And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”
My mind races back to that song in Fiddler on the Roof where Tevya, the Jewish patriarch, regales "Tradition". To be sure, the ideas encased in the word sometimes get a bad rap by forward thinking Christians. And sometimes people certainly take the word to extremes. There is something in a tradition that is both binding and freeing.
Yet in this passage Jesus seems to be telling us that it is not the tradition (i.e. fasting) that it is the issue but the way in which it is applied. He seems to be speaking to us about the difference between a tradition controlling us and us controlling the tradition. When led by the Holy Spirit the use of a tradition can be a very freeing thing.
Help me to feel your heart today Lord. Cause me to embrace your traditions.
I have not come to call the righteous ...
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
I am amazed when I consider the men that Jesus called to be his students. It was like he wanted to train men from the ground up. He did not want theologians, teachers or philosophers who were already indoctrinated in the traditions and thinking of Israel. He saw something in the men that he called that always said an immediate yes to his invitation to simply “Follow me”. Perhaps we would do well to focus on this aspect in our lives?
In contrast to the excitement of Levi, who immediately called all of his friends together, we see in the religious elders a dark self righteous judgmentalism. In these we begin to understand why the Lord called no religious leaders to walk by his side. Christ's mission to bind up the brokenhearted could not be embraced by men who could not see past the brokenness and pain of these who they called “sinners”. He needed sinners to save sinners.
Help me Lord. I am in need of a physician to heal me of self righteous judgmentalism.
I am amazed when I consider the men that Jesus called to be his students. It was like he wanted to train men from the ground up. He did not want theologians, teachers or philosophers who were already indoctrinated in the traditions and thinking of Israel. He saw something in the men that he called that always said an immediate yes to his invitation to simply “Follow me”. Perhaps we would do well to focus on this aspect in our lives?
In contrast to the excitement of Levi, who immediately called all of his friends together, we see in the religious elders a dark self righteous judgmentalism. In these we begin to understand why the Lord called no religious leaders to walk by his side. Christ's mission to bind up the brokenhearted could not be embraced by men who could not see past the brokenness and pain of these who they called “sinners”. He needed sinners to save sinners.
Help me Lord. I am in need of a physician to heal me of self righteous judgmentalism.
Why do you question in your hearts?
And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
It is very difficult to read this account and dismiss Jesus as some sort of prophet or great teacher. The scribes and the Pharisees understood it when they charged Christ with blasphemy because he forgave the paralytic's sins - only God himself has the authority to forgive sins. And in this face-off of authorities Jesus backs up his claim by speaking a word that not only heals the man's soul but his body as well. And amazement seized them.
The issue is why we today are not seized by amazement when we read of these "extraordinary things" in the gospels. Could it be that we too question the gospel stories in out hearts? Have we become too familiar with Jesus? Perhaps if we read the stories with fresh eyes and believing hearts we would find a renewed sense of joy and awe in our hearts. For it is true: only God appearing in the flesh can forgive sins. Amazing!
Give me fresh eyes Lord. I need to see anew today. You are amazement incarnate!
It is very difficult to read this account and dismiss Jesus as some sort of prophet or great teacher. The scribes and the Pharisees understood it when they charged Christ with blasphemy because he forgave the paralytic's sins - only God himself has the authority to forgive sins. And in this face-off of authorities Jesus backs up his claim by speaking a word that not only heals the man's soul but his body as well. And amazement seized them.
The issue is why we today are not seized by amazement when we read of these "extraordinary things" in the gospels. Could it be that we too question the gospel stories in out hearts? Have we become too familiar with Jesus? Perhaps if we read the stories with fresh eyes and believing hearts we would find a renewed sense of joy and awe in our hearts. For it is true: only God appearing in the flesh can forgive sins. Amazing!
Give me fresh eyes Lord. I need to see anew today. You are amazement incarnate!
Go and show yourself to the priest ...
While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
I am deeply moved as I read this passage. Imagine with me, if you will, a man in pain and full of leprosy falling down before the Lord pleading for help. His words are so moving. I can imagine the compassion on the face of the Son of God as he stretched forth his hand to touch one who is deemed untouchable by the law. Jesus was unafraid of becoming unclean himself through this contact and showed amazing courage in this healing.
Yet his concern was not for his fame but for the man's relationship with God and his community. The easy thing to tell the man was that he was healed and needed to be an itinerant witness for Christ. The harder thing was to tell him to go back and be a witness to the priest and all of those in the synagogue of God's mercy. Perhaps Christ saw something in the man that needed further healing? Or perhaps the priest needed encouragement?
Cleanse my mind this day Lord that I too might be a witness of your mercy.
I am deeply moved as I read this passage. Imagine with me, if you will, a man in pain and full of leprosy falling down before the Lord pleading for help. His words are so moving. I can imagine the compassion on the face of the Son of God as he stretched forth his hand to touch one who is deemed untouchable by the law. Jesus was unafraid of becoming unclean himself through this contact and showed amazing courage in this healing.
Yet his concern was not for his fame but for the man's relationship with God and his community. The easy thing to tell the man was that he was healed and needed to be an itinerant witness for Christ. The harder thing was to tell him to go back and be a witness to the priest and all of those in the synagogue of God's mercy. Perhaps Christ saw something in the man that needed further healing? Or perhaps the priest needed encouragement?
Cleanse my mind this day Lord that I too might be a witness of your mercy.
Put out into the deep ...
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Stories like this one remind me of how Jesus proclaimed an uncommon message to very common people. The Lord had been using Peter's boat to preach from and the disciple had been listening to the teaching. I wonder what the Lord was teaching? Perhaps it was how God takes care of the sparrows? For soon Peter would experience the provision of God in an extraordinary way. Soon the words of Christ would be displayed with a boat full of fish.
Peter's reactions are so telling. At first he resists but then obeys Jesus' words. And moments later he kneels in amazement and leaves everything to follow Jesus' call to fish for men. I think that this is the way that most of us react to the call of Christ in our hearts. His words initially seem too good to be true but something inside of us relents and we obey putting out into deep uncharted waters. And then we fall to our knees in awe leaving all for Jesus.
Make me a fisher today Lord. Open my eyes to opportunities to share you with others.
Stories like this one remind me of how Jesus proclaimed an uncommon message to very common people. The Lord had been using Peter's boat to preach from and the disciple had been listening to the teaching. I wonder what the Lord was teaching? Perhaps it was how God takes care of the sparrows? For soon Peter would experience the provision of God in an extraordinary way. Soon the words of Christ would be displayed with a boat full of fish.
Peter's reactions are so telling. At first he resists but then obeys Jesus' words. And moments later he kneels in amazement and leaves everything to follow Jesus' call to fish for men. I think that this is the way that most of us react to the call of Christ in our hearts. His words initially seem too good to be true but something inside of us relents and we obey putting out into deep uncharted waters. And then we fall to our knees in awe leaving all for Jesus.
Make me a fisher today Lord. Open my eyes to opportunities to share you with others.
I was sent for this purpose.
And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Ever wonder what it would have been like if Jesus was born in our times? I sometimes think that things would have been different yet they would be the same. The message would have been the same but the transmission of it might include microphones and loudspeakers.. and maybe even radio or television. People back then and people today are hungry to hear the good news of the kingdom of God that Jesus was sent to proclaim.
I am intrigued by the way that the Lord did not simply stay in places where people loved him and the good news that he preached. It seems like it would have been so easy to stay and so difficult to leave. It speaks deeply to me of how Christ was truly led by the Father when he prayed. It challenges me to listen for his voice in my times of prayer and to be willing to change when I hear him speak to me about my purpose on earth.
Not my will but thine Lord. Let your kingdom come in my life as it is in heaven.
Ever wonder what it would have been like if Jesus was born in our times? I sometimes think that things would have been different yet they would be the same. The message would have been the same but the transmission of it might include microphones and loudspeakers.. and maybe even radio or television. People back then and people today are hungry to hear the good news of the kingdom of God that Jesus was sent to proclaim.
I am intrigued by the way that the Lord did not simply stay in places where people loved him and the good news that he preached. It seems like it would have been so easy to stay and so difficult to leave. It speaks deeply to me of how Christ was truly led by the Father when he prayed. It challenges me to listen for his voice in my times of prayer and to be willing to change when I hear him speak to me about my purpose on earth.
Not my will but thine Lord. Let your kingdom come in my life as it is in heaven.
Be silent and come out of him!
And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Jesus has left his hometown and is now teaching again in the synagogue at Capernaum. His words are creating awe and amazement in the people there. I wonder what about his teaching astonished the people there and how it came across having authority. Perhaps his teaching was bypassing their heads and going straight to their hearts. I have experienced teaching such as this that had the power and authority to bring change into my life.
Yet the power of Christ was evident in a greater way that day. Not only did the words of Christ have the power to transform the inner being but also had the authority to provoke and exorcise demons. I find it interesting how the unclean demon was provoked by the teaching of the Lord. It was like the demon raised up to challenge to the teaching and authority of Christ. Incredible how Jesus took care of him with just a few words of rebuke.
Open the ears of my heart Lord that I might hear your words and be changed by them.
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Jesus has left his hometown and is now teaching again in the synagogue at Capernaum. His words are creating awe and amazement in the people there. I wonder what about his teaching astonished the people there and how it came across having authority. Perhaps his teaching was bypassing their heads and going straight to their hearts. I have experienced teaching such as this that had the power and authority to bring change into my life.
Yet the power of Christ was evident in a greater way that day. Not only did the words of Christ have the power to transform the inner being but also had the authority to provoke and exorcise demons. I find it interesting how the unclean demon was provoked by the teaching of the Lord. It was like the demon raised up to challenge to the teaching and authority of Christ. Incredible how Jesus took care of him with just a few words of rebuke.
Open the ears of my heart Lord that I might hear your words and be changed by them.
No prophet is acceptable in his hometown ...
And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.
What is it about Jesus that brings out the best and worst in people? The folks listening to him in his hometown synagogue began by dismissing him as the son of the local carpenter and ended up trying to take his life. There is something about truth spoken by a prophet that has a polarizing affect on listeners. It was true of Jesus in the same way that it was for prophets like Elijah and Elisha. People sometimes simply cannot get past their prejudices.
Isn't it interesting how God so often uses people to minister to strangers? I wonder why it is so often easier to hear God in the words of strangers than in the words of family members? Perhaps it is simply difficult for us to change our perceptions of them? In truth it is hard to forget the past and embrace the present. It is easier to rely on antiquated traditions and old perceptions of people. It is the reason that we must seek the Lord for direction each day.
Help me Lord to shed my past paradigms and embrace your mission for me today.
What is it about Jesus that brings out the best and worst in people? The folks listening to him in his hometown synagogue began by dismissing him as the son of the local carpenter and ended up trying to take his life. There is something about truth spoken by a prophet that has a polarizing affect on listeners. It was true of Jesus in the same way that it was for prophets like Elijah and Elisha. People sometimes simply cannot get past their prejudices.
Isn't it interesting how God so often uses people to minister to strangers? I wonder why it is so often easier to hear God in the words of strangers than in the words of family members? Perhaps it is simply difficult for us to change our perceptions of them? In truth it is hard to forget the past and embrace the present. It is easier to rely on antiquated traditions and old perceptions of people. It is the reason that we must seek the Lord for direction each day.
Help me Lord to shed my past paradigms and embrace your mission for me today.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ...
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Jesus has been baptized by John, tempted by the devil and now begins his ministry with this reading in his hometown synagogue. He ends the reading by saying that he is the fulfillment of this passage from the prophet Isaiah. I wonder if the Father gave this passage to him during those forty days of fasting? It is one of the truly majestic words of holy writ. It tells us that the poor will have good news and those who are in bondage and hurt will be free.
As we break down this mission statement of Christ we begin to understand the very heart of God for mankind. We start to understand how broken our world is and how much we need a Savior. Poverty is a stench in the nostrils of God. Spiritual bondage and blindness are affront to His presence. Yet the word says that because the Spirit of the Lord came darkness will no longer rule on earth. The Holy Spirit is upon you and upon me to do his will!
Come Holy Spirit! Fill us afresh and anew so that captives will be set free.
Jesus has been baptized by John, tempted by the devil and now begins his ministry with this reading in his hometown synagogue. He ends the reading by saying that he is the fulfillment of this passage from the prophet Isaiah. I wonder if the Father gave this passage to him during those forty days of fasting? It is one of the truly majestic words of holy writ. It tells us that the poor will have good news and those who are in bondage and hurt will be free.
As we break down this mission statement of Christ we begin to understand the very heart of God for mankind. We start to understand how broken our world is and how much we need a Savior. Poverty is a stench in the nostrils of God. Spiritual bondage and blindness are affront to His presence. Yet the word says that because the Spirit of the Lord came darkness will no longer rule on earth. The Holy Spirit is upon you and upon me to do his will!
Come Holy Spirit! Fill us afresh and anew so that captives will be set free.
You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.
And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 1976 and my first wife Ellen was wanting to stop taking insulin because she believed that God had healed her. We were new Christians and did not know what to do so we flipped open the bible and came to this verse in Acts 5:
In this passage Jesus speaks to the very issue that Ellen and I were dealing with - do we act on the words of scripture from an attitude of faith or presumption. Do we take the general words of holy writ and presume to know what God's will is for our lives? Jesus speaks to us from these words and tells us to not presume to know God's will in these matters. He says that, when we do, we foolishly put God to a test. A test that God will not respond to.
Lord help me to walk by an attitude of trusting faith, and not presumption, today.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 1976 and my first wife Ellen was wanting to stop taking insulin because she believed that God had healed her. We were new Christians and did not know what to do so we flipped open the bible and came to this verse in Acts 5:
"How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?"Now I would not recommend getting guidance from God in that manner but the message rang true to us and Ellen continued to take insulin injections for her diabetes.
In this passage Jesus speaks to the very issue that Ellen and I were dealing with - do we act on the words of scripture from an attitude of faith or presumption. Do we take the general words of holy writ and presume to know what God's will is for our lives? Jesus speaks to us from these words and tells us to not presume to know God's will in these matters. He says that, when we do, we foolishly put God to a test. A test that God will not respond to.
Lord help me to walk by an attitude of trusting faith, and not presumption, today.
It is written ...
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
The story seems incredible and the ilk of legends. How the devil confronted Christ in the wilderness and showed him all the kingdoms in a moment. Amazing. As I reflect on it I am drawn to the conclusion that it comes from the very lips of Jesus.. perhaps it was part of a teaching told to the disciples? The story paints a troubling picture of the devil as a powerful entity on planet earth. Yet the power he exerts is resisted with the words "it is written".
I find it interesting how the Lord uses his voice to combat evil, sickness and lies as he ministers. In this instance he does not argue with the devil but merely speaks the scripture to him. It is an powerful example to us of how we should handle temptations. First we must embrace the word of God as powerful - we must read and believe it. And when we are tempted to worship another we will have the power to resist by speaking the precious word.
You alone are worthy of my worship Lord. I bow to you alone.
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
The story seems incredible and the ilk of legends. How the devil confronted Christ in the wilderness and showed him all the kingdoms in a moment. Amazing. As I reflect on it I am drawn to the conclusion that it comes from the very lips of Jesus.. perhaps it was part of a teaching told to the disciples? The story paints a troubling picture of the devil as a powerful entity on planet earth. Yet the power he exerts is resisted with the words "it is written".
I find it interesting how the Lord uses his voice to combat evil, sickness and lies as he ministers. In this instance he does not argue with the devil but merely speaks the scripture to him. It is an powerful example to us of how we should handle temptations. First we must embrace the word of God as powerful - we must read and believe it. And when we are tempted to worship another we will have the power to resist by speaking the precious word.
You alone are worthy of my worship Lord. I bow to you alone.
Man shall not live by bread alone.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
This is the first temptation of Christ in the desert and it speaks to the nature of sin - both in the devil's question and Jesus' answer. On the surface it would not seem to be a sinful act to do something miraculous to satisfy a need like hunger - remember how Moses struck a rock and water came out from it.. or how Jesus fed thousands by multiplying a few fishes and loaves. So it seems that sometimes God meets our needs with the miraculous.
Yet in this case the issue was not meeting a need but giving in to the temptation to sin by breaking a fast. I suspect that Christ had plenty of opportunity to eat but he did not because he had set apart this time to seek his Father's will with prayer and fasting. Physical bread would have satisfied for a time but it would have robbed him of the bread that lasts forever. It is a truth that we must often deny our fleshly needs for the bread that satisfies our souls.
Help me Lord to reject the bread that briefly satisfies for the bread that feeds eternally.
This is the first temptation of Christ in the desert and it speaks to the nature of sin - both in the devil's question and Jesus' answer. On the surface it would not seem to be a sinful act to do something miraculous to satisfy a need like hunger - remember how Moses struck a rock and water came out from it.. or how Jesus fed thousands by multiplying a few fishes and loaves. So it seems that sometimes God meets our needs with the miraculous.
Yet in this case the issue was not meeting a need but giving in to the temptation to sin by breaking a fast. I suspect that Christ had plenty of opportunity to eat but he did not because he had set apart this time to seek his Father's will with prayer and fasting. Physical bread would have satisfied for a time but it would have robbed him of the bread that lasts forever. It is a truth that we must often deny our fleshly needs for the bread that satisfies our souls.
Help me Lord to reject the bread that briefly satisfies for the bread that feeds eternally.
I must be in my Father's house ...
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
So far in the book of Luke we have read about events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus. The scriptures are silent concerning the life of Christ before his public ministry with the exception of this story. I think that the story tells us a few things about the preteen Jesus. Firstly I think that the story tells us that he was a normal human boy who did not consider his parents feelings. Secondly it tells us of his divine nature.
I think that it is so intriguing to read that, at this early age, Jesus understood that God was his father. Unlike today, this was a very radical idea. It speaks to me of how Christ understood his nature and his mission long before he emerged at the Jordan River. It also tells me that our life message must be anchored in the Fatherhood of God. If we, as children of God, embrace this identity we will also increase in wisdom, in stature and in favor.
For the joy of being your child I am so thankful Father. Help me to honor our family today.
And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
So far in the book of Luke we have read about events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus. The scriptures are silent concerning the life of Christ before his public ministry with the exception of this story. I think that the story tells us a few things about the preteen Jesus. Firstly I think that the story tells us that he was a normal human boy who did not consider his parents feelings. Secondly it tells us of his divine nature.
I think that it is so intriguing to read that, at this early age, Jesus understood that God was his father. Unlike today, this was a very radical idea. It speaks to me of how Christ understood his nature and his mission long before he emerged at the Jordan River. It also tells me that our life message must be anchored in the Fatherhood of God. If we, as children of God, embrace this identity we will also increase in wisdom, in stature and in favor.
For the joy of being your child I am so thankful Father. Help me to honor our family today.
Go into all the world ...
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
I am trying to imagine what it must have been like for the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Reports of his resurrection had been told to them but they did not have it in themselves to believe the good news. These men saw their friend and teacher die a brutal death. They were traumatized and in the early stages of the grieving process. When Christ appears to them they are both confused and relieved.. shocked and joyous.
To these who did not believe.. to these with hard hearts.. Jesus turns their unbelief and their heart inside out. Instead of commiserating with them the Lord lays down the gospel gauntlet. In just a few words he casts the vision and the mission that would fire up the church for centuries to come. He assures them that their message will have the power to save and changes lives. These hardhearted unbelievers would soon turn the world upside down.
Help me to proclaim the good news today Lord in what I say and what I do.
I am trying to imagine what it must have been like for the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Reports of his resurrection had been told to them but they did not have it in themselves to believe the good news. These men saw their friend and teacher die a brutal death. They were traumatized and in the early stages of the grieving process. When Christ appears to them they are both confused and relieved.. shocked and joyous.
To these who did not believe.. to these with hard hearts.. Jesus turns their unbelief and their heart inside out. Instead of commiserating with them the Lord lays down the gospel gauntlet. In just a few words he casts the vision and the mission that would fire up the church for centuries to come. He assures them that their message will have the power to save and changes lives. These hardhearted unbelievers would soon turn the world upside down.
Help me to proclaim the good news today Lord in what I say and what I do.
