Month: February 2014

Re: Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35 (day two)
“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them” Luke 24:28-29  What strikes me first about this great story is that although the disciples are kept from knowing who Jesus was, they were captivated by him.  What does that tell us about the nature and character of Jesus?  He was compassionate, he listened as they told them of the events of the past week.  He was knowledgeable and able to teach as he explained the words of the Prophets.  He was certainly compelling for they desired greatly for his company.  Jesus drew people to himself even when they had no idea of his true nature, he does that still.  So that they would truly know the fullness of the Prophets stories, the Lamb that was broken, broke bread with them and their eyes were opened.  What a remarkable story.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35 (day one)
My favorite Bible story.  Ok, one of them.  After the resurrection, but before the truth becomes clear, two men (disciples) are traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  Small town.  7 miles away.  Suburb.  Jesus appears to them and supernaturally prevents them from recognizing Him.  Why?  Because He has an important lesson to teach them.  As they walk, He explains His own story using nothing but Bible to do so.  Moses.  All the prophets.  Carefully and passionately He points out the Spirit’s witness to the Son through the Scripture. Later they describe the experience.  “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  This is our task!  This is the kind of church we want to be. Bibles open.  Hearts burning.  Spirit speaking.  The most powerful and enduring testimony that Jesus is alive!  Better even than a personal, physical appearance?  Apparently so.  Son!  Spirit!  Scripture!

Re: Verse reading – Luke 22:66-71; 23:1-25 (day seven)
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”  (James 4:17)  At the end of life, we may look back and realize that there were no big moments, just a lot of small ones.  God never presents the full picture.  Not to any man.  Not at any moment.  “We see through a glass, darkly”, said the Apostle Paul.  But we do SEE.  That is the point.  We see something of what is required.  Some part of right and justice and obedience.  A step pressed on us by conscience and Spirit.  Not to do it is life’s greatest mistake.  Pilate’s story is, therefore, a tragedy.  Not because he was guaranteed to become a believer.  Rather because he rejected the only opportunity that any of us ever have to find Christ and to find life.  Do what you know!  Stand for truth!  Pilate didn’t.  Will you?

RE Verse reading – Luke 22:66-71; 23:1-25 (day six) 
“If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer.”  (22:67)  Never wrestle with a pig.  An old friend used to tell me.  You get dirty and the pig likes it.  Jesus seems to agree.  In our RE Verse passage this week we see the Lord following  His own command.  “Do not throw pearls before swine.”  (Matthew 7:6)  When there is no chance for real discussion.  No true spiritual interest.  When words only fuel the argument or make a mockery of holy things,  it is better to just be silent.  Before the Sanhedrin.  Before Herod.  Jesus is the “the lamb, silent before it’s shearers.”  No panicked argument.  No words of defense.  No further attempt to clarify the case for truth.  Just calm, courageous trust in God.   I wonder whether we have this same wisdom.  Do we know when the strongest argument for God is to just be still?

Re: Verse reading–Luke 22:66-71, 23:1-25 (day four)
Pilate found nothing that Jesus had done to deserve death.  He stated that three times.  Even Herod could not find anything He had done wrong.  For a short time, truth seemed to prevail.  The chief priests and rulers had already decided what they wanted the outcome to be though…it did not matter what the facts were.  (Does this sound familiar?  Does it seem that you are reading today’s newspaper?)  Verse 23 says, “But they were insistent with loud voices asking that He be crucified.  And their voices began to prevail.”  It seems the loudest voices, who continue to repeat the same untruths, eventually prevail and others begin to repeat their message as if it were true.  Think evolution, global warming, abortion, homosexuality…the list goes on.  Loud enough, long enough…and our culture joins in.  A recent Barna Group poll said, “Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.”  Are the principles of God’s Word the guiding standard of your life?

Re: Verse reading– Luke 22:66-23:25 (Day Three)
“[Herod] hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.”  We’re all Herod now.  To the extent that we want adventure, amazement, or a break from the wearying business of living with people, we want exactly what Herod wanted.  It’s easier if we get a “sign” to reveal what we should do than it is actually to make a decision.  It’s more affirming to our sense of self to receive a dramatic divine affirmation that we’re right instead of figuring out how to live in peace with someone we don’t like.  We serve ourselves.  Herod was stricken dead because he served himself rather than God.  Therefore, if indeed this Savior has the power to give the sign that we seek, should we not rather fall at his feet like a dead man until we hear him say, “Do not be afraid?”

Re: Verse reading—Luke 22:66-71, 23:1-25 (day one)
“He questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.”  (23:9)  Sad story.  It is Friday of Holy Week.  Jesus has been arrested and interrogated by the Sanhedrin.  Then to Pontius Pilate.  Then to King Herod.  (It was an attempt by Pilate to avoid responsibility–since Jesus was from Galilee, He fell under Herod’s jurisdiction.)  At an earlier point in time, Herod had been spiritually interested. (Mark 6:20) Unfortunately, that moment of spiritual opportunity has passed. The door is closed now,  shut on God’s side.  Jesus does not even answer Herod’s questions.  Strange.  Alarming.  None of us can presume on unlimited time to repent.  When the door shuts, the time for  conversation with God is gone.  Reminds me of King Saul.  Squandering many opportunities to obey, the terrible moment comes when God stops dealing with him.
(1 Samuel 28:6) God’s mercy is huge.  So is His holiness.  None of us should take the mercy of God for granted.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 21:5-24 (day seven) 
Where does life lead?  Believers and secular people have very different answers.  Jesus believed that life leads toward an accounting with God.  For everyone!  “An hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil to resurrection of judgment.”  (John 5:28-29)  Paul followed his Lord in this conviction.  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body. . .whether good or bad.”  (2 Corinthians 5:10)  As we read the words of Christ in Luke 21, (see v 36) let us examine our hearts for a secure grip on this truth.  Those have this vision of the future discover great strength and moral motivation for the present hour.  Knowing that we will stand before the Son helps us to stand for Him now.

Re: Verse reading – Luke 21:5-24 (day six)
I like traditions.  I am a “pattern” kind of person.  Up the same time every morning.  Same routine.  Comforting.  The danger comes when I begin to trust my traditions rather than God.  When a change in plans or job or health feels like a breach of contract.  When God can’t do “a new thing” without me reacting in anxiety and resistance.  Jesus warns us.  Things don’t stay the same.  They can’t. Even something as massive as the Jewish Temple was vulnerable.  The wise choice is to connect yourself to Christ with unbreakable bonds of loyalty.  Abide in Him.  Make Him the permanent, unchanging thing, rather than  familiar circumstances, family, job or traditions.  “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” says the Psalm writer.  Good counsel for all of us who unconsciously think that life will always be the way it is now.  It won’t!  Let the adventure begin.  Trust God!