave was important to him as a person, not as worker) and slave together is uncommon in Scripture. It shows the Roman officer's compassion.
Before Jesus gets to the slave, the officer decides that instead of troubling Jesus to come all the way to his home, he sends friends to ask Jesus just to speak the word and the slave would be healed. The officer thought, "If I can command people to come and go, surely Jesus can do the same with sicknesses." No doubt he had heard of Jesus healing people!
Jesus, in verse 9, was amazed! This guy blew Jesus' mind! Jesus turned to the crowd that was following him and basically called everyone out by saying, "I haven't seen faith like this in all of Israel!" He basically said, "this Roman has shown more faith in me than any other Jew I've seen."
I bet that was a hard pill to swallow for his followers. And, oh by the way, the slave was healed, too.
This is another instance where one person's faith saved someone else (remember the guy lowered through the roof in Luke 5?).
Jesus continues to travel with a large posse behind him. They come across a funeral procession. Instead of shiny black Cadillacs and a hurse, this scene probably looked more like people openly weeping aloud, dressed in sackcloth (like a burlap or potato sack) as they follow the casket to its burial site. It was the procession for a widow's only son.
Jesus' heart overflowed with compassion (verse 13). This is an example of when Jesus produced a miracle even when it wasn't asked for. In this instance, with the mother being a widow (which means she has no one to provide for her), losing the only male in her family would ultimately leave her poor. The only women who "worked" were pretty much prostitutes. Any who did common labor would be characterized as abnormal. So Jesus repaired the life of the mother just as much as he did for her son.
Jesus' miracle produced great awe, instead of ridicule. Its almost as if Jesus knew the positive reaction he would receive.
Its evident that John and Jesus aren't hanging out or even communicating that much because John send two of his boys to Jesus to ask, "Are the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking?" For some reason, the news of all of Jesus' miracle haven't made their way back to John. John doesn't know all the stories we know, at this point.
Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:18-19 in verse 22 by saying (paraphrasing here), "I've done the same things that Isaiah said the Holy One of Israel (or Messiah) would do." That answers that.
After that, Jesus decides to tell his following crowd about John. He refers to John as more than a prophet (remember, one who speaks for God), but as the man destined to prepare the way for Jesus. John pretty much gave Jesus' ministry a launching point with his baptism.
Jesus builds John up BIG TIME and then says something that is completely befuddling. Jesus says, "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!" This was so confusing to me that I had to seek help.
John was the last and first of a generation. John was the last of the generation to live by the 600+ laws. He was the launching point for Jesus' ministry, which was all about fostering a relationship with God through forgiveness of sin. So, John was the greatest of the "Law generation," but when it comes to people who accept God's forgiveness, Jesus deems the faith to accept forgiveness as being greater than following the old Law.
Naturally, all the people, thought that accepting God was easier and more understandable than trying to please God through the Law. It seemed "right." (verse 29)
Everyone agreed except the enforces of the Law, the Pharisees and religious experts. They rejected God's plan of forgiveness (through accepting Jesus instead of the old way of following the law and offering sacrifices).
Jesus says that "this generation" (or these people) are unsatisfied with whatever is done for them. They can't be pleased. And to make matters worse, the Pharisees and religious experts spread rumors about John and Jesus. They called John demonic and Jesus a fat drunkard who hangs out with scum.
Jesus gives out one more little shot to those "experts" when he says the true wisdom is shown by those who follow wise teaching. That's just a fancy way of saying, "Pharisees you're so smart that you can't see the obvious wise (and easy) thing to do."
Questions
1.) The thought of Jesus being amazed is mind-blowing! Do you think you've ever amazed Jesus? In other words, do you do the unexpected? Have you exceeded what the average person does?
2.) Jesus says that anyone who accepts him is blessed and greater than John the Baptist. How does it make you feel to have Jesus say that anyone who accepts him (is that true of you?) is greater than the greatest prophet that has ever lived?
3.) Are you thinking too much about the Christian faith? Everyone except the "experts" thought that accepting God's forgiveness and turning from their old ways was the right and obvious thing to do. Do you set too many rules for yourself and forget that the Christian faith is more about being led by God? How can you break free of the Law and huge expectations that you put on yourself? Why not focus that energy on serving others instead of just being a "better person." Being a "better person" was what the Pharisees wanted people to be.
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