Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day two)

And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; ⁹ and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ vs. 8-9

I’ve always felt a bit sorry for the poor fig tree in this parable. I mean, is it actually choosing not to produce figs? Since, however, this is a metaphor we need to look at the tree a bit differently. If the tree is an unbeliever how can we expect righteousness to come from them if they have never heard the truth of God’s Word? If our job is to tend and care for others we must give them every opportunity to bloom and grow. We must take the time to pray, share, and witness so that the Word can take root in their life. Look around you; who are the people who need that kind of care? God has given you the gardening tools of the gospel. Get to work.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day two)

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ ²¹ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” vs. 20-21

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21

Two sides of the same coin. The old adage states that you can’t take it with you, and if you look only at the passage from Luke, it holds true. If, however, you look to Matthew’s words there is a different message. It comes down to what “it” is. Money, real estate, possessions – things things will all disappear. The business of heaven deals with how you have invested in Kingdom work. How have you loved well? This will carry a heavenly reward. How have you ministered to the needy, the lost, the widow, and orphan? This will be measured against a life, and celebrated. Invest well.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 11:5-13 (day two) 

I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. vs. 8

You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:2b-3

To be clear scripture is not saying that you are always going to get whatever you ask, but it also recognizes we don’t often bring our whole hearts to the Lord. Perhaps we feel like we don’t deserve whatever we are desiring, or we feel a sort of guilt. Why would the Lord think to bless me more than someone else? That kind of self-talk will only lead to a spiritual angst and anxiety that no-one needs. Be in constant dialogue with the Lord, always. You can be sure that he isn’t going to sell all the cattle on a thousand hills just because you ask, but if you are in a never ceasing conversation with the Lord of creation doesn’t it stand to reason that you will start to desire the things he desires? Spend more time with Jesus, and see how that begins to shape your prayer life.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 10:25-37 (day two)

But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” vs. 29

This is the question that initiated one of the most probing and penetrating parables in all of scripture. When reading this it occurs to me to ask; did he really want to know? There he stood as a student of the law, one who understood textual nuance. This man knew things. He knew enough to engage Jesus with a query about personal righteousness. That knowledge, however was not enough to save him. If we don’t put into practice those lessons taught to us in scripture are we truly Jesus’ disciples? How many of us stand with our toes right up to the line of a spiritual awakening, knowing enough to realize what can come from obedience, only to remain there and not take the leap into action? The world is gasping for breath, and we do well to hear it. What good is it to know these stories and let our neighbors tread the way of death? Jesus didn’t come to tell stories, he came to give the world the breath of life. Time to jump.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 8:1-15 (day two)  

“Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.” vs. 11

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Do you do any investing? I confess that this is not an area that I have great knowledge of, but I am grateful for individuals who help me make wise choices. Whether you are investing your finances or into an individual or project one thing that you always hope for is a good Return On Investment. You want to know that your resources have been well spent and that you haven’t squandered your time on something that ultimately won’t bring great yield.

The Kingdom of God does not work in this way. While we are to be good stewards of what the Lord gives us, his Word is a different matter. Our mindset should be to spread the gospel wherever we go, wherever we are, with whomever we meet. We are to be faithful to that call, and then by the miracle of the Holy Spirit, the Word will accomplish what it sets out to do. On that you can be sure. Invest in the Word, invest in people, and let the Lord deal with hearts.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 6:46-49 (day two)  

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Vs. 46

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21

Lip service is not heart service. Everyone of us, to some degree or other, finds ourselves in this situation. We give deference to whomever we are speaking with, and then act in a manner that is contrary to those words. It is often easier to just say what people want or like to hear in their presence. To honor them with titles, platitudes, or promises only to do whatever is truly dwelling in our hearts. Jesus, however, doesn’t operate on that level. His concern is for what lies buried in your heart. He is not  convinced by your words. Oftentimes it is easier to say what people want to hear, but if we form that habit with people what does that say about our relationship with Jesus? As James would remind us from our last study; let your yes be yes, and your no be no. You will never have to second guess what your promised if it is always the truth.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 5:33-39 (day two) And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciplesof the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.” vs. 33

The Pharisees are in the weeds. Just a few verses prior to this passage they are complaining to Jesus about who he eats with, and here they are concerned with whether he eats. As is often the case in these exchanges these religious leaders they have missed the point entirely. This tactic is not unknown to us. If we find that we cannot argue from a strong position, we attack peripheral or petty things. We focus on shallow unimportant areas that don’t ultimately move anyone forward. The next time you feel the need to push back on someone consider your position first. Are you operating out of love, and does it ultimately matter. Otherwise you’re just in the weeds.