Tag: crippled
Stand upright!
Scripture reading for May 23: Acts 14
“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “the gods have come down to us in the likeness of these men.”” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” Acts 14:8-12
Paul and Barnabas next went to Lystra and began ministry. At their meeting there was a man lame from birth, having never walked. As he preached, Paul received a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit that this man had faith to receive healing. Paul focused his attention on the man and made a simple statement: “Stand upright on your feet.” In faith, the man stood up, doing what he was never able to do before. His world view was drastically changed through obedience and faith!
This healing caught everyone’s attention! The people were involved in idolatry in their city. Their world view had them conclude that their gods, Zeus and Hermes, had come down in the form of these men. The idolatrous priests sought to bring sacrifices and worship Paul and Barnabas. But the Apostles tore their clothes and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ, the living God and Creator of heaven and earth. Their desire was to help each person escape from the grip of idolatry that had held them from birth and see them enter a new heavenly world view with eternal life. They too could “stand up and walk”!
How has your past view of the world and God limited your ability to function to your fullest in this life? How did God challenge your limited world view with new possibilities? Do you think that God could use you to speak words of healing and life over those in your life who are spiritually or physically disabled?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that with You all things are possible to those who believe. Help me to grow in faith and obedience to Your leading so that I might be used to bring the Good News of Your love and mercy to those in my circle of influence. May all stand up and walk with You! Amen.
Invited to the great banquet!
Scripture reading for July17th: Luke 14, Psalm 141, Proverbs 17
Luke 14:12-15 “He said also to the man who had invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” When one of those who reclined at table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.””
Jesus was invited to dinner on the Sabbath by a ruler of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were in attendance because they were watching Jesus for evil purposes. Jesus mildly rebuked the man with a word of instruction about giving banquets. He told the man not to invite to his dinner those who could or would invite him back and repay him. That system of favors was the way the world worked, but God’s kingdom was different. He was instructed to invite the poor, the crippled and the lame and blind. Honoring those who could not repay him would bring eternal commendation and reward at the resurrection of the just. God’s kingdom comes easy to those humble enough to receive grace. Those Pharisees there with evil motives were invited to the Great banquet in heaven, but they would never taste of the Bread of heaven!
Psalm 141:1-2 “O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring for the poor, the blind, the lame, and the hurting. Thank You for the gift of salvation for all those who humbly repent and call on You. Forgive me when I have mocked the poor and hurting rather than helping them. Fill me with compassion and love for those You invite to the Great Banquet honoring Your Son at the resurrection of the just!
Proverbs 17:5 “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.”
Excuses!
Scripture reading for April 11th: Luke 14:7-35
Jesus was eating at the house of a prominent Pharisee and they were watching Him very carefully. Jesus was also watching them! He noticed how they all tried to pick places of honor at the table. He used this setting to tell them about humility and warned them not to try and take the place of honor, but to take the lowest place. Then the host could place them where he wanted. This would be less humiliating than the host removing them from their seat of honor. Jesus put it simply: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)
Jesus also told the host, this prominent Pharisee, that when he had a banquet he should invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame. This would bring blessing to his house, because God would repay him at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-15) This evoked a response from one at the table, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus answered this man with another story about a certain man who was preparing a great banquet and had invited many guests. When the appointed time for this banquet came, the servant was sent out to remind the invited guests of the feast. All the invited guests had excuses! One bought a field and must go see it. Another just purchased some new oxen to work his field and must try them out. Still another just got married and must be with his wife. This angered the host of this banquet, and he ordered his servant to go out into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame. He wanted his house to be full, but none of the invited guests who made excuses would have a place at his table! (Luke 14:21-24)
As we ponder this teaching of Jesus, we sense that the “certain man” is God! He invited the Jews to His banquet first, but many made excuses! These would be shut out, and God’s servants would be sent to the Gentiles! God’s house would be filled! The humble pay attention and respond to God’s invitation while the proud are left out. Remember, the lowest seat at His table is far better than being left out!