Tag: love

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Luke: Self-Righteousness and Little Children

Read: Luke 18:9-17

Luke makes a special note to address two particular groups of people in today’s passage: the self-righteous and children. The first comes in the form of a parable, the second is more direct. Both compel us to pause and consider these particular red-letter words from Jesus.

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but this time reading through Luke, it’s really interesting to see how he sets up the text in his effort to “write an orderly account for you” (Luke 1:3). In this case:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable Luke 18:9

The key to success in spreading the gospel seems to hinge on humility. If we believe that God is truly the Creator, that Jesus is truly His Son, and that the Holy Spirit is alive and well within each of those who profess Jesus as Lord, this shouldn’t be difficult. But obviously, it is!

The challenge, of course, is if we call someone out as being self-righteous, we have to wonder if we’re the ones being just a little more righteous than the one at the other end of our pointed finger.

In this parable, Jesus reminds us how not to act as well as how to act by providing two extreme examples. The Pharisees are notorious for their superior knowledge and prominent place in society while tax collectors fall at the other end of the spectrum, known for their arrogance and selfishness. The twist is no surprise to anyone who heard the original story: the sinful tax collector is the hero in this case.

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 18:14

I’m sure we can substitute various people groups in either category, but what I’m wondering about is this, how do we keep from falling into the trap of false humility? This is why we gather as a community of faith, or at least it’s one of the many reasons why we don’t do this alone. This requires honesty and integrity, something that should set Christ-followers apart from the rest of society. I hope this serves as a reminder for all of us because it seems like those inside church walls are no different than those far from Christ. Not something to be proud of in the least!

Then come the children.

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16

We love to pull this out of context, but I’m not here to judge. Lots of signs hang around the children’s departments of churches with this verse — I’m not judging them! I’m only suggesting that Luke put this short section here on purpose. Compared to the Pharisees and the humble tax collector, we need to come before the Creator of the universe like little children. Innocent. Completely trusting.

I hope you look at the featured image on this post and smile. The two children that are hanging onto the hands of this father have complete faith and trust as he swings them around on the beach. What a wonderful time! The memories of joy and laughter fill my mind.

This is how we should approach our glorious Father in heaven. It would never cross the minds of these children to even attempt to reverse the roles. Can you imagine the little boy or girl saying to the father, “let me swing you, daddy!” That would be absurd! Exactly!

Lord, help us to have childlike faith while being bold and humble. It’s so simple to write, much more challenging to live out.

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Luke: The Persistent Widow and the Power of Prayer

Read: Luke 18:1-8

A few days ago we read about the shrewd manager, a nice way of referring to the guy who was about to get fired so he reduced the debt of his master’s clients to gain favor. Today we read a story where Jesus refers to a worldly character, in this case, an unjust judge, for a kingdom-centered example:

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says… Luke 18:6

The woman in the parable presents an example of the relentless pursuit of justice, for that which she knows is right, even though she seems to be getting nowhere. Jesus uses this parable to make the point that if a self-seeking person in power, i.e., the unjust judge, will relent to get rid of the complainant, imagine how much more your loving Father will do for us! He truly desires to hear our prayers, our petitions, our sincere hearts! The Creator is the One who seems to be reckless in His pursuit of us. No one on earth compares to His great love.

This parable gives us a reason to pause and consider how we should approach prayer. Jesus doesn’t expect us to be perfect prayer warriors. Take a look at how Luke begins this section:

…to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

If Jesus is telling a parable to show His disciples why they should not give up when their prayers seem to go unanswered, we need to pay attention.  Lord knows how many times I’ve prayed the same thing over and over again. If you have children, you know what I mean!

One of the beautiful things we experience in reading the book of Psalms, especially those from David, is the raw emotion revealed in many of them. For example, in just six verses, Psalm 13 goes from “Will you forget me forever,” to:

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6

Shifting Gears

While I think the main point of this passage is covered above, I can’t help but remember that this comes on the heels of Jesus’ teaching about the end of time. Recently, we considered this subject (I updated the post after it was published), that distant, or present future which will happen in the blink of an eye. We’ve heard many times that no one knows when the end will come, I get that, but here’s the question: will we be found as persistent as the widow?

When Jesus returns in the blink of an eye, will we be found faithfully praying for those things the Spirit has been putting on our hearts?

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8

Lord, I will trust in Your unfailing love. Help me to learn from this example and pray consistently and persistently. Thank you for the reminder that even Your disciples didn’t get it all the time! Help us to lean on each other, to spur one another onto doing good deeds, to pray relentlessly, and have faith that You will answer in Your way and in Your time.

 

Resource:  If you’re like me, you need to be reminded of prayers. Here’s an app to help — https://new.echoprayer.com/

 

 

 

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Luke: The Rich Man and Lazarus — The Great Chasm

Read: Luke 16:19-31

It seems fitting that we should study this passage during the week that follows Easter. How many heard the message of the resurrection? Have we built relationships with those far from Christ to the point that they are open to hearing this incredible news?

Jesus paints two portraits. The first is a rich man, steeped with the wealth of the world with no worries. I often refer to this as the BMW driver. All the bills are paid and there is plenty of excess to cover all earthly desires. You can have anything you want if you just work hard and believe in yourself. This is the rich man.

The poor man is truly poor in this picture. Like many who are homeless or simply without means to support themselves, they know they are poor, they are fully aware of their present state.

The rich man knows the poor man. He knows his name and yet, obviously, does nothing to help. We aren’t given details, but I suspect when Jesus told the story, many people were nodding in agreement that they would not associate with the beggar, let alone do something to help.

Then comes the twist. They both die and eternity awaits. We read about the roles of earth being reversed: the rich in hell and the poor in heaven. The rich man still treats Lazarus like a servant and begs for favor, but this is where the story become harsh. There will come a time when we will face a reality we seem to avoid as much as possible.

My heart is heavy as I read this passage. Part of the weight could be a Francis Chan snippet I watched yesterday where he simply kept pointing to the challenging words of Jesus on the subject of salvation, an exhortation to read the Bible to hear from God, and the consequence for those who do not heed the call.

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:31

Even if someone rises from the dead. Wow. The conversation comes to an end in the parable. The angel refuses to send any special envoy to the rich man’s family. What they have in front of them is sufficient. We don’t preach this parable because it’s seriously tough to take. There will come a time when the line will be drawn — for eternity.

Eternity is a long time. It’s impossible to measure in human terms, with a clock or sundial. Honestly, I really can’t get my mind around the notion except to say I believe we are eternal beings temporarily bound in human flesh.

If this is the case, and I hope you agree that it is true, we have an incredibly important purpose in the short number of years we get to spin around the sun. We need to be in the business of saving souls.

I get it, only Jesus can save. I’m not for a moment suggesting I can save anyone, but I can be the ultimate connections pastor and point people to the best eternal solution in Christ. It’s always their decision, but do they hear the question?

In this parable, Jesus attempts to help us understand the seriousness of the call.

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ Luke 16:26

We will all die some day. There is no escape. But there is an eternal solution that needs to be shared with the world in a serious and meaningful way.

Lord, help me see eternity in each person I meet. May I be a light that shines on your path, that guides the poor in spirit and helps the poor in wealth. Both. Your love is greater than life. Your love is strong.

 

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Luke: Detestable Things

Read: Luke 16:14-18

Just a few verses this morning, a pause between two lessons on money, compels us to rethink our perspective on riches of this world. Luke begins by clarifying that the Pharisees have an unhealthy love of money and their reaction to His lesson on the shrewd manager causes them to “sneer” at Jesus.

I’m no biblical scholar, but with the click of a few buttons I was able to look at the word “sneering” in the NIV translation to discover that the Greek word, ekmyktērizō, to deride by turning up the nose, to sneer at, scoff at*, shows up twice in the Bible. Both times by Luke, once here, and the other time in Luke 23:35 as Jesus is being led to His death on the cross. I’m sure Luke carefully placed this word in this context.

The Pharisees are appalled at the teaching of Jesus to the point that they ridiculed Him.

But God knows your hearts. Luke 16:15b

Those who justify themselves for the glory of man have no place in leadership for Christ’s church. Stern words, perhaps, but can you imagine a sermon based on this key verse:

What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:15c

I might change that to “What you value highly…” What we value is detestable to the Creator, The I Am. The Message version of the Bible provides a concise thought here:

So Jesus spoke to them: “You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance. Luke 16:14-18

While this isn’t a lesson on marriage, Jesus uses divorce and adultery as prime examples to hammer the point home: we should be a people of integrity and we should have our priorities in order.

Lord, help us to run from detestable things that evoke such strong words of discipline from You. May we be people of integrity, different from the world, true in character, and full of love and compassion.

 

*https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1592&t=NIV

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Luke: Forgiveness and Grumpy People

Read: Luke 15:11-32

One of the most familiar stories in the Bible, otherwise known as the prodigal son. This is every parent’s nightmare as well as every parent’s fantasy. Not that our children would squander whatever we give them, but that they would one day realize just how much we love them and the extent to which we will go for them. And then, the real prayer, that they would understand the bigger story in the story and see God the Father and His relentless pursuit of His children.

Two sides of this story revolve around the prodigal son. Jesus is reaching out to those who are lost, as in the two previous parables, and celebrates when the lost are found. The feast is open to all, yet there are those who would find fault, criticize, and openly fight against such forgiveness.

Grumpy People.

Do you agree that the older brother is a metaphor for the Pharisees? Perhaps for the pious church leaders of today that have strings attached and conditions for acceptance rather then complete forgiveness. It’s messy to forgive someone who’s squandered all that’s been given to him. It certainly requires discernment, but my prayer is that my reliance on discernment isn’t the same as the older brother in this story.

The younger son had to be completely broken before he realized what he had in his hands all along. He had no idea that he would be accepted when he returned, but he humbly returned anyway. After it all fell apart, the memory of a loving family flooded his mind. A safe place where servants and sons were cared for. Is our home that inviting? Is our church willing to forgive that much? Are we the beacon of hope Jesus talks about?

Forgiveness.

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:32

Jesus talks about forgiveness quite often. Maybe it’s easy for Him, after all, He’s been around forever. But wait, aren’t we more than mere mortals? If we get a tiny glimpse of what it means to be an eternal being, one with the Father for all eternity, perhaps then we too can be a people that forgives like Jesus. The epitome of Christlikeness.

Lord, I want to be one known for love and compassion, one who is quick to forgive completely — just like You.

Happy Good Friday.

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Luke: Rejoicing for the One Who Repents

Read: Luke 15:1-10

Make no mistake, Jesus’ call to discipleship is serious and it begins with repentance. The decision to repent is significant. The first domino to fall in a succession of events we like to call sanctification. Luke recalls two of the many parables Jesus used to teach this point: the lost sheep and the lost coin.

Before we jump in, let’s not miss the prompt for these two lessons:

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. Luke 15:1

Jesus is once again mingling with those who are looked down upon by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He hangs out in places where they gather, eats with them, knows them by name — and they know Jesus. The true “least of these” are those who are lost. They might be wealthy or poor, part of a big family or an orphan. Whatever the social status, Jesus sees through the facade, straight to the heart, and knows them.

His first call is to repentance, to find those who are lost.

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.Luke 15:7, 10

Two Parables, One Lesson

Lately, we’ve been singing Reckless Love, a wonderful song that embraces the overwhelming reckless love of God. Part of the chorus comes from the parable of the lost sheep where Jesus explains what everyone in the crowd gather knows is true: when a sheep wanders away, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go and find it. Likewise, the woman who loses her silver coin doesn’t rest until she finds the lost coin. In both cases they, along with their friends, celebrate! This is a great day! The lost are found!!

Invest Time With the Lost

How can we expect to find those who are lost if we don’t invest time with them? And by investing time, I mean building relationships, not preaching at them. I can imagine screaming at the wandering sheep as it bolts away from the heard — not very effective.

In our busy schedules, our crazy lifestyle of go, go, go, until we drop, have we spent time with the ninety-nine or the one? Have we counted nine silver coins over and over again, or have we turned on the lights to find the one?

Suppose one of you…

These two short stories begin with the phrase, “Suppose one of you…” Think about it. Act on the thought. Love God. Love yourself. Love others. Go find the one and let’s celebrate!

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Luke: The Narrow Door

Read: Luke 13:22-30

Jesus is teaching on the way to Jerusalem when someone asks:

Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? Luke 13:23

It’s a reasonable question for those who’ve been paying attention to His teaching. While Jesus shows great compassion for the least, the lame, and the forgotten, He also teaches tough lessons about leaving everything to follow Him. The question prompts a somber discussion that reminds me of Matthew 25, five words that stopped me cold when I read them:

And the door was shut. Matthew 25:10

It’s almost Easter 2018. The seminal moment that separates Christians from the rest of the world: The Resurrection. They didn’t expect it when it happened years ago and many don’t expect Jesus to return anytime soon today. Such complacency has eternal dire consequences.

The words in today’s passage don’t prompt me to stand up and beat my chest like a victor in March Madness. Instead, it makes me wonder if I’m really doing all I can to represent the urgency of an inner commitment to Jesus.

These words should frighten us:

I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers! There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth…but you yourselves thrown out. Luke 13:25, 27, 28

These words from Jesus should stir us to action, not out of a concern about our salvation, but look at those around us who think by wearing the Christian badge that they have checked the boxes necessary to gain entry into heaven.

As Easter approaches, I pray we will seek to enter true and honest relationships with those who are far from Christ, whether or not they “go to church” frequently.

Lord, help us to be bold, to do as You say here:

Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Luke 13:24

We’ll celebrate Easter with great enthusiasm, as we should. We’ll have special events and send post cards to gather with us, as we should. This is the highlight of the Christian year, a special season, and we must be excited!

My prayer is that we don’t rely on excitement to save, on emotions to get decisions. My prayer is we would love people so relentlessly that we would seek to save the lost every day, that this would be our signature, not only on special occasions.

Look, the door is narrow. Most won’t see it unless we are willing to slow down enough, to be patient enough to develop relationships one-on-one. That’s where hearts are changed. Forever.

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Luke: Hard Lessons to Consider

Read: Luke 12:49-13:9

Spanning the artificial chapter boundaries, this morning we consider three hard lessons. Jesus loves people, no doubt, but He is not about to hold back when teaching subjects that are challenging. One of the key lessons I take here is this: grow up, learn to read yourself, you have enough information to make a decision so decide. Even though we waver, Christ will be patient, but not forever.

Division Instead of Peace

Jesus is fully aware that His presence will force people to make a choice that will divide families. This is clearly seen in predominantly Muslim countries where those who become Christ followers are severely rejected by their Muslim families. The warning then is true today:

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. Luke 12:51

The sad reality is that we’ve watered down what it means to be a Christian in this country that the decision to follow Christ is shrugged off, no big deal. Statistics show us that Christians look like non-Christians across many categories.

Our home group studied unChristian a few years ago. While the content is a decade old, I doubt much has significantly changed. Consider this excerpt:

…most of the lifestyle activities of born-again Christians were statistically equivalent to those of non–born-agains. When asked to identify their activities over the last thirty days, born-again believers were just as likely to bet or gamble, to visit a pornographic website, to take something that did not belong to them, to consult a medium or psychic, to physically fight or abuse someone, to have consumed enough alcohol to be considered legally drunk, to have used an illegal, nonprescription drug, to have said something to someone that was not true, to have gotten back at someone for something he or she did, and to have said mean things behind another person’s back. No difference.*

I bolded “No difference” above to make the point that this should not be the case. We should look vastly different. Agree?

Interpreting the Times

How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? Luke 12:56-57

In the midst of the Information Age, we have a preponderance of evidence to support the call to Christ. How is it this can be missed? We will be held accountable. Our salvation secured is not a badge of honor. If we value salvation, we simply must be better witnesses to the lost. It’s not a popular position, not politically correct, but we must fit in and stand out at the same time. Trust that the Spirit will make this possible. Ask for vision. Have faith when challenged.

Repent or Perish

It’s interesting to hear Jesus speak about current events during His time on Earth. Here the people refer to bloodshed by Pilate and Jesus adds a reference to 18 who died in a disaster in Siloam. Both tragic events are used as examples of why we should decide now, not wait. Twice in the same short story Jesus exhorts:

But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:3,5

Our loving Savior, the Great and Mighty is ever patient and kind. I’m grateful to know He gives us second and third chances:

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 3:8-9

Lord, help us to remember that the sand does eventually slip through the hourglass, that there is a point when our chances run out. May we be the voice in this present age, in this hour of darkness, that speaks to those who would otherwise perish. To God be the Glory. Amen.

 

*Kinnaman, David. unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters (p. 47). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. See the article “American Lifestyles Mix Compassion and Self-Oriented Behavior” (February 5, 2007) at www.barna.org.

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Luke: Consistent, Faithful Service

Read: Luke 12:35-48

A beatitude, a warning, and a parable. Three sections carefully designed to emphasize the call to consistent, faithful service. Beware! The narrative comes with warnings of judgment and dire consequences for disobedience. The warning is clear and the parable is often used to convict those in vocational service within the church, but don’t miss the incredible reward that Jesus provides to in the beatitude.

Beatitude: Luke 12:35-38

Once again, Jesus uses the imagery of a wedding banquet which lasted some five to seven days. In other words, you don’t know when the master is going to return. For those who are prepared in spite of the extended absence, Jesus tells of a wonderful reward:

Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. Luke 12:37

What a joy it is for the Lord of lords to find us so prepared when He returns that He serves us! This is crazy talk, right? The blessing here, the beatitude, is simply this: Blessed is the one who is always prepared to greet the Lord.

Warning: Luke 12:39-40

The story prompts us to be prepared, so Jesus wants to ensure we’re clear that this is more than just a good thing, this is a requirement that comes with a warning.

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12:40

Peter asks for clarification in verse 41. It’s humorous how Jesus answers his rather innocent, Peter-esque question — well, He doesn’t. Instead, Jesus tells a story. The NIV Application Commentary explains: “his main principle is the kind of service we give, not sorting out who is responsible to give it…all have a call to serve others in the body…to be a member of his community is to have responsibility in it; this is especially true of the leadership.”*

Parable of Accountability: Luke 12:42-48

Whether you read this as pointing directly to the church, your workplace, or your home, the lesson is all about personal accountability. For those who abuse their position of authority, who see an opportunity to exploit others while the master is away for an extended time, the punishment is extreme:

He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Luke 12:46

Those who know better will be severely disciplined. Such hyperbole is meant to get our attention. Please notice that it is the master that judges, not the people who were mistreated. This is an important distinction to me.

The section ends with a verse that my parents poured into me in, not only in words, it’s how they lived their lives:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

The way mom and dad put it:

To whom much is given, much is required.Mom and Dad

Why are we given gifts, both spiritual and physical? Why would the Lord shower us with blessings, both talents and abilities? I’m sure He wants to demonstrate His unfailing love, no doubt, but I’m also sure that He wants us to show the same love to our neighbors, to the least, the lost, and the lonely. Most of the time this probably looks like consistent, faithful service–nothing special.

I hope we are consistently prepared for the Lord’s return. I pray that we will lean on each other when we are not, that we would spur each other on with the best of intentions. Above all, that we would do these things in love for the world to see how beautiful You are and join in the banquet with us.

*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 51211-51213). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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Taking A Break

One of the hazards of any profession is the inability to take significant breaks. This is especially true in ministry. Many churches offer an extended sabbatical for staff after serving seven years–an absolutely wonderful concept! This notion comes from the Old Testament concept of a sabbatical year, but that’s a whole different story for another day. In my particular case, I’m not currently on staff for any one church. Instead, I served several organizations over that past seven years in support of ministry across different domains, and I’m tired.

Based on introspective self-analysis, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m on the verge of ministry burnout. In an effort to avoid tainting the local fellowship of believers, I’ve imposed a break for myself for the month of March. I actually wanted to do this in February, but there were too many events going on and too many gears already in motion to make that happen.

I get tired of hearing what should be done, reading posters and signs that affirm appropriate action, but witnessing the sainthood of believers arrive on Sunday morning as consumers of whatever message they are fed.

Everyone is a minister.

Everyone has a calling.

Everyone is a disciple.

Everyone should be making disciples.

A Christ follower is eligible to baptize a new believer and share communion with a group gathered to celebrate the gospel in a coffee shop or, heaven forbid, a local bar.

Few have a calling to vocational ministry, but some do. If that’s you, do it with everything you’ve got, but understand that those we serve have a better opportunity to reach the lost — it’s our job to train and equip the saints, not merely preach rhetoric!

Let’s join together and change the slogan, This Sunday could be That Sunday for someone to, This Day could be That Day. God made seven days in a week. Each day is an opportunity to be the day for those who are far from Christ.

Here’s the thing: I’m not advocating the destruction of any local church organization. More than anything, I want the local church to be healthy, to be effective, to be the voice of God to a dying world. I’m just becoming more and more convinced that the come-and-see model will not work by itself. We need to be more about go-and-do and have faith that God will fill the pews with those that want to learn more about why we do what we do. And by go-and-do, I mean everyone–staff and non-staff. Lead by example. Please.

If you’ve been inflicted with my rants in the past, you’ve no doubt heard me say that Sunday morning should be a fantastic celebration, a highlight of the week for the warriors out doing battle for Christ. It should be a place where outsiders want to know what the heck is going on in that building. The love of Christ should be so prevalent that people of all ages and origins would be kicking the doors down to get in on the action.

I want Sunday to be that day.

I want to leave the celebration gathering feeling pumped up and preached up so I can tackle my little piece of this dying world with an enthusiasm that’s contagious. I want to be encouraged and challenged. I want to turn to the guy who’s never darkened the steps of a church and tell him this is why we get together on Sunday!

I’m taking a break to understand how to become salt and light again. Recently I posted a reference to John’s revelation and compared John 3:16 to Revelation 3:16. I’m no longer satisfied with being luke warm.

I’m taking a break to figure out how to be a true disciple, to sit and listen, to hear His voice.

I’m taking a break, praying for peace and understanding, for a new song that rises from deep within.

I’m taking a break. Please pray for me as I’m praying for you.

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