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The narrow door!
Scripture reading for April 10th: Luke 13:23-14:6
“Someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But He will answer I don’t know you or where you come from.” ” (Luke 13:23-25)
A popular topic of discussion among the religious people of Jesus’ day was how many people would make it through the ‘pearly gates’! Speculation about who would be saved and not saved often revolved around having Jewish blood in the veins. Just descending from Abraham was thought to guarantee salvation. Attending the synagogue regularly and going to the feasts was a part of being ‘Jewish’. Many, including the religious leaders, were under this delusion. Jesus tried to jar their thinking to a personal level!
“What about you?” Jesus was asking them. Have you been saved yourself? Have you entered through the ‘narrow door’? Are you striving now to enter while it is open? Jesus was helping them to see that the ‘narrow door’ would not always be open. Those that thought they could enter at any time would be left outside, looking in at Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the prophets enjoying the feast of the redeemed. (Luke 13:28-30)
Jesus had taught them that He alone was this ‘door’. “I am the gate, whoever enters through Me will be saved.” (John 10:9) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus was and is that door and these people had Him right there with them. Many religious leaders were looking to get rid of Him instead of find salvation through Him. Jesus was concerned for their souls. They should have been the first to enter because of the Word of God delivered to them, but many would be left outside where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
Have you entered through the narrow door of faith in Jesus Christ? Have you repented of your sins, embracing what Jesus did on the cross for you? Today the door is still open! Many will try to enter, but find the door shut for their lack of faith!
Ready to meet God?
Scripture reading for April 9th: Luke 13:1-22
“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)
We sometimes have a tendency to make judgments about violent events or deadly natural disasters. It is easy to speculate that God punished the ones who died because of some hidden vile sin and they deserved it. Some came to Jesus with a report of some Galileans who had been slaughtered by Pilate as they were offering sacrifices. They were probably Jewish Zealots who had gone to Jerusalem to the temple and Pilate had them brutally slaughtered to eliminate the possibility of sedition. The common theology would have said that they suffered in this way because of God’s judgment! Jesus said this was not necessarily the case. The real need was for those now hearing Him to repent themselves!
Jesus then brought up another report of a collapsed tower that had fallen on workers and killed them. If these were Jewish workers, they were working for the Romans and the common judgment was that God punished them for their compromise with the pagan Roman government. Jesus said that this was also not the case. The people’s greatest concern should be for their own readiness to meet God.
Dying without repentance is the worst possible thing that can happen to anyone! God must judge them for their sins when they could have found forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus went on to warn them that they also must produce fruit in their lives. Like the story of the fig tree that had only taken up valuable space but produced no fruit, God is looking for fruit from each person and His people. His patience will run out and the tree without fruit will be cut down! It’s time to focus on our own hearts and quit judging others! Facing the Lord could happen at any time! I want to be ready!
An unexpected visit!
Scripture reading for April 8th: Luke 12:35-59
Don’t you just love surprises? You get a letter from the IRS about an audit for last year’s taxes, and you are just thrilled! Your long lost cousin and her 7 unruly children drop by for an extended visit in your 1200 square foot home, and heaven applauds! Or maybe a large check comes in the mail, saying you have a refund because of overpayment–do you celebrate? Or your favorite rich uncle drops by unexpectedly just to bless you and your family by letting you know that he’s put you in his will! Unexpected events can happen to us at any time and whether they are a blessing or not depends on whether we are ready for what they bring with them!
Jesus warned His followers that His return to earth after the resurrection would be sudden and unexpected by many! For some it would be the source of highest blessing and others it would come as a thief in the night! Jesus told them a story (parable) about men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. They must be ready to open the door for him whenever he returned, even if it was late in the night. The disciples asked Jesus if that story was for them or for everyone? (Luke 12:41)
Jesus responded with another story that showed that they must pay attention. Jesus wanted His followers to be faithful and wise managers, feeding and caring for those under their care. He told them about the possibility of a long delay in his return and some who would mistreat those under their care and get drunk. The master returned unexpectedly and then removed the servant and he lost his reward! (Luke 12:42-44) Those who know what to do and do not do it are going to be held to a higher standard than those who do not know. (Luke 12:47-48)
What kind of experience will it be for you and your family when Jesus suddenly appears at your door? He will hold each of us accountable for our application of His Word. We will enjoy the sudden return if we are doing what we know is right or we will suffer great loss if we have neglected His business! Today is the best time to make needed changes! For the faithful servant, the reward is out of this world!
Life is more than possessions!
Scripture reading for April 7th: Luke 12:8-34
There’s an old bumper sticker that characterizes many people’s worldview: “He who dies with the most toys wins!” I used to subscribe to this line of thinking before I had my worldview altered by the Bible and an encounter with Jesus. I was out to make a fortune and be rich. I wanted to be one of the biggest farmers in my county and to be looked up to and recognized. Although I am not proud of it now, I even went to church to help further that goal!
Jesus Christ challenged that worldview over two thousand years ago and it seems that many in the American church need to listen to Him again on this subject. “Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbiter between you? Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:13-15)
Greed takes many different forms and subtly can attach itself to people. In a materialist society, we tend to identify success in life with what belongs to us. It can start small, with wanting to wear the brand-name clothes and shoes! We may feel that others won’t notice us unless we wear Nike and Wranglers for example! Or it may be that we want to eat at the best restaurants to be seen by the rich. Jesus warned them further, “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds!” (Luke 12:23-24)
Greed can easily become an obsession. It is equated with idolatry in another place in Scripture. Jesus used the story of the rich farmer building bigger barns and making no preparations to meet God to drive His point home. (Luke 12:16-21) Death can come suddenly and all our possessions will be left behind. If we are not rich with God, our soul will be in hell! Dying with the most toys would mean the biggest loss for eternity! If necessary, repent and ask Jesus for a new vision of real living!
Teacher, you insult us!
Scripture reading for April 6th: Luke 11:37-12:7
“”Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.” “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.” One of the experts in the Law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” ” (Luke 11:43-45)
“Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46)
You would think that a great teacher would seek not to insult his students! Jesus was charged with insulting those He sought to help! What would motivate Jesus to take this approach? Was this something sinful in the sinless Son of God? Shouldn’t someone who is said to walk in the love of God be more tactful and tender? Isn’t it wrong to insult our religious leaders? As we read this account of Jesus confronting the religious authorities, these are some of the questions that come to mind as we ponder Jesus’ approach to the religious leaders.
First of all, Jesus was and is the greatest teacher who ever lived or will live! He has never sinned and did not sin in His approach to reaching and correcting these religious leaders. He was simply speaking the truth to help expose their hypocrisy. Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee for dinner. They were judging Him as unclean because He failed to wash His hands before the meal. Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy of breaking God’s laws yet trying to keep their own, spoke these woes to help wake them up. He sought to help them deal with the “log in their eye” as a first priority.
God disciplines and corrects those He loves. Without it we are illegitimate children. (Hebrews 12:5-6, Proverbs 3:11-12) God gives a life-giving rebuke to those who will be corrected. (Proverbs 15:31-32) Those whose hearts are proud and hard will refuse correction and suffer for it. These Pharisees and teachers of the Law hardened their hearts and plotted how they might kill Jesus. In doing so, they fulfilled the plan of God for their own redemption, but also possibly brought about their own destruction. Are you offended by the Word of Jesus? Do you consider correction from His Word an insult?
The sign of Jonah!
Scripture reading for April 5th: Luke 11:14-36
Jesus’ ministry was marked by supernatural power. He was a man of prayer who sought God for instructions each day and then walked out what God showed Him to do. He did not play to the crowd, doing miraculous signs just to please those who watched. He wasn’t into popularity or fame, but instead was solely focused on His Father’s will.
There were those who were skeptical of Jesus’ spiritual power to cast out demons. After the miraculous deliverance of a mute man, some accused Him of casting out these devils by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Still others wanted to see more signs and the crowds grew in anticipation of a greater show of power. (Luke 11:14-16) “As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.” “ (Luke 11:29-30)
Jesus did not take the popular approach and perform some more miracles for these skeptical people. He gave them a word picture from the Scriptures about one of their prophets, Jonah, who was running from God and His purpose for his life. A great storm came upon the boat as he fled and the result was Jonah thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish. (Jonah 2:14-17) Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of that fish before being vomited out on the shores of Nineveh. The Ninevites repented at his preaching and were spared disaster. (Jonah 3:4-10) (Matthew 12:39-41)
The major sign Jesus would give these skeptical people was His own death, burial, and resurrection. On the third day He would rise from the dead and His resurrection would proclaim He was a greater prophet than Jonah. These people would be judged for their rejection of His message of repentance. “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.” (Luke 11:32)
Be careful about seeking more signs that Jesus is Messiah. Believe the grand sign, Jesus Christ alive from the dead after three days! His death and resurrection prove His power and declare He is the Son of God! (Romans 1:4)
Persistence in prayer pays!
Scripture reading for April 4th: Luke 10:38-11:13
“Persistence breaks down resistance.” This little saying turns out to be similar to a teaching of Jesus about the importance of praying with persistence. The resistance isn’t on God’s part, however. God loves to answer prayers and to give good gifts to His children. Persistence is an exercise of faith that keeps our hearts focused on God for the answer to our prayers in difficult or impossible situations.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus responded by teaching them a short prayer that would help them approach God with a right heart and perspective. First, God was their ‘Father’ and was holy and to be approached with reverence. He had a plan and His followers should always line their requests up with His kingdom and will. They were always to recognized their dependence on God for daily sustenance and forgiveness of sins. Only God could deliver them from temptation and the evil one, Satan. Disciples must boldly and humbly ask God for those needs to be met! (Luke 11:2-4)
Then Jesus told them a story about a friend who had a need in the middle of the night. He went to his friend’s house and began to knock on the door. The friend was at first unwilling to get up and give him what he needed. But because of persistence, this friend got up and gave the man what he needed. The story shows us that we are to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking. The one who by faith persists will find the answer.
True faith trusts the character and word of God. It is unwilling to give up at the first adversity. Faith is the result of hearing God’s word and choosing to believe and wait for the answer. Faith is anchored in God and His faithfulness to what He has promised. Prayer is an act of love and conversation with the object of that love. God talks to us and we talk to Him. Each party listens and responds. The asking, seeking, and knocking end up in answers, finding, and opened doors! Develop a daily time of persistent prayer with the One who loves you! Use the pattern Jesus taught and be faithful! Persistence in prayer pays big dividends!
Be a Neighbor!
Scripture reading for April 3rd: Luke 10:13-37
Jesus was tested by a teacher of the Law with a question. “Teacher,” he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you strength and with all your mind’, and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:25-27) This teacher had done a good job of distilling the Law of God into a concise statement of love and relationship. However, he had one more question for Jesus: Who was his neighbor?
Have you ever thought about that question? Is our neighbor simply the man or woman next door? Could my neighbor be someone I may not even know or like? It is one thing to know the command to love our neighbor but quite another to put it into practice consistently.
Because of sin we are centered on ourselves. We love ourselves pretty consistently by giving ‘self’ what it wants or feels it needs. God used the statement ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ because everyone would understand the love of self. Now to define a neighbor, Jesus told a story of a man who was robbed and beaten, laying beside the road naked and half-dead. Passing him by was a priest and Levite. A Samaritan happened by and took time to bind up his wounds and care for the man. Jesus asked the teacher of the Law which one of the three proved to be a neighbor to the wounded man. He responded with the obvious answer. (Luke 10:30-37) Jesus told the law expert to go and do likewise.
Being a neighbor where ever you are to those around you is what Jesus taught. The law of loving your neighbor involves doing to others what you would like them to do to you if you were in need. It shows no respect for persons and is not prejudiced. This love seeks to do what is best for the person in need near us. It comes from the heart of God and fulfills these great commandments of Scripture: “Love God and love your neighbor!” Be careful to be a good neighbor today!
Demands of following Jesus!
Scripture reading for April 2nd: Luke 9:51-10:12
“As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51) Jesus was a man on a mission who had a goal in mind. The end of this goal was death by crucifixion, a resurrection and return to His home in heaven. He knew that He must prepare His followers to carry on the mission here on earth of reaching the entire world with the good news of repentance and faith. These disciples must be fully committed and follow His instructions implicitly.
When the disciples went ahead into Samaria to secure a place for Jesus and themselves to stay, they found opposition and rejection in a certain village. When James and John heard about this, they asked Jesus about calling fire down from heaven and destroying that village and people. Jesus rebuked them! Following Jesus was not just a power trip. There would be rejection and suffering. He had not come to judge, but to save!
As they walked along, a man came to Jesus and said, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” (Luke 9:57-58) Jesus did not take every person who expressed interest in following Him. He made demands on them and plainly told them of the difficulties of the journey. Following Jesus may require great hardship and physical discomfort to reach those who need to hear the message.
Jesus asked another man they met to follow Him. This man asked for time to bury His father first. It is likely that the father was ill or maybe just old and this man felt the need to care for the father. Jesus told him to let the dead bury the dead and to instead go and proclaim the kingdom of God! Jesus demanded a willingness to leave even family responsibilities to do His will and work!
Another man said he wanted to follow Jesus, but wanted to go say good-bye to his family. Jesus told him, “No one who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” When one chooses to follow the Lord there must be no turning back. Fitness for God’s kingdom requires a focus and complete surrender.