As dad’s go, I’ve got a great one. For the most part I’m a pretty good daughter.
I hate telling this story. But here goes. My parents moved to Reno while I was in college and I visited during my breaks from classes. You should know that I am a third-generation pastor. At 19 I basically knew everything. After several billion decades of ministry my dad became the pastor of Reno Nazarene. It was a small church, but good people. I helpedout when I was home with music or preaching. I mean he let me think that I was helping at least. Kind of how you do with kids, right? I was about to leave Reno for San Diego and I suddenly had so many ideas about how the church could be better. I took the time to thoughtfully write them out. All of the things my dad should do to make his church better. Things like find someone to play guitar and do contemporary music instead of hymns. Start a young adult Bible Study. You know, the basics. I printed them off and gave them to my dad. Helpful, right? My dad isn’t one to talk about his feelings, but my Mother has always been a reasonably good interpreter. She explained that my letter was basically soul crushing. I realized that I had seriously disrespected my dad. Let’s break this down. Inheritances are given to sons after their father dies. People these days often leave home and seek their fortune. In Jesus day, that just wasn’t done. You stayed home and worked the family business and took care of your parents in their old age. Shame and disrespect. First the young son declares his father as good as dead and then he sells off his portion of the family land for cash to party. Land that had likely been passed down for generations. I hope you understand that Jesus could not have painted a more desperate situation than the prodigal son. Serving foreigners, not only working with pigs but wanting to eat their slop. The moment when the father sees his son from a long way out and runs to see him is priceless. What you might not realize is that this just wasn’t done. The elder authority would not run. It was undignified. And yet his joy is unstoppable. Sunday we rested a moment on the phrase “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” This is it right here. God’s forgiveness.Knowing how much God has forgiven us, how can we withhold forgiveness from others who ask it? Enter older brother. He lost his temper for sure. Do you hear the incredible self-centeredness? “…celebration for me and my friends… This son of yours…” Here he dresses down dad in front of everyone at the party. He shows no more respect than his younger brother. Tradition says that the older brother would have received a double portion of the inheritance. When the Father divided up the estate he would have received his double portion at the same time. The older son was likely working the family farm with dad this whole time and the fattened calf was cutting in on his profits! During his lifetime, Luke was seeing non-Jews respond to God’s salvation. Reading through the New Testament we also see that the Jewish Christians weren’t always excited about that. After all, they had carefully faithfully observed the law. Here are these pagans, joining in and just like that they are children of God? It just didn’t seem fair. Which brings us to the point. God is not fair. God is gracious and just. To conclude this story, Jesus doesn’t exactly spell out a happy ending. He leaves you wondering, so did the older son go back into the party? Did the younger son work the fields as a hired hand? Did the brothers duel to the death? Like any open-ended story, you’re meant to wonder about the outcome, and wonder which son am I? Thankfully my dad forgave me because he loves me. And you can know that whether you’re the older or the younger son, God is also faithful to forgive a repentant heart. Luke 15.11-32 11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
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Last year I attended my first quinceañera. Danielle wore the most beautiful ball gown with her dark brown curls cascading down her back. She looked wonderful and her escort was pretty cute too. Best of all, the whole room was celebrating her. I was a little bitter that my parents never threw me a quinceañera. Sure, we aren’t exactly Mexican, but I was born in California and that’s like Mexico 2.0, right? And I wasn’t the only one. I overheard three other white girls ask their parents, “Can I have one too?” It’s not just young girls who like to feel special.
What you’re witnessing in today’s scripture passage is a new definition of God’s salvation and the Pharisees really didn’t like it. Remember the story of the great banquet. Everyone was invited, they only need to respond. But wait, weren’t we supposed to be God’s chosen favorite people? This was supposed to be an exclusive club, and how they just let anyone in. Remember the words of the Lord’s prayer. “…Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” As it is in Heaven!!!!! Heaven is rejoicing!!!!! Lots of speculation out there about what constitutes a “notorious sinner.” The Pharisees dedicated much time studying and perfecting their practice of the law. It’s possible that these sinners were simply people who had to work for a living and were not afforded the luxury of studying the law. Jesus’ choice in company was less than reputable. Truth is, I dig this about Jesus. Can I tell you, some of my best friends are convicted felons. I know we say that we don’t judge, but what would you think if you saw your pastor throwing a party for a notorious drug dealer? How about a sex worker? When was the last time you shared a cup of coffee with an adult film star? Check yourself, lest you identify too quickly with the wrong character in this story. Be like Jesus. Have dinner with a notorious sinner. Scratch that. Have dinner with a person. Not to preach at them, but to treat them as a person loved by God. Here’s the simple truth of Jesus’ message: God loves people. The message of God’s salvation was always for the whole world and Jesus is simply reminding Israel of their purpose to be a blessing to all nations. The new-old standard is being set. No longer do you have to be born a Jew and an authority in the law. Instead, anyone who is willing to repent and follow Jesus is not only saved, but all of heaven rejoices! That’s really reallygood news for all of us. Do you know that you are precious and treasured by God? It’s true. God’s grace goes before us, seeking us out, calling us to repentance. Will you respond? That’s cause for celebration. Luke 15.1-10 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Our last election was quite a doozy. Now suppose one of the candidates stood up, maybe during the primaries, and gave this speech, “If you vote for me I promise you’ll have nothing left. No home, no car, no family.” What if instead of “America First” he or she proclaimed “America Last.” I think the political pundits would be so confused they wouldn’t even know what to say.
Now Israel was looking for a political revolutionary. They wanted someone who would lead them into battle to regain their identity as a sovereign people. So as revolutionary leaders go, Jesus’ message here doesn’t play so well. Think instead about this. What if Jesus wasn’t campaigning for followers. What if he instead of a military operation, he was about to lead a rescue operation. As if to say, “I know some of you have loved ones, you’d better kiss them good bye.” You might lose your life, he tells them, are you sure you want to follow me down this path? If we read the history of 1st century Jews and Christians, this danger is a real thing. I’ve maybe used the phrase “take up your cross and follow Jesus” before. As I’m reading, it really struck me that wasn’t a metaphor. No, it was a gruesome and humiliating death and a real thing that happened to people who were sideways of the government in that day. When Jesus goes on to say count the cost before you start a major building project, I am like well yeah, in my business I know guys that do that all the time. But to his hearers they would immediately think of the most important building project of their time, the Temple. Herod the Great had started the process of rebuilding and the work had been continued by his sons.* But why? God’s presence had left the temple long ago. Next, he brings up a king who would be well advised to make sure he has the troops sufficient to win the war before starting one. Remember these were people who wanted to go up against the Roman government. Had they any idea the forces they would be up against it would have been smart to find a way to make peace for sure. The last thing in this passage has to do with salt. And by salt, I mean the Jews, AKA the people of God. The people of God were not living their purpose. Just as in yesterday’s reading they would be left out of the great feast in the kingdom because they didn’t respond, Jesus is saying if you fail at your purpose of being the people of God, you aren’t actually the people of God. Wow Jesus, tell us how you really feel. I want to say, “Thank you God, that I don’t have to endure persecution,” but I’m not sure that’s sufficient. Is it enough to recognized that we are blessed and don’t actually have to give up everything to follow Christ? For Lent I gave up coffee and chocolate. When I hear Jesus’ words about hating my mother and my brother and being prepared die beside our savior on the cross, it seems a very small sacrifice indeed. True story, when I was reading through Luke in preparation for these devotionals I noticed he hits this button several times. I thought, goodness Luke, enough with the take up your cross stuff we get how hard to follow Jesus. But I don’t think I actually did. You see, it’s 2017 and here in Kansas City it’s relatively easy to follow Jesus. In fact, we church people hardly even ask you to give up anything to be one of us. It’s uncool to ask for money to support the ministry. We don’t want to talk about sin because it may sound judgmental. And many churches view themselves more as a service organization to the community with a program for everyone, than a dynamic body of believers. I’m not saying this to lay a bunch of guilt on anyone, or even to be critical. We need perspective. Because we have one job, and we need to do it well. This is it. Stop living for yourself. Live for God. *Wright, NT. Luke for Everyone. p181. Luke 14.25-35 25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” When you hear God’s voice, don’t hesitate to respond.
You’ll remember the scene from yesterday’s reading. Jesus is having lunch on the Sabbath with a hostile crowd of Pharisees. Our passage today is about the banquet at the Kingdom of God and Jesus tells this little story. There’s this guy throwing a party. Of course, he invites all his friends. But they are like, “Oh sorry, can’t make it. I think I’m uhh… washing my hair.” Super lame excuses why they can’t come to his huge bash. Undaunted, I mean, he’s cooked all this food and the band is already warming up, he tells his servant go out and pick up the street people, undocumented day laborers, kids in the hospital, anyone you can find. And even then, there was still room for more. But those haters who made up excuses won’t be enjoying any of it. The Pharisees as much as anyone had been waiting for the coming kingdom. When “…a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” that would have been like their rallying cry. Did someone just yell “Go Chiefs”? But instead of echoing “YEAH!” Jesus tells this story. It’s no secret who was originally on the invite list. The Pharisees he was having lunch with were the same ones trying to cut to the front of the line for the banquet in the Kingdom of God. And yet, here’s Jesus going all around Galilee summoning people for this great supper, but they are all suddenly too busy to make it. If they didn’t like him before, they pretty much hate him now. First, everyone is invited. The author, Luke, would have seen thousands of non-Jews respond to Jesus within his lifetime. Second, don’t miss out. There is a place for you in God’s kingdom if you’re willing to respond. Don’t be too busy to be part of what God is doing right now. Be ready and respond. Luke 14.15-24 [NLT] 15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” 16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” I am an invite-aholic. It’s a disease I caught from my mother who also wanted to make sure that everyone felt included. I have often included more people on my dinner guest list than my little house can safely hold. Who gets on the list? Back when I was single I liked to invite hot guys first, and then other people to serve as buffers. Obviously, I had to invite Amy, she was my wing-woman. I’m mostly kidding. But like you, I usually started with the people I liked the best.
Check out what Jesus says: “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors.” I can’t decide if this scene reads more like “Mean Girls” or the Discovery Channel where the Coyotes circle the little bunny rabbit. At first it seems like a nice lunch among friends. Quickly you realize that these Pharisees are no fan of Jesus and they are hoping to catch him in a trap! First there is a man with a disease. Jesus asks his crowd, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” His question has just turned the tables, because really, they can’t answer. These people who interpret the Sabbath law for their life’s work can’t answer. They can’t say no, because hello, the crowds would turn on them. They can’t answer yes, because they are trying to trap Jesus in blaspheme and haul him off to jail. Next Jesus takes aim at those who liked to elbow their way to the front of the line. The guys who were determined to sit at the cool table, no matter what it takes. His listeners probably snickered a little as Jesus describes being asked to scoot down a little further for someone more important. Oh yeah, they knew that guy. The heart of this passage is twofold. Your interpretation of the rules should always be guided by compassion. Jesus said don’t invite your friends over first, they are going to return the favor. Instead, give to those in need expecting to receive nothing in return. This isn’t to say give when you’re asked or when the opportunity presents itself. Rather, get up off your behind and find someone who needs compassion and do it. Go Jesus! Second, the Jewish idea of the kingdom was elite and exclusive. Jesus is about to turn that upside down. That’s what you have to look forward to tomorrow. Luke 14.1-14 [NLT] One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. 2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 6 Again they could not answer. 7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” One day an expert lawyer of the Torah, or the “Bible” for the Old Testament, stood to ask Jesus a question…he has already been put on the spot by Jesus…so he gets a little testy and then follows up with technical question, “Who is my neighbor?”. What happens next is something that turns the lawyers understanding upside down and all those around who were listening…Jesus shares a parable to Jews around him that no doubt caused them to squirm and become very uncomfortable…truth was being sent to the core of their heart and more than their thinking. Jesus uses an ordinary “anybody” man, just an unknown,that was robbed, beat up and left for dead as his central figure. Then he talks about how a supposedly well respected, “top” of the Jewish culture, wealthy, “spiritual” leader, a priest…comes upon this “unknown”…the unknown could have been another priest…but he had been stripped and you could not tell who he was. There may have been reasons, but the priest does not stop to help…he just takes a wide swath so he does not come close and goes on his way. Next a Levite comes upon the “unknown” man…the Levite is also a respected person who assists with the spiritual work of the priest…he’s lesser on the check list than the priest who had first passed this way but still looked up to. He also takes a wide swath away from the beat up, left-for-dead man, and goes on his way. But…along comes a Samaritan…(this really gets their attention because Samaritans were despised enemies of the Jews)…and where they would have expected a Jew to be the hero…the despised Samaritan has compassion on the “unknown”, left-for-dead nobody and becomes the hero of the parable. The lawyer, his cronies and all those that heard Jesus, could not have missed what Jesus was saying…even your enemies may prove to be your neighbor…the “Samaritan” may be your neighbor…the “down and out”…the forgotten…the very quiet…the convict…anyone that crosses your path…you are to “love your neighbor as yourself…if you love the Lord God with all your heart, strength and mind, the natural God thing living through you is to love your “Samaritan” – the “Left-For Dead” as yourself. Really convicting isn’t it? Who is your neighbor? A family member that is on your bad list? Someone you cannot get along with…even across a fence…or at another work station…or at school sitting in the next desk? Find someone to reach out to now…start today. Luke 10:25-37New American Standard Bible (NASB) 25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “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.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” When I was a child through my teenage years, one of my most rewarding times was to work alongside my dad and my grandfather on my grandfather’s farm. Every year, come early July, we prepared for the harvest of the sweet corn that had been planted in March. One of my lasting memories is being able to participate in the joy my dad and grandfather experienced when the harvest was successful…afterward I would enjoy standing in the middle of the field and see the work completed…none of the corn was left behind. Jesus said in Luke 10:1-2 " After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. ' " But immediately Jesus gives his answer to the problem of too few workers -- prayer. "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (10:2c). Why does Jesus say this to his disciples now? This is the work of God…not their work. Using manipulation and guilt-trips to get people to serve is not the way to get things done…it is the work of God. Listening people will respond to His call…they will get involved…they will obey…so pray…pray for God to speak to hearts and minds to give to His Church. In the farming economy of Palestine, harvest was a very present reality all the time…and here, Jesus is speaking to an immediate harvest. So often we look at people with natural eyes; Jesus looks at their spiritual condition and sees the people of Judea as if they are a huge harvest almost ready to be harvested…almost ripe. On my grandfather’s farm, when the field was ripe, everyone would come and reap the whole field at one time.We are being called to work in God’s harvest team…the time is now. How does participation in this harvest happen? It comes by responding to an inner call from God. An inner sense that Godhimself wants you to be involved in an aspect of his work. The 72 went out in response to Jesus call and in and in verse 17 you read, ”The seventy-two returned with joy…”. The wonderful opportunity is…We are not in this “harvest” by ourselves…we do it togetherthrough the power of God’s Holy Spirit. I encourage you to talk to God and ask him where He wants you to be involved. Get it from God himself and then expect it to be confirmed by others and by fruitfulness in what he is calling you to do. Reading: Luke 10:1-24 New International Version Take time to read this chapter in full 10 1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. A ship was in a serious storm and in grave distress. The passengers were alarmed. One of them finally, against orders, went up to the deck and made his way to the pilot house. The pilot was at the wheel, but, seeing the man was greatly frightened; he gave him a reassuring smile. Returning to the other passengers the man said. "I have seen the face of the pilot….he smiled...All is well." One reason for this event recorded in Luke 9, described as the Transfiguration, is given in Luke 9:27, the verse preceding Luke’s record of the event: "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." This "Son of Man coming in His kingdom" was shown to "some"—Peter, James, and John--when they saw Jesus and heard God say, “This is my Son whom I have chosen. Listen to him”. The presence of God's voice in a cloud resembled the way God spoke to the Israelites in the wilderness in the Old Testament. In Matthew’s description of this event, (Matthew 17:6-7), just as the Israelites responded in fear then, so Peter, James, and John bowed in fearful worship as they heard the voice of God telling them to listen to His Son. Not only did they see the light of God’s glory on Jesus, they also saw Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus…that this Jesus was fulfilling the law Moses delivered and bringing to pass the promise of the prophets of the Old Testament…they were at this moment seeing the real Jesus. Moses, seeing these three together, his excitement and personality, exclaims to Jesus that they will build three temples to Jesus, Moses and Elijah…but in the middle of his statement, God interrupts him and speaks out loud…”This is my Son whom I have chosen. Listen to him”. As Jesus would later say, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). This event highlights the deity of Jesus. When we see Jesus for who He really is, everything else begins to fade away and we are able to rest in His peace and the security of knowing that Jesus is Lord of all…our salvation, our lasting peace and our true identity…Jesus is the Son of God! INVITATION TO RESPOND: As Peter, James and John experienced, when did you begin to see Jesus as the Son of God in your life? Feel free to post your response. Luke 9:28-36 New International Version The Transfiguration 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen. I read a story about one of the powerful figures in Wall Street who fell in love with an actress. For many months he was always seen escorting her about in the fashionable circles of town. Deciding to marry her, he first put a private detective to the job of looking into her former dealings and friends in order to guard himself against any rash mistake. At last he received his agent’s report. “Miss Blank enjoys an excellent reputation. Her past is spotless. Her associates have been above reproach. The only breath of scandal is that, in recent months, she has been much seen in the company of a business man of doubtful reputation.”
In Luke 6, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders with the "log in their eye"...they personify that problem...a problem that Jesus was speaking to...they were proclaiming the law and trying to make sure others observed it...by control and manipulation. Could that be our problem as well...that we are not able to live up to our own spiritual demands...so we judge others by what we know is right but not actually living it ourselves? That was the case with the scribes and Pharisees, they were "concerned" and on a mission to let everyone else know just how pitiful they were. Jesus warns us that we must be careful or we will be guilty of taking on this same kind of judgmental attitude—this same kind of spiritual pride. We cannot see our own spiritual lack when our vision is blocked...it becomes the "blind leading the blind"...hard to see with a log in your eye. Like the Wallstreet tycoon, when judging by our own righteousness, we are pointing a spotlight on our own lack and sin. Once God operates on the eye and removes the "log", we can truly begin to care about others and see their value...that little speck you once saw in another, just may disappear. Luke 6:37-49 Judging Others37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. 41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. A Tree and Its Fruit43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. The Wise and Foolish Builders46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Years ago, when I was just a young boy, I was watching a western on TV and in this western, a young man was a "Christian" and being bullied by another cowboy. When the cowboy hit him and knocked him down, the "Christian" stood up and got knocked down again. When he stood up the second time he said, "The Bible says that if someone slaps you on the one cheek, turn the other cheek to them. But after that, it doesn't say anything!"...and then hit the bully in the face. But he misread...the Bible says a lot before and after that.
This is radical...love your enemies...do good to those that hate you...but Jesus said he was speaking to those that are listening...an open heart to what He was saying. Maybe you ask, how do I love my enemy? It isn't as simple as thinking nice thoughts and ignoring someone who is attacking you. We need to listen...it is a call from Jesus to allow him to do a heart change...to put in us the kind of heart toward our enemies that was in God who sent Jesus to redeem and forgive a world full of hateful, unkind, intentionally evil people. Liars, cheaters, thieves, selfish, real God-haters, foul-mouthed, vengeful, unforgiving, unfaithful...it's a very long list and pictures us at our very worst. Somehow God loves the people of Israel who turn their back on him...over and over...again and again. He just doesn't stop...he never gives up. They are unfaithful then punished, but then God is right back at seeking to bless them. He doesn't ever give up. He has a heart of love for the loveless and unlovable. That is what we need to love our own enemies. The Bible gives us plenty of powerful examples to follow. Radical...yes...but it works when our hearts are open and listening to what Jesus is saying. LUKE 6:27-3627 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. |
AuthorThe Pastors of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Archives
July 2017
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