We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Our goal is to complete Luke’s account with the RESET series. In order to do that, we will periodically skip over a passage. Today, our focus is challenged.
Luke 22
1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.
Betray. Judas catches a lot of flak for what he did. I’m not suggesting it isn’t justified; but I am wary of the fact that I have betrayed Jesus myself. I have allowed my pride (my temper, my greed, my anger, my lust, my jealousy, you name it) to let me betray Jesus. In other words, I have allowed me to get in the way of Him. The question is, how do we change all that? Jesus challenged us refocus our lives by loving God and loving others. I think it is all really a matter of what opportunities you are looking for.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Everything
We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Our goal is to complete Luke’s account with the RESET series. In order to do that, we will periodically skip over a passage. Today, Jesus raises the bar for our journey.
Luke 21
1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Everything. Every time I read this story, I am fascinated by the phrase she “has given everything she has”. I know the context of the comment is financial giving; but it seems to me that it encompasses more than that. For me, it has become my goal ... to give everything I have ... my heart, my mind, my family, my finances, my future ... to surrender everything to Him. It is what I like to call the “no matter what” phase in our journey as Jesus followers. Am I there? No. So the question becomes, what can I give Him today?
Luke 21
1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Everything. Every time I read this story, I am fascinated by the phrase she “has given everything she has”. I know the context of the comment is financial giving; but it seems to me that it encompasses more than that. For me, it has become my goal ... to give everything I have ... my heart, my mind, my family, my finances, my future ... to surrender everything to Him. It is what I like to call the “no matter what” phase in our journey as Jesus followers. Am I there? No. So the question becomes, what can I give Him today?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Said
We are currently revisiting the story of Jesus as written by Luke. Our goal is to complete Luke’s account with the RESET series. In order to do that, we will periodically skip over a passage. Today, Jesus initiates His plan.
Luke 19
28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
Said. This scene is so important, in God’s story, because it is a turning point. For the first time, Jesus publicly acknowledged His role as the messiah that God sent. Jesus was putting into motion His plan of salvation. He was in control. This scene is so important, in our story, because our lives are filled with turning points ... decisions about relationships, finances, jobs, health. Turning points that require answers to questions like ... Are we going to acknowledge Jesus’ role in the decisions we make? Are we going to trust that Jesus has a plan? Are we going to let Him be in control? If we answer those questions wisely, our turning points can end with the phrase “just as Jesus said” too.
Luke 19
28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
Said. This scene is so important, in God’s story, because it is a turning point. For the first time, Jesus publicly acknowledged His role as the messiah that God sent. Jesus was putting into motion His plan of salvation. He was in control. This scene is so important, in our story, because our lives are filled with turning points ... decisions about relationships, finances, jobs, health. Turning points that require answers to questions like ... Are we going to acknowledge Jesus’ role in the decisions we make? Are we going to trust that Jesus has a plan? Are we going to let Him be in control? If we answer those questions wisely, our turning points can end with the phrase “just as Jesus said” too.
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