Tag: SOAP

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 13:10-14:35; SOAP / Luke 14:27

Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Luke 14:27 NET

I believe to fully appreciate, understand, and determine to carry our “own cross” we must first have an understanding of what carrying one’s cross means. The Holman Christian Standard commentary defines it like this:

To take up one’s cross daily is to expect painful situations everyday because of allegiance to Christ.

HCSB Commentary

Knowing this helps, but we will find even more help if we read the verse in the context of the verses that surround it, namely verses 26 and 28 where Christ tells the crowd of listeners a very perplexing, if not disturbing statement. He tells them they cannot be His followers if they do not hate their own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even their own life. Since we know from far too many other Scriptures, words spoken by Christ Himself, that we are to love and honor our parents, that we are to love others as ourselves, that we are to love even our enemies – we surely know that Christ is not telling us to hate others. but rather to understand that loving Him above all else, even at the cost of everything else (v28), is a must when we choose to follow Him.

Count the Cost

This is why He talks to the people (and by extension, us) about “counting the cost”, giving them examples of what can happen if the cost isn’t accurately computed. He doubles down on the emphasis in verse 33, with yet another statement that not one of them (not one of us) can be His disciple if they are not willing to renounce all they own – or anything that seeks to take lordship over them.

My pastor said it like this, this morning, “not everyone who follows Christ is a true disciple”; and this is what Christ knew and was teaching in this passage. While large crowds may have gathered and followed Him wherever He went – He knew what the coming days and years would bring and He wanted/needed them to understand that those who were “true disciples” would need to be willing to forsake all others and anything they held dear for the sake of following Him.

Carrying Your Own Cross

As I was rereading verse 27, the phrase, “carry his own cross”, jumped out to me. No one is exempt from carrying their own cross, salvation is not corporate but personal – and it’s important that we understand this. We are certainly called to help bear one another’s burdens and to help those in need – but our salvation is a personal relationship with God, the Father-Son-and Holy Spirit. It is based on a personal faith in Christ. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10:17 – Thus to place faith in Christ is to understand the cost and still choose Him above all else – be it people, situations in life, possessions, money, earthly desires, and self – Christ must be first to be Lord of our life.

How DO We Do This?

Seek God’s Word for understanding about what it means to follow truly Christ. Regularly review and evaluate yourself in the light of His words in this passage. Ask yourself, is there anything or anyone keeping you from being a fully engaged disciple of Christ? Remember, there are benefits as well as costs. The list I made looked something like this:

Count the Cost
  • Selflessness
  • Daily struggles
  • Hardships
  • Loneliness
  • Weariness
Consider the Benefits
  • Forgiveness
  • God’s provision and protection
  • The power of His Spirit
  • The 24/7 presence of His Spirit
  • Eternal Life

Both of these lists may look different for each of us, for the benefits of following Christ are as endless as the costs that each new day may hold. However, the benefits will always and forever far outweigh the costs. Thus, I – and I pray you – are left with the obvious conclusion to take up our cross daily. Knowing we may face painful and challenging situations every day – but choosing to trust that He will carry us and give us the strength to follow Him despite our cross.

“Whatever cross we’re carrying grows light when we let Jesus carry us.”

Ann VosKamp
Response to God’s Word

Father, thank you for making Jesus, The Way – The Truth – and The Life, known to us through Your Word, so that we might choose The way of Christ – forsaking our own self and desires and other loves to follow Him. Help us to be faithful followers, to stand firm in the face of painful or difficult situations and choices – knowing You are with us. Blessed be Your Name O Lord! Blessed be your Holy Name!

Want More?

Check out today’s LGG Blog post

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Do Not Worry

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 11:14-13:9; SOAP / Luke 12:29-32

 29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. 30 For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:29-32 NET

In today’s fuller passage of chapter 12, Jesus warns against greed, stressing that man’s life “does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, (15). Jesus then tells the parable of a rich fool. A story which He uses to teach that “life is more than material goods.” He emphasized that the greater importance is our relationship with God, (16-21). Then in our focus passage and surrounding verses (21-34), He warns against worry. He uses the specific example of worrying about what we will eat or wear, and has some great illustrations about how God provides for the birds and even clothes the flowers of the fields – so we can surely trust Him to care all the more for us, His children.

Then Jesus zeros in on the crux of the matter which is this: Our earthly treasures or possessions, those things that don’t last, don’t really matter to God. What matters to God and what He wants to matter most to us – is what we have invested and stored up for Him. Jesus said it this way, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but instead store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor destroy and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also .…” Of course we will be concerned about the things in our lives, like a car that needs to be repaired so we can get to work, or the rising cost of groceries but no increase in pay, or health issues and the myriad of other daily concerns – the issue isn’t that we shouldn’t be concerned but that we shouldn’t be consumed by the concerns. Rather, we should trust that God is taking care of our needs so that we can be about the work of His Kingdom.

Our earthly treasures or possessions, those things that don’t last, don’t really matter to God. What matters is what we have invested and stored up for Him.

Me from the Insideout

So how do we do this? How do we forego greed and letting our possessions and desires control us? How do we not worry about the daily cares of this world? According to the Scriptures, we pursue, or seek first, His Kingdom. This means Jesus and His mission become the driving force in our lives – and we lay everything else at His feet – whether work, play, plans, needs, or relationships. We must die to self and submit every area to His authority. We cannot hold even one part of our life back from His control if we intend to make Him King of our lives. As for combatting the worry, to paraphrase one of my favorite and life changing teachings of Paul: Rejoice in the Lord, pray about everything, tell God what you need, thank Him for what He’s already done (this part is vital), and finally think about the things of God.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.


Philippians 4:4-8 NET
Response to God’s Word

Our Father, who art in Heaven – Holy is Your Name. Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us our daily needs and guard us from the temptations of this world – May we not become so enamored or caught up with the earthly desires and joys that we miss out on the heavenly treasures that are ours in Christ Jesus. Help us to submit to His authority, to make Him King of our lives, so that we might continue His work on earth with the hope of bringing You glory – both now and forever more == Amen, in Jesus’ name

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Persistence

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13; SOAP / Luke 11:9-10

“So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10 NET

In our most recent post we talked about what it would have been like to have walked and talked with Jesus as the disciples did. Today’s passage makes me think of what it must have been like to have heard Him pray. With out a doubt I would have made the same request that the disciple did, “Lord, teach us to pray”. Actually, over the past forty years or so, I have often prayed for Him to do just that. Oh, and how often I have looked back to the model prayer He answered the disciple with in our passage. We know it as the Lord’s prayer and I imagine many of you routinely use the prayer as your own, or perhaps, like me, you use its outline (Adoration… Confession… Thanksgiving… Supplication) as a standard for praying. However you use it we know that it is a good model for us because it came from Jesus as a direct answer to, “teach us to pray.”

While the prayer is not the focus passage for the day, I do believe the focus passage is an extension of Jesus’ lesson on how to pray. Following the words of the prayer, Jesus gives an illustration about two friends, one asking for help from another in the middle of the night. Jesus makes the point that “Because of the one man’s persistence the friend will get up and give him whatever he needs”, and He ties it in with a deeper lesson than just the words to the model prayer. Don’t just pray words, pray with persistence, persistence that comes from faith and faith that comes from the Word of God – by which we know Who He is and what He can do and what He has done before.

Read our passage again and notice how Jesus tells His disciples to ask, seek, and knock, promising results if they do – in other words pray and expect God to hear you and to answer. The answer may not always be what we wanted it to be – but it will be answered according to His time and His will and we will see His goodness.

Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the encouragement to be persistent – the promise is that You hear and respond and this indeed is a promise and a blessing to be cherished! Help us to pray as Jesus taught us, honoring You with our hearts and words. Ma we seek Your kingdom and Your will above all else. May we bring to You our daily needs and seek Your forgiveness and protection from our sins and the temptations that would lead us into sin. You are a faithful and good good Father – and as Jesus prayed, we believe – Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever – Amen!

WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC

The Lord’s Prayer

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

This Is The Way

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 10:25-42; SOAP / Luke 10:27

The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 NET

To love the LORD with ALL of your being and others as yourself is the heartbeat of salvation. For if we do not love God with all of our being, how will we be able to love others? And if we do not love others, how then can the love of God be in us? I believe that today’s passage is proof of this. It was not unusual for the “experts in the religious law” to “test” or try to trap Jesus up with His words – but the tables were always turned because the answers Jesus gave were always lessons that pointed the listener closer to understanding the Gospel Jesus came to preach. I would venture to say that every believer, and likely the majority of unbelievers, are at least familiar with today’s passage, both the command to Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself – as well as – the subsequent story of the “good Samaritan.”

The “test” question put before Jesus was, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered the question with not just one, but two questions, saying, “What is written in the law?” and, “How do you understand it?” The expert answered the first with today’s focus verse, and received Jesus’ confirmation that he had answered correctly. However, instead of answering the second question, “the expert, wanting to justify himself,” then asks Jesus another question – saying, “who is my neighbor?”

So, you see, the story of the “good Samaritan” is not a separate entry or random thought in this passage, but the very thing Jesus knows will not only answer the experts question, “who is my neighbor?” but will also help point him, and anyone listening, to the truest example of loving God and others as the Word, or law, teaches.

Such love does not include seeing someone hurt or in need and passing by them as though you do not see them or can’t be bothered with them, or worse yet and perhaps more to the point, that they don’t deserve your help. Instead, the love Christ is referring to requires investing yourself in the person, loving them – helping them, not only with their pressing need , but any needs (spiritual, physical, or material) that may arise in the days to come. The expert of the law acknowledges this when he recognizes the “neighbor” would have been “the one who showed mercy to the injured man.” May we all hear and heed Jesus’ reply to the expert of the law, “Go and do the same.”

O the love that drew salvation’s plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.
Refrain:
Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty–
At Calvary.


Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #322
Response to God’s Word

Holy Father, You are worthy of all of our love – from every part of our being, and Jesus has called us to love others just like He has loved us – In love He gave up His life for ours. Holy Spirit help us to love like this – not holding on to our lives but giving them up for His sake, for in this we will be true followers of Christ – loving You, our God, with all of our being and others as ourselves! In Jesus’ Name and for Your glory – Amen

Want More?

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

Open Our Eyes Lord –

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 9:51-10:24; SOAP / Luke 10:23-24

23 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Luke 10:23-24 NET
The Prophets, The Disciples, and Us

The Old Testament patriarchs and prophets had angels, burning bushes, and visions. They knew about the One to come and, as Luke points out, they longed to see and hear what these 12 Disciples and others with them were experiencing, but it did not happen in their day. The disciples in the New Testament Church were blessed to hear and see what Jesus taught and showed them. This is especially true of the 12, who were with Jesus the most. They were eyewitnesses day in and day out to Jesus’ life, His work, and more; they learned first-hand what it meant to truly be His followers. For all of the modern day conveniences, I sometimes find myself wishing I could have walked and talked with Jesus like the 12 did, or even be one of the many that followed – learning from Him as He taught or seeing even one of the miracles He performed. While we can’t turn back time and have Jesus with us in the flesh; however, as Jesus explained to the Disciples shortly before His ascension into Heaven – “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” We are blessed to have His Spirit with us which as Jesus explained is in a sense even better. His statement is explained by Bibleref.com and I believe is most helpful and relevant to our discussion today. “The Holy Spirit, the Helper, provides the ability for each Christian to have constant, personal, immediate, indwelling contact with God. Instead of relying on someone “outside” of themselves, believers in Christ can focus on the voice of God “inside” their hearts, as He dwells with them (John 14:17). That doesn’t make Christians infallible or all-knowing (Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 13:5). It does mean that we have the advantage of His influence, so far as we’re willing to submit to it (1 Corinthians 2:14–16).

John explained that the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, was given to us by God to teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said, (Jn 14:26). We must not take this gift lightly though, but rather – as the prophets and disciples did before us – we must be responsible with what He has given us, living by it and sharing it with others. Following Him in this way will come with challenges because the message of the cross is not understood or received well by everyone and it may upset some – actually Paul said it is foolishness to those who are perishing – but it is God’s power to us who are being saved (1 Cor 1:18). May we never take for granted Jesus’s presence nor His teaching but faithfully use it to encourage, equip, and empower others with the message and hope of Jesus.

Because we are privileged to know so much about Christ, we must be careful to follow Him

NIV New Life App – commentary
Response to God’s Word

Father – knowing Christ is indeed a blessing. To see Him for who He is and to hear His still small voice – through Your Spirit in me – is like nothing else in all the world. May I never forget or treat carelessly this gift from You but ponder it and treasure it in my heart even as Mary did. May I love it enough to share it with others and may I faithfully pray for their eyes and ears to be opened to understand and receive the message, that they too might share in the blessing of Your WORD for salvation comes through hearing and hearing through Your Word. – In Jesus’ Name – Amen!

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,

to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

Maranatha Music
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

A Vital Question for Every Believer

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 9:18-50; SOAP / Luke 9:20

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Luke 9:20 NET
The Two Questions

Today’s passage includes two questions that Jesus asked the disciples. The first was, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The disciples replied that some thought He was “John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has risen.” Then Jesus asked the disciples – but who do You say that I am? There was only one answer to this question, and it was given by Peter, who said – “The Christ of God.” Both questions were important but the second one was vital – not because Jesus needed to know, for as we’ve seen in other passages He knew the hearts and minds (Luke 5:22) of those around Him. I believe He asked the question because He wanted them to enter into a relationship with Him and that meant it had to be personal. They still had much to learn about Him and from Him but they could not bank their beliefs on the beliefs of others. The disciples needed to know who Jesus was to them before they could truly share Him with others or do miracles in His name, (Luke 9:1).

Who Do You Say He Is?

Our Scripture reading today, and many of those we’ve looked at over the past three weeks and those still to come, are good reminders for us to have our own ‘statement of faith’. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated. You can borrow the words from your churches statement of faith. However you do it , the idea is to make your faith personal, so that you are ready with an answer for the HOPE that is within you, a declaration of “who you believe and say Jesus is”. Was He just a teacher or a prophet like Elijah? Or, is He the eternal, living Son of God, your Savior? What is it you believe? Do you believe He died for you … was dead … buried …. and rose again. Do you believe that His blood was sufficient for all of your sins – past, present, and future? Do you believe He can love the most evil and vilest offender? Do you believe once you are saved you are always saved and salvation through Christ allows you a relationship with God? What is it that you believe? It should be clarified that no true statement of faith can be made without the Word of God as its foundation.

My Statement of Faith

I believe that Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, is the son of God. I believe He was sent out of the love and the power of God to save the world from their sins, John 3:16. I believe that without Him I would be condemned unclean and destined for an eternal hell – but that with Him, through faith in Him, I am now a redeemed child of God*! I am forever forgiven because Christ gave up His life for mine, shedding His own blood for me. I believe He died on the cross in my place, was dead – buried – and raised to life on the third day. I believe that He walked again on the earth and then ascended into Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God’s throne interceding with the Father – for me, and for all who are His. I believe that none of this is by works that I have done, ever will or even can do – but solely and profoundly by God’s grace alone – through faith alone.

*Romans 3:23, 5:8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 1:7; John 10:18

Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for loving the world so much that you gave Your only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Thank You for teaching us to be prepared with an answer for the hope that we have. Thank You for making us lights of this hope to the world around us so that ALL might share in the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Help us to stand firm and to faithfully shine as lights in this dark and often foreboding world – Amen, in Jesus’ name

Want More?

Be sure and check out today’s Love God Greatly Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Wind and Waves

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Scripture Reading: Luke 8:22-56; SOAP / Luke 8:25

Then he said to them, “Where is your faith?” But they were afraid and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!”

Luke 8:25 NET

Ok, so I’m not crazy about being on a boat and I definitely do not like the wind, and a windstorm quite honestly freaks me out a little. So don’t ask me what I would do in the situation the disciples find themselves in when Jesus suggested going to the other side of the lake and a “violent windstorm came down on the lake.” To make it worse “the boat started filling up with water and they were in danger.” I would love to say that I would have been the calm one, but I have learned from experience – ok, not on a lake but in my house; Yes, I realize that’s much safer than the situation the disciples were in – but I’m just sayin’, I would have been the first shaking Jesus awake, saying “Master, Master we are about to die!” Actually my cry typically comes from the words of a treasured hymn … “mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry – Keep me safe till the storm passes by…”. I would also be the first to tell you that He has the power to calm them because I’ve seen Him do it many times over. Even sweeter, is how He speaks over me and calms the storm of fear within my mind and heart. As I call out to Him, I hear this sweet refrain, “Peace, Peace wonderful peace coming down from the Father above – sweep over my spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love.”

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place
‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Till the Storm Passes By

Whether it’s a true windstorm or a storm of life peace hasn’t always come easy for me. Fear was my nemesis for years and, left unchecked, it can still sneak up on me – but through the years He has trained me to look to Him. I have often heard Him whisper this very verse, making it personal as He did with them – “Where is your faith, MaryEllen, why are you shaken?” and others to follow, like Isa 41:10, “Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be discouraged for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” The actual windstorms are usually accompanied by the words of Isa. 26:3, “I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in me, all whose thoughts are fixed on me.” I love to picture Him rebuking the wind and rains as He did for the disciples, and I can see their shocked faces as the noise and the rocking of the boat began to cease and they knew they were safe. I also know what it is like to feel that same safe feeling when the wind and rains still blow – because I know the One who controls them with the command of His voice. Though, I will tell you – while I may not say “who then is this?”, as the disciples did, His power to do so never ceases to amaze me and cause me to say or to remember – “He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!”

It is worth noting that first Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and then to the disciples about their faith. He questions them on their faith, not simply because they were unnerved by the storm but because fear had consumed them. Second, it is worth repeating a similar question I asked in a previous post – Who do you say [Jesus] is and do you believe He can command “even” the winds and water?” I also love the awe and amazement that seemed to render them speechless. I find it encouraging that, like me, the disciples were continually seeing and learning who Jesus really was and what He could do.

May we all be encouraged to run to Jesus when the “storms” arise and rage. May we, exercise our faith and speak the words of Jesus over the storms that rage within and around us …and may we watch in awe and amazement at what He can and will do.

Father, Jesus, Spirit – I stand amazed at scenes like this – being reminded that even the winds and waves obey the Master. How often have I cried out to You just like this and stood speechless as the elements or struggles around me ceased? Perhaps, sweeter still, when the elements didn’t cease but the fears within subsided! Thank You for letting me – inviting me, even – to run to You – and for teaching me, in the midst of every “storm”, to trust You more and for deepening and strengthening the roots of my Faith through it all!

Through it all, through it all – oh I’ve learned to trust in Jesus and I’ve learned to trust in God …. Yes, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word

https://open.spotify.com/track/5zDIg5nO5TxvEnGUJBiw45?si=9FQrBSH6RPWnlwBNyCCYPQ

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The Importance of the Word

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 8:1-21; SOAP / Luke 8:21

But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Luke 8:21 NET

As I was reading back through my notes on verse 21 and thinking about how to put what I had journaled into words, the words from an old church camp song came flooding through my mind. I don’t remember all the words but it included several verses about not being able to get to heaven on roller skates, or in a rocking chair, or with a limousine. If I could add one verse to these after reading today’s passage, it would be “Oh you can’t get to heaven by who you know.” That’s the jest of today’s passage and Jesus’ response to His mother and brothers desire to see Him. Actually, the commentary I read said they were concerned for His health and wanted to take Him home to rest. However, being in the middle of a very important lesson for which a very large crowd had gathered no doubt influenced His answer. No disrespect was intended only the need for them and all who were listening to understand that, first and fore-most He was God’s son and thus it was those who were “hearing the Word of God and doing it” that bore the truer family-ties.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:17 NLT

More than once in sharing the Gospel with someone or in response to asking someone if they are a believer, I have received answers like – “Yeah, I’ve been baptized and go to church every Sunday”, or “I’ve always tried to live the good Christian life”, or “well, I don’t go to church any more but my mom and dad took me every week when I was growing up …” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that those who answered like that aren’t saved but we certainly can’t hang our hope of salvation on going to church or living a good Christian life. Salvation comes through faith alone in Christ alone, and as Paul wrote – faith comes through hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We are saved by grace through faith – not church, or baptism, our good works, our ‘knowledge’ of Jesus, or our earthly family ties.

It is worth noting and perhaps helpful to understand that Jesus’ response to His mother and brothers came shortly after His sharing the parable of the sower. A lesson on a sower and his seed and the responsibility of those who hear the Word to let it penetrate the heart and bring about good works. The lesson is the same for His mother and brothers. They cannot depend on who they are to Him but must respond to who He is to them.

Sandwiched in between the parable of the sower and and the response to his family came a brief statement about letting your light be seen. This follows the teaching on the seed that landed on the good soil – defined as “the ones who, after hearing the Word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. One commentary explains it like this:

the meaning of Luke’s verses seems to be that listeners are to be like the good soil, accept the seed, and produce fruit (Luke 8:8). In the same way, people are to “enter” and “see the light,” working hard to understand the truth and application of Jesus’ teaching (Luke 8:18).

Bibleref.com on Luke 8:15-18
Some Application: Turning facts into action (or knowledge into wisdom)

I feel like I am constantly learning more about who Jesus is and who He has called me to be. So I loved seeing that even though Mary had the personal knowledge of who He was, backed up by the angelic announcement, she was still learning more about who He was, what it meant, and how to deal with it.

We don’t get to heaven because of who our family is or what they believe – but solely because of what we do with what we hear in the Gospel. For example Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16, 6:47, and 13:34.

Response to God’s Word

Father, I have heard Your Word all of my life and I believe … You are Go, the Father-make of heaven and earth. I believe You so loved the world – me included – that You sent Your only son to live and die for me. I believe He lived a spotless life despite the pain and temptations He faced – He stayed TRUE to living out Your will for all to see. I believe He was born of the virgin Mary, and that He intercedes for me at the right hand of Your throne and is able to forgive my sins. I believe He left examples and instructions on how to live and that You have empowers me, as a believer, with the Holy Spirit so that I might live as You have called me to live – the same Spirit who teaches me all things and reminds me of everything You’ve said. He also convicts me of my sin and leads me to repentance. I believe in the Holy Spirit, and pray that I might be always yielded to His teaching, leading, and conviction toward repentance. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen and Amen!

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

Understanding Is Key

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 7:18-50; SOAP / Luke 7:47-50

 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:47-50 NET
The Whole Picture
The Alabaster Jar

Have you ever come in on the end of movie and wondered what in the world was going on, or what those closing words meant? It’s like starting a book at the ending paragraph and reading “… and they lived happily ever after”, which leaves you wondering who “they” were and what led up to the “happily ever after.” Today’s focus passage, like much of Scripture, is the happily ever after but the story starts in verse thirty-six, where a Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him. The story isn’t so much that Jesus went – but what happened at the dinner. A woman, described only as a sinner, learns that Jesus is going to have dinner at the Pharisees house and she decides not only to go but to take with her a costly jar of “perfumed oil”, which she uses – along with her tears and hair – to anoint the feet of Jesus.

Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil. 

Luke 7:37-38
She’s a Sinner

It’s a beautiful picture and event that Jesus turns into a teachable moment for the Pharisee and for all who were listening then or reading it now. Luke writes that when the Pharisee saw what the woman did, “He said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.‘” Jesus responds to Simon’s thought with a lesson on cancelled debts between two debtors, one who owed much and one who owed little. His point being, that when both debts were freely forgiven, the one whose debt was greater would have more “love” for the creditor. This story is followed by a more pointed lesson, as Jesus uses a comparison of how they had each treated Jesus from the time He entered Simon’s house.

Simon

Simon recognized Jesus as a teacher and nothing more. Unlike, Simon Peter, who compared or saw himself in the light of Jesus’ righteousness – Simon, the Pharisee, compares himself to the sinner and sees himself as righteous and worthy of Jesus’ being in his home – but the woman as unworthy to even touch Jesus. When he does compare himself with Jesus, it is to acknowledge that he could see the woman for who she was but Jesus couldn’t.

  • He gave Jesus no water for His feet
  • He gave Jesus no kiss of greeting
  • He did not anoint Jesus’ head with oil
The woman/Sinner

She knew about Jesus but didn’t let her sin hold her back from Him. She went to where He was. She saw Jesus for who He was and she treated Him as such. Her love bearing witness to her faith and the forgiveness she had known.

  • She wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her tears
  • She did not stop kissing Jesus’ feet
  • She anointed Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil
The Meaning

Jesus, then sums up the lesson and the comparison with the revelation that even though the woman’s sins were many – she was completely forgiven; and her love, poured out in tears and oil and the use of her hair, showed her understanding of this. However, while Jesus’ illustration pointed out the Pharisee, who was a strict and religious follower of the law, had sinned less, didn’t understand the depth and debt of his few sins, and placed no value on the forgiveness of the debt or the forgiver.

As the end of our focus passage reveals, those at the table did not truly understand who Jesus was, as they questioned his authority to forgive sins. You may remember this question being asked before in Luke 5:20-21, but it is a vital question we should all ask at some time:

  • Who do I believe Jesus is?
  • AND – Do I believe He can forgive sins, be they ‘big’ or ‘little’, many or few?

Don’t miss that the woman understood exactly who Jesus was and it showed, but it wasn’t the evidence of her love that saved her, rather it was the evidence of her faith – as Jesus tells her, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

Some Applications / Turning facts into action (or knowledge into wisdom)
  • The Apostle Paul says that we are to be honest in our evaluation of ourselves, measuring ourselves by the faith that we have been given – Romans 12:3-5.
  • In other words we are to see (judge/measure) ourselves in the light of Jesus not the light of others – Romans 12:1-2.
  • Seeing our sins, seeking, and finding forgiveness should promote, provoke, and reveal evidence of our love and appreciation for Jesus and what He has done for us

Response to God’s Word

Father, how deep Your love is for us, so vast beyond all measure – that You should forgive one, let alone the multitude of our sins. YET! in love, in kindness, compassion, abundant grace, and mercies that are NEW EVERY MORNING, You have forgiven much – and I am forever grateful! Thank You Father for the reminder to not judge others by their sins and to not think I am better or more righteous than another. May my love bear witness of who You are to me and what You have done for me – and may I respond to You accordingly!

Vital and Revealing Questions
  • Who do you say Jesus is?
  • Do you believe he can forgive your sins – big or little, many or few?
  • What do you believe saved you?
    • Your Faith
    • Strict/religious keeping of the God’s Word
Know These Truths
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They Glorified God

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 7:1-17; SOAP / Luke 7:16

 Fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has come to help his people!”

Luke 7:16

There were two miracles in today’s passage. The first emphasizes the faith of a Centurion, the second the compassion of Jesus for a widow whose only son had died. While our focus verse is on the second miracle I can’t help but pause a minute to shine light on the first one as well. It excites and amazes me every time I read it. First of all that Jesus said of the Centurion, who was not a Jew (from the people of God) but a gentile, “… not even in Israel have I found such faith!” Second of all, that without even going to the home of the Centurion or being near his servant, Jesus healed him, not because of what a good man the people told Jesus the servant was – but because of the Centurion’s great faith.

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith!”

Luke 7:9

The focus verse is equally exciting and amazing, as we see Jesus raise a dead man to life. not because of any words of faith but from what appears to be Jesus’ compassion for a widowed mother whose only son had died. Unlike the other miracles we have seen, this isn’t about a someone seeking out Jesus and asking Him to heal or help. Instead , this one paints a picture of God’s sovereignty and perfect timing, as Jesus enters a town right when people are carrying the dead man out of town for the burial. Jesus stops the procession, tells the mother’s son to “get up! So the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” A man raised to life out of compassion, a miracle witnessed both by the crowd with Jesus and by the crowd accompanying the mother in the funeral procession. That’s pretty exciting stuff, right? Yet, it is what happens next that must not be missed. I mean it isn’t uncommon for fear to be aroused by this miracle – considering no one had ever seen someone raised from death to life – but this “fear” seems to provoke an awe at what Jesus had done, which led to the people “glorifying God,” as they realized Jesus must be “a” (inferring one of many) “great prophet,” not The Messiah, God had promised – but admittedly, “one” whom, “God had come to help.”

A Response to God’s Word

Father, may we let the acts You do – big or small, significant or seemingly insignificant – move us to glorify You. May we stop and stand in awe of You. May we also, like Jesus, stop and show compassion for those who are hurting or struggling around us – and this that – You, like in the story we read today, might be glorified for who You are!

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