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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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Peter & John — Luke 9:51-56

06 Nov

Luke 9:51-56 NASB
[51] When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; [52] and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. [53] But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. [54] When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” [55] But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; [56] for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

Dear God, this is a story I had forgotten related directly to James and John. If you’d have asked me, “Who wanted to send down fire on the Samaritans for rejecting Jesus?” I would have guessed Peter. But as I look at it, Peter’s mistakes are usually just foolish and not as much about judging others as just fighting his internal insecurities. He’s also very impetuous. But John seems to like rebuking people. He rebuked the guy casting out demons. Now he’s rebuking Samaritans for their ignorance. His insecurities seem to drive him to elevate himself over others through self-righteous anger.

I’ve certainly seen this in myself from time to time, but the more tile I spend meeting people from all walks of life, and the more I get in touch with my own weaknesses and the grace you offer me in spite of them, the more I am willing to give it to others. I think this is part of John’s journey too. In his letters later, he will write a lot about love, but I can’t see him writing all of that at this point.

Father, complete the work you have started in me. Thank you for loving me, for forgiving me, and for giving me opportunities to grow closer to you. I’m sorry I fail. I’m sorry I’ve let you down over and over again. Thank you for being a God who didn’t destroy the Samaritans that day for their foolish ignorance, and for not destroying me now.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 6, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:46-50

05 Nov

Luke 9:46-50 NASB
[46] An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. [47] But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, [48] and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” [49] John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” [50] But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

Dear God, my thought when I read this was, Oh, John, don’t try so hard to impress him.

There were times when Jesus was impressed by people, but rarely were they trying to impress him at the time. The faith of the centurion impressed him. I recently read the passage about the scribe who asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. Jesus told him he wasn’t far from your kingdom. But in this case, if the story played out as Luke describes, John’s telling Jesus about the guy they rebuked is a response to Jesus getting onto them about who is the greatest. It’s almost like John missed the whole lesson of what Jesus said about being humble and serving. He was too focused on Jesus being impressed.

Of course, I can fall into this trap. I really want people to be impressed with me. I always have. Is that a need to please? No, I think it’s more an insecurity that’s buried down there within me that needs the approval of others to be quenched. But then it’s never really quenched.

Father, help be to serve without needing to use my service for recognition and adulation. Help me to welcome all and to be willing to sacrifice my own ego and comfort for someone to whom you are calling me to serve. Give me insight and discernment. Give me ears to hear. And I am sorry for the self pity that often drives me into selfishness and neediness.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 5, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:18-20

04 Nov

Luke 9:18-20
18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Dear God, I wonder what Jesus prayed for when he was alone in times like this. Was he already praying that this cup would pass? Was he praying for the disciples? Was he praying for strength, wisdom, and/or protection? I’m sure it was all of these things.

It’s interesting that, in this telling of the story, Peter doesn’t get any extra love for his declaration. I think both Matthew and Mark record Jesus telling Peter that he is awesome because he knows this. Here, verse 21 just says that Jesus tells them to not tell anyone.

Father, I’m not sure what to think about all of this or what is here for me, but I know that I probably need to be much more intentional about my prayers for others. I am glad my wife and I pray together out loud daily because if I didn’t I’m not sure how much intercessory prayer I would do at all. I’m also not sure how much I would pray for my own life beyond these journals. But even with the prayers I do with her, I need to be better. I need to be more intentional. I need to sink my teeth into praying for and loving others so that I might decrease in my ow eyes and you will increase.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:12-13

02 Nov

Luke 9:12-13 NASB
[12] Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” [13] But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

Dear God, I find it interesting that all three of the synoptic Gospels are careful to link the returning of the 12 after Jesus sent them out with this feeding story. It must have been one of those legendary Jesus stories. “We were tired and Jesus had promised us a break and some alone time with just him. Then the people wouldn’t let us get alone so Jesus taught them. We thought we had a way out because they got hungry so we tried to send them away. But Jesus wouldn’t send them away. Instead, he did this amazing miracle to feed them!

Oh, how I can get a bad attitude when I’m tired. And then I can start to make really bad decisions when I am feeling sorry for myself. But Jesus’ attitude here reminds me of a story I once read about a woman swordfish boat captain. She was one of the characters in The Perfect Storm and she wrote her own book called The Hungry Ocean. It was unique to have a woman captain leading a bunch of men, and the boat owner gave her some advice before her first voyage: “There will come a time when you aren’t catching any fish and the men are going to be tired. They are going to pressure you to go home. Just remember, the captain is the one SOB who won’t go home.”

Father, help me to be the kind of captain Jesus was. Help me to lead and to press on with mercy. Love through me. Provide care for others through me. And minister to me, my spirit and souls in the process.

I pray this by Jesus’ name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 2, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:28-36

31 Oct

Luke 9:28-36 NASB
[28] Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. [29] And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. [30] And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, [31] who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. [32] Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. [33] And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”-not realizing what he was saying. [34] While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [35] Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” [36] And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Dear God, it seems like this telling of the transfiguration is a little more detailed than the others. I’d need to go back and check to see if the others do this, but I don’t remember the little details like eight days later and being afraid walking into the fog. I don’t even remember the part where they fell asleep and woke up to see everything happening.

It says that “they were afraid” about the cloud. Did that include Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or was it Just Peter, James, and John? I would imagine at that point that Jesus, Moses and Elijah knew what was happening and were at peace.

I wonder if this felt like a dream to the three disciples. To wake up and see such an extraordinary sight. I’ve talked about Peter’s response before so I don’t know that I need to cover it again. It’s just an amazing thing that I’m convinced was meant to strengthen Jesus for the home stretch leading up to the crucifixion.

Father, give me what I need so that I can be strengthened to do your will. Give me courage. Give me strength. Give me love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, and self control. Let your fruit come to bear in my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 31, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 9:18-21

30 Oct

Luke 9:18-21 NASB
[18] And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?” [19] They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” [20] And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” [21] But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,

Dear God, it’s hard to really appreciate the lack of communication people had back then. People in 1860 had photographs of Abraham Lincoln so that if he had walked up to a group of people they’d have known who he was instantly. Of course, now I can search 80% of Americans and pull up a picture. But 2,000 years ago, all they had were stories and rumors. They heard about Jesus, but they weren’t sure what to make of him. But the disciples were privy to certain things that had happened with Jesus. And Peter, James, and John has actually seen more than the other nine.

I can’t imagine how impossible it was for them to process what they were seeing with any kind of perspective. Obviously, Jesus was introducing a whole new paradigm to them. I wonder how many of the rest of the 12, or even those outside of this group, had come to the same conclusion Peter had, but they just couldn’t bring themselves to say it out loud.

Father, I get really lost in my world sometimes. Speak to me and help me to hear you. Help me to boldly lean into you and fully embrace the life your leading me through. Help me to let go of myself and serve others. And help me to be willing to appear foolish in the name of truth.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 30, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Luke 8:51-56

29 Oct

Luke 8:51-56 NASB
[51] When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. [52] Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” [53] And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. [54] He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” [55] And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. [56] Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

Dear God, it seems that Jesus was really trying to keep the extent of his power under wraps, but there were a few people in on the secret and that included James, John, and Peter. Peter was such a leader that it becomes obvious why he was in the loop, but through Matthew, Mark, and now into Luke we aren’t really given enough about John to show why he was in the loop. He and James had a relationship with Peter before all of this started. Perhaps Jesus was bringing them along because he knew Peter’s weaknesses and he thought Peter would need James and John later.

Of course, all of this is wild guesses and I could be totally wrong, but the idea of needing complementary partners is certainly a thought worth pursuing. None of us can do our work alone. None of us are an island. For me, it starts with my wife. She definitely complements me and fills in where I am weak. And I believe I fill the same role in her life. Then at work I need others. I’m starting to get a feel for how to trust different members of the staff to handle certain aspects of the clinic better than I handle them. And then there are times when they need me to help in a way where they are not as strong. We for a solid team.

Father, as I look at the other areas of my life including church and personal service, help me to seek out those who will make me better. And help me to come alongside others and complement them in their lives as well, whether they be family members, friends or strangers who need what I have to offer. And for all of this, take it and do it for your glory. Don’t let anything I do be outside of your will for me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 29, 2018 in Luke, Peter and John

 

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Matthew 5:43-48

25 Oct

Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Dear God, I chose this passage because of the part in the middle about the sun rising and the rain falling on the righteous and the unrighteous. I forgot that that verse is right in the middle of all of this stuff about loving my enemies.

In this case, I think Jesus is referring to rain and sun as both good things that God gives to everyone, no matter how good or evil. What I’m taking from this is that we are all in this together, and beyond the fact that we share the earth together is the idea that my enemy is still your child and at the most basic level, I need to, at a minimum, be praying that they have a relationship that is as close to you as possible. If I think they are evil, then that is one type of prayer. But if they are a seemingly good person with whom I have simply become at odds then that is another type of prayer. And I might have a direct role to play in that person’s life, but if I allow the darkness of bitterness and hate to consume me then I am no good to them, to myself, or to you.

Father, make me an instrument of your peace. It is in pardoning that I am pardoned. Help me to care more about my enemy’s well-being and submit my own ego and demands for my rights to your will.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 25, 2018 in Matthew

 

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