Tag: Jesus

Unnatural

Re:Verse reading – Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:17-21  (Day Four)

The Bible is radical!  Usually the instructions in Scripture are diametrically opposed to the teachings of the world.  Scripture says, “love your enemies”, the world says, “hate your enemies”.  Scripture says, “bless those who curse you”, the world says, “curse them back”.  If someone hits you, your first inclination is to hit them back…if they steal from you, get it back.  Jesus taught a relationship with our enemies that feels almost unnatural…in fact, it is supernatural.  We can only respond like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.  How do you respond when someone does you wrong?  Do you obey Scripture or do you follow the ways of the world?  It is only by faith that this relationship with our enemies can happen.  Choose wisely.

Without Expectation

Re: Verse reading–Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21 (day two)

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” – Luke 6:35

Giving without expectation of return; this is an exercise that can only come in the light of Christ’s love. Not only did Jesus willingly sacrifice himself for our ability to taste eternal joy, he did so knowing that we could never possibly repay that debt. We aren’t capable. If we could repay what he did, then it nullifies the cross (Galations 2:21).

In this light can you forgive without receiving forgiveness from another? Can you love when you get nothing back? Will you help, when there is no way the other could ever help you? It’s a step to understanding and loving our savior more.

Love your enemies

Re: Verse reading–Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21 (day one)

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”–Jesus (Luke 6:27-28)  In all of history and literature no words are more fiercely contested.  Unreasonable, impractical say the critics of Christ.  “Old birth” people simply cannot do this work.  Even those who WANT to follow this command find it impossible without a new heart and supernatural support.  Why should we love our enemies?  1) loyalty to Christ demands it, 2) it is the only way to stop the “hate-hurt” cycle, 3) it leads toward conviction and conversion which is the larger, higher purpose of God.  Most of us have miles to go in learning this attitude and practice.  Jesus never changes His demand.  “Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”  Even as we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying for our enemies.  It is a start toward love.

Friends

Re: Verse reading—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day three) 

“They kissed each other and wept together.”  In a world where sex is the highest and best form of togetherness, nothing else is never good enough, and all other pursuits wither–especially the pursuit of friendship.  We read that “Jonathan loved [David] as his own soul”.  We hear David grieve Jonathan by declaring “Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women.”  In our day, such things indicate sexual expression–that these men became “more than friends.”  That kind of language cheapens friendship and blinds us to its power.  Jesus taught us that there is no love greater than that of the deepest, most sacrificial friendships.  If Jesus exalted friendship in that way, should we not question what our society has taught us about friendship?

Obedience

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 20:12; Luke 2:45-52; John 19:25-27 (day six)

Not sure if this is the case for everyone, but the word Obedience often has a negative connotation. In our culture, it can have the meaning of less then, subservient, or demeaned. “Subjecting yourself” is the very antithesis of the American Dream; we are told to “be true to yourself,” “do what you please,” “be subject to no one.”

The call to obedience is not a call to oppression and servitude. We don’t know much about Jesus’ childhood, but the Scriptures make one thing clear, he obeyed his parents. Of all kids, Jesus alone has the grounds to say, “no, dad.” He is the Son of God, he didn’t need Mary and Joseph bossing him around, and yet he “continued” to obey them.

The Scripture connects two truths when it comes to obeying parents, wisdom and love. Both the commandment and Jesus’ growth in wisdom teach us that it is not only right to obey parents, but there is wisdom to be had in it. Obedience is also an expression of love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey me.”

Jesus obeyed his Father in heaven, by obeying Mary and Joseph. The call to obedience is not a call to be “less than who you are,” but rather by design to fulfill who you are to become.

Favor With God

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 20:12; Luke 2:45-52; John 19:25-27 (day four)  When Jesus remained back at the Temple and His parents finally missed Him, they searched and found Him in the middle of the teachers.  Jesus’ response was “Why is it that you were looking for Me?  Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”  From early in His life, this was His driving goal…to be about His Father’s business.  John 4:34 says, “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work’.”  John 5:36 says, “…for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish–the very works I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.”  Is that our driving goal in life?  Are we so concerned with doing God’s work He has for us, that we lose track of things that are going on around us?  Do others recognize this goal as a driving force in our lives?  The result of a ‘yes’ to these questions just might be favor with God!

Grow

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 20:12; Luke 2:45-52; John 19:25-27 (day three)

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.”

It is no coincidence that two sentences after we about Jesus’s obedience, we read that Jesus grew in all aspects of his personhood—body, mind, spirit, social context.  Children are not physically smaller versions of adults.  They are not capable of the complex moral reasoning required to help shape the social order for the common good.  Obedience is the discipline that helps children develop such capacities.  To teach children to obey is not to burden them with an oppressive power structure; rather, it is to take seriously their potential as moral creatures—capable of great good or great harm.  Obedience is the only pathway towards the good life God created each child to live.  Are you teaching children to obey?

Along the Way

Re: Verse reading–Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (day six)

The most significant thing any of us can do for our children, without doubt, is to teach (and model) them to love God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their might. Not sure any of us would debate that. Deuteronomy 6 presents to us though, a particular value in discipleship that we do struggle with, a lot. And that is we are called to disciple our children in all of life. We are to disciple our children as we go, or when we rise or lay down. It gives a picture of discipleship that is very different from the one we are accustomed to; we tend to lean towards programming or events to be primary, but in fact as valuable as those may be they were never intended to be. Sunday school or VBS are best served as supplements to what we are called to do with our children in the ongoings of our normal hectic lives.

So, let us all be encouraged to point our children to see and love Jesus in and throughout all of life.

Seeing is Believing

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33 (day six)

Marriage is an amazing thing. It is beautifully complex, and yet there is nothing as simple (or whole) as the number one, as in one flesh. From the beginning God makes it clear that marriage is not the cooperation of two individual parts but a oneness, two parts combining into one, becoming something new. Paul affirms this reality, and then amplifies it. He makes the case that when a husband and wife become one flesh something remarkable happens, they unveil the mystery of the Gospel.

Perhaps the greatest evangelistic message in your home is your marriage. Perhaps the mystery is even unveiled beyond the threshold of your home into the neighborhood, or the workplace. Could it be that God designed our marriages to powerfully portray His love for His church? Could it be that how you love your wife just might help your neighbor see and know the love of Jesus? Loving my wife (laying down my life for her) just became that much more important!

See That!! Do That!!

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33 (day five)  Confession:  I am a visual processor.  Seeing a mock-up or writing down the problem and possible solutions, helps me make better decisions and commitments.  Sometimes actually moving the picture or furniture is the only way for me to understand what the room could look like.  Asking questions like “How will this look?” and “How can this work?” leads me to sketch, build charts, and fill white boards with endless possibilities.  If I can see it, then I can process better and quicker.

When Paul unpacks his teaching on marriage, he communicates deep theological and emotional truths and insights.  Very complicated.  But he also includes pictures and examples.  How awesome is that!?  Did you catch them?  For husbands:  Look and observe how Jesus loved (loves) the church.  For wives:  Watch and notice how the church is subject (submits) to Christ.  The scriptures give a clear and recognizable pattern and model!!

Marriage- How can this work? How will this look?  Answers:  See that!!  Do that!!