Luke 8:11-15

Luke 8:11-15

And this is the parable.  The seed is the Word of God.  And the ones along the road is that which was heard and then the Devil comes and takes the Word away from their heart in order that they should not be saved after believing.  And the ones upon the rock are the ones that when they should hear with joy after receiving the Word.  And these do not have roots.  These believe for a season and they are removed in a season of temptation.  And the ones that fall into the thorns, these are the ones who hear and while going about life they are utterly choked by anxiety and wealth and the pleasures of living and they do not bring their fruit to harvest.  And the ones in the good earth, these are the ones who are excellent and good in the heart.  They hold fast after hearing the Word and they bear fruit in patient endurance.

Thoughts for Today

NOTE: If you want commentary on the parable itself, please read the blog posts over the prior days.

First Thought:

I’d like to lift up a couple of unique ideas that are present in Jesus’ explanation but not present in the actual parable.  First of all, look at the intentions lifted up by Jesus about the work of the Devil.  Why does Satan interfere with God’s work of salvation?  Satan just wants us to not find salvation.  Satan isn’t looking to make a bigger army than God has.  Satan is not looking to prove to God that He can get more followers.  Satan is simply trying to disrupt God’s work.  He wants us to be condemned.  That is rather significant.

Do you ever think that Satan is trying to win you from God in order to get you to follow Him?  How is that different from simply wanting you to not find salvation?

Second Thought:

Lets also look at Jesus’ comments on the seed in the rocky soil.  What is it that Jesus says chokes out faith?  Anxiety.  Yeah, that’s not a surprise.  Worry and anxiety is an indicator that we are having trouble relying upon God’s provision.  But the next two smack the world’s perspective in the faith.  Wealth chokes out faith.  After all, when we have wealth, do we need God’s provision?  The last example Jesus gives us is equally as surprising.  The pleasure of living chokes out faith.  Let’s face it.  When our life is comfortable and easy, do we really need God?  Jesus shocks us here.  He tells us two things that most human beings spent their life pursuing.  He tells us that those very things are not all that good for us even though we have convinced ourselves that they are.

What comforts of life do you pursue?  How can those interfere with your pursuit of faith?

Third Thought:

As for the seed in the good earth, look at what Jesus says here.  Yes, they bear fruit.  But they bear fruit in patient endurance.  They bear fruit in the midst of difficult circumstances.  They bear fruit because they are relying upon God.

Does it make sense that people in difficult circumstances could bear fruit?  How does this contradict human logic?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 8:16-18

Luke 8:9-10

Luke 8:9-10

And His disciples where inquiring from Him what these same parables might be.  And Jesus said, “To you all, it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.   And to the remaining ones, in parables in order that while seeing they should not see and while hearing they should not understand.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus’ disciples ask when they don’t understand.  This is an incredibly important understanding.  This is what disciples do.  Disciples have a mentor to ask when they don’t understand something. Disciples allow their questions to be funneled to a person who can answer them – or at least guide them in a direction that they get answered.

Do you ask questions when you have them about faith?  Do you ever not ask a question?  What gets in the way of asking a question?  How can that same thing translate into a lack of spiritual growth?

Second Thought:

I find it interesting to hear Jesus say, “To you, it has been given…”  Is Jesus saying that these disciples were specially selected by God and were destined to be in this place?  I don’t think that is what Jesus means here.  After all, such a position would challenge their free will.  What I think Jesus is saying here is a commentary on how this section of verses opens.  The disciples inquired.  Because they inquired, they are given deeper knowledge.  Because they inquired, they get better understanding.  Because they inquired, they get a better perspective on the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.  I don’t believe they were any ore chosen than the rest of the world could have been.  I believe they are being rewarded for showing initiative in their spiritual growth.

Do you feel like you have been granted a better perspective and understanding regarding the mystery of the kingdom of God?  How has this happened for you?

Third Thought:

I’ll never forget the day that I sat at the feet of a skilled teacher who challenged me to see the truth in these words.  I always understood the meaning that I fleshed out in my second thought.  But I never allowed myself to go further until I was challenged to do so.  Jesus is telling His disciples here that He is speaking in parables to sort and sift through the crowds.  After all, true disciples ask questions.  So how do we know if someone is a true disciple?  When you teach, true disciples as questions.  People who hear but don’t want to be a disciple are content hearing but not understanding and not truly seeing.  So why does Jesus teach in parables?  Why does Jesus teach things that don’t always seem as clear as they could be?  Jesus wants to know who really wants to be a disciple.  He wants to know who will step up and take ownership of growing where they don’t understand and who is content in their lack of understanding.  Furthermore, it seems as though Jesus is willing to let those who are content not growing to remain in that state until they are ready.

Why is it smart to teach in a way that leaves room for deeper teaching later on?  Do you think Jesus is being fair in employing this technique?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 8:11-15

Luke 8:7-8

Luke 8:7-8

“And some fell in the middle of thorns, and the thorns that were being grown with them choked them.  And some fell into the good earth and after being brought forth it made fruit a hundredfold.”  While saying these things, He called out, “The one who has an ear with which to hear, hear!”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today we meet the third type of soil.  Here are the thorns.  Here are the distractions in life that choke out the Word.  Here is the busyness of life that doesn’t give time for true and genuine growth.  This is truly the danger of life.  We like to be busy, be doing things, and be entertained.  But so often, God is found in the silence of life.  So often God is found in the stillness of life.  Unfortunately, sometimes the way that we structure our life makes it so easy for God to get choked out.

When has your life been such that there was little or no room for God?  How did you arrive at such a point?  How do you get out of such a place?

Second Thought:

Finally, we meet the seed that falls upon the good ground.  It is often called the good seed.  But remember, all the seed is good!  It is the ground that makes it possible for the seed to do what it does.  Here the seed falls on fertile ground.  Here the seed can produce a harvest.  Here a single seed can reproduce itself.  Here a single seed can bring forth many others that are honest imitations of it.  That is how God works in us.  His Word comes within us and he produces within us something that is reproducible.

How has God brought about something reproducible in you?  How has God’s Word been instrumental in that?

Third Thought:

Jesus’ concluding phrase is a curious mixture.  In the Greek, it is five words long.  The second to last word is the infinitive, “to hear.”  The last word is the imperative command, “hear!”  Jesus is making a very clear point.  We need to listen.  We need to actually hear.  How can we follow His ways if we aren’t willing to listen?  How can we live out our calling if we don’t listen?  How can we honestly do anything well if we don’t hear?

Do you listen?  Are you a listener first?  How do you practice hearing from God in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 8:9-10

Luke 8:4-6

Luke 8:4-6

And while a great crowd gathered together and the ones of the city came to Him, He said through a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed.  And in his sowing, in one case it fell alongside the path.  And it was being trampled underfoot and the birds of heaven devoured it.  And others fell upon the rock.  And after being brought forth it was being withered for the sake of not having moisture.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus continues to teach the crowds that come to Him.  In this very familiar parable, we deal with four locations of seed.  The first one is the path.  Here the seed is trampled.  It isn’t even given the chance to grow.  Birds come and devour it before it even has a chance to grow.  I find this condition sad.  Perfectly god seed isn’t even given a chance!  Of course, this is like the Word of God that is readily discarded by those who have no desire to listen.  Other things have the attention of the people.  The perfectly good word of God falls into a place where it isn’t given a chance to blossom.

Have you ever ignored the Word of God?  How do you feel looking back and realizing that there were times in your life that you didn’t prioritize the Word?  How can this help you speak into the lives of others?

Second Thought:

The next group of seed that we see is the seed that falls upon the rock.  There is a really neat point that can come out of the description of the seed.  Notice that the activity of the seed is passive.  In other words, the activity is done to the seed.  The seed doesn’t grow.  Growth is brought forth out of the seed.  The seed experience growth, it doesn’t grow itself.  This is the same with us and faith.  God’s Word brings forth growth out of us.  We do not grow ourselves.  We experience growth.  The Father grows us.

Where has God grown faith in you?  What are the means through which God brings forth that growth?

Third Thought:

Notice that this seed withered.  It withered not because it was bad seed.  It withered because it had no moisture.  God did His work, but the environment didn’t do its part.  This is the same with us.  God wants us to grow.  If we even give Him a small opening, He will seize it and work within us.  But we need to respond.  We need to embrace His working.  He shouldn’t have to do all the work.  If He was going to do all the work, He could do it with stones, not living flesh with free will!

Where do you see God at work in your life?  Where do you Join Him in that work?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 8:7-8

Luke 8:1-3

Luke 8:1-3

And it became in the time afterwards and He was traveling towards city and town while preaching and proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God.  And the twelve were with Him along with some women who were having been healed from evil spirits and infirmities: Mary the one being called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been cast out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza the steward of Herod, and many others who were serving them out of their possessions.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

What exactly does Jesus do after going into Simon’s home and not receiving hospitality from Him?  He goes back out on mission, of course!  We might be tempted to go home and sulk and doubt ourselves.  But not Jesus!  Jesus heads out on mission.  This is really a neat point to consider, so long as we remember that Jesus is the Son of God.  Just because Jesus experiences a little pushback and a little doubt against Him is no reason to quit.  Yes, He knows He is in the right because He is the Son of God and I’m sure that makes it easier to continue on.  But the point is that He continues on.  The mission doesn’t end.

Have you ever been tempted to quit in the face of persecution and judgment?  Why can quitting be such a temptation?

Second Thought:

Furthermore, Jesus brings along the twelve.  His disciples are still there.  Jesus isn’t afraid to experience doubt and judgment in their midst.  In fact, He is willing to model how to go on in front of them!  This is great.  Jesus shows His disciples that not everyone will appreciate and approve of them.  But they can keep working in the kingdom!

Where do you see others overcoming judgment and persecution?  Where do you model your own willingness to persevere for those who look into your life for elements of faith?

Third Thought:

Jesus also brings women with Him.  In fact, He has women who have been healed and cured.  He has women with Him who have experience with having evil spirits cast out of them.  What I love about this testimony is two-fold.  First of all, I think that it is really neat that Jesus brings women along with Him.  He lifts up women into an equivalent role to the twelve.  Second, I love how Jesus takes the people that many might discard and lift them up in His company.  How many of us might shy away from people who have a history with evil spirits?  Jesus doesn’t care.  They are healed.  They are changed.  They are a new creation.  Jesus welcomes people with a troubled past and elevates them.

Have you ever judged other people because of the past?  Have you ever thought less of a person’s influence in the kingdom because of their gender?  Why are both of these things wrong according to the example of Christ?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 8:4-8

Luke 7:47-50

Luke 7:47-50

“For the sake of this, I say to you, her many sins have been forgiven because she loved much.  But regarding the one about which little is being forgiven, he loves little.”  And He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”  And the ones who reclined at the table to eat began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who also forgives sins?”  And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; depart in peace.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Notice again Jesus’ emphasize on the amount of forgiveness.  There is not debt too big to forgive.  There is no error so large that God will not embrace us.  Jesus fully admits that this woman’s sins are many or large.  Yet in spite of her many sins, she can know the forgiveness of God.  This isn’t true about just her.  All of us – in spite of our sinfulness – can know forgiveness.

How large are you sins?  Does that even matter?  How do you experience the forgiveness of your sins?

Second Thought:

Once more we see humanity rear its ugly head.  Here Jesus teaches about forgiveness and peace.  These are all good concepts.  Yet the people around Him focus on the negative.  “Who can forgive sins?” they ask.  Rather than be happy for the woman, they are skeptical against Jesus.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not condemning these people.  They may well have come around to faith later.  We don’t know.  But for this moment in time they miss an opportunity for joy because they focus on the negative instead of the positive.

Do you ever let the negativity of skepticism get the best of you?  When can skepticism be to your benefit?  When can it be to your detriment?

Third Thought:

When Jesus actually speaks to the woman, notice that He doesn’t just speak about forgiveness.  He tells her that not only is she forgiven but she can know peace.  I doubt very much that she found peace in this world.  I doubt very much that the Pharisees and elite treated her well, especially after Jesus used her as an example against Simon the Pharisee.  But Jesus doesn’t say that we will have peace with the world.  The woman knows peace with God.  The woman gains an eternal peace.  The woman gains a peace that cannot ever be taken away from her.

Do you know the peace of God?  Why is this important?  Where do you feel God’s peace in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 8:1-3

Luke 7:44-46

Luke 7:44-46

And while being turned to the woman, He spoke to Simon, “See this woman.  I came into your house; you did not give any water for my feet.  And she has send down her tears like rain on my feet and she wiped them with her hair.  You did not give a kiss to me but she, from the time that I entered, did not cease to kiss my feet again and again.  You did not anoint my head with oil.  But she anointed my feet with ointment. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I really like Jesus’ first comment.  Jesus says to Simon, “See this woman.”  Now, He could be simple saying, “Take this woman, for example.”  But I don’t really think that is what Jesus means.  I think Jesus is reminding Simon that she is worth looking at.  Remember, Simon is a Pharisee.  He is a member of the upper echelon of the community.  It would be easy for him to overlook those below him, especially this woman.  Yes, Jesus is getting ready to use her as an example.  However, Jesus wants to remind Simon that this woman is worth looking at and recognizing in the first place.

Do you ever overlook people?  When is this easy to do?  What harm does this attitude do within us?

Second Thought:

After bringing Simon’s attention to this woman, he begins to draw comparisons to her.  Simon did not offer Jesus water to wash his feet.  Allowing a guest to wash their feet was a very common practice of hospitality in those days.  People wore sandals and walked everywhere.  Their feet got dirty.  If you’ve ever had dirty feet, you know that life is far more enjoyable once they are clean.  Jesus looks to Simon and tells him that although he invited him to dinner, he has not been hospitable.  This woman, on the other hand, has shown him hospitality and it isn’t even her house!

How hospitable are you?  Do you show outward signs of being hospitable, yet inwardly you aren’t truly caring about other people?

Third Thought:

Jesus then turns the conversation to love.  Simon didn’t offer him a greeting of a kiss, which was also customary.  He shows no sign of compassion, no sign of friendship, and certainly no sign of love for Jesus.  On the other hand, this woman kisses Jesus again and again.  She doesn’t have any prior relationship with Jesus, yet she shows her love for Him.  Simon was all about having a famous teacher at his house for dinner.  He was interested in the fame and popularity that would come from such an event.  But there was no love for Jesus in Simon’s heart.

How do you show love?  To whom do you show love?  Who should you being showing love towards and are not?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:47-50

Luke 7:40-43

Luke 7:40-43

And answering, Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”  “Teacher, speak,” he says.  “Two debtors were owing something to a creditor.  The one was owing five hundred denarii and the other fifty.  While they were not having anything to pay, he forgave both of them.  Therefore, which of them will love him in greater abundance?”  Answering, Simon said, “I lift up that the one to whom he forgave the greater amount.”  And He said to him, “You judged rightly.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus teaches through parables.  There are many reasons to teach through parables.  First, when we teach by parables we can teach someone about a personal context with which they are involved while refraining from making the teaching personal.  Another reason is that a parable allows us to shape the context in which we want to teach.  Another reason is that parables and stories are usually easily remembered.  I believe that Jesus is employing a parable here in this case for all of these reasons.

Do you ever try and teach through parables?  If so, do you find it easy or difficult?  When do you use parables?

Second Thought:

In the parable, there are two debtors owing vastly different amounts of money.  The creditor does an amazing thing; he forgives both amounts.  Part of the fundamental teaching of this parable is the nature of forgiveness.  Forgiveness is not earned.  Forgiveness is a state granted and bestowed upon us by a higher authority.  If we find ourselves forgiven, it is not because we have repaid the debt.

Are you forgiven?  How?  What does it mean to you to be forgiven?  If we are forgiven in the sense spoken about here, what right do any of us have to look upon others in judgment?

Third Thought:

Another part of this parable is the differing amounts.  Both debtors do not have equal debts.  Forgiveness comes in differing amounts.  The assertion here is that the ones who are forgiven more will love more in return.  While that is correct, it that isn’t actually the fundamental teaching of this parable.  We cannot say for certain that the people forgive more will love more.  Some people are forgiven much and take advantage of the forgiveness!  The fundamental teaching by Jesus is that even large amounts can be forgiven.  No debt is too big to be forgiven.  That’s what Jesus is really getting at.  There is no threshold that we can cross such that we are now beyond the forgiveness of God.

Do you ever see people as unforgiveable?  Do you ever see people as having too much sin in their life to be forgiven?  When are such thoughts possible?  Why are such thoughts not only wrong but damaging?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:44-47

Luke 7:36-39

Luke 7:36-39

And someone from among the Pharisees was questioning Him in order that He should eat with him.  And after going into the house of the Pharisee He reclined at the table to eat.  And behold!  A woman, who was a sinner in the city, after knowing that He reclines at the table in the house of the Pharisee, after bringing an alabaster box of ointment, after standing behind Him at His feet while weeping, she began to wash His feet by tears and she wiped them with the hair of her head.  And she was kissing His feet and anointing Him by the ointment.  And behold!  The Pharisee who called him said to himself, “If this one was a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman it was who touches him, because she is a sinner.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here is a Pharisee that comes up to Jesus and invites Him to dinner.  This is an interesting situation.  Remember that Jesus has already been at odds with the Pharisees and they have already begun to plan to do away with Jesus.  Yet, Jesus still accepts the invitation.  This is really interesting because Jesus has to know that He is walking into a position where He is going to be judged.  But He still goes.  Jesus is willing to put Himself out there even if some people don’t like what He is doing.

Do you ever do something even if it may upset people around you just because you know it is the right thing?  Do you ever not do the right thing because you think the people around you will judge you?

Second Thought:

A love the faith of this woman.  All she has to do is hear about Jesus.  All she has to do is know that He is present.  She has no formal relationship with Him.  She has no special invitation from Him.  She hears about Him and comes to His side and blesses Him.  That’s faith.

Why is this woman bold in her faith?  Would you have the courage to do what this woman does?

Third Thought:

What is truly sad is that this woman is known as a sinner.  Of course, we’re all sinners.  So it’s an accurate description.  But the word sinner is used here not in a spiritual and salvific sense.  The word sinner is used here as a means of separating her and as a means of indicating that she was not worthy to be in the house of a Pharisee.  The Pharisee cannot see past her designation and see into her heart.  He is too busy judging her to notice her faith.  He’s too busy affirming his own discernment to see that his perspective may not be the right one.

Do you ever fall into the trap of being judgmental?  How can you avoid seeing the way people are designated and start seeing their being and their faith?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:40-43

Luke 7:31-35

Luke 7:31-35

“Therefore, to what will I compare this generation of mankind?  And to what is it similar?  They are similar to children in the marketplace who sit down and call to one another while saying, ‘We played the flute for you and you did not dance.  We sang a dirge and you did not weep.’  For John has come while neither eating bread nor drinking wine and you all said, ‘He has a demon.’  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you all say, ‘The man is a glutton and drunkard – a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’  But wisdom is being shown righteous by all her children.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

John the Baptizer came with a very stoic and subdued life.  He readily pointed to the problems of the world around him.  He called people to repentance.  In talking about John, Jesus is reminding us that there most certainly is a place in the world for the prophets in the world who so easily focus on the errors and the sins of the fallen world around them.  We are expected to mourn when human beings act sinfully towards one another.  This is why Jesus quotes the children in the marketplace in saying that they played a dirge and the people didn’t wail.  The problem with the people is that when faced with the reality of their sinfulness they do not repent or show any kind of sorrow.

Where do you mourn humanity and its sinfulness?  Where do you accept God’s invitation to call yourself and others to repentance?

Second Thought:

Jesus comes in happiness and celebration.  Jesus comes to enjoy life.  Jesus is the optimistic, always looking towards the grace of God and the mercy that He bestows upon us.  In talking about Himself, Jesus is telling the people around Him that there is a place in the kingdom for happy people and people who focus on grace.  We are expected to hear about God’s grace and celebrate.  When God’s brings us to a place of celebration, we are to respond!  This is why Jesus quotes the children in the marketplace about playing a flute and the people not dancing.  The problem with the people is that when a reason to give glory to God comes along, they don’t respond.

Where do you give glory to God?  Where do you accept God’s invitation to celebrate His grace and mercy?

Third Thought:

The last phrase in this passage is a neat expression.  Wisdom is justified by all of her children.  In other words, a person who is truly wise will say wise things and the actions taken out of wisdom will lead to good results.  If we really want to know who is wise, we shouldn’t just listen to people.  If we really want to know wisdom, we should look into people’s lives. 

Who are the people around you who are clearly living out of the benefit of their wisdom?  Do you live out of wisdom?  How do you know?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:36-39

Luke 7:24-30

Luke 7:24-30

And after sending the messengers of John away, He began to speak to the crowd regarding John.  “Upon what have you all gone out into the wilderness to look?  A reed being shaken by the wind?  Rather, what have you all gone out to see?  A man having been clothed in soft garments?  Behold!  The ones who rule in splendid and delicate clothing are in the king’s court.  Rather, what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you all, even over and above the prophet!  This is the one about whom it has been written, ‘Behold!  I send my messenger before your face.  He will prepare your way in your presence.’  I say to you that nobody born from women is a greater prophet than John.  Yet the smallest in the kingdom of God is greater than him.”  And all of the people who heard and the tax collectors, having been baptized in the baptism of John, declared God just.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for their own counsel, after not being baptized by him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus actually gives John a big compliment here, although it seems a bit backhanded at first.  Jesus asks if the people expected to go out and see a reed shaken by the wind.  Jesus is asking them if they expected to see a weak individual whose opinion is easily swayed.  The reason that this is actually a compliment is because Jesus doesn’t even take the time to denounce His own suggestion.  Everyone knows that John had his own calling and stuck fervently to it.  This suggestion would be completely ridiculous to those who really know John.  The reason that this is such a neat point is because John had just sent messengers to Jesus looking for reassurance.  Jesus then turns to those who might have heard John’s disciples and wondered if John was wavering in his faith and declares to them that there is no reason to think that John is wavering at all.  Jesus is affirming John.  Jesus is telling us that even when we might doubt a little and need reassuring that He is still in our corner and there to support, defend, and uplift us.

How does it make you feel to realize that God is on our side even when we need reassurance?  From where does your support and reassurance come?

Second Thought:

Jesus then makes another really neat point.  John was known for wearing camel’s hair.  He was known for eating locusts.  He didn’t lead an easy life.  He didn’t lead a life of comfort. He led a difficult life.  If we are looking to live a life of luxury and ease, we aren’t likely to find it following the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus doesn’t call us to lead an easy life; He calls us to go about the work of the Lord in the kingdom.  That doesn’t mean we are called to suffering and torture.  But we are called to work and to be willing to embrace God’s ways and God’s priorities rather than the ways and priorities of the world.

Do you long for a life of luxury?  Do you look forward to days ahead when you can kick back, relax, and have nothing to do?  What does such a longing say about one’s priorities?

Third Thought:

Then Jesus gives John a huge compliment.  He not only calls John a prophet; He calls John even more than a prophet.  He says that nobody born of men are greater than John.  In other words, nobody has ever had a higher calling than John.  John literally paved the way for Jesus.  Who could have a higher calling than that?  But then Jesus reminds us of another very important fact.  Our work is in the kingdom.  It’s okay to be small, because even the smallest person in the kingdom is bigger than the most important person in this world!

Do you ever feel small?  How can this passage help in those moments when you feel small?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:31-35

Luke 7:18-23

Luke 7:18-23

And his disciples (John’s disciples) spoke to John regarding all of these things.  And after calling two who were his disciples, John sent them to the Lord while saying, “Are you the one who comes or do we look for another?”  And after coming to Him the men said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you while saying, ‘Are you the one who comes or do we look for another?’” In that hour, He healed many from disease, plague, and evil spirits and he gave the ability to see to many blind people.  And answering, He said to them, “After departing, speak to John about what you saw and heard: that the blind regain their sight, the lame walk around, the lepers are being cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are being raised, the poor are being told about the Good News.  And blessed is the one who should not be offended in me.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I always pause when I get to this section regardless of the Gospel story that I am reading.  Remember the story of the Elizabeth’s baby leaping in the womb when Mary comes to visit Elizabeth?  Where has that enthusiasm gone?  Certainly John wouldn’t be bothered by the fact that the religious leaders didn’t like Jesus, they didn’t like him either!  I need to remind myself that this is thirty full years later.  Time has a way of mellowing emotion.  Time has a way of robbing enthusiasm.  John’s had a hard ministry.  He could use a little encouragement.  From prison, he could stand to have a little reassurance.  I don’t think that this is evidence of John’s doubt.  I think this passage is evidence of his weariness.

Are you ever wearied in ministry?  Do you think weariness in ministry is a natural thing?

Second Thought:

Jesus turns the disciples of John to their own experience.  They’ve seen all of these incredible things, even recently!  They don’t need to trust Jesus’ words; they can trust their own eyes and ears.  They have no reason to doubt.  They have no reason to continue to be wearied.  They can see God’s amazing power at work around them.

Where do you see God’s power at work around you?  Are you skilled at recognizing God’s power?

Third Thought:

Once more we hear Jesus speak about offense.  If you read the Bible – especially the Gospels – with any seriousness, you will pick up on a pattern.  Jesus did things that offended people.  Jesus taught truth, not what people wanted to hear.  Jesus did the work of the Lord, even on the Sabbath!  Jesus sat down with tax collectors.  Jesus protected the lives of sinners such as the adulteress.  Jesus went to Samaritan’s and even Gentile’s homes and talked with them – even doing miracles among them.  Jesus didn’t live up to the expectations of the people around Him.  People were offended by His methods because He was doing something new.  He was after the approval of the Father, not the approval of mankind.  Because of this, Jesus comes clean and says that those who can see Him at work and hear Him teach and who are not offended are blessed.  Many were offended by Him.  The ones who weren’t were blessed.

Have you ever been offended by Jesus’ unusual methods?  Have you ever been challenged by His truth?  What’s the difference between how we react to challenge and how we react to offense?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:24-30

Luke 7:11-17

Luke 7:11-17

And it became in the next day He departed into a city being called Nain, and many of His disciples with a great crowd journeyed with Him.  And as He drew near to the gate of the city, behold!  The only son to his mother was being carried out while being dead.  And she was a widow.  And a sufficient crowd of the city was with her.  And while looking upon her, the Lord was moved with compassion upon her and He said to her, “Do not weep.”  And after drawing near, He touched the bier.  And the ones who carried it stood in place.  And He said, “Young man, I say to you, rise up.”  And the dead man raised up and he began to speak!  And He gave him to his mother.  And fear came upon all.  And they glorified God while saying that, “A great prophet was being raised up in us,” and “God has visited His people.”  And this word regarding Him went out into the whole of Judea and all of the surrounding countryside.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus takes advantage of opportunity.  He sees an opportunity to put the power of God on display and He takes it.  This doesn’t mean that Jesus took every opportunity that came His way.  After all, I doubt that there was hardly any time that he wasn’t surrounded with someone who was sick, in pain, injured, or in need of some general healing.  But in this particular case He sees a teachable moment.  He sees a moment where He can impart some grace into the world.  He takes it.  We should likewise live our life with eyes open to see where we can put God’s power into practice.

How good are you at see opportunities that come before you?  How good are you at stepping up into an opportunity and either teaching about God or putting God’s grace and mercy into practice?

Second Thought:

Furthermore, Jesus doesn’t just have compassion upon anyone.  Jesus has compassion upon a widow who has just lost her only son.  Jesus sees a woman who is alone in the world.  Granted, she clearly isn’t emotionally alone – a great crowd has sensed her need and has come to mourn with her.  But at night, when everyone else goes home, she is all alone in the world now.  Jesus looks upon this woman and has compassion.  Jesus doesn’t help someone who is in a position to return the favor.  He doesn’t help someone who can help Him later.  He doesn’t help someone who might bestow some reward upon Him.  He helps a widow.  Jesus is consistent in His teaching and His ministry.

When you see a person who is more disadvantaged than you, are you more likely or less likely to help them?  When you see a person who is like you, are you more or less likely to help them?  When you see a person who is in a better position than you, are you more or less likely to help them?

Third Thought:

The young man is raised to life.  The young man speaks.  The crowd is amazed.  In fact, the crowd became afraid!  But if we look at the result of this, God gets the glory.  The people see what has happened and rejoice.  The people know that a prophet is among them.  The people know that God has visited them.  Their fear is healthy and it leads them to be in awe of the awesome power of God.

Why should God’s demonstrations cause us to give Him glory?  When you see something amazing from God, how do you respond?

As an aside … isn’t it interesting that when God’s power is put on display and there are no overly critical religious people around to judge, that God actually does get the praise and His message does actually get across to the people!

What sometimes gets in the way of you seeing God’s power at work and giving Him glory?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:18-23

Luke 7:6-10

Luke 7:6-10

And Jesus journeyed with them.  And was Jesus had already gone not far from the house, the centurion sent friends while saying, “Lord, do not be troubled.  For I am not worthy enough in order that you should enter under my roof.  Because of this neither do I think myself worthy to come to you.  But speak a word and my servant is being healed.  For I am also a man who appoints things by authority and who has soldiers under myself.  And I say to this one, ‘Depart,’ and he departs.  And to another I say, ‘Come,’ and he comes.  And to my slave I say, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  And after Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him.  And after turning around to the crowd who followed Him He said, “I say to you all, nowhere in Israel do I find faith as great as this.”  And after turning back into the house, the ones who were being sent found the slave who was made well.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We see more desire to humble himself from the centurion.  When he realizes that Jesus has been summoned and He is coming, he sends more people to Jesus.  These people tell Jesus that the centurion didn’t mean for Jesus to come all the way to the house.  He’s a Gentile.  The fact that he has financed the building of a synagogue shows that he understands and respect Jewish customs.  He knows that he isn’t worthy of the appearance of such a respected Jew.  What is amazing about the humbleness of this man is that even though he really would like his slave to be healed, the man chooses humbleness above his own desires.  Of course, this is the definition of humbleness, especially humbleness before God.  Here is a man who is living in such a way as to know what he wants; but even more he understands his position and is willing to accept whatever happens.

Does this man’s humbleness amaze you?  How does humbleness often translate directly into faith?

Second Thought:

What is neat about this centurion is that he is certain that Jesus can still do something about the slave.  The centurion understands authority.  He understands having power.  He knows that true power means that you do not have to have immediate physical presence to exert authority.  True power means that people and things obey you because of who you are, not because of the immediate threat that you pose to them.  The centurion knows this.  He also knows that Jesus understands this.  The centurion knows that Jesus’ power is not based on proximity but rather on identity.

Have you met people whose power is strictly based on proximity?  Have you met people whose power is based on their identity?  What is the difference to you?  Which category do you fall into?

Third Thought:

Jesus is amazed.  I always like to stop on this verse and pause.  What does a human being have to do in order to amaze the very Son of God?  That right there is worth reflecting on.  However, Jesus also acts upon the centurion’s request.  After Jesus expresses His amazement to the crowd around Him, He proves the centurion’s faith is well founded.  The man is healed.  The friends of the centurion go home and find that Jesus has indeed healed this slave who was near the end of his life.

When has God shown to you that your faith is well founded?  How do those moments feel in your life?  Have you ever done anything that would cause Jesus to think that your faith is amazing (in a good way)?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:11-17

Luke 7:1-5

Luke 7:1-5

After He completed all of His sayings into the people, He entered into Capernaum.  And a slave of a certain centurion, who was having a good character and honor was upon him, was on the brink of coming to his end.  And after hearing about Jesus, he sent out to Him some Jewish elders who questioned Him whether after coming He should save his slave.  And the ones who came near to Jesus hastily summoned Him while saying that, “It is worthy that you cause this to happen, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The centurion sends Jewish elders to Jesus.  This is an interesting move.  It could be that the centurion did not want to bother with doing it himself.  This is unlikely, however, because the centurion seems genuinely concerned about his slave.  It is most likely that the centurion is showing some respect to Jesus.  He knows that Jesus is a powerful and skilled Jewish teacher.  Yet the centurion is himself a Gentile.  The centurion is likely realizing that a good Jewish teacher would be more likely to accept the request if his Jewish sensibilities are respected.  Of course we know that Jesus wouldn’t have been offended by the Gentile nature of the centurion.  But it speaks highly of this centurion to humbly show respect to Jesus – especially since he is a commander of the occupying army!

Are you impressed when people of authority show respect to people they are not required to show respect?  When do you see this the most often?

Second Thought:

Furthermore, notice the message that the centurion sends through these Jewish elders.  The centurion doesn’t demand that Jesus come to them.  The centurion asks if Jesus could heal the slave.  The centurion is deferring to Jesus’ opinion.  Again, remember that this centurion is a high ranking official in an occupying army.  He has every reason to be authoritative instead of submissive.  However, he understands something about Jesus.  Jesus respects humbleness.  Jesus respects people who are willing to put themselves aside and act in submission.

Where are you naturally able to submit?  How has God ever shown an appreciation to you for your ability to submit to Him?

Third Thought:

I think that it is interesting to see the rationale behind the Jewish elders’ request.  Why is it worth answer this centurion’s request?  The Jewish elders know that this centurion had done a bunch of things for them.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  We do treat people nicely so that they will do the same to us.  We talked about that a few days ago.  But at the same time, I can’t help but wonder if the Jewish leaders make this request out of their gratitude or out of their understanding that the centurion has money and power and influence.  Are they making the request to Jesus because they want to thank the centurion or are they saying it because they want to keep the centurion on their side for their own advantage?  I think it is important that we remember to stop and pause and remember to question the motives of the people around us.  Some of them are genuine.  Others are looking for their own gain.  We should be diligent in knowing the difference.

When are you guilty of selfishly looking at the people around you with respect for what they can do for you?  Why do humans tend to be willing to manipulate people?  How do you avoid the manipulation of the people around you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 7:6-10