Do Not Despise the Day of Small Things

Luke 13:10-21

In this passage, Jesus heals a woman who was disabled for 18 years. The ESV describes the disability in this way, she was "bent over and could not fully straighten herself."

It's interesting to note that the disability doesn't appear to be simply physical, but also spiritual. 13:11 says that she had "a disabling spirit," and later Jesus says in 13:16 that in this disability, this woman was "bound by Satan" for 18 years.

And Jesus heals her. He lays his hands on her, she is made straight, and she glorifies God!

At face value, we might read the details of this miracle and think: nothing is incredibly significant here. "Surely the kingdom of God is not advancing and expanding in this!"

This woman, likely elderly, would have been "past her prime," and not able to significantly contribute to society in any way, even when healthy. Furthermore, Luke doesn't even seem interested in mentioning *where* this is! We don't know if this happened in any sort of well-populated city, with lots of witnesses to the miracle. Luke just tells us this happened in "one of the synagogues."

But make no mistake,
The kingdom of God was breaking through here.

The King of the kingdom was breaking the chains of Satan! *Eighteen* year old chains!

And this was no ordinary woman! For Jesus speaks of her with dignity: she was "a daughter of Abraham." (13:16)

Jesus wanted to teach those gathered in that place today - and us today - what His kingdom is like. He says in verse 18 that His kingdom:

"... is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests and its branches."

I don't plant a lot of mustard seeds. (I don't plant ANY mustard seeds.) But I know how small mustard seeds are, because one of Becky and I's favorite things to eat is the pretzels at Old Bakery. (You gotta try one sometime!) And we love the mustard that comes with these pretzels. And let me tell you - a mustard seed is super tiny!

But from a grain of mustard can come a huge tree.

The kingdom of God is often in-breaking in small, microscopic, nearly invisible kinds of ways. Through events, actions, and conversations that we might think insignificant.

But that's because we "lean on our own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

Our minds are "conformed to this world," and to this age (Romans 12:2).

And we "despise the day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10) 

The question for us to consider today is:

In what ways am I not seeing the kingdom of God breaking in? In what ways am I limiting God's power?

- Maybe it's a conversation or a relationship that you think would have no impact on the kingdom of God.

- Maybe you are viewing your time alone with God in His Word and in prayer as insignificant, and so you're neglecting it.

- Maybe there's an opportunity to serve others, but you don't see the point. "The kingdom of God wouldn't advance through me serving there, and serving them!"

- Maybe there's a timetable that you think is hopeless. "It's too late for this to happen." But you forget that "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years." 2 Peter 3:8

Let us see and hear this invitation from the King of the kingdom today!

Even in what seems insignificant, mundane, or impossible, we trust His power and His reign.

"Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my Spirit,

says the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6

- Joe

Crisis

Luke 12:49–13:9

One definition of the word crisis is “an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life.” In 2004, I faced a major personal crisis. I had been offered a full-time position in vocational ministry, but taking it would mean leaving a full-time job that I had held for sixteen years. The job I already had offered incredible insurance, four weeks of paid vacation, and good money. The ministry position offered no insurance; in fact, it would require that I go on Gwen’s insurance, which would be an added expense. There was no paid vacation in the ministry position, and no unemployment if it fell through. A decision had to be made: take the “risky” job that I felt God was calling me to or remain in the safe job that offered more material benefits for my family.

Another definition of crisis is “a situation that has reached a critical phase.” In this week’s scripture focus, we find Jesus drawing closer to Jerusalem and the cross; his ministry on Earth is approaching its most critical phase, its crisis point. In verses 49 through 53, he explains that after his death and resurrection, everyone will have to choose whether they will put their faith in him or deny him. His resurrection will not unite all mankind; on the contrary, it will inevitably bring division, as many will put their faith in Jesus and be saved, while many others will not. The Gospel draws a distinct line in the sand; on one side are those who accept Christ as King, and on the other are those who do not—in other words, the saved and the unsaved.

A pastor friend of mine used to say, “The Gospel demands a change!” I agree with that, but I think that before it demands a change, it demands a choice. This week’s scripture choice calls us to be alert and aware of what God is doing in the world and in our hearts. Jesus’ words in these passages tell us that while we still have time, we must either accept Christ as our Savior or, if we already have, then we must share the Good News of salvation with the world! In the final verses of this scripture, Jesus shares a parable about a vineyard owner, a fig tree, and a gardener that teaches a sobering truth. The truth is that God’s grace is infinite, but his patience is not. We must choose how we can answer the call to help further God’s Kingdom here on earth. Who will you share Christ with today?

Praying with you and for you,

Mike

Keep the Flame Burning

Luke 12:35 – 48 

“Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps alight.  And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns...” 

In the verses before our text Jesus told them about a man who was concerned with his earthly goods and wanted to build bigger barns to hold all his “stuff.”  He calls him a fool because he has the wealth of the world but is not rich toward God.  He tells them not to be anxious about such things, but to seek God’s kingdom and all they needed would be provided. 

In verse 35 Jesus speaks of being “dressed in readiness.” Ready for what?  The answer follows when He tells us to be like men waiting for their master’s return.  

The Jewish ritual of betrothal is rich with the symbolism of Christ’s return. There was a ceremony where the bride and groom met with friends and family as witnesses and they pledged themselves to one another. The bridegroom paid a price for the bride...and then they all went home, the bride to her family’s house and the bridegroom to his father’s. The bridegroom would spend the next months preparing a place in his father’s house for his bride and waiting for his father to say the time had come to go and take her for his wife. The bride had been making herself ready and waiting with her bridal clothes and her attendants, making sure that their lamps were kept burning so they would be ready for the sound of the trumpet. Yes, there was a trumpet sounded when the father declared it was time for his son to go get his bride. 

In John 14:2-4 Jesus tells His disciples “...I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  That is a PROMISE.  Forty days after Jesus rose from the grave, angels confirmed this promise as He ascended into heaven. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking at the sky?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”   

Mark 13:32 & 33 tells us that “...of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  Take heed, therefore, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is.” 

Waiting is difficult, but Jesus loves us so much, He tells us exactly how we should wait. First, we are to be “dressed in readiness.” This doesn’t mean we are to array ourselves in fancy clothes and adornments, but rather we must allow the Savior to clothe us. 

Isaiah 61: 10 says “For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.”  Ephesians tells us to “keep our feet shod with the readiness of the gospel.” Colossians 3:12 instructs God’s dearly loved chosen people to “clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  In the garden, Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness and sin with fig leaves, but God’s redemptive love wraps us in His own righteousness. 

Jesus also tells them to keep their lamps lit and burning.  In scripture, a burning lamp signifies God’s active, holy presence, and the oil represents the Holy Spirit.  The Jews were commanded to never let the fire go out upon the altar. (Leviticus 6:3) God admonishes us to be spiritually alert, actively serving Him and prepared for His return.   

He also tells us not to be afraid, not to be anxious, to let your treasure be heavenly things. This earthly life is not all there is for us. We have a wonderful promise from Jesus that He is coming back for us.  He will be coming for those clothed in the righteousness of salvation for which He paid a great price.  He will be coming for those living in the light of His holy presence.  He will be coming for those who are pursuing the Master’s work. He wants us to be with Him where He is.  In Luke 12:32 Jesus says, “For your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom.”  How great a love the Lord has for those who belong to Him.” 

There is a wonderful Greek word, prosdechomai, used in Luke 2 of Simeon who recognized Jesus as the Messiah when He was just 40 days old.  It means to wait eagerly, conveying the idea of welcoming someone with an eager or expectant heart. It is also used in Titus 2:12 & 13 as it says “...live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” 

“Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.”  Isaiah 49:23 

Waiting for Jesus, 

Jo 

Not Made for Pioneer Life

When I was a kid, the only vacation I ever wanted to take was to the beach. My parents packed food and drinks and hauled a cooler along with beach toys, chairs, and an umbrella. Meanwhile, I was free to frolick in the waves, search for shells and work on my tan. Every few years my parents would decide we should take a trip “out West”. I loathed those trips, and groaned through long car rides, uphill hikes, and numerous stops to read every.single.monument on the side of the road. I still like to remind my Dad of the time we went to look at wagon ruts on the Oregon Trail. Imagine- we could have been at the beach, soaking in the sun, but instead we drove one million miles to look at faint tracks in the dirt. Thrilling. 

As family lore has it, on the final night, we ditched the tent and stayed in a Holiday Inn where I jumped into a chlorinated pool and declared “NOW we are on vacation!” It was on this trip that I had a realization: I would have made a terrible pioneer. 

I’m quite accustomed to modern amenities and while my perspective has shifted some as an adult, I still think the Lord put me on earth at just the right time in history! Sometimes though, I think all the technology hasn’t made life easier- with more possessions, there is more maintenance required. I’ve noticed in my lifetime there has been a shift not only to acquire more things, but to acquire them more rapidly, and replace them more frequently. 

Jesus’ words in Luke 12:15 have been in my head all week, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” If I were a pioneer, I would have had to condense all my worldly belongings to fit in a covered wagon. If I had to leave my home tomorrow and could only take a few things, what would I bring? What’s so important to me that I’d want to cram it inside my minivan? I think I could pare it down to only a few necessities, and if that’s the case, why do I keep accumulating more stuff? Jesus said life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, but the culture and my own house say something different. 

I don’t think I’m a greedy person, but when does hoarding up earthly goods (and experiences) cross the line from need to greed?

After these wise words from Jesus, he tells a parable about a rich man, and then proceeds to tell his disciples not to worry about earthly possessions. Why? God knows they need food and clothes. Their Father will provide what they need. “Can any of you add one moment to your life span by worrying,” Jesus asks them. “If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?”

Indeed. 

I wonder if worry is a symptom of greed. And if greed is the illness, what’s the root cause? It might be different for each of us, but I think the cure is to live with open hands, hearts tuned to the impulse of the Spirit, trusting in the provision of the Father- who sent the Son- to provide exactly what we need, when we need it. 

Unlike the pioneers, we won’t die of dysentery on the Oregon Trail, but we will all one day die, leaving behind every single possession. Let’s store up treasures in heaven- treasures that last forever. 

Natalie  

Reflection Luke 11v33-36 A Poem

"Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light."Oh this big light of mine-SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!

Classical music playing on low, 

Reading the Bible by an open window. 

Sounds of summer blending in with the violin 

Children playing, laughing, last days of school ease 

A candle flickering, I see the light and begin to read.

No one lights a lamp and puts it in the cellar 

Under a basket—no 

Oh This little light of mine, how do I let it shine 

When windows shut

When music stops 

When laughter is cut short by cry of pain

When darkness runs wild around me determined to extinguish the flame 

My eyes shut tight—no light 

My eyes wide open—fixed on Him 

Now illuminated by His mercy and grace 

His light shines and fans my faith

Oh this big light of mine-SHINE!

-Nikki

Angry

Luke 9:46-62

Have you ever been so angry with someone that you wished them harm? I’m ashamed to admit that I have. My biggest trigger is the news. When I see people treating others cruelly or taking advantage of the weak or poor for their own gain, my blood boils! When bigotry and prejudice crush the marginalized underfoot, it enrages me. It infuriates me when I see people use the name of Christ for material gain or to justify hatred or oppression. I can find myself fantasizing about those who anger me getting what they deserve. At my worst, I can be tempted to ask God to rain righteous judgment on the heads of those who anger me! Maybe you're like me and can find yourself wanting the Lord to give those who offend you what you feel they deserve. In Luke 9:46-62, we learn that even those who were closest to Jesus while he was here on Earth could struggle with misdirected anger.

In the ninth chapter of Luke, we get a glimpse of Jesus and the twelve apostles as they travel towards Jerusalem and Jesus' crucifixion. In verses 46-62, we get a few snapshots of the Apostles acting in some particularly un-Christlike ways, doing things like arguing amongst themselves about which of them is the greatest among them and chastising a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he’s not a member of their exclusive group of believers. One that stands out occurs in verses 51-56. In these verses, as they approach a Samaritan village on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus sends some of his followers on ahead to secure lodging and food for the night before traveling on. The Samaritans, who hold Jews in contempt, refuse to let them enter the village once they find out they are heading to Jerusalem. James and John are incensed by the disrespect shown to their beloved teacher and kindly ask Jesus for permission to ask God to rain down fire on the village and wipe it off the map. Jesus declines and, in some manuscripts, even tells James and John that he didn’t come to destroy people but to save them.

There’s a lot of anger in the world right now. It often feels like we’re sinking in a sea of rage, bitter arguments, and even physical violence. Sadly, some of that anger and bitterness is coming from within the Church. As we seek to represent Christ in the world, may we always remember His message to the early disciples—a message of redemption and hope, not anger and condemnation.

Praying for peace with you,

Mike

10,000 Ways

John Piper famously tweeted in 2012, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” His words were an exhortation to trust in the Lord’s love, his sovereignty, and his wisdom, amidst the trials of life we inevitably face. In the second half of Luke 9, Jesus asked the disciples who the crowds said that he was, and after hearing their reply, he followed it up by asking “But you, who do YOU say that I am?” Peter answered easily, “God’s Messiah”. The crowds may have thought Jesus a prophet, but Peter knew who he was. Demons had been driven out, a dead girl had been raised, people had been healed, thousands had been fed with five loaves and two fish. There were no second doubts, or lingering questions. Peter’s testimony on that day would ring through the ages, but it wouldn’t be long before altogether different words would be on his lips and recorded for us to see. On a darker day, the morning of Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter would adamantly deny God’s Messiah. Three times he would say, “I don’t know him!”

Jesus will ask us on our best days, “Who do you say that I am?” so that our confession will stand as a reminder to us on our worst days. 

Throughout Luke’s gospel we see a continual foreshadowing of the cross to come. Death casts a long shadow. Suffering, shame and sorrow still lurk behind the scenes for their moment in the spotlight. While we are quick to recall Peter’s denial of Jesus, we think less often of his proclamation. The truth of God’s nature does not waver, and whether Peter recognized it or not, God was at work in his life in both accounts. I wonder if when Peter was restored to Jesus after the resurrection, he remembered not only the time he denied Jesus in shame, but the one where he boldly asserted with such confidence to Jesus “You are God’s Messiah”, and thought to himself “It’s really true! Jesus IS who he says he is”. For the rest of his days, it wasn’t fear or shame that compelled him, but settled assurance gave him the courage to proclaim the name of Jesus, even unto death. 

How is God at work in you? Are you confident to joyfully profess his name? Or do you feel like Peter at the crucifixion, frightened, unsure and confused? Take heart. God is doing things in your life today in 10,000 ways, the same as he has been all the days of your life. He is using it all- every single circumstance.

Lord, give us eyes to see. 

Natalie

The God Who Provides

Luke 9:1-17

Have you ever heard of “analysis paralysis?” According to a quick Google search, it can be thought of as “the state of overthinking or over-analyzing a situation, causing decision-making to become frozen and preventing action.”

At the beginning of this passage, Jesus sends his disciples on a journey of preaching the Kingdom of God and healing the sick, instructing them to bring almost nothing with them and to rely on the hospitality of the local people. I don’t know about you, but I think “analysis paralysis” pretty accurately describes the state I would be in if I were in the disciples’ shoes.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel, and I consider myself a pretty adventurous person, but going somewhere with nothing but the clothes on my back and having no idea where I’d be sleeping, sounds a bit crazy to me. If I were the disciples, I probably would have got so in my head about all the things that could have gone wrong, that I would have just backed out altogether.

Even just committing to a journey like this shows the deep trust and complete devotion these men had toward Jesus. They were willing to leave behind all forms of comfort and safety and walk forward with complete reliance on God’s provision. We see this same theme occur again later in the passage, when Jesus instructs the disciples to feed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

Jesus directs the disciples to have the people sit down in groups as if they were preparing to eat a meal together, and they do just that, knowing what little resources they have. They obeyed even when they didn’t understand how it could possibly work. I also think it’s really cool that Jesus chose to allow the disciples to play such a key role in this miracle. He could have done it all alone but allowed them to be a part of it.

This passage teaches us a lot about what it looks like to walk closely with Jesus. It teaches us that when God calls us to do something, He will provide all that we need to make it happen. It’s tempting to want to be in control, to plan, and to figure everything out yourself, but things rarely play out in a way that allows for that.

Oftentimes, we must take a step without knowing how things are going to work out, and most of the time, that can be terrifying, but we can rest assured knowing that God will provide everything we need. It makes me think of Matthew 6:28-30, “Consider the lilies of the field how they grow: they neither toil nor spin…But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you…”

God cares about us and wants to provide for us. He can do incredible, miraculous things with what we choose to trust him with. So today, don’t get stuck in the state of “analysis paralysis.”

Take that one small step God is asking you to take, put everything you have in His hands, and watch what He can do.

Carmen K

On The Way to a Healing

Luke 8:40-56

It was just another day where she stood on the outskirts of the crowd not too close to anyone, but wondering what was going on.  She heard people shouting His name.  Was this the Teacher, the Healer she had heard proclaimed, the one who caused blinded eyes to open, the lame to walk and even cast out demons?  She had heard the stories from far off of people receiving their loved ones back from death and even lepers being cleansed.  What was His name?  Jesus, yes that was what they were shouting as they pressed in all around Him.  If only she could receive a healing from this anointed one.  But she was unclean.  It had been twelve years since anyone touched her, hugged her, got close enough to look into her eyes.  The bleeding would not stop.  It separated her from everyone she knew, and the discouragement and loneliness were overwhelming. 

From the end of February through most of March my body was attacked by a virus that caused me to go from a nasty cough to feeling so weak and full of body aches that I could only stay up for short amounts of time.  For at least six weeks I experienced headaches and sneezing and sore throat and ears that kept me away from church and other activities because I didn’t want to pass this on to anyone else.  I made my kids stay away because I didn’t want them to get it.  Just as I began to feel better, another round would hit me. It was pretty miserable.  I can’t imagine having an illness that kept me away from people for twelve years.   

The illness this woman had was, most likely, specific to women, and men are not fully able to understand, although they might be compassionate and sympathetic.  The constant bleeding, the cramping, the anemia and weakness that would follow, always washing clothes and herself to keep from being too offensive to anyone.  The cycle of life that God put in women to prepare them to bear children had gone terribly wrong and could not be fixed by any doctors of that day.  And then the separation from her family and others because of the laws that governed such things in those days took its toll. I hope I have not been too graphic, but the suffering of this woman was great and took over her entire life.  So when she knew Jesus was in that crowd she began to have hope that maybe He was the answer to her twelve year dilemma.  If only...if only she could get His attention.  But that would be wrong because she was unclean.  She heard conversations at the edge of the crowd that He was headed to the house of Jairus to heal his 12 year old daughter who was dying. Jairus was an important person in the synagogue.  How could she interrupt the Teacher’s journey to help this daughter? Funny, she thought, that this child was born when her sickness started.  This twelve year old child was a physical human representation of the time she had suffered with her own affliction.   

And suddenly a decision was made. For better or worse she had to get to Jesus.  If only she could touch the hem of His garment perhaps she would be healed.  She dropped to her knees and began to press through the crowd of people surrounding Him.  Stones in the road cut at her knees and people unknowingly stepped on her hands and legs.  After all, who was expecting a person to be crawling on the ground amongst them?   

And then there He was.  The fringe of His garment was before her and she reached out and ever so gently touched it.  All of a sudden her attention was off herself as Jesus turned around and said, “Who touched me?”  Fear gripped her as her desperate attempt to touch Jesus had been found out.  One of His disciples, the one called Peter, was incredulous at the question, “Who touched me?” “Master,” he said, “there is a crowd of people around you! How can you ask such a question?” But Jesus responded, “I felt power go out of me.”  

The crowd opened up and there she was on her knees, trembling, expecting a rebuke about being unclean and approaching Jesus, interrupting Him as He went to a more important place.  But instead as she explained to Him and all the people the reason for touching His garment, she saw compassion in His eyes not anger. “Daughter, be of good comfort, your faith has made you whole.  Go in peace.”  The most precious words she had ever heard.  She could feel that her body had been healed and her heart rejoiced.   

But as she rejoiced another came with bad news that the little girl had died and Jesus needn’t bother to continue to the house of Jairus.  Was it her fault?  Had she taken up His time and caused the child to die?  No.  Her divine appointment with Jesus did not hinder Him from healing the daughter of Jairus too. 

The good news is that God’s power is not limited by time or circumstances.  God can work out the healing of your desperate situations even as He works out similar situations for others.  He has the power over sickness and death and, no matter how He chooses to make you whole, in faith, you can go in peace. Be of good comfort. 

Jo 

Remember

Luke 24:1-12

I decided that I no longer believed in God about the time I entered middle school. Science textbooks had, in my opinion, done a very good job explaining how the universe had been formed and how all life had come to exist. My Christian friends tried to get me to read the Bible; however, I figured, “What’s the point?” Why waste time reading some ancient book of mythology when modern science explained everything so perfectly?! What could some guy who died two thousand years ago say that could have any meaning to me? On top of it all, I was supposed to believe that this man, Jesus, didn’t stay dead. I may not have been a great scholar, but even I knew that “dead is dead!” But what if I was wrong? What if there was more than what science could explain? What would that mean for my life?

This week's scripture takes place on the first Easter morning. Several women, followers of Jesus, have come to pay their last respects by completing the Jewish burial rites of anointing the deceased's body with oil and spices. This would be one last act of love for their master, teacher, and friend. They didn’t expect to find the tomb empty and Jesus' body nowhere to be found! Suddenly, two angels appear and ask these women a profound question, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Then the angels give the women a command, “Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Scripture then tells us that, “And they remembered his words.” The women returned to share the news but the apostles, perhaps too deep in their own grief to hope, refused to believe them. After all, as simple as they are, they know that “dead is dead. However, Peter, who always seemed to lead with his emotions, immediately runs to the tomb to see for himself, perhaps wondering, “What if it’s true?”

Many people around the world will attend worship services this Easter for many different reasons. Some will attend to be with their families; some will come to fulfill a yearly sense of tradition. Some will come like the women at the tomb, as a way to honor someone who was a “good man,” but not God incarnate, raised from the dead. Some will come like those apostles who refused to believe that Jesus was alive, because, as nice as resurrection sounds, no one comes back from the dead. However, many will come and take the angel’s advice and remember. They will hear the Easter story and remember all that Christ has done and is doing in their lives and in the world! When we hear the story of Easter, will we respond like the scoffers and believe the story is too good to be true? Or will we be like the women and tell others the good news! May we all react like Peter and feel our hearts race as our hope is reborn.

Remembering with you,

Mike

A Spectacular View

Luke 19:28-40

Last week, I had the privilege to hike up to the highest point of the Shenandoah National Park alongside my adult children.  It took some effort to get there but each step of the way was filled with anticipation of what we would see from the peak.  I can assure you that once we got there, we took time to soak in such a spectacular view that even pictures couldn’t capture what it was like.  It was the kind of viewpoint that will humble a person and give them a greater sense of wonder.

In our text this week, we see mention of other spectacular views.  Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem which he approaches from the mount of Olivet.  In my ESV Study Bible there are notes that say the place where Jesus was positioned on that mount was visited often by Him and His disciples as it provided a spectacular view of the temple mount.  Certainly, they would spend some time once again to take it all in.  As Jesus made His way down the mount, the crowd of followers around Him could have missed a more spectacular view but they didn’t.  They were gazing upon their long-awaited Messiah in whom they had already seen mighty works.  Now they couldn’t help themselves, they had to exclaim praise to God for the Messianic King who had come to them as promised.  Jesus is ready for them to recognize this truth about Him and says that even if they were silent then the very stones would have cried out in praise.

None could imagine what would happen next as they would watch their Hope from heaven submit Himself as a Suffering Servant to be crucified within the week.  For them, it would be so confusing but later it would be known by many that this was one of the most spectacular views we have of Jesus as our Savior.  His passionate purpose led Him to submit to horrendous suffering and the heart wrenching pain of death.  All of it to reveal the greatest love the world will ever know by the King who conquered sin and death so that those who trust in Him can and will have eternal life in His Kingdom.  What a spectacular view God has given the world of the Peacemaker and High King of heaven!  

For us today, it still gets so confusing as to why things happen.  We are too easily distracted from seeing God while we peek about continuously lured by worldly views.  But God invites us to the most spectacular view that was ever provided in the perfect life of Jesus Christ and His finishing work.  It’s Gospel Good News for all the world!  Instead of doomscrolling through life, we should seek the best viewpoint.  Let us be a church that fixes our attention once again on the most alluring view of all in the Founder and Finisher of our faith.  As we take the time to soak it in, may we be people that are humbled and filled with wonder while we await the promised return of our Righteous Redeemer and Glorious King Jesus.  May our very hearts cry out in praise and may our lives be transformed to be primarily about His Kingdom!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

Wanting to Justify Himself

Luke 10:25-37

"When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem."
- Luke 9:51

Scholars agree that chapter 9, verse 51 of Luke's Gospel is a turning point in the book.

Up to this point, as Luke is telling the story of Jesus, it has mainly been a story of His ministry "at home." That is, in the Galilee and Nazareth region.

But things shift at the end of chapter 9.
From now on, Jesus will be "on the road."

And it's at this moment - as Luke tells the story - that a “journey” is beginning for Jesus.

And at the end of this journey is a rugged cross, and an empty tomb.

From this point in the Gospel (9:51), all the way to Palm Sunday (19:28), Jesus's face is set "to go to Jerusalem."

And therefore, in the chapters and verses in between,
With every parable,
With every miracle,
With every teaching,
With every healing,

Jesus is marching closer and closer to Jerusalem.

An object is out on the horizon, drawing closer and closer.

A wooden, rugged cross, outside Jerusalem.

His face is set to go to Jerusalem.
The days were drawing near for Him to be taken up.

---

It's against this backdrop above that I want us to consider the passage for this week, Luke 10:25-37.

You probably know the passage as,
"The Parable of the Good Samaritan."

In this section of Scripture, Jesus has a conversation with a lawyer. And when you hear that word "lawyer", you might think of a modern-day lawyer.

But in the New Testament, "lawyer" simply means: an expert in the law. That is, the law of Moses. Similar to one of the Scribes or Pharisees.

It is worth noting the "cycle" structure of their conversation:

- The lawyer asks Jesus a question
   - Jesus replies by asking the lawyer a question
- The lawyer answers Jesus's question
   - Jesus gives a final reply

The cycle happens twice: in 10:25-28, and again in 10:29-37.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (that you likely know) is contained in that second cycle. But for this writing, our focus will mostly be on the first cycle.

Because, before this familiar parable, there is an important part of their conversation that we don't want to miss.

---

--> Lawyer:
   "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

--> Jesus:
   "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"

(He knows who He's talking to - so He asks an "expert" on his own subject matter!)

--> Lawyer:
   "You shall love the Lord your God
   with all your heart,
   and with all your soul,
   and with all your strength,
   and with all your mind;
   and your neighbor as yourself.”

--> Jesus:
   "You have answered correctly.
   Do this, and you will live."

Jesus confirms the Lawyer's thinking as a (technically) possible solution for eternal life:

"Yes, if you keep the Law - this Law that is summed up as Loving God and Loving People - if you keep that Law perfectly, you will live. You will have eternal life."

But notice the Lawyer's response (10:29). It's really the key moment of this whole conversation.

Luke tells us that the Lawyer was "wanting to justify himself."

This expert in the Law had been confronted with God's holy, righteous standard:
- Love God with all that you are
- Love your neighbor as yourself

And the Lawyer knew that he didn't measure up.

He thought,
"Hmm, I'll have to find a way to make this work. Maybe there's a loophole, some way that I can bend the Law, fudge the numbers..."

So the second cycle begins. He goes on to ask Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" - thinking he might find a loophole there.

And we know from the rest of the passage: he didn't!
Jesus tells the Parable to the Good Samaritan, and exposes this Law Expert's lack of love, and the prejudice in his heart.

But consider this question with me,
What should the Lawyer's response have been?

By knowing that he didn't measure up, he was on the right track...

But instead of turning *inward*, he should have turned *outward*.

If the lawyer's response had only been something like this:

--> Lawyer:
"But Teacher, I could never keep the Law perfectly.

The Law says to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

But I am an idolater at heart.
My heart is prone to the worship of other things.
Worship of created things, and not the Creator.
I am prone to making things, people, and ideas my source of joy and hope.

I do not love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

And the Law says to love my neighbor as myself.
But I cannot do that perfectly either!

I am self-righteous toward others, and look down on them.
I have hatred in my heart towards Samaritans.

I do not always love my neighbor as myself.

Teacher,
I could never keep God's Law perfectly.
The righteousness that God requires - I do not possess that within myself.

So, I must throw myself on the mercy of God!

Is it possible that God could give us another way to have eternal life?
Is there another way to be righteous before Him?

Is it possible to have someone else's righteousness credited to us?
Someone else's righteousness applied to us?"

---

Remember: the Teacher with whom this Lawyer spoke was on a journey.
He had his face set toward Jerusalem.
The days were drawing near for Him to be taken up.
He was headed to the cross.

And on the cross,
He would die in the place of those who had broken God’s law.
Those who did not love God.
Those who did not love their neighbor.

*HE* had kept God’s Law perfectly.
He had always loved His Father
   With all His heart
   With all His soul,
   With all His strength,
   With all His mind.
And He had always loved His neighbor as Himself.

But on the cross,
He would be treated by His Father
As one who had failed to keep the Law.
As though He had not loved God, or His neighbor.

So that we who repent and trust in what Jesus has done *CAN HAVE* eternal life.

We can stand before God, with no need to "justify ourselves."
Because our righteousness isn't found in keeping the Law.
We stand with the righteousness of Jesus, given to us through His cross.

"For his sake
I have suffered the loss of all things
And count them as rubbish
In order that I may gain Christ
And be found in Him,
Not having a righteousness of my own
That comes from the law,
But that which comes through faith in Christ,
The righteousness from God that depends on faith."
Philippians 3:8-9

- Joe

Where Is Your Faith?

Luke 8:22–39

At the beginning of this passage, Jesus gets into a boat with His disciples and says, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” He speaks these words with complete confidence. There is no hint of doubt that they will make it safely to the other side. The disciples had every reason to trust His words.

Yet when a storm suddenly sweeps across the lake, the disciples begin to question their safety. Fear takes over. They doubt Jesus’ words and become utterly terrified. Meanwhile, Jesus is fast asleep. The image of Jesus sleeping peacefully in the middle of a raging storm is both beautiful and almost comical. He knows, with full confidence, that there is no reason to worry. While the disciples panic, Jesus rests securely in His Father’s plan.

If we are honest, we are often not much different than the disciples. There have certainly been times in my life when a “storm” hits and I panic, feeling as though everything is falling apart. In those moments, I forget the words and promises of God. Instead of trusting Him to carry me through, I start trying to figure out how to calm the storm myself.

When storms arise and we feel like we are sinking, I imagine Jesus looking at us just as He looked at His disciples and asking, “Where is your faith?” The truth is, we don’t have to know the way out of every storm. We simply need to have faith in the One who does.

This passage reminds us just how powerful Jesus truly is. With a single command, He completely calms the storm. Even the wind and the waves obey Him. Let this be your reminder that Jesus can do the same in our lives. No matter how great the storm may seem, He has the power to bring peace in the midst of it. Take a moment to reflect on the storms you are currently facing. In what areas of your life might Jesus be asking you, “Where is your faith?”

I pray that you can lean on the Lord and find rest in the middle of whatever storm you are currently facing, just as Jesus did. And remember, we can trust His words. Jesus is for us! He is there to walk with us through every single storm that comes our way.

Carmen K

And Also Some Women

March 31 marks twenty years since I flew Eliana and Isabella home from Haiti, and they officially became both U.S. citizens and part of our family. Prior to adopting them, we saw a therapist who specialized in race relations. One assignment she gave us was to attend an all-black church in St. Louis. Our kids were coming to a community where they would be the only people of color, and our therapist wanted us to have a better understanding of what that would feel like for them. It was eye-opening, and the first time I began to understand that representation matters. It’s really uncomfortable to be the only person in a room who looks like you. That feeling is magnified when “people like you” are routinely portrayed in a negative light, whether it’s by the media or others who inhabit the same spaces you do. You can begin to feel a diminished sense of value based on a physical attribute beyond your control. 

As a woman, I sometimes feel this way when I read the Bible. There are a lot of men featured in Scripture, which makes sense given the culture and time in which it was written, but even still, when I’m reading a book that tells me who God is and what He’s like, and throughout the Old Testament, read few stories of him interacting with women, I sometimes wonder how he feels about ME. These feelings can be exacerbated when I read New Testament epistles and note the frequent use of the pronoun “he” (used for simplicity by translators) even when the original text actually means “he and she”, or in colloquial terms, “all y’all”.  I’m grateful for the gospels where the authors record for us Jesus’ interactions with women and we can see more clearly God’s heart for all people. 

In Luke 8 we read of a group of women who traveled with Jesus and the 12 disciples as he proclaimed the kingdom of God. Three of these women are named, which implies they would have been well known among the early church- Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna- as well as “many others” who were less familiar but nonetheless traveled with Jesus and contributed to his ministry out of their private means. Jesus’ treatment of women was no small thing, and completely counter cultural. Women in that day could not study under rabbis, but they could learn at the feet of the Master, even traveling with and ministering alongside him. While ancient culture gave women no rights, no security, no privilege, Yahweh had stamped them with his image. Jesus affirms the Father’s heart for women throughout the gospels as he continuously draws near to women, whether they are the outcasts of society, women of means, or anywhere in between. Today, the Spirit gives gifts to all those who call upon the name of the Lord, without respect to gender.  

Culture is constantly pitting women against men, as though we are inherently different. The truth of Genesis is that both men and women reflect the image of God: Not man alone, not woman alone. Men and women collectively reflect the imago Dei. Our sons and daughters need to see “people like them” following Jesus wholeheartedly, learning at the feet of the Master. Men and women need to see themselves AND each other as a vital part of God’s continuing work in the world. Both women and men should walk in the gifts the Spirit has given them, so that Jesus will be glorified and the church will be built up. 

Just a few verses further in Luke we read the Parable of the Sower. The One who sows scatters the seed far and wide. The seed is sown among the Jews and the Gentiles, among men and women, wealthy and enslaved. It’s dispersed to every tribe, every nation and tongue, so that some might hear and call upon the name of the Lord. The Gospel is for everyone. Friend, Jesus has secured your citizenship in heaven and made a place for you in his family. Wherever you are today, I pray you see yourself in God’s story, and that when the seed lands on your heart it takes root in good soil.

Natalie

Extravagant Love

Luke 7:36-50

How can we convey our gratitude, our reverence, our devotion, our humility, our repentance, and our wholehearted love to and for Jesus?

Luke tells of a “fallen” woman who approaches Jesus while he is reclining at a meal in the home of Simon the Pharisee. She washes the feet of Jesus with her tears, dries his feet with her hair, kisses his feet, and anoints him with precious and costly oil from her alabaster flask.

A little much?  A little over the top?

Not for one who experiences grace and mercy and compassion. Not for one who learns (despite her sins) she is valued as a treasured child of God. Not for one who is forgiven!

It’s beautiful, really! How the woman forgets herself. How her actions reflect her devotion and her indebtedness to Jesus.How she demonstrates her love extravagantly, paying no attention to the guests or caring what they are thinking of her. How she keeps her eyes on Jesus! How she shows Jesus is her All in All!

Simon, host of the meal, is aghast at he woman’s behavior and thinks:  if Jesus is truly a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him – She is a sinner!

Of course, Jesus knows who is touching him, and he also knows what Simon is thinking.

“Simon, I have something to say to you.” 

Jesus tells a story about two men - one who owed the creditor five hundred silver coins and the other who owed fifty. The creditor cancels both debts.

“Who,” Jesus asks, “will love the creditor more?”

Simon answers, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled.”

Jesus replies, “You have judged correctly.”

And then Jesus turns toward the woman (yes, turns towards this “fallen” woman), and says to Simon, “Do you see this woman?”

And then…and then…Jesus contrasts the behavior of Simon the Pharisee who knows that in an honor society, hospitality should be extended to guests (and Jesus was Simon’s invited guest). “I entered your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time she entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil.”

What a stark contrast between Simon’s self-righteousness and the woman’s humility.

Yes, the woman has sinned, but so has Simon. She is aware of her sin, is remorseful, and is repentant. Simon is guilty of the sin of pride. He does not recognize who Jesus is!

Jesus says to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The woman was not saved by her tears or her costly and extravagant gift of oil. Jesus accepted the gifts and the extravagant way in which she gave them as evidence of her faith.

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6).

How can we convey our gratitude, our reverence, our devotion, our humility, our repentance, and our wholehearted love to and for Jesus?

We can look to the forgiven woman as a model of extravagant love. 

We can forget ourselves and look to Jesus!

We can praise Jesus, honor Jesus, and thank Jesus in all ways and in all places.

We can demonstrate our love for Jesus by offering him our most precious possessions, talents, and time.

We can love Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

We can show the world Jesus is our All in All!

Is that a little much? A little over the top?

Not for one who experiences grace and compassion.

Not for one who has been saved by the Grace of God.

Not for one who is forgiven.

Not for Jesus who sacrificed his life for us!

Not for one who experiences the overwhelming love Jesus feels for us and shows us every minute of every day!

Kay

Help for the Helpless

Luke 7:1-35

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." — Psalm 46:1

Have you ever felt completely helpless? Helplessness is scary and jarring. What do you do when you feel this way? What are you feeling helpless about today?

In Luke 7:1-35, we see Jesus interact with three people who are helpless:

1. A Roman Centurion who is helpless to heal his servant (7:1-10).

2. A widow who is helpless to bring her son back from the dead (7:11-17).

3. A prophet who is helpless to strengthen his faith while in a prison cell (7:18-35).

In the Centurion's helplessness, he shows us that humility asks for help. His servant's sickness was beyond his own strength, but his love motivated him to reach out. His faith was certain: "But say the word, and let my servant be healed" (7:7).

In the widow's helplessness, we see that grief often robs us of words. Even when we cannot speak, Jesus hears us. Moved with compassion, Jesus said, "Do not weep." With one touch and a few words, the widow’s son sat up and began to speak (7:14-15), leading witnesses to proclaim, "God has visited his people."

But what do you do when God’s visitation looks different than you expected? Doubt can make us feel helpless and fearful, making our foundation feel like sinking sand. From a dark prison cell, John the Baptist asked a brave question: "Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (7:20). Doubt tempts us to look elsewhere, but John was rewarded for vocalizing his struggle. Jesus responded:

"Go tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me" (7:22-23).

On this side of heaven, we will experience sickness, death, and doubt. We will face seasons of helplessness, but that does not mean Jesus is absent or passive.

Our Helper will come. He will act, He will heal, and He will turn our weeping into rejoicing. He will quiet our doubts and bring in His Kingdom.

May we be a people who bring our helplessness to the Helper. Though weeping may last for the night, His joy comes in the morning. When you do not know what to say or do, remember that Jesus has you—He always has, and He always will.

See you Sunday,

Steven

Blessings and Woes

Luke 6:17-49 

Luke states his mission at the beginning of his gospel to write out what he has investigated carefully in consecutive order so that the exact truth might be known about the things we have been taught, emphasizing that eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us. 

He begins by giving us the account of the Messiah’s forerunner, John the Baptist.  He continues with the story of the miraculous conception and birth of the Savior, and the mind boggling recognition Simeon had of the Christ child in the temple as soon as he held Him in his arms. 

Luke records the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and the presence of the Holy Trinity as Jesus comes out of the water, the Holy Spirit descends on Him as a dove, and the Father’s voice is heard saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” 

We read on as Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he ate nothing for 40 days and was tempted by the devil to show if He “really was the Son of God.” Hungry and tired, angels minister to Him and He returned home to Nazareth in the power of the Spirit.  Jesus is in a familiar place, probably surrounded by family and neighbors that have known Him all His life.  He attends the synagogue and is given a scroll of scripture. The portion He chooses is a prophecy from Isaiah about the coming Messiah. He amazes them by telling them this prophecy has been fulfilled in their hearing. First, they speak well of Him and wonder at His gracious words...but soon they are filled with rage and want to kill him.  

Needless to say, He leaves the hometown that has rejected Him and continues on to Capernaum and casts out demons and heals the sick. He tells them “I must preach the kingdom of God...for I was sent for this purpose.” Our text this week is an example of Jesus fulfilling that purpose.

Luke 6:17-49 is account of a sermon Jesus preaches after choosing his twelve apostles.  Some call it a condensed version of the Sermon on the Mount, others have named it the Sermon on the Plain. There are many similarities, but in Matthew’s gospel Jesus goes "up” on the mountain and teaches them and here, in Luke 6, He descends with His apostles to a level place and begins to heal and teach those who have followed Him. Many Bible scholars believe the teachings Jesus gave in Matthew and Luke were given on many occasions. Peter told his readers “I shall always be ready to remind you of these things even though you already know them...to stir you up by way of reminder.” II Peter 1:12 & 13 

The literary form of this teaching we call “The Beatitudes,” was called the “form of the oracle” and was very familiar to Jewish people. Old Testament prophets prefaced their pronouncements by saying, “Thus saith the Lord.” Good pronouncements were called “oracles of weal” and pronouncements of judgment or wrath were called “oracles of woe.”  

Jesus begins His sermon with blessings on the poor, the hungry, the grieving, and the persecuted.  R.C. Sproul explains that “being blessed by God does not just mean ‘don’t worry, be happy.’  It is, rather, an understanding in the depths of your soul, in the deepest chamber of your heart, of the sweetness of the presence of God as you live before His face every moment.”  The woes are for those who trust in riches, are well fed and well thought of by others. It infers that their comfort in this world is their reward and that they trust in wealth and the good opinion of others more than God. 

Then Jesus gives them some foundational commandments that are quite the opposite of how the world operates.  He tells them to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, pray for those who spitefully use them, turn the other cheek, give generously to anyone who asks you, and finally, treat others as you would like to be treated. Wow! Seven commands that turn everything on its head.  And it gets better! 

He tells them not to judge or condemn but to pardon. Then something that I find a little scary... “by your standard it will be measured to you in return.” This turns our pointing fingers right back at ourselves.  

On a last solemn note, Jesus asks a question. “Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?” If ever we should feel conviction or feel the need to examine ourselves, this is it.  As the world gets further and further away from Godly standards, we as believers in Jesus Christ as The Way, should be striving to know and obey His Word without compromise no matter what the world is doing. 

Let’s be like that one who comes to Him, hears His words, and acts upon them. Let’s dig deep and build a strong foundation on Jesus. 

Jo

Know

Luke 5:1-6:16

When Gwen and I had saved enough money to make a down payment on a house of our own, it was exciting to go house hunting. It was fun to meet with our real estate agent, tour the potential homes she had found for us, and imagine what it would be like to live in them. Finally, we found one that seemed perfect for us! We started the process of purchasing the house, certain that God had led us to our dream house. A few days later, we got the news that someone else had beaten us to the punch and submitted their bid before ours. No worries, obviously God had an even more perfect house for us somewhere else. This pattern would repeat for the next several months. We would find a house that we were sure the Lord had handpicked for us, only for the deal to fall apart at the last minute. This led to repeated disappointment and discouragement. We obviously had no idea what house God had chosen for us, or even if he had a place for us at all. Our discouragement caused us to take a long break from house hunting. In the end, we found our home at just the right time, when the need was greatest. We thought we knew God’s will, but the Lord had a better plan.

In this week’s scripture focus, Jesus heals the sick and afflicted. He offers salvation to sinners and welcomes outsiders into the Kingdom. He also comes into conflict with the Pharisees and other religious leaders. They ignore the healing of a paralyzed man, but take issue when Jesus forgives the man’s sins. They take issue with the fact that Jesus consorts with all the “wrong” people and doesn’t follow the “correct” religious practices. Because of this, they begin to plot against the Messiah they’ve been waiting for hundreds of years to meet.

The Pharisees had a similar problem to the one that Gwen and I had with house hunting; they were so certain that they knew God’s will that they missed it completely. Their sin was one of pride. They were so proud of their knowledge of scripture that it became an idol to them, and it blinded them to what was going on right before their eyes. They knew a lot about the Messiah; sadly, this prevented them from knowing the Messiah. They were certain that they knew what Israel’s Savior would look like and, as far as they were concerned, Jesus wasn’t it. They wanted a Savior who looked, thought, and acted like them. Christian author Anne Lamott had this to say, “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” We have to remember that Jesus came to live in our hearts, not the box we’ve tried to put him in.

In the love of Christ,

Mike

Do You Feel the World is Broken?

Luke 4:14-44

He stood up in the temple, unrolled the scroll, and read the words of Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 

Every eye in the synagogue was fastened on him, this son of Joseph, prophet of Nazareth, when he unequivocally stated “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

All of Scripture shows us who God is and reveals His heart. When I read these words in Luke, I’m captivated. How unlike any god in history is Yahweh! How compassionate is our Lord? There is truly none like Him!

I hope you feel the same. I pray your heart is drawn to the One who sets the oppressed free, to our Savior who gives sight to the blind and proclaims good news to the poor. 

Lately though, I’m wondering how to reconcile the truth of who Jesus is with the reality of the world I see. I find myself quietly singing. 

“Do you feel the world is broken? 

We do. 

Do you feel the shadows deepen?

We do. 

Do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through?”

And then I stop. Because, do I?

I know the world is broken and I feel the shadows deepen. And as the darkness encroaches, it’s starting to feel so suffocating that I wonder if perhaps the light just can’t break through. Can you relate?

I don’t want to bypass any grief you are feeling. There is so much to lament. Sometimes, we need to sit with our sadness before the Lord. Our God weeps with us, and that’s a comfort. But after you’ve grieved, when you’re ready, come back. There’s work to be done. 

John 1:4-5 says “In Him was light, and that light was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus IS the light of the world, and when we believe, His Spirit within us gives us the grace to reflect His light to others. 

The mission of Christ continues in the work of His Church. We are His ambassadors. The Spirit of the Lord is in us, and he has anointed us to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent us to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. 

As the world gets worse, we have a choice. Will we be overcome by evil? Will we be so weighed down by the darkness that we succumb to it, or even worse, join in with it? Or will we overcome evil with good? Because we have seen Goodness in Jesus. We know the God-man who unrolled the scroll and fulfilled the scripture that day in the synagogue. He laid down his life for the world, and our wounds have been healed by His stripes. He has shown us how to be good, and by His Spirit enables us to do good for the good of others, not merely for goodness’ sake, but so the world will know what kind of God we have. 

I’m praying our light shines brightly. 

Natalie

Isn’t This Joseph’s Son?

Luke 4:14-44

After spending 40 days in the wilderness overcoming constant temptation, Jesus begins His public ministry in his hometown of Nazareth. It was likely that Jesus was very familiar with the synagogue where he preached and probably personally knew many people in the crowd.

Jesus reads a passage from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and boldly claims in front of the listeners that He is the anointed one Isaiah speaks of in his prophesies. The crowd is immediately filled with doubt – “Isn’t this Joseph’s son,” they ask.  

They couldn’t understand how someone they had watched grow up in their town, someone so ordinary in their eyes, could possibly be the Messiah. Their perception of Jesus was based on what they have always known of Him, and they were unable to see the new work God was doing in His life. Why is it that the people who know us the best oftentimes doubt us the most?

If we were in Jesus’ shoes, we likely would have given it all up right then and there, feeling crushed by the weight of doubt surrounding us. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t. He continued to walk faithfully in what God had called Him to do.

Everyone’s walk with God looks different, but most of us can recall a moment or a period of time in our lives when we truly decided to give our hearts to the Lord. When we make that decision, God begins to transform our hearts, and our lives start to change. For some people these changes are slow, for others they’re rapid – but almost all the time they’re noticeable to the people closest to us.

As in Jesus’ case, those closest to us can sometimes doubt these changes. After seeing us at our worst and watching us choose sin again and again, it can be hard for them to believe that we have really changed. For this reason, sharing our faith with those who know us best – those who have known us from a time before we gave our lives to God – can feel especially difficult. We may be tempted to stay quiet and keep our experiences to ourselves. But what if these are the very people God wants to reach through us?

It's inevitable that we are going to face doubt in our walk with God – even Jesus did. But take heart: God is always at work. He can do miraculous things through us when we continue to walk with Him in the face of doubt.

Carmen K