Tag: disciple

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Luke: Jesus, the Itinerant Preacher

Read: Luke 8:1-3

Just a short segue between stories, Luke adds some interesting detail about the preaching and teaching tour of Jesus. Back in the old days, even before my time, the idea of circuit-riders or itinerant preachers modeled their ministry based on this idea:

Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Luke 8:1

He traveled with The Twelve, no surprise, but He also traveled with women that supported the ministry:

These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:3

The thought of a band of travelers preaching the Gospel is compelling, challenging, and interesting to imagine. The fact they were supported by women who were able to support themselves is quite intriguing! Apparently, they were not slaves of men, but independent and self-assured adults that they didn’t need to be center stage to be effective.  They enabled the gospel to spread by supporting the men without much fanfare at all. Luke names a few for us to remember, but I’m sure their support was significant–just not the main point. They humbly served behind the scenes. I like that.

It wasn’t, however, a traveling magic show. While Jesus performed miracles all over the place, that was obviously not the crux of His travels. This is significant in my mind because Jesus did not miraculously (or magically) produce shekels, mina, or talents when they needed money to buy food or pay for lodging. He didn’t miraculously make dinner every night. Instead, He and The Twelve relied on the generosity of others, in particular, these women.

I have no doubt He could have chosen a different path, but that would not be reproducible–we could not model His behavior. Jesus leads us by example. He demonstrates how to make disciples, how to invest into people, how to spread the good news even without intervention.

We only get a glimpse, a handful of days and stories to consider, as Luke picks memories that are most helpful for us to consider. Day after day, Jesus and His band traveled about talking to real people about real problems. Just humans loving on humans. He could have come in on a helicopter with loud speakers announcing the end of all time (or else), but He chose to walk from village to village with dusty sandals and dirty hands. Nothing fancy. No private jets or extravagant hotels. Somehow their basic needs were taken care of by friends and relations they created along the way.

Unless I missed something, Jesus never said, “build a 100,000 square foot building here…” or anything that came close to confusing a building with a cause. Not that we don’t need places to meet, I get that, but we must figure out a way to understand the difference between a place of worship and being the church. Please pray that we get a sense of what the Spirit wants us to do in this regard.

Lord, thank you for those who faithfully supported Your earthly ministry and those who support ours. May our faith increase as we attempt to spread the good news, the GREAT news, to those around our towns and villages.

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Luke: Jesus Affirms John the Baptist

Read: Luke 7:18-35

Affirmation. We all need to be affirmed by qualified sources, those whom we esteem to be an authority in our particular ministry. A car mechanic might not think working on the fuel injection system is a ministry, but I beg to differ! Everyone is a minister, each is an evangelist for that which they are wired to serve. I think we long for assurance that what we’re doing at this moment is the right thing, that it’s meaningful and important; otherwise, why do it?

Why should I type these words? Is it worth the time invested? The difference between good and great is often the affirmation that the task has some enduring impact.

In this morning’s passage, we’re somewhat shocked to read that John the Baptist actually needs some assurance that Jesus is who he’s been preparing the way for, that his ministry was on target and effective. I’m pretty sure John knows that his days are numbered. In light of his eminent execution, he wants to leave the world knowing he hit the target.

The way Jesus handles this situation models how we should disciple others, how we lead by honoring those who are doing their part for growing the kingdom, no matter how seemingly insignificant. This is not a simple pat-on-the-back, nor is it insincere, but I think it’s exactly what John needed to hear, as well as the others that Jesus addresses.

Are You Sure?

Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Luke 7:18-19

John the Baptist was a prominent, notable figure in his day. Many people knew about his ministry and were compelled to be baptized by he and his disciples in response to his message.  Jesus even submitted to baptism by John. Perhaps while he is in chains, thanks to Herod, he thinks about the prophesies of the Messiah, how He will come and change the world. In those dark moments in prison, I wonder if John started to imagine how he would like to see the Messiah, his definition of who Jesus should be.

In sports, we refer to this as taking your eye off the ball, missing the catch because you were watching the oncoming defender or swinging at a ball that is nowhere to be found. Strike!  Fortunately, there are three strike to an out and four downs in a series–we get another chance.

John takes a swing and sends two for verification. Did he doubt? Yes. If the cousin of Jesus had doubts, rest assured your doubts are in good hands.

Jesus Responds

“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard…Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Luke 7:22-23

He could have said lots of things, but Jesus is proud of John, He is pleased with his ministry and is careful in his rebuke in verse 23, but make no mistake, Jesus smacks him for asking. And Peter and Thomas a bit later on. And you and me.

Here’s the thing, Jesus is completely truthful, but he has no desire to squash John or us. The mirror must reflect what it sees, but poorly created mirrors distort reality. Jesus is pure and perfect, yet chooses words carefully to show His appreciation for John while using his question as a teachable moment for those gathered. Cool stuff!

Children in the Marketplace

I love the parenthetical statement that Luke provides in Luke 7:29-30, but the Pharisees…

Jesus provides a parable of finger-pointing kids arguing for no valid reason. The Pharisees and teachers of the law have no clue. They refused to be baptized for sure, but more than that, they refused to see what was right in front of them.

Greg Wiens loves to talk about finding your A-Game. This is based on introspective analysis that is most useful when viewed from those who know us best, our friends and associates. It’s often difficult to see if one is really working within their greatest strengths and gifts. There is great value in affirming a brother or sister in Christ, providing appropriate feedback that they are doing what they are called to do.

Who should you affirm today?

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Luke: What Credit is That to You?

Read: Luke 6:27-49

Love your enemies, don’t judge others, the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, here the words and do what Jesus commanded.

Somewhere there’s a sign for the wall with these short phrases that summarize so much of Jesus’ teaching. The original audience that heard these words for the very first time were amazed at the teaching and very likely confused by the concepts. I’m confident that Jesus unpacked each point carefully with the crowds of people gathered around.

Here’s the main point: The love that Jesus is preaching is a love of action, not merely words. We are to take action and do what He says, not just sit and take notes.

You can stop reading now. That’s the gist of this post.

Love Your Enemies Luke 6:27-36

There are those who love you, who are good to you, and those who you will lend things to — even those who are completely evil. Big deal! Jesus makes it clear: we are to love our enemies.

If He said this just once, or with some caveats, we could walk away from the idea, but Jesus makes it clear that His ministry is about action, about doing things that are uncomfortable by earthly standards.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Luke 6:35

Jesus sets the bar high. It’s no wonder that the number of disciples thinned out as He preached. But to those who heard these edicts and responded, life on earth changed. What if a group of people decided to adopt these principles as they went about their daily routines? Could we change the culture around us?

Judging Others: Luke 6:37-42

Don’t judge or condemn. Practice forgiveness and give generously. Rest assured that your reward is greater than you can appreciate. This is easy to type, much harder to put into action because these are essentially responses to events.

Easy to do if we stay at home, surround ourselves with friends and family, avoid those who are difficult to get along with. That’s the secret, right? Nope. I don’t believe we were called to live the “safe” life. I think we were meant to get dirty, to go out and change the world by getting into the mess, joining the fray, making mistakes, risking too much for the sake of Christ — all based on love of others.

It’s much harder to withhold judgment when we get out into the real world where sinners outnumber the saints. But isn’t this what Jesus expects us to do?

A Tree and Its Fruit: Luke 6:43-45

Right after talking about judging others, Jesus is careful to remind us that our actions reveal our heart:

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. Luke 6:44

It doesn’t do any good to wear a shirt that says, “I’m not judging you!” What we do will ultimately be seen, the results speak for themselves.

The standard is high, some days too high for me. We sang the song, Seasons, yesterday. It reminds me that we go through times of trial, cold winters that linger far too long. I needed to hear that…well, perhaps not past tense, I need to know that. Winter can be hard. Branches are bare, nothing green in sight. We need to be confident that the roots are being nourished even when the branches are brittle, that spring is sure to come–eventually. Accept this promise, help me to know Jesus is always faithful.

The Wise and Foolish Builders: Luke 6:46-49

There is a way to build a house, to create anything that will last. It requires digging deep and starting with a solid foundation. Sometimes this isn’t as easy to do as we would think. Some people keep digging deeper, looking for the rock, caught up in the effort, but getting nowhere. Perhaps we dig in the wrong place at times. Lord, help me to know when it’s time to relocate the building!

Lots of words. Random thoughts. Now it’s time for action. Lord, help us to be a people of movement, confident You are there to support and guide us. Jesus, we love You. Help us to go and share that with others, especially those who are not like us!

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Luke: Sermon on the Plateau

Read: Luke 6:17-26

Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount is probably another time when Jesus preached to a large group, this time on a level place, a plateau, if you will. This passage provides both blessings and woes in comparison, first the blessings, then the woes. Luke leaves us with the opportunity to sense Jesus’ compassion for people, His love and desire to see people satisfied beyond measure.

I wonder about the pace and presentation, which version of ProPresenter He used, who was in the band, and all that important stuff. Did they end on time? Did they remember to pray before the offering? Hmmm. My weird sense of humor and somewhat critical spirit sneaks in. Back to the narrative.

A large crowd of His disciples

My first mistake is to refer to the twelve He chose in the verses prior to this one as disciples. They were disciples, but even more to the point, they were anointed as apostles. There were lots of disciples, but only Twelve Apostles. An important distinction to be sure, but I don’t think this was meant to be exclusive, just orderly.

The people came to hear Him and to be healed. I wonder if we could be healed just by hearing Him. Would we change our ways? Would our hearts be moved in a different direction? The healing I need most often has little to do with physical ailment, much more to do with a troubled spirit.

The Sermon

Here’s the sermon in parallel, one phrase at a time with its blessing and opposing woe. Interesting, yes?

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Luke 6:20, 24

The poor, not just those below the poverty income level, but those that are poor in spirit. When I am downcast, troubled, blue, defeated, lost, lonely, even depressed, I need to hear these words from Jesus. As I started to say earlier, I wonder how long Jesus waited after saying this sentence. Did He elaborate? Or did He just let the thought sink in?

The rich, those who have plenty, who do not remember what it is to be in need and are blinded to those around them.

Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Luke 6:21, 25

The hungry, not just those who skipped breakfast, but those who desire to know more, who ache to be filled, they will be satisfied. Like the rich, those who have forgotten what it’s like to be hungry will discover starvation awaits. This is not an easy sermon to process. I imagine Jesus telling them to gather around in groups and talk about this for a minute before moving on to the next point. I would certainly want to be the obnoxious student that says, “Wait, please explain that before moving on!!”

Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Luke 6:21, 25

It’s significant that Jesus begins with a blessing before the woe. If we get nothing else out of this lesson, may we learn to look and emphasis the positive before hammering our point home with the negative.

We will laugh. O God, I can’t wait! Can that be today? The featured image on this post is one I’ve used before, but one I really like. The child’s innocent eyes are probably looking up to their loving parent. May we look to Jesus and laugh with our whole body! May our eyes glow, lips stretch, face light up with the thought of seeing Him face to face.

The proud may laugh today, but they will weep. It’s not my job to put them in their place. Lord, don’t let me wander in that place alone.

Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Luke 6:22, 26

Being insulted because of Jesus, being hated on and ostracized, will have it’s reward. I think it’s important that we don’t misread this statement like many we know of in Christian circles. This doesn’t say, be a jerk for Jesus and make people hate you–then God will reward you. That kind of thought process drives church people to do stupid things.

In contrast, we need to check our pride at the door when people say great things about something we’ve accomplished. The paradox is quite troubling when you think about it. I want to do that which pleases Jesus, even when it’s not popular, but I really appreciate it when someone agrees with me. I don’t want to be a false prophet, but I do want to be in the company of those who spread the Gospel. Quite challenging.

Lord, may we look forward to the day when we rejoice in heaven with You, when we leap for joy beyond human comprehension. Some days I pray that will be sooner than later, but Your will before my pitiful desire.

 

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Luke: Legalism Concerns – Fasting and the Sabbath

Read: Luke 5:33-6:11

“They said to Him…” begins the reading for today and one of my recurring nightmares: will I be counted as one of them? Am I in the “they” group? Jesus wants us all to be part of His family, but He is not about checking boxes to gain acceptance, that would be easy, He is about transforming hearts. The transformation begins with the one I see in the mirror.

This morning, we’ll pick on the Pharisees and teachers of the law for a bit. They don’t get it at all. They’re caught up in their world of legalism even more than we’re caught up in our church world that’s so focused on the Sunday production that at times, sometimes far too often, we have no clue. The animosity between Jesus and the religious right begins to simmer in these passages. Luke will shift to teaching for a while, but wants us to see that at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, “they” were watching, taking notes, and building their case. They’re always looking from the outside.

My prayer is we don’t become they.

Jesus Questioned About Fasting: Luke 5:33-39

This starts off with a simple question for clarification about fasting, or so it seems. Those who were being faithful to following their list of rules knew that fasting was something you were supposed to do, so they ask Jesus why His disciples are disobeying rule #___.

Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” Luke 5:34-35

Ok, that just went right over their heads! They were looking for something more concrete and Jesus starts to explain something about a wedding celebration. They are scratching their heads, so He explains with a parable.

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. Luke 5:38

My strange sense of humor sees them nodding in agreement: yep, that’s how you work with wine and wineskins, makes sense. But what about the fasting question? Luke lets that just slip on by. As we will see, their question is irrelevant, yet reveals their heart, their motivation. I think that’s the main point.

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath: Luke 6:1-11

One Sabbath, then another, and another. Luke likes to point out when Jesus is teaching on the Sabbath, healing, loving, doing life on the day which is supposed to be a day of rest.

Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:5

I’m confident that God is serious about taking a day off, no doubt; otherwise, it wouldn’t make the top-ten list. We know from those who have invested a lot of time into researching the ways of the Pharisees, they had hundreds of rules about everything. I’d love to see a mindmap about these rules, how they centered on the Ten Commandments and branched off into rules about rules, etc. The geeky part of me would be fascinated by looking at 600+ segments. I can easily get distracted!

In this passage, Jesus makes a point of teaching the Pharisees in particular that He is above their rules. He can sense their confusion, so He heals a man with a shriveled right hand in front of everyone. No hiding, no call to step behind the curtain. Jesus wants to make a point.

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” Luke 6:9

I really think He’s really giving them a chance to see the err of their ways more than poking them in the eye. Their reaction reveals their heart, they become furious about Jesus’ actions and miss the fact that this man has been healed and quite likely can now begin to provide for his family.

Are we they?

I hope not, but don’t be too quick to answer. This is why we have each other, to hold each other accountable, but not a checklist. Checklists are for the head. Please tell me when I’m acting like a Pharisee! Let me know when I’ve slipped into Sunday production mode rather than being the hands and feet of Jesus for the lost, the lonely, the least! You are my brother and sister in Christ, don’t be afraid to call it like it is. My commitment to you is to do likewise. Don’t wait for Sunday.

Luke is carefully selecting stories that speak about transforming the heart. May our hearts be changed.

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Luke: When Jesus Saw Their Faith

Read: Luke 5:12-26

Consider two phrases in the passage we read today: Lord if you are willing and when Jesus saw their faith. Both demonstrate an unusual faith in a man they hardly knew.

They had heard about this preacher that was going from village to village, town to town, teaching good news, adding wisdom to wise sayings with a practical message for common people to hear.

Perhaps the most amazing thing they heard was His ability to cast our demons and heal people of sickness. This wasn’t normal by any stretch of the imagination. They seem to say, If Jesus could do that, I’m in! And they showed up in these stories.

My belief is these are just two of the many stories Luke had to consider when writing his narrative to share with others. In my imagination I can see him with a table full of newspaper clippings, reports from villages all over Judea about healing and restoration. Miracle after miracle. All with some common elements: Jesus was the rabbi at the center of all the news and He was trying to keep these incidents quiet.

I believe that Luke intersperses these miraculous events inside the details about calling the disciples to make this point: He wasn’t trying to draw followers, He was looking to make disciples.

Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Luke 5:14

It’s interesting that Jesus points the cured leper back to the priest, that He keeps the focus on God’s system of sacrifice.

In a much more public miracle, the faith of friends is rewarded with healing a lame man.

So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Luke 5:24-25

Right in front of the pharisees and teachers of the law! This troublesome event (for the religious leaders) causes them to stumble and provides another teaching point for Jesus:

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Luke 5:23-24

Which is easier? Hmm…so I think I’ll just do both! The religious right have no idea how to respond.

The people were filled with awe and wonder (sounds like a song!). But Jesus isn’t trying to create a show, instead He’s trying to demonstrate the love of the Father for His people. In a way, He can’t not heal those who are sick because of His unbounded love and compassion.

It’s this deep-seated heart for people that I long to have, that I pray for consistently. Jesus sees their faith, sees their desire and looks beyond outward appearances — straight to their heart. Perfect discernment that is unencumbered by biased perspective based on human standards. It may be a stretch, but I believe we too can see the hearts of those seeking to know the love of Christ if we would let go of worldly desires.

Yesterday, the word contentment drove me to look for scripture about being content. Now I think I understand why. If I can be content, my own selfish desires disappear and I can see people as Jesus saw them–at least to a greater degree. If I am content, I don’t need anything from any interaction with someone else. My only aim is to point them to Christ.

My desire then becomes one of great compassion. When I see a brother or sister in pain, my prayer is to reach out and help in any way I can. All from a place of love, not from a desire to tell someone else about the wonderful things I have done.

Jesus points them back to God, the source of His power and strength.

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Luke 5:26

As a result, they gave praise to God. That the result I’m hoping for.

Oh, one other thing:

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

I find it interesting that Jesus withdraws to lonely places to pray. He seeks solitude to quiet His human heart. Seriously. If Jesus needed to do this, how much more should I? No, I’m not advocating seclusion in a monastery, but we all need a place where we can hear from God.

When I searched for images for the featured image on this post, I used the term lonely. Literally hundreds of photos showed up. Yes, I want to find a place of solitude, but the fact that so many photos are tagged “lonely” points to a culture that is seeking what we have to offer. Please don’t get lost in the lonely place — just use this for meditation and prayer, not a hiding place!

I pray you can find your place today. Listen well my friend. God wants to speak to you, I’m sure of it.

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Luke: Jesus Begins With Disciples

Read: Luke 5:1-11, 5:27-32, 6:12-16

The readings this morning jump around a bit as I attempt to collect Luke’s writing about Jesus calling His disciples. Luke chose to weave the story of how Jesus called Peter (Simon) with the Zebedee brothers, James and John, and Matthew (Levi) in chapter 5, then provides a pivotal moment in chapter 6 when Jesus picks His team. It’s interesting to see how He chooses His disciples, especially when we consider our charge is to go and do likewise.

Trying to understand Luke’s perspective, I get the idea that Jesus invested time with people, challenged them to reveal their true character, then choose them individually. Of course this included Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, but we’ll leave that discussion for another time!

Jesus Calls His First Disciples: Luke 5:1-11

Luke begins with a story:

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, Luke 5:1

Jesus was teaching the people who were working their trade. I suspect He was looking for those who were paying attention, the few that showed some interest beyond a casual glance.

He got into one of the boats, Luke 5:3

Honestly, I don’t think Jesus just randomly picked a boat. I’m not sure how it worked in ancient times, but today, you don’t just walk down to the marina and jump in someone’s boat and suggest we go fishing. Not at all. Jesus is teaching those who were listening with interest, so he tests them a bit and Peter’s response is important for us to wrestle with:

But because you say so, I will Luke 5:5

Ah yes, because you say so, I will. It’s pretty clear when Jesus speaks we should obey. In this story, Peter explains they’ve finished fishing in the area, but doesn’t hesitate to do what Jesus said. I love this! Years ago, I wrote a song for Vacation Bible School based on this verse. I’ve probably told you the story behind the song before, but it’s fun to recall the process. My initial attempts at writing the song was a rock-n-roll, driving beat, BECAUSE YOU SAY SO I WILL!!! kinda song. All of that failed to connect. Instead, if you listen, you’ll hear a very different kinda song that’s led by a mother of six with a gentle voice and a flute part played by a high school senior. Totally different than I intended, but I wish I could explain how beautiful it was to hear 300+ children (no exaggeration) sing this at VBS.

I still believe this was what Jesus wanted, His words, my attempt to obey.

Simon Peter’s response was to fall at the knees of Jesus, unworthy, humbled — called by Jesus Himself. How about you?

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners: Luke 5:27-32

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:27-28

The way Luke writes this, the event sounds totally random, but once again, in my opinion, this was not arbitrary. I believe Jesus is teaching us to look beyond outward appearances when we see people. I know that discernment is a gift of the Spirit that is stronger in some than others, but I believe we all have the ability to see with the eyes of the Spirit if we pray and slow down long enough to listen for the answer. Those whose top-3 gifts include discernment don’t have to try very hard…others might have to be a bit more assertive.

My point is this: look beyond the trappings of the world and pray for discernment.

Matthew’s response is to throw a party! Jesus must think this is a great idea–to have a house full of people that know nothing about God’s plan of reconciliation. What an opportunity for sharing the Gospel!! The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law had some discouraging thoughts (why were they there??), but Jesus shuts them down quickly:

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32

Terse words for those who’ve fallen into the trap of a legalistic religion. Makes me think about the Pharisaic Survey again, the one we haven’t written, that reveals just how much of a Pharisee I am!

The Twelve Apostles

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them… Luke 6:12-16

The implication of this text suggests that Jesus called many to follow Him, like Peter, James, John, Matthew, etc., but here we see a select few are named as His disciples. The distinction is important. These will be the few He will pour into collectively and individually.

Jesus took time to choose these guys. It didn’t happen while walking in the marketplace or marina. As we are reminded of Jesus’ habit, He went to a quiet place to pray. If Jesus needed to quiet His human mind and pray, I’m convinced this is something we need to do quite often.  Whether we meditate during Yoga, running, walking, or sitting quietly, we need to stop and pray.

After a night of praying, Jesus picked the twelve.

Lord, help us to learn from Your example, Your way of making disciples. Teach us to not be biased, to get distracted by outward appearance. Show us how to build relationships that advance Your kingdom here on earth.

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Luke: The Birth of Jesus

Read: Luke 2:1-21

Without a doubt, this passage is one of my all time favorites. I can still close my eyes and see myself as a pre-teen reading this in front of Church of The Way Presbyterian in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (a very long time ago). Luke’s masterful writing of Jesus’ birth is a wonderful work of art that gives us historical context, the intrigue of angels, interaction with shepherds, and a view of the most humble servants on the planet: Mary and Joseph.

Humble beginnings is certainly one of the themes we take from this passage. A young couple, a manger, shepherds, in a small town. Nothing about this evokes the beginnings of a kingdom. No doubt by design, of course, as Herod and the Roman authorities are unaware of the details.

Joseph

I wish we knew more about Joseph. Matthew provides a bit more detail about how Joseph accepted his role (see Matthew 1:18-25 and my thoughts from August 2017 and May 2015). Suffice it to say, Joseph was a man of honor.

In the past, I read this verse as a simple statement of fact:

He went there to register with Mary, … Luke 2:5a

But in researching the passage, one author noted that Mary didn’t have to go with Joseph to complete his obligation for registration. Perhaps this would be better stated, from an ancient viewpoint, as Joseph didn’t need to take Mary with him. They weren’t married, she was pregnant, and he simply had an obligation to fulfill.

In my worldview, of course they went together, but in ancient days, the husband/wife roles were much different. Luke’s observation provides insight into the humble birth of the Son of God while giving us a glimpse into the worthiness of Mary and Joseph, as noted in my opening remarks, an incredibly humble young Jewish couple.

Shepherds

The long awaited Messiah is announced to the average Joe, just common folk out doing their very ordinary job of tending to sheep. This is incredibly encouraging for us to consider. The Creator of the universe demonstrates His desire to be with His people by walking with us as a human (honestly, this concept is far to grand for me to consider, but I’m over that by now!). What could be more fitting than to involve the average working class people: shepherds.

The NIVAC makes an important observation to complete this thought:

Noteworthy too is the choice of shepherds to be among the first to hear about the new child and see him. Some commentators argue that the shepherds symbolize God’s meeting the despised, but this negative reputation for shepherds is later than the first-century Judaism. 1NIV Application Commentary

From King David’s upbringing as a shepherd to the imagery in Psalm 23 and many other places throughout the Bible, we walk away with the idea that being a shepherd isn’t a grand job, but it is one that fuels the agricultural economy of the day. Shepherds might have later become a despised bunch, but in context, we hope to learn how to shepherd flocks as pastors tend to wayward sheep.

Angels

I really wish I could see something even remotely close to this scene.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

Even if I needed a change of clothing after the event (use your imagination), I would love to witness something this spectacular! I hope that there is a video replay room in heaven that allows us to see what that looked like and how the shepherds responded. I’m lost in the wonder of the scene.

The angels can’t sit idle, they simply must enter the scene in full chorus. This is the moment they’ve been waiting for, the day that has been foretold for so many years. How magnificent and how wonderful is our God who wants to be with us!

Mary

Our Catholic brothers and sisters honor Mary with great dignity, seeing her as one who must be highly regarded. Luke’s words are few and yet powerful:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Having watched a few videos recently of the Gospel accounts, Mary is depicted as one of few words, but careful actions. When we fast-forward to the crucifixion scene, we know Mary is there and I’m sure this moment comes to mind. She’s been visited by an angel, told of her role, knows beyond a doubt that she is a virgin (I’m confident most would not agree), and delivers Jesus in a manger, gently wrapping him in cloths.

Mary is an amazing example of a humble servant.

Humble

I know I’ve used the word humble a five or six times in this post, but I can’t help but consider the significance of the word. The opposite might be arrogant or pretentious, a position Mary could have taken given the fact that this is the Messiah she’s holding! But the lesson here is for us to consider and the repetition of the word is fitting in my mind.

As we attempt to spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout our world, we must learn from Joseph, the shepherds, and Mary — we must exude humility. In fulfilling our roles as disciple makers, we build relationships by loving people, not by cowering over them. Yes, we are heirs to the kingdom that will never end, members of a select group that embody the power of the universe, but we have no right to inflect a pious attitude on anyone.

If some loud proclamation is appropriate, let’s let the angels enter the scene with their heavenly trumpets!

Lord, thank you for this beautiful passage. Help us to be like Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, humble servants of the King of kings.

 

Note:

  1. Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland , David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 45918-45920). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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Temptation to be Relevant, Popular, and Powerful

Read: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

As I continue to ponder what Zechariah did during his 9+ months of silence as Elizabeth managed her high-risk pregnancy, I read this incredible section in the NIVAC (NIV Application Commentary).

I hope you’ll read this and consider your leadership role in the church. Whether you’re on staff or occasionally attend a gathering of people led by someone with the title of pastor (i.e., church), you play a part in the continuing story of the Creator and His desire to reconcile with His creation.

By the way, if you participate in any activity that represents a church, you are in a leadership position for that local body of Christ, whether or not that is explicitly stated. You don’t have to be a seminary professor, or even know what seminary is for that matter! As soon as we accepted Christ as Lord, we became heirs with Jesus and were given a leadership position.

I hope this extract from the NIVAC will encourage and inspire you to consider your next steps in your personal walk with Christ and your effective ministry.

NIVAC Excerpt 1:

An interesting work to ponder comes from the pen of Henri Nouwen 2. His autobiography relates a fascinating journey from teaching pastoral psychology and theology at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard for twenty years to burnout. From there he undertook a ministry in the home of the mentally challenged. There he learned that “service” given even to those whom the world does not see taught him as much as or more than his learning in seminary.  

Sometimes God is able to teach us in the midst of surprising circumstances. Ministry is not power and prestige, but humble service and trust.

Those who seek God’s deliverance and pursue it in holiness and service sometimes find themselves in places they never imagined ministering and in ways they never contemplated.

Here is his own testimony:

Let me summarize. My movement from Harvard to L’Arche made me aware in a new way how much my own thinking about Christian leadership had been affected by the desire to be relevant, the desire for popularity, and the desire for power. Too often I looked at being relevant, popular, and powerful as ingredients of an effective ministry.

The truth, however, is that these are not vocations but temptations.

Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” Jesus sends us out to be shepherds, and Jesus promises a life in which we increasingly have to stretch out our hands and be led to places where we would rather not go. He asks us to move from a concern for relevance to a life of prayer, from worries about popularity to communal and mutual ministry, and from a leadership built on power to a leadership in which we critically discern where God is leading us and our people.

The people of L’Arche are showing me new ways. I am a slow learner. Old patterns that have proved quite effective are not easy to give up. But as I think about the Christian leader of the next century, I do believe that those from whom I least expected to learn are showing me the way.

I hope and pray that what I am learning in my new life is something that is not just good for me to learn, but something that helps you, as well, to catch a glimpse of the Christian leader of the future.

End of Excerpt.

The definition of “church” is changing more rapidly than any of us want to accept, especially those of us who’ve been around a while—we don’t want to give up our hard-earned status and reputation! I speak in inclusive terms that are somewhat hyperbolic, ok, downright exaggerated, but this is an important conversation to have at every level of church organization if we want to be an effective part of this society. Yes, the gates of Hell will not prevail against Christ’s church, but that doesn’t mean that our definition of the modern church will survive. Don’t get too comfortable. Multi-million-dollar church incorporated budgets do not guarantee success for Jesus, they merely perpetuate power and position or organizations that are well intended, but not necessarily effective.

In making this observation, it’s important to confess that I don’t have any special insight into this issue. There are many voices in this argument that have credentials to support their theses, such as Nouwen above. I’d love to invest the time to present a bibliography for consideration, but then again, I think I’d rather invest time in the 20-year old that wants to learn how to be a better disciple (or the 30-something, 40-something, etc.). I shouldn’t have to convince anyone that the local church is struggling, but this is not a topic that is discussed as we (church staffs) seek to deliver the goods on Sunday morning—that event that most people equate with church.

We need churches more than ever. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we close churches, far from it! My prayer is we would learn from Zechariah. Instead of demanding God show us a sign, that we would get to work doing that which He requires of us.

Maybe what we need is some Zechariah time, a period of silence that demands our attention. What would it be like if we stopped trying to be relevant, popular, and powerful and started listening to those around us – really listening – then doing.

References:

  1. Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland , David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 45779-45795). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
  2. Reference: In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership (New York: Crossroads, 1994). Pp 71-72

Note:

Here’s an excellent article from Christianity Today (Jan 2017) that provides a background about Nouwen. I’m thankful to note that as we focus on serving the local community, I’m beginning to make Catholic connections. We really need to be more intentional about working together! One body of Christ. Unity.

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Luke: Dedication to Theophilus

Today we begin to read through Luke’s gospel account of the life of Jesus. Here’s an overview of where we will venture over the next several weeks:

  1. The Preface (1:1–4)
  2. The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:5–2:52)
  3. The Preparation of Jesus for His Public Ministry (3:1–4:13)
  4. His Ministry in Galilee (4:14–9:9)
  5. His Withdrawal to Regions around Galilee (9:10–50)
  6. His Ministry in Judea (9:51–13:21)
  7. His Ministry in and around Perea (13:22–19:27)
  8. His Last Days: Sacrifice and Triumph (19:28–24:53)

As usual, I’m in no hurry and always appreciate your thoughts as I ponder each paragraph (section) at a time. Obviously, some of those above will take time to consider. That’s the joy of walking through the Bible!

The NIVAC notes that this is the longest gospel account in terms of verses, plus this surprising trivia fact:

Luke as an author is the largest contributor to the New Testament with a total of 2,157 verses (Luke + Acts). Paul has a total of 2,032 verses.NIV Application Commentary, Introduction to Luke

All that to say, don’t be in a hurry to get through Luke! This is gonna take some time and we get to hear from an author who was very intentional about his thoughts.

Pull up a chair, grab some coffee, and let’s get started.

Read: Luke 1:1-4

Between Luke and Paul, we are truly blessed that these two invested their time in writing down their God-inspired words for their followers, words we are able to consider in our daily walk.

Luke begins by telling us that like others who have reported on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies through the life of Jesus Christ, he will consider all the facts and provide a detailed perspective on these significant events. Everything will be considered, but as we know, not everything will be written.

With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:3-4

Careful Investigation

No doubt other writings were circulating when Luke worked on his volume (between the 60s and 80s A.D.). Given the careful attention to oral histories, the eyewitnesses that were still around provide him with a wealth of information. Cities still existed and the destruction of the temple (~70 A.D.) was still current news. Luke has much to consider as he begins.

Theophilus

Some speculate that Theophilus was a Gentile that was first converted to Judaism, then Christianity. From this view, he’s an outsider trying to fit in; one who wants to understand how all this works. I love this perspective as it gives us a framework to work within as we seek to spread the gospel to others in our contemporary context. We need to learn not to speak in churchese, like secret buzz words, etc. We need to be able to talk to the Theophilus’ of today. Luke honors Theophilus by given him the title, “most excellent.” I wonder how much better our conversations might go if we greeted other Christ followers as most excellent. Something to consider!

Certainty of the Things You’ve Been Taught

This is all about the call to make disciples who will make disciples. This is why we need to take time to write things down. We don’t need to publish a book or post blogs everyday, but it is important to pause and write your thoughts down. This is an important way to work out your faith and confirm what you’ve been taught. We are not blindly following the blind. As we invest time to journal (or blog), we get better at making disciples! Our primary mission in life is to go into the world and make disciples. We need to keep this in mind at all times, our motto, our mission, our purpose.

Consider this thought: If the only thing I was good at was making disciples, what more could I possibly want? If I couldn’t write code or play guitar, if I couldn’t create videos or write music, but I could make disciples, how would my life look when it is done and I come face-to-face with Jesus? I think He would be pleased.

That’s not a ticket to disregard our gifts! We must not act like fools. We know the Spirit has given us gifts for the building up of the church, the body of Christ. All I’m suggesting is that this all fits under the umbrella of discipleship. Use your gifts, you must. Make disciples, it’s a command.

I’m so excited to learn from Luke! Lord, help us to read and understand what we need to learn from Your word and how to go and make disciples.

Love God. Love Others. Love Yourself.

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