It is amazing that Jesus, by spending all this time with his adversaries, is loving them, calling them home. The so-called sinners and tax-collectors, they know they are lost. They welcome Jesus’ rescue. Humility, repentance, joy because of his invitation—we read of all these attributes appearing in them.
Read MoreWe like to do things in our strength. We like the feeling of being right. We must enter not in our own righteousness, but in the righteousness and grace of God.
Read MoreJesus is not saying, you and I have to do good works to enter eternity. He is saying, if you and I go about proclaiming and professing to be his followers, well, our lives must have the right focus. How will we know? It is actually rather simple... just look at what we are spending our energy on.
Read MoreWe are not left alone. Jesus isn’t giving us tall orders, waving good-bye, and saying good luck. No. We read that the Holy Spirit is present. We read the example of the sparrows and how we are worth so much more.
Read MoreIt is amazingly easy for people following Jesus to become religious in the worst possible way. I can easily adopt this persona. I was once told I was being smug. The words stung. What was harder was to ask myself, “Was I?” I think I shine best not when I am often right about theology, as to when, without looking at others. I am simply trying to follow him, obediently.
Read MoreThere is no middle ground. We cannot take part of Jesus’ teachings to justify ourselves and leave the bits we do not like. That is not living a spiritual life committed to Jesus. That is just kidding ourselves, and Jesus has some very strong words about it.
Read MoreWhy do I follow Jesus? Is it so I feel good about myself? Is it so I can feel like I have all the right answers? Is it so I believe I am trying to do everything right? Or is there supposed to be some other reason? Said differently, what is my full purpose in following Jesus? My sense is that within that answer, I will find his power for my life.
Read MoreAs followers of Jesus, look at the picture he paints here. It is a picture of total commitment that is less interested in attacking other followers of Jesus, less interested in attacking those who reject Jesus, and less interested in our own personal importance, and more interested in seeing that people are served in his name—all people.
Read MoreWhen we follow Jesus, we are not in control, he is. Which leads me to ask, as I follow Jesus, am I trying to use him to control my world—or have I surrendered that? How about you?
Read MoreWhat parts of Jesus’ behavior can we emulate? First, he is not flustered by all that is thrown at him. Not storms, not demon-possessed men, not seriously ill people. In all situations, he does what he is able to do. His focus is not on himself, it is on being obedient to his Father.
Read MoreMany people believe that spreading the Word should be left to preachers, missionaries, and evangelists. Not so! All of us can offer people a simple portion of Scripture, and invite them to read it. God knows what the condition of their hearts (the soil) is like. That bit is up to him. We can simply share.
Read MoreWe, human beings, think we need to do something to earn God’s love. The fancy phrase is conditional love. It means you must first do something that pleases God, and then he may show you some love. That is not the God of the Bible. The God of the Bible unconditionally loves you. He loved us before we loved him.
Read MoreI think this is a life of faith. The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Some translations replace assurance for confidence. Yet the key word for me is “hope.” What does it mean to have hope?
Read MoreJesus has just prayed and selected his apostles, the ones who will be sent with his message. He comes down and is face-to-face with a large crowd—a crowd that has either witnessed him heal on a Sabbath, or heard about him. No doubt people are wondering about this good guy who breaks the Law.
Read MoreConsider what Jesus does. He lives by God’s principles yet is not a rules-for-the-sake-of-rules person. He teaches in the synagogue. He heals the sick wherever and whenever they appear. He prays before he acts, and then acts. He invests in others.
Read MoreToday, Jesus is hanging out with sinners. He invites one, a tax collector, into his inner circle. The result—a party! Beyond the party, there is resistance. Complaints are raised. The obvious point is to see that not all embrace Jesus and what he is doing. Expect the resistance to grow.
Read MoreIt can be hard. When we are confronted with not merely words, but real physical facts, our minds naturally begin to ask, “But what about…” It is no different for the religious of his day. We read of their complaints. Those who believe they have cornered the market on God. Jesus understands. He challenges them. He demonstrates his authority again—arise and walk, and so the man does.
Read MoreWe are all in full-time ministry—if we say we follow Jesus! And, all work that is being done for God’s glory is holy. One type of vocation is not better than the other. So, you can be in the business of making money, just do it for God—it is all his anyway! We have created a false barrier; people call it “secular versus sacred.” But isn’t everything God’s? He is about redeeming his entire world, and work offered to God—be it fishing or finances—is sacred.
Read MoreI am suggesting that Jesus knows his mission. His situation required he move about. But he does not race past people, trying to check off that he has visited every town. No, instead, he understands his business is engaging people in order to show them the love of God.
Read MoreWhen face-to-face with Jesus, our physical-spiritual world emerges in ways that Jesus, the author of the world, illuminates. Let me say that differently. If that demon was in that man (and if angels are afoot) what does that mean for you and me as we go about our day?
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