Press in on Jesus

Read Luke 8:40-56

Today’s passage has always fascinated me.  I can remember in one of my seminary classes we got in a discussion regarding Jesus’ divinity and humanity.  The specific issue of contention was whether Jesus really knew who touched the hem of His garment or not.  Almost everyone thought Jesus really knew but He just asked so he could point out the women’s faith.  I decided to be the contrarian in the group.  I don’t suppose we’ll ever know for sure, but I say why not take the passage at face value?  As part of being fully human he may not have known who it was.  And generally when Jesus did miraculous things it had more of a purpose, like healing people, casting out demons, and as we’ve read raising people from the dead; not silly mind games figuring out who touched Him.  Come to think of it, we see both His divinity and His humanity in the instant this woman touches his garment; his humanity in having to ask the question (if you choose to interpret it that way), and his divinity in the power going out from Him. Not that it matters all that much, but feel free to post your opinion in the comments if you have one.

Let’s look at this story a little bit more from the perspective of the woman.  She had discharges of blood taking place for 12 years, and no one could help her.  I’m sure like many in the crowd she was desperate for healing.  Jesus’ reputation was starting to spread and she had hope and faith the He could heal her.  It was that faith and hope that drove her through the crowd no doubt touching many others along the way and making them unclean according to Jewish law.  Do you think Jesus cared even for a moment that her touching Him would make Him unclean?  I say not at all.  I think he was only too happy for His power to go out and heal her.  It’s not like he asked who touched him so He could scold that person, He asked who touched Him so He could commend that person for their faith.  When we think about our own sinful state we are a lot like that unclean woman.  We come to Him pushing up against Him with our messed up and muddied lives.  But we can do this in faith knowing that He doesn’t turn us away, and He doesn’t condemn us, but He makes us new and transforms us and brings us healing.  Praise be to God!

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father I thank you that through Your Son Jesus Christ you are approachable.  I can come to You and You accept me with all my faults and you transform me and renew me through your divine power.  Help me to always trust in You for Your healing and life changing power.

With Jesus there is Nothing to Fear

Luke 8:1-39

So what are you fearful of?  It’s been said that fear is one of our most common emotions. Some say our most widespread fears are of snakes and public speaking. Fear of the unknown can sometimes be even more unnerving.  That’s why so many are afraid of the dark.  You go down the basement steps ever so cautiously when it’s dark and you have yet to turn on a light.  It’s silly when you think about it.  It’s just the basement.  You go down there all the time, but something changes in our mind when the lights have yet to be turned on. More seriously, many of us are at least semi-crippled by our phobias, anxieties and a whole list of other fears—of ourselves, commitment, rejection, failure, death, the future, and the list goes on.  It was Franklin D. Roosevelt who in his 1933 Inaugural speech said “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.”  I don’t know how biblical he knew those words to be, but today’s text is much about the same.  When we put our faith and trust in Jesus we don’t have to fear. 

Our reading today ends with two separate terrifying situations; the storm on the sea and the demon possessed man.  I would like to focus on the latter.  It almost seems like it’s straight out of a Hollywood movie.  You have this possessed man with super human demonic strength.  – He must have been legendary!  - Can you imagine the moms in the area telling the children to stay away from the tombs where the evil strong man has broken chains and retreated to?  And then if it’s anything like the movies you know the kids are going to go there anyway, and you’re yelling at the screen “don’t go in there you idiots!”  But this is real.  This demon possessed man called himself Legion which is a military term, representing about 6000 soldiers.  So did this man have 6000 demons in him?  I suppose that’s possible.  We don’t really know.  Let’s just say he had a lot.  Enough to have them all sent into a large herd of pigs.  However many there were, in the end they were no match for Jesus.  So the news spreads and people come to check it out and here’s the formerly possessed man sitting at Jesus feet, clothed, and in his right mind.  People had to be blown away.  Mark Driscoll has put it this way.  "Can’t you just see them saying 'Remember that wild naked guy with the ZZ top beard running around the tombs?  That’s him I tell ya it’s him!'  Now he’s like a Bible college student or something, sitting there at Jesus’ feet.  He probably had a pen and a note pad, listening to every word Jesus says wanting to be His disciple." 

It’s safe to say this was a pretty dramatic instance, but this is the kind of thing Jesus does.  He changes lives.  If you profess Jesus as your Lord and Savior than you have a story about how He changed your life.  Visibly speaking that change can look more dramatic in some than in others, depending on our past lives, but He has changed us all.  Let me get back to this whole issue of fear again for a moment.  You know what’s sad?  When the people saw the formerly possessed man sitting there at Jesus feet, it’s almost like they were more afraid of Jesus than they had been of the possessed man.  It says in verse 37 “they asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.”  Why is that?  It’s like they just weren’t ready to deal with this Jesus guy yet.  Maybe it’s because they weren’t ready to deal with their sin yet.  Maybe they were saying “it’s all well and good that Jesus cast out those demons, but that man is changed.  I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of change yet.”  People can get pretty comfortable with their sin and rebellion, to the point where Jesus is changing lives all around them, and they’re still saying, “you know that’s good for you, but I’ll do my own thing still.”  They may not be literally possessed, but Satan’s sure got a hold of em.  I believe these people feared the inevitable change that would come with Jesus in their midst.  And so Jesus respects their wishes and he leaves.  How sad is that?  But they weren’t ready for him and so he honors their request and leaves.  The obvious application is that if you don’t currently have a relationship with Jesus, don’t make the mistake of thinking you will have unlimited opportunities to give your life to him.  Not necessarily.  Looks like these guys only had one.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you that with You I have nothing to fear.  Help me not to be fearful of changes you may have in store for me, but like the formerly possessed man help me to be excited about following you and sharing Your life changing story with all.  Amen.

Celebrate Life

Luke 7:18-50

There are some great stories in today’s text.  I love how Jesus talks about John the Baptist and how there is none greater, but in comparison to His new kingdom John being a part of the old covenant does not even compare.  Space does not allow me to go into detail on this one, but just know that’s good news for you.  When you choose to follow Jesus you are a part of His new kingdom. 

The two verses that really jumped out to me today are 34 and 35.  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look at him!  A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”  Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.  The other night I went out with some friends here on the Cape to a place called The Brazilian Grille.  If you’re a lover of meat it’s a little bit like heaven.  You get a coaster at your table with a green side and a red side, and as long as you keep it green side up waiters will continually come by with skewers of meat; sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, lamb, chicken, pork, and more.  And if that’s not enough some of these meats come wrapped in bacon or infused with cheese.  You can almost feel your arteries clogging with each new piece of meat.  And let’s just say I didn’t get short changed.  If I ate every meal like that I think it would most definitely be gluttony, but I think it’s okay to fully enjoy a good quality meal every once in a while.  I also had a nice glass of Pinot Noir.  Guess what.  I like to enjoy life and I make no apologies for that.  And one of the main reasons I enjoy life so much is because as a follower of Jesus He’s given me that example.  Jesus was one to eat and drink and enjoy the party.  His first miracle was turning water into wine all so a wedding party could continue.  He was not a drunkard or glutton as they were accusing, but he simply knew how to enjoy life.  And sometimes He would do all this with a bunch of sinners.  Imagine that!  In some of our Christian circles we can get so uptight about silly legalistic things.  We also get too caught up in our own holy huddles and forget there are plenty of fellow sinners out there who need to get in on the good news of Jesus Christ.  Jesus wasn’t about any of that self righteous silliness.  He didn’t come for the self-righteous, He came for the sick and for those who know their need of a Savior; kind of like the sinful woman at the end of our reading today. 

Prayer

Lord make me acutely aware of my sin and depravity and need for you my Savior, and in turn let my life be a celebration of your grace.  Amen.

Humility and Faith

Luke 7:1-17

Why do I get the feeling the Centurion in our story today was a bit different than a lot of the crowds who followed Jesus?  Do you ever wonder what it was like to be around Jesus during His ministry?  Some accounts seem more like a mob than a gathering.  I can see people pushing and shoving among the crowd just for a chance to touch the hem of His garment.  If you have ever done much traveling to other countries you might have a better idea of what it may have been like.  I can remember being in countries like Thailand and Vietnam when we adopted our son and having to deal with crowds.  I’ll never forget the first time my wife and I went to board a plane and the massive pushing and shoving that took place.  I was not anticipating it and let's just say I became visibly irritated at everyone around me.  I think they just looked at me and said “silly American, doesn’t he know this is how you board a plane?”  I think being around Jesus was probably similar to the mayhem we experienced in such crowds. 

Unlike me waiting to board a plane the centurion had the right idea.  He sent people ahead to do his bidding not having to deal with the crowds at all.  Once Jesus responded two distinct things stick out to me about the Centurion; his humility and his faith.  First we see his humility when he has his friends tell Jesus “Lord do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.”  This is not the same attitude of many in the crowds who would fight to see Jesus, or for that matter of many of the religious leaders who seemed to be more about being seen and pomp and circumstance than actually caring for others.  The centurion’s faith shows up when he has his friends say, “say the word and let my servant be healed.”  Talk about supreme faith!  He didn’t even need to see Jesus.  He believed he could simply send a message to Him and that would do just fine.  So often we look to the well known names for our examples of faith in scripture like Moses, Elijah, Peter, or John, but you don’t get any better example than this nameless centurion.  What about you?  How’s your faith?  We worship and serve the same Lord and Savior as the centurion did.  Do you have a “say the word” kind of faith when you pray to God? 

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, you can say the word and work miracles, and move mountains, and heal the sick.  Lord Jesus, say the word and do all the amazing things you have in store for my life.  And like the centurion help me to live with humility and faith.  Amen.  

Lessons from a Fox and a Hen

Luke 13:31-35

The first time I can recall reading this passage, I can remember being a little confused as to why Jesus would tell the Pharisees to go talk to a fox about His itinerary for the next couple of days.  A fox can’t understand people, and wouldn’t he just run away anyhow?  It’s safe to say I was a little slow on the uptake.  Of course Jesus is referring to Herod, calling him a fox; as in sly and underhanded.  The Pharisees could be labeled the same.  They really were not all that concerned about the possibility of Herod killing Jesus.  They were more than likely hopeful that Jesus would move on to Jerusalem knowing it’s there where He might meet His ultimate demise.

Jesus knows Jerusalem is where He is ultimately headed, and He knows what’s going to take place there.  His hour was coming, but He was not yet there.  In the meantime Jesus laments over Jerusalem.  He uses the imagery of a hen gathering her brood, which is what He wants to do with God’s chosen people.  He’s expressing sorrow because He knows there will be many who reject Him.  Some would even cry out to Pilate “Let His blood be on us and our children,” and all Jesus wants to do is shed His blood for them.  He wants to be that perfect sacrifice for their sins.  Whether it’s the Jewish people then, or it’s us now, our stubbornness brings great sadness to God.  He wants all people to come to Him.  2^nd Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  I’ve come to a point of repentance to God through his Son Jesus, but I’m still thankful for His love and patience when in my own human stubbornness I do things on my own and I’m not following Him as fully and completely as I should. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the love you’ve demonstrated for us in our passage today; a love that brings us in and protects us as the hen does for its chicks.  And even when we stray you never stop loving us.  Thank you Lord for Your steadfast love.  Amen.    

You Can't Out Give God

Luke 6

I wonder if you are like me when you start getting into Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  When reading the beatitudes and about loving my enemies and judging others, suddenly strong feelings of inadequacy start to surface, and I want to cry out to God “I’m not worthy!”  But then I realize that’s not such a bad thing, because the fact of the matter is I’m not worthy, and I pause to be thankful that I’m saved by His grace.

Of all these wonderful words of Jesus I think I’ll just focus on verse 38 today.  Give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  In this verse Jesus uses the imagery of a container of which the contents has been shaken and pressed down to make room for more, and even then you get so much that it starts to overflow into your lap.  Jesus is saying that’s what we get back when we give to God and His causes.  There’s an old saying that says you can’t out give God and I believe this verse expresses that pretty well. 

I think of this verse when I think about the homes I’ve lived in growing up.  My dad was a Pastor and my mom would occasionally teach in private Christian schools and give piano lessons, so it’s safe to say we we’re never even close to what you might call rich by American standards.  And yet never once in my life did I ever feel in want for anything.  Remembering our days in St. Louis, we lived in a beautiful home that we were only able to afford because the previous owner had built it using a lot of cedar wood, only to find out that his kids were allergic to cedar so he had to sell it quick and on the cheap.  I didn’t know it at the time, but there was a period when my dad didn’t draw a paycheck from our struggling start up church.  I just thought it was nice that some of our church members dropped off groceries at our door, never realizing just how tight things were.  Each home we lived in have many stories of their own, that space will not allow, but let’s just say God blessed my parents with their homes.  They seemed to be in the right housing markets at the right times to continue to have lovely homes, and they are currently retired in a beautiful home my dad designed sitting on a salt water cove.  Like I said, my parents have never been remotely close to rich and yet God has blessed them with beautiful homes.  I think it’s no coincidence that all along the way they have been givers; giving to their church, to missionaries, to outside ministries, and always giving their homes by inviting countless people in for meals, fellowship, and bible studies.  It was a common practice for my mom to get a big pot roast going on Sunday morning before church and then set the oven timer.  Then while at church that morning she would always invite someone or some family over for a good hot meal afterwards.  I can still smell that pot roast cooking as I think about coming in our front door after church.  They share their home like few others I have known.  My parents and their homes is just one example of many of how you can’t out give God.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness to us.  Thank you that you are a giving God, and You provide for our needs.  Help us to follow the example of Jesus who gave the ultimate gift of His life, as we seek to be givers in all things.  Amen. 

The Touch of Jesus

Read Luke 5

Our Lord Jesus is a Lord of compassion and caring.  We especially see His compassion in the case of His cleansing a leper.  Leprosy was a terrible disease to have.  It starts with a rash, which leads to open soars as it continues to spread throughout the body.  Eventually it gets so bad that nerve damage starts to occur.  At that point the sense of feeling is lost which you might think could be a good thing leading to relief, but not really because there’s plenty of other areas on the skin where you still feel the open soars.  Actually it’s those areas without feeling that become the most vulnerable.  It’s those areas that would sometimes lead to a loss of appendages. 

Hopefully no one is reading this while eating their breakfast.  Physical pain and suffering for the Leper was just the beginning.  They also suffered great humiliation and isolation. Some thought lepers were cursed by God.  They had to be removed from community and completely isolated.  When they had reason to be near those not infected they would have to call out “unclean” so people would know to stay away.  Some religious leaders actually carried rocks to throw at them, making sure they would stay at a safe distance.   

I share all of this background about leprosy in New Testament times because it makes the means by which Jesus healed this man all the more startling.  Jesus touched him.  He touched a leper.  He certainly didn’t have to.  In some cases Jesus would simply proclaim someone to be healed with His words alone, and yet He chooses to touch this man with leprosy.  In so doing He was communicating to this man who had been cast out and humiliated “you have value and dignity.” When you think about it there was a lot more than just physical healing going on here.  Through His touch Jesus was no doubt healing deep emotional wounds as well. Touch is huge!  Countless studies have been made on the impact of touch.  Babies literally can’t survive without it.  Appropriate touch from parents to teenagers leads to more healthy relationships for those teens.  Touch in a marriage can often communicate “my love for you is as strong as ever.”  And our Savior Jesus Christ touches people; even if it means he will be unclean according to the religious leaders of His day.  He’s still in the business of touching people.  Not a literal physical touch, but He touches none the less.  We can still come to Him for healing, for affirmation, and for spiritual growth.  The “spiritual fingerprints” of Jesus are all over His followers.  You can’t miss them through the evidence of lives changed.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for Your touch on my life.  It wouldn’t be the same without it.  Help me to remember to pass on that touch, as I seek to be Your hands and feet to others.