Today’s Reading: Luke 6:39-49

YOU WILL GET OUT OF IT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

That’s a common phrase we hear throughout our lives, isn’t it? In fact, when you look it up online, you find several variations with multiple authors given credit for their wise words of inspiration. Where did the idea originate? From Jesus himself: “The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38b).

When each of our daughters left for college, I gave them the same advice I was given when I moved into the dorm at age seventeen — your college experience will be what you make it. If you jump in, get involved, and give it your all, you will get a great education plus have a lot of fun. This continues to apply to our adult lives post-college, from professional development to spiritual growth. The more we study God’s word, the more we understand and become like our Teacher.

Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” – Luke 6:39-42

Part of our journey of learning includes gaining the ability to keep our focus on God and what He is teaching us, instead of assessing the spiritual condition of those around us. This seems easy enough to do but it does not come naturally for us to mind our own business. It is a work of growth that we have to continually ask God to do. If we give grace to others, we will receive His grace in return — pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into our lap!

IF WE GIVE GRACE, WE WILL RECEIVE GRACE.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 6:37-38

Lord Jesus, we want to be like you in every way so we ask that you help us with this area of our life. We are sitting at your feet, eager to learn and willing to be transformed. We long for you to continue your work in our lives so that grace beautifully flows and fruit naturally grows. Fill our hearts with your love so that your righteousness naturally flows from our lives.

“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” – Luke 6:43-49

Father God, please forgive us for those moments when we do not respond the way we should. Forgive us for those moments when we do not follow your teaching but do what we feel like doing in the moment. Lord, fill us with your Spirit and strengthen us so that we can follow your lead in every moment of our day. We want to build our house on a foundation made of solid rock, with doors of love wide open and windows of grace to see others as you would see them. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 6:32-38

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.” – Luke 6:32-34

WHY SHOULDN’T I GET CREDIT?

How often do we do something for someone else and then creatively describe our generous act for our next social media post? Generosity feels good and it quickly becomes our next Tweet; self-sacrifice is rewarding and gets posted on Instagram before the day is over. But what if we did something God led us to do and then never told anyone else about it? What if God moved on our heart to be kind to someone else without it becoming part of our Snapchat story?

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” – Luke 6:35-36

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Reciprocity is the exchange of things with others for mutual benefit. When our girls were little, we would trade childcare nights with our friends so that each couple could go out on a date without the cost of a babysitter. One mom would watch another mom’s kids while she ran errands and then the other would return the favor. It was mutually beneficial, gave our girls time to build friendships, and it saved everyone money.

But what if there’s nothing in it for me? What if God moves on my heart to be generous towards someone who is self-absorbed or thoughtless? What if the Spirit tells me to be kind to someone who has been less than kind to me? What if my good deed will never be reciprocated? Am I willing to be who God is calling me to be even if I never receive credit or even gratitude for my actions?

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 6:37-38

GIVE AND YOU WILL RECEIVE.

God’s promise is that we do gain from all that we give, but it is not for us to decide what that should look like. It is not for us to judge the hearts of those who receive our kindness; it is not for us to condemn the response of those who benefit from our generosity.

We are to respond to the Spirit’s lead in obedience and be quick to forgive those who are ungrateful. We are to let our light shine in the darkness, even when it seems to go unnoticed. We do not demand an apology and we do not need applause. Our acts of righteousness are not for public admiration but a natural outflow of our relationship with Christ. When His light is shining within us, there is a natural glow that sheds light so that others can see who He is — not who we are. It leads us to be kind and thoughtful, as well as generous and good.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. – Psalm 112:4

Father God, may we look to you alone for our reward. May we feel your smile of approval and may that be enough for us as we live out our relationship with you. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hands to respond today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 6:20-31

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
“God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.
God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.” – Luke 6:20-21

I love the poetic element of this comparison of opposites, and I enjoy soaking in the beauty of the truth behind each line. It is good to be reminded this morning of how God has the power to turn our situation around. Your present circumstances may represent the many needs and deficits in your life, but you can cling to the hope of tomorrow — a day when you will be satisfied and a time when you will laugh again.

What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. – Luke 6:22-23a

In the moment of persecution, it is hard to see the blessings; in the moment you are being bullied or slandered, it is difficult to see past the pain to the promise. When we are grieving a loss or experiencing heartbreak over the death of a loved one, it seems like we will never overcome our loneliness. But in the midst of it all, Jesus is encouraging us to be happy — to leap for joy!

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

It is not always easy to react in the opposite way of what we are feeling, but this promise that our present troubles are temporary encourages us to hang on to God’s promise. We make a choice to cling to the hope of a better day.

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught the people using several different opposites: Poor or rich, hungry or prosperous, laughter or sorrow. He also surprised the crowd by telling them to love their enemies, to celebrate persecution, and to forgive rather than judge. He compared a tree that bears bad fruit with a tree that bears good fruit, and he compared the house built on rock to the house built on sand.

As you read through this passage, look for the opposites or the stark contrasts Jesus describes. Then, as you go through your day, recognize the crazy opposite moments God puts before you – moments when you could have reacted to the rude woman at the store but you chose kindness, or moments when you could have been in a hurry but you chose to slow down and greet someone, or moments when you chose to laugh instead of cry.

“What sorrow awaits you who are rich,
for you have your only happiness now.
What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,
for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,
for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” – Luke 6:24-31

God, prepare us for what may lie ahead of us today that requires us to react in the opposite way than we would typically respond. Fill us with your Spirit so that our natural response to the enemy’s attacks is in alignment with who you have created us to be. May today’s OPPOSITES ATTRACT others to you!

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. – Galatians 5:16-18

Today’s Reading: Mark 3:13-19; Psalm 25

Jesus touched so many lives as massive crowds formed around him in each town he visited. Yet with all the needs pressing in around him, his focus remained on his investment in the lives of twelve.

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. – Mark 3:13-19

The twelve Jesus appointed are often referred to as the twelve disciples or the apostles. According to the NLT Study Bible I am using, disciples were students and followers while apostles were specially commissioned representatives. I would argue that today we are all both disciples and apostles.

TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST IS TO BE A STUDENT OR A FOLLOWER.

God has called us all to be students of the Word, to sit at His feet regularly and learn from Him. We spend time reading the Bible and we walk away with new understanding. His word is living and active and we cannot help but be changed by studying the Scriptures. We have so much to learn and we have a Great Teacher who loves His students.

We also learn by listening to other students of the Word or disciples. What a great investment of our time to read a book written by another follower of Christ or to listen to the teachings of a great preacher! We listen and call on the Spirit to discern the truth of the message, allowing our hearts to grow and be transformed through the words God has given those He has called. When I question something I am reading, God’s word is the foundation of truth that I go back to each time.

Even pastors and preachers benefit from spending time listening to others and reading. This helps us find the humility God calls all of us to. We have not already arrived. We do not know all there is to know. We desperately need to keep learning in order to increase our understanding of God’s ways.

TO BE AN APOSTLE IS TO BE SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED TO REPRESENT JESUS & FULFILL HIS PURPOSE.

Hopefully we agree that we are all disciples or students of the Word, but I would argue that we are also all apostles. If the definition of apostle is a person who is specially commissioned to represent something or someone, then that is absolutely what we are. God has chosen every one of us for a specific purpose today. He has a plan and we have a choice. We can walk into that plan with the willingness to represent Jesus and fulfill His purpose for our day, or we can focus on our own desires and plans. I can build the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of me.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” – Matthew 9:35-38

Lord, this morning I pray that you would open up my heart and show me your purpose today. Confirm in my heart what you have called me to do. Remind me WHO I have been specially commissioned to represent. God, I open up my life with a willingness today to be used by you, whether in small ways or large. Today is about you and your plan. Teach me. Show me. Use me. Guide me. Amen.

O Lord, I give my life to you.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. – Psalm 25:1-10

Today’s Reading: Mark 3:7-12; Luke 6:12-19

Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. – Mark 3:7-8

Word was spreading of Jesus’ healing power and people were bringing their sick from all over the region. Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds followed. Some were genuinely seeking to follow Christ, and some were only there to be entertained.

THEY CAME TO SEE JESUS DO SOMETHING GREAT, NOT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT FOR JESUS.

Jesus touched many lives as these massive crowds formed. There was so much to do and so many people who needed his healing touch, but Jesus intentionally pulled away from the crowds and found time to be alone with His Father.

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: Simon (whom he called Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (Son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). – Luke 6:12-16

After spending an extended amount of time in God’s presence and in prayer, Jesus called all of his followers together and distinguished between those who would be disciples and those who would be the twelve apostles. Don’t miss that he made this decision AFTER going to the Father in prayer.

It is easy for us to fall into the trap of working hard for the Lord without taking time to be alone with the Lord. We think of all who are depending on us to get something done or to accomplish something great, and we make everything else a priority over intentionally creating periods of sabbath rest. We hit a point of pure exhaustion and start making critical decisions when we are mentally worn out. Jesus is saying — “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

IF WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING GREAT FOR JESUS, WE NEED TO ALLOW JESUS TO DO SOMETHING GREAT WITHIN US. THEN JESUS WILL DO SOMETHING GREAT THROUGH US.

When we are rooted in Christ and filled with His presence, we are ready to be used by Him. We can be more effective for the work God is calling us to do if we go to Him with all of our decisions. He fills us with His power and equips us for the call. Even Jesus knew that he needed time on the mountain with the Father before stepping into the crowds. If Jesus needed that, we definitely need it today.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” – John 15:5-8

God, we are grateful for this time on the mountain. We come to you with hearts willing to be used by you today. Thank you for all that you have done for us, for all you are doing in us, and for all you plan to do through us. May our hearts align with yours this week as we stay connected to you, allowing you to fill us and use us according to your purposes and for your glory. Amen.

When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the sea coasts of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone. – Luke 6:17-19

Today’s Reading: John 5

It was not about the PHYSICAL, but about the SPIRITUAL.
It was not about the WHEN, but about the WHO.
It was not about the TIMING, but about the SOURCE.

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people – blind, lame, or paralyzed – lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

“I can’t sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat and walk!”

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. — John 5:1-10a

There were crowds of sick people all around, yet Jesus approached one man. He knew this man; he knew his situation and his need — not only for PHYSICAL healing but for SPIRITUAL healing. Jesus’ desire was for this man’s life to change. For 38 years he had been sick but Jesus had more than just physical healing in mind to change this man’s situation. Jesus wanted to give this man eternal life!

This was a miracle of life that Jesus was offering. The physical touch was for the purpose of this man believing in Jesus and choosing obedience. Jesus told this man to do two things: “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” and “Stop sinning”. The first required a MOMENT of faith and obedience. He had to believe in Jesus enough to stand up. The second required a LIFE of faith and obedience, a healing of the heart that would change the way this man lived — holy and set apart for the One who had healed him.

The Jewish leaders tried to make this next miracle about timing, but Jesus corrected them. He let them know that this was not about WHEN but about WHO – not about the physical healing but about spiritual healing. While the Jewish leaders focused on the TIMING of the miracle, Jesus tried to point out to them the SOURCE of the miracle. Jesus had come to bring life and they were missing out on this miracle that was also available for them because they were too caught up in the legalism of when the miracle had taken place. What is it that has us so distracted that we are missing out on the miracle of life that God is offering?

It was not about HEALING, but about CHANGE.
It was not about the BODY, but about the HEART.
It was not just about a MOMENT, but about a LIFE.

For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants…I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life. And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice – the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. – John 5:21, 24-26

The miracle of life is what Jesus was offering at the pool of Bethesda and it is what He is still offering us today. This miracle comes from the love of a God who would send His one and only Son to die for our sins so that we might believe and experience eternal life. This miracle of life is available to all of us but it requires more than just a MOMENT of faith and obedience; it requires a LIFE of surrender and submission. The purpose of all of these miracles performed by Jesus was to prove that He was sent by God so that we might truly believe and experience eternal life.

John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you. – John 5:35-38

When we come to believe in who Jesus was when he was on earth and in whom he continues to be today, our hearts begin to change. God’s message is not only heard but it settles into our hearts, and we are never the same. Studying the scriptures for the sake of knowledge has value, but salvation requires an acceptance of what Jesus offers. When we respond in faith to Jesus’ teachings and his miracles, when we accept his call to holiness and lean into his gift of righteousness, God’s love moves within us and we are forever changed.

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

“Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. – John 5:39-44

Lord, give us eyes to see what today is about; give us an understanding that looks beyond the temporary issues of today to see the eternal value of your purpose for our lives. Give us the patience to focus on the source of the love within us, instead of on the timing of answered prayers. May our minds focus today on the spiritual instead of the physical. Thank you for being a Father who is always working on our behalf. Amen.

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” – John 5:17

Today’s Reading: Mark 2:23-3:6; Luke 6:1-11

THE PHARISEES HAD A QUESTION FOR JESUS.

QUESTION: “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” – Luke 6:2

The Pharisees watched Jesus closely, especially on the Sabbath. They wanted to catch him breaking the Jewish traditions and laws so as to have grounds to accuse him and shut down his ministry. They had his disciples under close surveillance.

The question they asked Jesus also exaggerated the truth; it made it sound like the disciples were harvesting the fields on the Sabbath. The truth was that they simply broke off some heads of grain, rubbed off the husks with their hands, and then ate the grain. In other words, they fixed themselves a quick snack as they walked through the grainfields.

ANSWER: “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.” – Luke 6:5

JESUS HAD A QUESTION FOR THE PHARISEES.

Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! – Luke 6:8-10

Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there in that moment as Jesus took the time to make eye contact with each and every one of his accusers? Jesus knew their thoughts and he knew their motives. He knew what he was about to do was going to make them very angry — angry enough to make them start plotting against him.

Jesus looks at the heart of each and every one of us — individually. He knows when we use the Sabbath as an excuse to make the day about ourselves when His intention has always been that the Sabbath would be about Him. The Sabbath is not a day for us to focus on our own needs for rest, but to slow down the busyness of our lives and focus our attention fully on Him.

“I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” – Matthew 12:7b & Hosea 6:6

When we are fully focused on Him and we feel His eye on us, God may move on our hearts to show mercy to someone or to do something for Him. Our response should be one of obedience. The Sabbath is a great day to worship God and a great day to hear from Him. Isn’t it also a great day to respond in obedience, no matter what He is asking us to do?

And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” – Matthew 12:11-12

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27

JESUS BECAME ANGRY WITH THE ATTITUDES OF THE PHARISEES.

Mark describes Jesus as experiencing both anger at the Pharisees’ manipulation and sadness at the hardness of their hearts. Knowing how they were about to respond, he told the man to hold out his deformed hand and he healed it. He restored that which was broken and healed that which was wounded.

THE PHARISEES BECAME ANGRY AT THE WORDS OF JESUS.

At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him. – Luke 6:11

Knowing his actions would incite the anger of those who plotted against him, Jesus made the decision to heal the man with the deformed hand. In four simple words, the power of Jesus was displayed and the anger of his enemies was unleashed — HOLD OUT YOUR HAND. Jesus’ ministry was not for the sake of popularity but for the sake of redemption. He said what he needed to say and did what he needed to do, even when it resulted in criticism and hatred.

Let’s reach out and allow God to use our hands however and whenever He asks. Let’s care more about ministering to the needs of others than we care about ourselves. Let’s respond to Jesus by holding out our hands, empty of our own agenda and available to be used by Him today.

Today’s Reading: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39

QUESTION: One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?” – Luke 5:33

This was a question asked by those who had been taught to make a regular habit of fasting, as did the Pharisees. They noticed that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting, and they went straight to Jesus for an explanation. What a great place to take our questions — straight to the One who has the answer!

It seems like a common tendency in the church for us to look around at other believers and take notice of how they are living out their faith. We question their choices and sometimes doubt our own habits of discipleship. We wonder who is right and who is wrong, or we arrogantly assume we are the one who needs to impose our own thoughts on those around us, even if we do not have scriptural context to do so.

We have a tendency to compare ourselves with others and worry about how we measure up with someone else, or how another believer measures up with us. God has made each one of us unique, and He has a plan for our lives that is different from anyone else’s. It is NOT God’s plan for us to criticize our brothers and sisters in Christ, but to lift them up in prayer and support their obedience to God.

Jesus’ response to John’s disciple spoke to the heart of this question. The great teacher did something so many educators are known for doing — he answered his question with another question.

ANSWER: Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.” – Luke 5:34-39

Sometimes the old is not compatible with the new. If I buy the newest available software and then try to load it on a computer I have had for ten years, the two might not be compatible. If a church hangs onto old traditions in a changing culture, they may find their numbers declining. When God is calling us to bring others into a growing relationship with Christ, the last thing we want to do is ask them to fit into a mold that is not scripturally essential to the forgiveness of sins.

SOMETIMES WE HOLD SO TIGHTLY TO THE NON-ESSENTIALS OF YESTERDAY THAT WE MISS OUT ON THE NEW THING THAT GOD IS DOING TODAY.

Are we ready for the new thing God wants to do in our lives? Are we light enough on our feet to change our direction if God says to go a different way? When we daily spend time in the Word, are we seeking a new revelation from the Spirit, open to having the Lord expose our own sin or wrongful thinking? Are we hanging on tightly to an old mindset that is inconsistent with scripture? Are we too comfortable with the familiar or are we eager for God to give us a fresh perspective?

Lord, open our hearts so that we are always ready to love and support our fellow believers. Open our minds so that we are always a student of the Spirit living within us. Open our schedules to spend time studying your Word with fresh eyes and clear thoughts so that we can hear from you today. Renew our calling and refresh our enthusiasm to bring others into a growing relationship with Christ. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

Jesus endured many questions during his ministry. He was challenged on why he did one thing and why he failed to do another. He was questioned regarding the places he went and the people he spent time with. He was questioned by the religious leaders, by his disciples and even by his own family.

We continue to question Jesus today on things we do not fully understand, or things we understand but dislike or even disagree with. God is Almighty and we say we trust Him, yet we find ourselves challenging him. We like to think of ourselves as nothing like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees; yet, if we were honest, we would see that we have moments that are more similar than we wish to admit.

I invite you to join me as we spend the next few days looking at three questions asked of Jesus during his earthly ministry.

QUESTION: “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” – Luke 5:30b

This was the question asked of Jesus when he attended a banquet that Matthew (Levi) held in his home in Jesus’ honor. The guest list included Matthew’s coworkers and colleagues — tax collectors and other guests.

Scripture says the Pharisees and teachers of the law complained BITTERLY that Jesus was spending time with people who were considered unrighteous. In the ancient world, meals were rituals of social status, and Jesus’ act of dining with Matthew and his friends was seen as Jesus socially accepting them regardless of their lifestyle.

ANSWER: Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come not to call those who THINK they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners and need to repent.” – Luke 5:31-32

Investing in sinners by spending time with them and inviting them into our fellowship is not accepting their sin, as some would accuse. Jesus calls us to reach out to anyone who needs him and love them as they come to recognize their sin and understand what it means to repent — to admit they have sinned and come to a point of change.

Jesus did not say to Matthew and his friends that what they were doing was good and that they should keep doing it, if they so desired. No, they were cheating their fellow Jews by unnecessarily putting financial burdens on others while padding their own pockets. In the same way, we are not called to condone sin nor have we been given permission to change what the Bible defines as sin.

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3

To love them in spite of their sin is grace; to speak truth into their life is love. It was Jesus’ desire to free them of their sins, to release them from their current lifestyle. He did not love them enough to leave them in the mess they had made; he loved them enough to save them from it. He gave us a great example of how grace and truth work together in order to help others find freedom from sin.

GRACE WITHOUT TRUTH IS NOT LOVE, WHILE TRUTH SPOKEN IN LOVE IS A GREAT WAY TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT THE GRACE OF OUR GOD.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” – John 8:10-11

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:40-2:12; Luke 5:12-26

Several years ago, I had the privilege of sitting and visiting with Pam Tebow, mother of former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. As we waited for her turn to speak at our fundraising banquet, we got to know each other, and I enjoyed her sweet spirit and genuine heart. We spoke of some of the big public moments in Tim’s life on the football field, but she also shared some of their private moments as a family. By the time Pam rose to go to the stage, I no longer saw her as a public figure about to speak to a room of 800 people; I now saw her as another mom who loves her family and daily allows God to use her however He desires.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

As we read through the gospels, we see that Jesus’ ministry had both its public and private moments. In many of those private moments, Jesus instructed the person he healed not to reveal his identity to others. There was a bigger plan at work and there was wisdom in what Jesus was asking his followers to do, even though they did not always listen to him. Let’s look at the difference between these two kinds of moments in the ministry of the Messiah.

In the first chapter of Mark, we read of a private moment when a man with leprosy fell on his knees before Jesus and was healed. There were probably very few people listening in on their conversation, or very few left within hearing distance once they realized the man had a highly contagious disease.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you.” – Mark 1:41-44a

But because the man left and told everyone who had healed him, large crowds began to follow Jesus. He struggled to enter into a town publicly because of the attention he would immediately receive. When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, news spread of the house where he was staying and it was soon packed with visitors. As Jesus was preaching to the standing room only crowd, four men dug a hole in the roof and began to lower a paralyzed man down in front of Jesus. Jesus not only met his physical needs, he also met his spiritual needs, which caused the religious leaders in attendance to grumble.

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” – Mark 2:8-12

There may be moments in our lives when many people are aware of something we have accomplished or a way in which we have served God. We may get a pat on the back or the applause of an audience, and in all of that we hope and pray that God is glorified. But there will also be moments in our lives when God asks us to do something for Him, something we will never get earthly recognition for. We obediently follow Jesus REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OF AN AUDIENCE. There is no need for public fanfare or media attention; we are simply daily responding to God’s lead.

That night at the banquet, I was introduced and those in attendance welcomed me warmly. In that moment, everyone in the room knew who I was and the position I held in the ministry. In the same room there was a retired couple sitting at their assigned table. Every week she comes in and volunteers, working with the young mothers who are learning how to parent. Her husband comes in each week and volunteers by cleaning the pregnancy center. Neither of them got specific public recognition that night, but I was given the honor of privately thanking them for all they do for Living Alternatives.

My obedience to what God has asked me to do with my time is no greater than the faithful service of this couple. I guarantee you they were not concerned that they did not get a standing ovation; that is not why they do what they do. They are humble servants of their Savior, and it is His approval that they are living for.

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-6

May our testimony today be the same — willing hearts, WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE, whether or not our reward is on earth or in Heaven. May our testimony be as strong in today’s private moments as it is in the public moments when others are watching. May we be consistent in all that we say and do, seeking the approval of God and not man. And may God receive the glory for anything He chooses to accomplish through us today.