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Category Archives: Luke

The Prodigal Son — Luke 14:11-24

20 Jan

Luke 15:11-24 NIV
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. [13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ [20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Dear God, before I get into this story, I want to do my best to identify all of the art panels, small as they are, in the border of this artwork. Starting at the top left:

  • Broken chains
  • “HOME” or, if you look at it the right way, “LOVE”
  • Two arrows pointing to the cross
  • U-turn
  • Cross
  • “My son was dead and alive again”
  • “He was lost and is found”
  • “!!!!!!!!!!” [kind of cool to have those following the two lines from the father.]
  • “You went after worth [??] and become worthless”
  • Star of David [before a psalm]
  • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew year”
  • “Only remember and be satisfied.” [this seems to be the last of three messages from God to the son.]
  • Three tears
  • A dove [images of God’s forgiveness and of the Holy Spirit before the son’s response]
  • “We believe and we are blessed.”
  • A running figure
  • “If I ascend to heaven you are there. If I make my bed in hell you are there.” [YOU ARE THERE emphasized both times. Interesting that he is bringing the psalms into the son’s thoughts with this and the part about the womb.]
  • Crown
  • “The children the promise [??] as offspring” [couldn’t tell what that third part said, but I think it comes from “The children of the promise are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”]
  • A key
  • A lock
  • “And I run down that aisle”
  • Musical notes
  • Regular star surrounded by circles [other stars]
  • “[??] mute or deaf or seeing or blind” [I think this is a reference to Exodus 4:11 Exodus 4:11 NIV
    [11] The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?]
  • Alpha and Omega in Greek letters
  • “The greatest of these is LOVE”
  • Heart with an infinity sign in the middle of it.
  • “Wonderful counselor, almighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.”
  • “No!”
  • “Please” [If read clockwise, No! is first. If read left to right, please is first.]
  • Broken heart
  • “And I will make a new covenant with you.”
  • “!” [exclamation points on opposite corners of the border]
  • Crying eyes
  • ?? [Can’t tell if this is dove or flame, but I’m pretty sure it is the Holy Spirit either way]
  • “And those he predestined he also justified and those who he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified [Romans 8:30]
  • “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two”
  • Clock pointing to 3:00
  • A cross and I think it says, “Here!!” across it.
  • Arrows all pointing to the middle of the image
  • A heart that says, “Give,” in the middle
  • ??satisfied by the call of others less wild.” [I think I found this reference. It’s from a song called “Wedding Dress” by Derek Webb. The phrase from the song is, “I am so easily satisfied by the call of lovers less wild.” The chorus says, “I’m a prodigal with no way home…” so I’m pretty sure this is the artist’s reference.”] [a second note is that this part about being satisfied is across the image from the part about being “satisfied” on the other side of the border.]
  • “Son you are always with me and all that is mine is yours.”
  • A flower
  • A cross in the middle of something I can quite make out
  • An image of crying eyes that says, “Tears stream down your face,” with an arrow at the bottom of the image pointing upwards and the word, “UP!”

So that takes care of the border. Now what did this artist decide to show me in the image itself?

  • A lot of triangles over the house [I wish I knew if there is a significance to the triangles over the house. A bunch of representations of the Trinity?]
  • The father’s house [It’s a fairly modern representation of a house. I’m surprised it doesn’t have a more prominent front porch.]
  • There are several people cheering
  • The father seems to be represented in motion with arms outspread and then arms around the boy
  • It almost looks like there are angel wings as part of the father’s arms.
  • The boys hair melds into the father’s beard
  • The boy is in modern clothes
  • The boy’s jeans are dirty and the bottoms are frayed.
  • I think the boy is barefoot.
  • The boy’s head is buried in the father’s chest.

What the artist has done to communicate so much through not only the main image, but also through the border is great.

It was about 17 years ago that I sat down and tried to find a father/husband in the Bible who was worth emulating. After looking at all of the men I could find, I ultimately landed on Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, and the father in this story. Since this is a parable in which the father represents you, I just focused on Joseph. But maybe I should focus on this father since it gives me an insight into you and your nature.

As I look at this story, I notice the part where Jesus says, “Not many days later.” I know this isn’t a real story–it’s a parable–but I wonder what those days between the bequeathing and the leaving would have been like. Was the money not enough for the boy? Did it not bring him the happiness he thought it would.

Ultimately, the story is about the father letting the boy go. That is one of the hardest things to do as a parent. Let them go and then wait. And sometimes we have to wait a long time.

There is a DC Talk song called “The Hard Way” that’s chorus says it all: “Some people gotta learn the hard way. I guess I’m the kind of guy that trying to find out for myself. I had to learn the hard way, Father. I’m on my knees and I’m crying for help.”

Father, for the prodigals out there, make their paths to you as straight as possible. And for the fathers (and mothers), help them to believe.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 20, 2019 in Luke, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups

 

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Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan’s Perspective

19 Jan

Luke 10:25-37
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[c]
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[d] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Dear God, I’m not sure if many people have ever told this story from the Samaritan’s perspective.

—

Once upon a time a Samaritan was walking down a mountain road from Jericho to Jerusalem. He was traveling home to his family in Sychar. Since most of the people on this road were Jewish, if they knew he was a Samaritan they would instantly disdain him, perhaps even calling out insults to him. The best way to survive on this road was to walk with confidence, keep to himself, and even try to come across as a little angry or intimidating.

As he walked, he overheard two men talking. He couldn’t make it all out, but he heard something about a man up the road and they were saying there was nothing they could do. Intrigued, he continued his journey, kind of keeping an eye out for what the two men had seen.

Then he saw the victim. He assumed he was a victim of a crime because he was lying between two boulders with no clothes on. He was bloody and severely injured, but the Samaritan knew someone must have done this to him because of the missing clothes. Surely, no one would have stolen the clothes after this had happened because they would have been too bloody to be desirable.

The Samaritan looked to see if there was anyone else nearby who might help the man, or at least help him help the man. But no one was there. His first thought was to pray. “Father, I don’t know if this man even has a chance of living. Please help him and show me what to do.”

He approached the man and, though he was bloody and beaten, his breathing was strong. It looked like all of his injuries were on the outside. He tried to figure out a way to help the man without touching him because touching him would mean getting bloody and being unclean for days. That would impact how he celebrated the Sabbath. Maybe he could just give the man some clothes and water and let him get himself to Jerusalem. No, the man to too beaten for that. The Sun was too hot and he wouldn’t be able to recover enough on his own. He needed help.

It was only then, as he started to bandage and clothe the man in clothes from the Samaritan’s pack and prepare him to be put up on his donkey that it occurred to him that this man was Jewish. Would he be angry that a Samaritan Was helping him? Would he come to and be angry? Maybe he should clothe him, make him easier for someone else to stop and help, and then move on.

No, this man needed help. The Samaritan put the man on his donkey just as two other travelers walked by. He shook his head as the travelers never made eye contact and obviously went out of their way to ignore him. Then they started to Jerusalem. Luckily for the Samaritan, that was his destination, and, at this point, it was closer than Jericho.

When he got to Jerusalem, he went to three inns before he finally found someone who was willing to deal with both a Samaritan and a man who was nearly dead. They checked into the room and the Samaritan placed the injured man in the bed. He took off the bandages he had placed on the victim out on the road and redressed his wounds. By now, the man was coming around and talking a little, though he was very confused. The Samaritan told him to just rest. Don’t try to talk. Just rest.

They spent the night together, with the Samaritan making a makeshift mattress on the floor while the victim was in the bed. The next morning, the Samaritan had to strike a deal with the innkeeper, who himself seemed to be a good man. “Please care for this man until he is well enough to go out on his own,” he pleaded with the innkeeper. “Here is enough money to cover what it should cost, but I come through Jerusalem often so if it ends up being more, I’ll come back by and settle up with you then.”

The innkeeper agreed and took charge of the victim. With that, the Samaritan packed his things and continued his journey back home to Sychar. As he made his way through the city, he prayed, “Father, please take care of that man. Thank you for keeping him alive and for the provision of an innkeeper who would continue his care. I’m sorry for judging him and so many others like him. I’m sorry for being afraid of him and of you. Thank you for changing my heart through this experience. May my life be a prayer to you. Amen.”

—

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2019 in Luke

 

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Joseph of Nazareth

08 Dec

Matthew 1:18-25 [NLT]
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Matthew 2:13-15 [NLT]
13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

Luke 1:26-28 [NLT]
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Luke 2 [NLT]
2 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
The Prophecy of Simeon
25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
30
I have seen your salvation,
31
which you have prepared for all people.
32
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
The Prophecy of Anna
36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Dear God, I just love this man. Greatest man of the Bible? I’d put him in the running. Like the Heisman Trophy voting, he might not win the award (that might go to Paul or David), but he would certainly be invited to New York. Why? Because he did all of the little things that don’t show up in the box score (another sports metaphor). He sacrificed his dreams, reputation, and comfort for the call to live a simple, poor yet unbelievably important and critical life. How much of Jesus formation as a human involved watching his earthly father?

Of course, I could go through each part of the story right now, but I’m not going to. I mean, yes, he decided to do the most honorable thing he could think to do BEFORE he got an angel visit in deciding to break with Mary quietly because “he did not want to disgrace her publicly.” He takes the pregnant wife to Bethlehem (it would have been a whole lot easier to go through the census without her being pregnant). He escapes to Egypt with her on the command of an angel. He goes through losing God’s son in Jerusalem later. And no earthly reward for him is ever recorded. Just one life, submitted to you. He lived and he died and history moved on, but the dominoes he was part of knocking over changed the whole world.

So what do I expect of my life? Do I look for greatness? Do I look for importance? Do I look for wealth and comfort? Or do I simply look to you for my sustenance and daily bread? The answer is yes to all. I confess to you that I want people to think I’m great. My ego is huge and I’m sorry for that. I want to be important and get love from people. My insecurity drives me in that way. I want to not have to worry about money and purchase the things my heart desires. My greed and covetousness can be insatiable. And then there are times like this when I repent of this and just look to you for your direction and your daily bread. I remember that you are my provider and my deliverer. You give me what I need and what I need to have to be the most effective part of your plan that I can be.

Father, I would not get invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony like Joseph would, and that’s okay. In fact, it is probably better for me to live the smallest life I can because my ego has a hard time handling any widespread acknowledgment or acclaim. So do with me what you need to do. Use my life to knock over at least one domino in your plan so that your kingdom will come and your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

[As a P.S. to anyone who might be reading this, here is a link to one of my favorite Christmas songs. It is about Joseph and what it must have been like for him. It’s called “Strange Way to Save the World” and it’s sung by 4Him,]

 
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Posted by on December 8, 2018 in Luke, Matthew, Uncategorized

 

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Peter & John — Luke 24:8-12

13 Nov

Luke 24:8-12 NASB
[8] And they remembered His words, [9] and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. [10] Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. [11] But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. [12] But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

Dear God, this time must have still been so foggy for Peter and the rest of the disciples. In this telling of the story, the others don’t believe so Peter goes alone. In another telling, Peter and John both go. Either way, there are no examples of the story where they all go. Maybe they were afraid of being caught. And maybe it would have been bad for all 11 of them to be seen at an empty tomb.

Now that I think about it, it was a brave thing for Peter and John to come out of hiding and go to the tomb. I wonder if Peter’s regret from Friday had grown into determination on Sunday. He was still in the fog and trying to make sense of everything that was happening to himself. I’m sure he was trying to think back and remember everything Jesus had said that Peter didn’t understand at the time. Could this really be true?

Father, help me to know and understand from moment to moment the things that you need me to know and understand. And for those things that knowing and understanding would hold me back and keep me from pursuing you and found your work, keep me intentionally ignorant and give me peace in that ignorance.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 13, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:54-62

12 Nov

Luke 22:54-62 NASB
[54] Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. [55] After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. [56] And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” [57] But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” [58] A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” [59] After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” [60] But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. [61] The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” [62] And he went out and wept bitterly.

Dear God, I wonder what it would be like to have my biggest (or at least one of my biggest failures) recorded multiple times for all time. Poor Peter. I am grateful here for his example. I’ve always like Peter more than Paul because his weaknesses are on full display, as opposed to Paul who never seems to make any mistakes after his conversion.

One thing I have to be willing to do is show my weaknesses and let others see my mistakes. I am not any good to others when they aren’t able to see what I do wrong, where I am weak, and when I suffer. And it has to be in real time. It can’t always be examples from the past that I’ve cleaned up now, but I have to let people know who I am and my weaknesses in the moment. At the same time, I need to also show them how you are helping me to work through my weaknesses and challenges. I should be sharing from the perspective of having a pity party for myself, but as an encouragement to others.

Father, teach me to love. That includes being a humble example for others so that they might be encouraged in their journey. I don’t want people to feel judged by me, but to feel your grace, love, and acceptance through me. Do all of this, Lord, for your glory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:39-46

11 Nov

Luke 22:39-46
39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Dear God, I was listening to a sermon earlier today about prayer. The pastor was going through the Lord’s Prayer and how it is a model how to pray. Kind of an outline, if you will. It includes worship, a desire for your will, requests for provision and forgiveness, and an acknowledgment of your sovereignty. The part I just left out is the part about temptation. Jesus tells us to ask that you would keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil. It’s interesting that that is His encouragement here–“Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

Now whenever I think of temptation, I usually think of the big things: lust, greed, lying to protect myself, etc. But I think the temptations Jesus is referring to here are much more insidious and lethal because they are silent killers. I think Jesus is referring to the temptation that he is feeling in the moment–that His will would supersede your will. Jesus didn’t want to go through what was in front of Him, but He knew He had to in order to accomplish your will.

So how am I tempted throughout the day? Sure, lust, greed, and those other things enter into the picture for me, but I also get tempted by lethargy. I get tempted by wanting to entertain myself and have self-indulgent respite. I want things to be about me. I want the world to bend to allowing for my comfort.

Father, help me to recognize the temptations for what they are and to die to myself in my pursuit of you. Jesus implores Peter, James, John and the others to pray against falling into temptation. And they faced all kinds including aggrandizement (who is the greatest?) and self-preservation (what would happen over the next few days). I am no different. So I don’t know how this works and how you keep me from temptation, but I pray that you will deliver me from evil and help me to live purely by your will.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 11, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:24-38

10 Nov

Luke 22:24-38 NASB
[24] And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. [25] And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ [26] But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. [27] For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. [28] “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; [29] and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [30] that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [31] “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; [32] but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” [33] But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” [34] And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” [35] And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” [36] And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. [37] For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” [38] They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

Dear God, just how many of these “who is the greatest” arguments did these guys have? I think this is the second one that Luke records.

I had an employee recently talk about some of the disagreements and tensions among people on our staff. Now, we have 13 paid staff and 50-ish office volunteers. I told this particular staff person that as long as there are at least two people working in an office there will be occasional tensions. No workplace will be conflict-free.

But these guys…Jesus is describing his death to them, pouring out the last supper and they are arguing about who is the greatest? I can’t imagine how much this must have anguished Jesus in the moment.

I wonder how much I anguish you. I had a good talk with a relative yesterday that included us talking about our kids. We were talking about our inadequacies as parents and how we try to overcome them. We’ve both made decisions that the other doesn’t quite understand, but the nice thing is that I think we are in a place where we give each other the space to make the best decisions that we know how to make at the time and don’t judge the other for things and circumstances we don’t understand.

Father, I’m kind of rambling this morning, but at the end of the day I just don’t want to get so focused on myself that I miss both the anguish of others around me and the call that you are giving me at any given moment. Help me to work well and bring you glory in all that I do.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 10, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 22:7-13

09 Nov

Luke 22:7-13 NASB
[7] Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” [9] They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” [10] And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. [11] And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ [12] And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” [13] And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

Dear God, I think that Luke is the only Gospel to record that it was Peter and John who were tasked with setting up the Passover meal. What a weird time this must have been for them. I wonder just how dense the fog was around their eyes.

I suppose I need to explain that. Several years ago, my wife and I were going through a proverbial valley that was unlike anything we had experienced before. There were times when we couldn’t tell up from down. We ended up referencing the title to Robert McNamara’s book The Fog of War often to describe our inability to really see, assess, and respond to what was happening around us. I wonder how much Peter and John we’re experiencing that kind of fog over these last few weeks.

The nice thing here is that you laid out a path for them and made it straight. Jesus gave the. The assignment and they had the courage to admit they didn’t know where to set things up. They had a choice in that moment. They could be intimidated by Jesus and just go out on their own or they could ask for His direction. They chose to ask and he gave them a path they could follow.

Father, in the midst of my own life, even when I don’t understand the path in front of me, please make it straight. Reveal it to me. Help me to see everything around me with your eyes—no, I don’t think that’s always the right thing to say because your eyes often see more than I need to know. Help me to hear your still small voice and to see what you need me to see. Help me to know how to respond. And of course, that leads me to the serenity prayer. In those moments, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 9, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 18:24-28

08 Nov

Luke 18:24-28 NASB
[24] And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [26] They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” [27] But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” [28] Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.”

Dear God, Peter is still trying to do it on his own. Jesus says, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God,” and Peter’s response seems to be not one of relief that you are doing this for him, but that he has been good enough on his own to get where he wants to go.

I have a confession: there are times when I think an awful lot of myself. It’s not a good thing at all. I can look down on others and judge them. I’m terrible at knowing how to receive compliments.

But then there are times when my inadequacy and failings fall on me like a ton of bricks. I recognize how sinful I am. Fear will grab me and I’ll realize that I need a provider. I’ll see the humility or even the pain in someone else’s life and realize that my problems are so small.

Father, help me to take the impossible and fall into your arms, depending upon you to make it possible. Help me to reject the idea of justifying myself and fully embrace the idea that it’s okay to need your grace. And help me to share all of this with others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 8, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 12:35-48

07 Nov

Luke 12:35-48 NASB
[35] “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. [36] Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. [37] Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. [38] Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. [39] “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. [40] You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” [41] Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” [42] And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? [43] Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. [44] Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. [45] But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; [46] the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. [47] And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, [48] but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Dear God, after 2,000 years, it’s hard to know what readiness looks like. Am I getting this right? Am I faithful? The real question: Am I letting you down?

If there is an area of weakness in my life—hold it. That’s a foolish statement. Let me try again. If I were grading all of the weaknesses I have, I would say my most glaring is evangelism. I just don’t reach out to my neighbor enough and offer them life through submission to you. Perhaps it’s my desire to be liked that holds me back—even by strangers and people I’ll never see again. Yes, I do indeed have many weaknesses, but this is certainly one of them.

Father, don’t only give me eyes to see and ears to hear, but give me courage to speak and wisdom with what to say. In the end, I just don’t want to have let you down any more than I already have.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 7, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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