Luke 9:46-62
The disciples start arguing about which one of them is the greatest. Perhaps Peter, James, and John were feeling prideful since they had been on the mountain with Jesus. Perhaps the others were trying to make into the top 3... whatever the problem was, Jesus had a powerful lesson that He wanted them to learn....
"But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side."
Picture it.. a little boy or girl, innocent, unaware of the tensions surrounding them... perhaps dirty and neglected... perhaps a member of one of their families. Children were not regarded as worth much in that culture. Remember when the disciples tried to send them away? Here Jesus takes this child to His side ( Mark records that Jesus took him in His arms) and says, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great."
The disciples were considering their own degree of importance... Jesus wanted them to consider the importance of this one small child. To accept a child in Jesus' name is to accept Jesus... and to accept Jesus is to accept the Father. God measures greatness by willing service... the willingness to welcome a child.. to regard him as Christ Himself would. Greatness is not found in rank or power.. but in sacrifice and humility.
John brings up a matter of someone, not of the 12, who was casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus assures John that "... he who is not against you is for you." The position of apostle was never meant to leave others out of ministry , but to bring others into the Kingdom.
Luke tells us that from this point on Jesus "was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem." Going through a Samaritan village, the group are refused lodging. James and John are angry and want to burn the place down. But again Jesus rebukes their wrong thinking.. " You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. "
Following Jesus, being His disciple is not always easy, Jesus teaches. To follow Him means letting go of everything else.. even home, family, wealth, or even your life. Lowliness, not greatness. Humble service, not power and authority. Jesus is heading to Jerusalem to die.. the ultimate act of humility from the One who came to save us all.
Father in heaven , we come to bow before You, to rest in Your loving arms, to receive You and the Beloved Savior. Let us rest in Your arms, Lord Jesus, knowing that You will cover us with Your salvation and carry us into the Glory of Heaven. We are willing to be Your servants, to serve others in Your Name, for we know that this is Your will for us. Strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might fulfill all Your purposes for us. In the Name of Jesus our Lord we pray, amen.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Luke 9 To be a disciple of Jesus while He walked this earth was challenging and exhilarating . The disciples were sent out to preach and heal and cast out demons and that was amazing. But the next thing that happened was daunting... Jesus asked them to feed 5000 people! " You give them something to eat!" He commands. "We have no more than 5 loaves and two fish..." was their reply.
They had come from doing impossible things.. miraculous works of healing and deliverance. But, food? For 5000 men plus their families? Impossible! Or so they thought. Jesus pushes their faith a bit farther.. They have the crowd sit down in smaller groups. Then, Jesus blesses the loaves and fish, "and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the multitude."
Everyone is fed and 12 baskets full of leftovers are picked up!
From challenging to exhilarating in 60 minutes!
Jesus tells His disciples that the life of being His disciple requires a daily sacrifice of one's self, a willingness to lose your life for Him, a focus on spiritual gains instead of worldly profits. He will come in "His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels" one day. He does not want to be ashamed of His own disciples when He returns.
V28-36 Peter, James, and John are taken up on a mountain with Jesus to pray. "and while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah." What would you do if you were able to witness this? Well, apparently Peter, James, and John... fell asleep! They were overwhelmed! Yet, they did wake up and see this amazing glimpse into the "kingdom of God". They saw and they heard... for out of the cloud "a voice came... saying 'This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him."
Listen. This is the emphasis that we keep coming back to over and over again... We need to deliberately pay attention to the Word. To the Living Word, Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the written Word.
As Jesus and the 3 descend from the mountain, they meet a great multitude of people. There is a man whose son is demon possessed and the 9 disciples have been unable to help him. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and heals the boy. The problem of unbelief has raised up a "perverse generation". A turned around, corrupt, distorted culture.. filled with misunderstanding. The disciples still had much to learn. They were in need of more faith.
This is the challenge for all of us, isn't it? To think according to the Word and not according to the culture. To believe and not turn away from Jesus and His Truth. For "all things are possible to him who believes." ( Mark 9:23). Like the boy's father, we need to cry out to Jesus, " I do believe; help my unbelief".
Father in heaven, You are God and there is no other. You have given to us Your Spirit to challenge us, lead us, teach us, and grow our faith. Yet, we are constantly challenged by our culture and our own unbelief. . Forgive us! Help us, Mighty God, to hear and believe.. to trust You and obey Your Word. We long to see Your glory when Christ returns.. but we pray that He will not be ashamed of us for our lack of faith. Fill us once again, Lord Jesus, with Your Spirit. Amen.
They had come from doing impossible things.. miraculous works of healing and deliverance. But, food? For 5000 men plus their families? Impossible! Or so they thought. Jesus pushes their faith a bit farther.. They have the crowd sit down in smaller groups. Then, Jesus blesses the loaves and fish, "and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the multitude."
Everyone is fed and 12 baskets full of leftovers are picked up!
From challenging to exhilarating in 60 minutes!
Jesus tells His disciples that the life of being His disciple requires a daily sacrifice of one's self, a willingness to lose your life for Him, a focus on spiritual gains instead of worldly profits. He will come in "His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels" one day. He does not want to be ashamed of His own disciples when He returns.
V28-36 Peter, James, and John are taken up on a mountain with Jesus to pray. "and while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah." What would you do if you were able to witness this? Well, apparently Peter, James, and John... fell asleep! They were overwhelmed! Yet, they did wake up and see this amazing glimpse into the "kingdom of God". They saw and they heard... for out of the cloud "a voice came... saying 'This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him."
Listen. This is the emphasis that we keep coming back to over and over again... We need to deliberately pay attention to the Word. To the Living Word, Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the written Word.
As Jesus and the 3 descend from the mountain, they meet a great multitude of people. There is a man whose son is demon possessed and the 9 disciples have been unable to help him. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and heals the boy. The problem of unbelief has raised up a "perverse generation". A turned around, corrupt, distorted culture.. filled with misunderstanding. The disciples still had much to learn. They were in need of more faith.
This is the challenge for all of us, isn't it? To think according to the Word and not according to the culture. To believe and not turn away from Jesus and His Truth. For "all things are possible to him who believes." ( Mark 9:23). Like the boy's father, we need to cry out to Jesus, " I do believe; help my unbelief".
Father in heaven, You are God and there is no other. You have given to us Your Spirit to challenge us, lead us, teach us, and grow our faith. Yet, we are constantly challenged by our culture and our own unbelief. . Forgive us! Help us, Mighty God, to hear and believe.. to trust You and obey Your Word. We long to see Your glory when Christ returns.. but we pray that He will not be ashamed of us for our lack of faith. Fill us once again, Lord Jesus, with Your Spirit. Amen.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Luke 9 Jesus sends out His twelve apostles to preach and to heal, giving them the power and authority over demons and diseases. They obey His directions, not even taking any supplies but fully trusting in the Lord's provisions.
Verse 7-9 Herod hears about Jesus and all He is doing. He hears the rumor that Jesus is John, risen from the dead. John, who Herod himself had ordered him to be beheaded. The rumors also suggested that Jesus was Elijah or another prophet who had been resurrected from the dead. The disciples had also heard these rumors, and told this in answer to the Lord's question ( v 18-19). But, when Jesus asked the disciples "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, " The Christ of God". The Messiah, the anointed One. They were beginning to understand. They were finally hearing and receiving the truth.
So, Jesus gives them a new revelation.. one that would stop them in their tracks and confuse them until after His resurrection. " The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed, and be raised up on the third day."
Jesus had shown them His authority over all of creation. He had calmed the sea, cast out demons, raised the dead, multiplied the bread, and healed the sick. He was definitely not John, Elijah, or another resurrected prophet. He is the Christ, the Son of God, anointed to come and save His people.
But, the disciples still couldn't see the bigger picture. The good news wasn't that Jesus would rescue Israel from Rome or any other enemy. The good news is that Jesus would save all that would believe in Him from sin and death and hell! It was beyond their understanding... and they weren't ready to hear it with understanding.
Jesus gives them these instructions :
v 23 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
Trying to save yourself won't work - losing you life for His sake - is the only way to salvation. ( v24)
Gaining the "whole world" means nothing if your give up your soul. (v25)
Being ashamed of His Word will result in the greatest loss ever - Jesus would be "ashamed" of him.
Ashamed - feeling humiliated, embarrassed; shame - a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others because of the improper behavior, incompetence etc. ; dishonor, disgrace, ( Dictionary definition )
Brings to mind the Word in Genesis 2:25 " And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." But, after they ate the forbidden fruit, "Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. " And they hid themselves from the Lord, for with sin - shame entered the world.
Are we embarrassed by His Words? Are we unwilling to deny ourselves and follow the One Who has given Himself up for us? Are we trying to hold on to our own selves? Are we risking our souls for some temporary pleasures in this world? Do we feel shame for our sins or for the Savior who came to save us from them? We really need to HEAR what Jesus is saying to us.
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, Savior and Lord, Messiah, do not be ashamed of me. I do not ever want to dishonor You or Your Word. I do not want You to be disgraced by my failures and disobedience. You alone are Lord. You are the Great High Priest who intercedes for me before the throne of God. Bring me into Your Presence that I might walk with You, laying down my life and taking up my cross to follow Your Word. Fill me with Your Spirit I pray. Amen.
Verse 7-9 Herod hears about Jesus and all He is doing. He hears the rumor that Jesus is John, risen from the dead. John, who Herod himself had ordered him to be beheaded. The rumors also suggested that Jesus was Elijah or another prophet who had been resurrected from the dead. The disciples had also heard these rumors, and told this in answer to the Lord's question ( v 18-19). But, when Jesus asked the disciples "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, " The Christ of God". The Messiah, the anointed One. They were beginning to understand. They were finally hearing and receiving the truth.
So, Jesus gives them a new revelation.. one that would stop them in their tracks and confuse them until after His resurrection. " The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed, and be raised up on the third day."
Jesus had shown them His authority over all of creation. He had calmed the sea, cast out demons, raised the dead, multiplied the bread, and healed the sick. He was definitely not John, Elijah, or another resurrected prophet. He is the Christ, the Son of God, anointed to come and save His people.
But, the disciples still couldn't see the bigger picture. The good news wasn't that Jesus would rescue Israel from Rome or any other enemy. The good news is that Jesus would save all that would believe in Him from sin and death and hell! It was beyond their understanding... and they weren't ready to hear it with understanding.
Jesus gives them these instructions :
v 23 "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
Trying to save yourself won't work - losing you life for His sake - is the only way to salvation. ( v24)
Gaining the "whole world" means nothing if your give up your soul. (v25)
Being ashamed of His Word will result in the greatest loss ever - Jesus would be "ashamed" of him.
Ashamed - feeling humiliated, embarrassed; shame - a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others because of the improper behavior, incompetence etc. ; dishonor, disgrace, ( Dictionary definition )
Brings to mind the Word in Genesis 2:25 " And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." But, after they ate the forbidden fruit, "Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. " And they hid themselves from the Lord, for with sin - shame entered the world.
Are we embarrassed by His Words? Are we unwilling to deny ourselves and follow the One Who has given Himself up for us? Are we trying to hold on to our own selves? Are we risking our souls for some temporary pleasures in this world? Do we feel shame for our sins or for the Savior who came to save us from them? We really need to HEAR what Jesus is saying to us.
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, Savior and Lord, Messiah, do not be ashamed of me. I do not ever want to dishonor You or Your Word. I do not want You to be disgraced by my failures and disobedience. You alone are Lord. You are the Great High Priest who intercedes for me before the throne of God. Bring me into Your Presence that I might walk with You, laying down my life and taking up my cross to follow Your Word. Fill me with Your Spirit I pray. Amen.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Luke 8 Jesus tells another parable - about a lamp. If we have a lamp and light it, we wouldn't then cover it or hide it. We put it where we can use it and "see the light". In fact, He says, " For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light." Jesus goes on to say, " Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him."
The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains this as an extension of the previous parable. "The emphasis is once again on hearing, or, as it is put here, on listening. If one understands the Word of God his life should reflect that understanding." God was giving the secrets, the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" to those who have ears to hear. Those who were actively listening and preserving in the Word.. to them more truth would be given.. and they were to make it known to others, not hide it under a bushel... or allow Satan to snatch it away. Those who didn't receive the Word wholly would lose everything.
So what does that mean for us? We have been given the Word of God, the Bible. We have been given the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. Jesus Christ. He wants us to be careful in how we listen to His Word. If we treat the Word of God as a lamp ( which it is.. a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet).. then we will learn more and more, for He will give us more truth, more life, more understanding. But if we take the Word and hide it, cover it, ignore it, refuse it, or never take it seriously.. we will end up with nothing. A life with no fruitfulness, unworthy of all that our Father desires to give us.
When Mary and Jesus' brothers try to get through the crowd to see Jesus, they are unable. Jesus says this, " My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." Those who continually take care to listen to God's Word and to actively practice all that He is willing for us to do... those are the ones who will be brought into the very family of Christ! What a marvelous truth!
Luke adds 4 miraculous examples of Jesus exerting His authority -
He reveals His authority over nature by stilling the stormy sea.
He reveals His authority over the evil spirits by commanding them to leave the demoniac.
He reveals His authority over diseases by the healing of the woman in the midst of the crowd.
He reveals His authority over death by raising Jairus' daughter.
Hear what He says to His disciples ;
v25 "Where is your faith?"
v39 " Return to your house and describe the great things God has done for you."
v48 "Daughter, your faith has made you well."
v50 " Do not be afraid and longer, only believe and she shall be made well."
Brings to mind these words from Paul:
" So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ"! (Romans 10:17)
The Word says to- believe.. believe... believe.. and don't hide your faith under a bushel.. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Father in heaven, let Your Word dwell in us richly, deeply, and continually, that You would be glorified as our lives bear fruit according to Your Spirit at work in us. To the praise and honor of Your Name. In the holy Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains this as an extension of the previous parable. "The emphasis is once again on hearing, or, as it is put here, on listening. If one understands the Word of God his life should reflect that understanding." God was giving the secrets, the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" to those who have ears to hear. Those who were actively listening and preserving in the Word.. to them more truth would be given.. and they were to make it known to others, not hide it under a bushel... or allow Satan to snatch it away. Those who didn't receive the Word wholly would lose everything.
So what does that mean for us? We have been given the Word of God, the Bible. We have been given the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. Jesus Christ. He wants us to be careful in how we listen to His Word. If we treat the Word of God as a lamp ( which it is.. a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet).. then we will learn more and more, for He will give us more truth, more life, more understanding. But if we take the Word and hide it, cover it, ignore it, refuse it, or never take it seriously.. we will end up with nothing. A life with no fruitfulness, unworthy of all that our Father desires to give us.
When Mary and Jesus' brothers try to get through the crowd to see Jesus, they are unable. Jesus says this, " My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." Those who continually take care to listen to God's Word and to actively practice all that He is willing for us to do... those are the ones who will be brought into the very family of Christ! What a marvelous truth!
Luke adds 4 miraculous examples of Jesus exerting His authority -
He reveals His authority over nature by stilling the stormy sea.
He reveals His authority over the evil spirits by commanding them to leave the demoniac.
He reveals His authority over diseases by the healing of the woman in the midst of the crowd.
He reveals His authority over death by raising Jairus' daughter.
Hear what He says to His disciples ;
v25 "Where is your faith?"
v39 " Return to your house and describe the great things God has done for you."
v48 "Daughter, your faith has made you well."
v50 " Do not be afraid and longer, only believe and she shall be made well."
Brings to mind these words from Paul:
" So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ"! (Romans 10:17)
The Word says to- believe.. believe... believe.. and don't hide your faith under a bushel.. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Father in heaven, let Your Word dwell in us richly, deeply, and continually, that You would be glorified as our lives bear fruit according to Your Spirit at work in us. To the praise and honor of Your Name. In the holy Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Luke 8:4-15 The parable of the Sower. When the disciples ask Jesus why He is now speaking in parables.. the answer is a bit mysterious, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, in order that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand."
Jesus is quoting here from Isaiah 6:9. The context in Isaiah is the vision where Isaiah sees the Lord and is commissioned to go and speak for the Him. Isaiah is to go and speak, but told that the people will not see and not hear and not believe. Our natural response to that is " Why bother?" But that can't be right... so we need to go deeper...
Jesus, we are told, calls out, " He who has ears to hear , let him hear." ( This statement is also included in Revelations.. in the letters to the churches.) According to my study Bible these two phrases have two tenses: "has ears to hear" is in the present participle - which expresses continuous or repeated action - our ears continually hear; " let him hear" is in the present imperative, which is a command to do something in the future and is continuous and repeated.
The seed being sowed, Jesus tells us, is the Word.
The seed that lands on the foot path and is trampled, is like the Word that is heard but snatched away immediately. Here the action of hearing is not continuous. It "goes in one ear and out the other". There is no effort to grasp it, think about it, or pay attention to it. Jesus says that "the devil comes and takes it away... so that they may not believe and be saved."
The seed that lands among the rocks, is like the Word that is heard once and "received with joy" but doesn't have a "firm root" so it withers away. It is enjoyed in the season, but quickly forgotten when other things arise. It is indefinite and questionable. The listener didn't keep on listening.. but turned away to whatever temptations were more important to them.
The seed that lands among the thorns, is like the Word that is heard... again a one time action, but this time choked out "with worries and riches and pleasures of this life". There is a passive tense used here. The word and the worries are hand in hand and no action is taken against the worries.. or riches or pleasures. It just happens. Therefore, no fruit can be produced.
The seed that lands on the good soil is like the word that is heard by "an honest and good heart". These are ones that "hold it fast"- to keep in the memory, to possess, retain, seize .. These are the ones who "bear fruit with perseverance."
In Isaiah, the listeners would not pay attention to what they heard or saw. Therefore they would not understand. The same thing was happening in Jesus' time.. the people who seized upon the Words that Jesus was speaking, like the disciples, would "know the mysteries", but they had to make the effort to hear and keep on hearing.. to persevere. This is the same message given to the churches in Revelation - make an effort to really hear and grasp what the Word is saying.
The Word of God is vital to Life, real life in God's Kingdom.
We cannot just let it pass in one ear and out the other.
We cannot just be happy with the sermon or the singing, or whatever on Sunday and then go our merry way with the things of the world all the rest of our week.
We cannot remain unchanged by the Word, being passive about it, and expect to be fruitful Christians.
No, we need to be actively holding onto and keeping the Word in our minds and hearts, holding it fast.. like a life vest in a stormy ocean. We need to work at not only reading the Word, but understanding what the Lord is saying to us individually... every day of our lives.. steadfastly and with perseverance. Then, and only then will we live fruitful lives that please the Lord.
Father in heaven, hallowed is Your Name. You are amazing and Your Word is precious to me.. more precious than diamonds, sweeter than honey, more vital than bread alone! Teach me Lord to live and walk according to Your Word, fill me by Your Spirit, may I have ears to hear and understand. Will You be glorified in my life as I bear fruit in every good work. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.
Jesus is quoting here from Isaiah 6:9. The context in Isaiah is the vision where Isaiah sees the Lord and is commissioned to go and speak for the Him. Isaiah is to go and speak, but told that the people will not see and not hear and not believe. Our natural response to that is " Why bother?" But that can't be right... so we need to go deeper...
Jesus, we are told, calls out, " He who has ears to hear , let him hear." ( This statement is also included in Revelations.. in the letters to the churches.) According to my study Bible these two phrases have two tenses: "has ears to hear" is in the present participle - which expresses continuous or repeated action - our ears continually hear; " let him hear" is in the present imperative, which is a command to do something in the future and is continuous and repeated.
The seed being sowed, Jesus tells us, is the Word.
The seed that lands on the foot path and is trampled, is like the Word that is heard but snatched away immediately. Here the action of hearing is not continuous. It "goes in one ear and out the other". There is no effort to grasp it, think about it, or pay attention to it. Jesus says that "the devil comes and takes it away... so that they may not believe and be saved."
The seed that lands among the rocks, is like the Word that is heard once and "received with joy" but doesn't have a "firm root" so it withers away. It is enjoyed in the season, but quickly forgotten when other things arise. It is indefinite and questionable. The listener didn't keep on listening.. but turned away to whatever temptations were more important to them.
The seed that lands among the thorns, is like the Word that is heard... again a one time action, but this time choked out "with worries and riches and pleasures of this life". There is a passive tense used here. The word and the worries are hand in hand and no action is taken against the worries.. or riches or pleasures. It just happens. Therefore, no fruit can be produced.
The seed that lands on the good soil is like the word that is heard by "an honest and good heart". These are ones that "hold it fast"- to keep in the memory, to possess, retain, seize .. These are the ones who "bear fruit with perseverance."
In Isaiah, the listeners would not pay attention to what they heard or saw. Therefore they would not understand. The same thing was happening in Jesus' time.. the people who seized upon the Words that Jesus was speaking, like the disciples, would "know the mysteries", but they had to make the effort to hear and keep on hearing.. to persevere. This is the same message given to the churches in Revelation - make an effort to really hear and grasp what the Word is saying.
The Word of God is vital to Life, real life in God's Kingdom.
We cannot just let it pass in one ear and out the other.
We cannot just be happy with the sermon or the singing, or whatever on Sunday and then go our merry way with the things of the world all the rest of our week.
We cannot remain unchanged by the Word, being passive about it, and expect to be fruitful Christians.
No, we need to be actively holding onto and keeping the Word in our minds and hearts, holding it fast.. like a life vest in a stormy ocean. We need to work at not only reading the Word, but understanding what the Lord is saying to us individually... every day of our lives.. steadfastly and with perseverance. Then, and only then will we live fruitful lives that please the Lord.
Father in heaven, hallowed is Your Name. You are amazing and Your Word is precious to me.. more precious than diamonds, sweeter than honey, more vital than bread alone! Teach me Lord to live and walk according to Your Word, fill me by Your Spirit, may I have ears to hear and understand. Will You be glorified in my life as I bear fruit in every good work. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Luke 7-8
Happy Thanksgiving! Looking back at yesterday's passage I wrote, " Simon, one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner". Simon's invitation didn't include the hospitality normally shown to a visitor. Paul wrote in Romans 12:13 " ... practicing hospitality" in his list of the ways we show love... "without hypocrisy".
Hospitality - [philonexia] - entertain strangers; fond of guests, friendly.
The dictionary defines it as - "friendly, kind, and solicitous toward guests". Solicitude - caring and concern ( I had to look it up). The words hospital and hospice are related to hospitable - a place for rest, for shelter, for care of the sick or poor, the infirm, the orphan..
Without hypocrisy - not playing a part, not acting a certain way - not being like Simon, who's invitation doesn't appear to have anything to do with caring about Jesus.
Luke 8:1-3 talks about the women who followed Jesus, " contributing to their support out of their private means". These women cared. They had been forgiven much, delivered from sin and in Mary Magdalene's case, delivered from "seven demons". They loved much.. expressing this love with their gifts.. their solicitude.
This Thanksgiving day, many of us will have guests at our tables. We will practice hospitality - hopefully without hypocrisy! God has blessed us greatly! He has forgiven us much.. May we show our love to Him as we show kindness to others in His name.
Father, be glorified in Your children's lives today. Help us to genuinely love and care for others, in Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving! Looking back at yesterday's passage I wrote, " Simon, one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner". Simon's invitation didn't include the hospitality normally shown to a visitor. Paul wrote in Romans 12:13 " ... practicing hospitality" in his list of the ways we show love... "without hypocrisy".
Hospitality - [philonexia] - entertain strangers; fond of guests, friendly.
The dictionary defines it as - "friendly, kind, and solicitous toward guests". Solicitude - caring and concern ( I had to look it up). The words hospital and hospice are related to hospitable - a place for rest, for shelter, for care of the sick or poor, the infirm, the orphan..
Without hypocrisy - not playing a part, not acting a certain way - not being like Simon, who's invitation doesn't appear to have anything to do with caring about Jesus.
Luke 8:1-3 talks about the women who followed Jesus, " contributing to their support out of their private means". These women cared. They had been forgiven much, delivered from sin and in Mary Magdalene's case, delivered from "seven demons". They loved much.. expressing this love with their gifts.. their solicitude.
This Thanksgiving day, many of us will have guests at our tables. We will practice hospitality - hopefully without hypocrisy! God has blessed us greatly! He has forgiven us much.. May we show our love to Him as we show kindness to others in His name.
Father, be glorified in Your children's lives today. Help us to genuinely love and care for others, in Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Luke 7:36-50 Simon, one of the Pharisees, invites Jesus to dinner. Jesus comes and reclines at the table. We find out that Simon does not offer the common courtesies that would he should have... water to wash His feet, a kiss of greeting, an anointing of oil. But, a woman, who had a reputation as a "sinner", entered the house and proceeded to - "wet His feet with her tears, wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet, and anointing them with the perfume."
Simon is quick to judge, both the woman and Jesus. Jesus addressed what Simon was thinking by telling a parable about two debtors. One debtor owed 500 denarii, the other 50. Both are completely forgiven. Then, Jesus asks, " Which of them will love him more?"
Simon knows the answer.
Jesus says, " For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then Jesus tells the woman, "Your sins have been forgiven.... Your faith has saved you; go in peace." ( v48,50)
Simon was no less a sinner than the woman. But, she recognized her sinfulness and repented. She showed her love to Jesus with an outward expression of that love. She found forgiveness and salvation in Jesus. Simon showed only a hard heart, towards the woman and towards Jesus. Did he ever learn the truth? Did he ever repent and follow Jesus? He had every opportunity.
Like us.. we have every opportunity to come to Jesus and find forgiveness and salvation in Him. If we come to Him, He will forgive every sin. He loves us. He will give us His peace. May we not be like Simon, who, in the very Presence of the Holy One, failed to receive Him.
Father in heaven, come and visit us with Your Holy Presence, that we might know You more. May we humble ourselves before You and express our love and adoration freely .. for You have forgiven us our sins through Jesus Christ. What a marvelous truth, that You love us and want us.. that You have bought us with the precious blood of the Lamb. Thank You. We bow at Your feet and worship You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Simon is quick to judge, both the woman and Jesus. Jesus addressed what Simon was thinking by telling a parable about two debtors. One debtor owed 500 denarii, the other 50. Both are completely forgiven. Then, Jesus asks, " Which of them will love him more?"
Simon knows the answer.
Jesus says, " For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then Jesus tells the woman, "Your sins have been forgiven.... Your faith has saved you; go in peace." ( v48,50)
Simon was no less a sinner than the woman. But, she recognized her sinfulness and repented. She showed her love to Jesus with an outward expression of that love. She found forgiveness and salvation in Jesus. Simon showed only a hard heart, towards the woman and towards Jesus. Did he ever learn the truth? Did he ever repent and follow Jesus? He had every opportunity.
Like us.. we have every opportunity to come to Jesus and find forgiveness and salvation in Him. If we come to Him, He will forgive every sin. He loves us. He will give us His peace. May we not be like Simon, who, in the very Presence of the Holy One, failed to receive Him.
Father in heaven, come and visit us with Your Holy Presence, that we might know You more. May we humble ourselves before You and express our love and adoration freely .. for You have forgiven us our sins through Jesus Christ. What a marvelous truth, that You love us and want us.. that You have bought us with the precious blood of the Lamb. Thank You. We bow at Your feet and worship You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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