Is It Worth the Risk?

Jump into this fascinating story in Luke 19:11-27. In it Jesus tries to tell His friends what this kingdom of God will be like since they are getting close to Jerusalem and are expecting it to appear at any minute.

So Jesus describes a nobleman who upon leaving for trip, gives his servants some assets to invest for him. They do a pretty good job except for one who is afraid he will mess up and hides his provision. On his return the ruler calls the servants to reward them for their good job. However the fearful servant just gets his little provision taken away, and it is strangely given to the most productive guy. This is not at all our idea of fairly helping everyone in need. When questioned about giving more to the man who already has the most assets, the ruler says, "That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag." (The Message)

Lord, make us risk takers for you. All we have is Yours anyway.

The "wee little man"

One great wonder is how God can reveal that the delightful childhood stories such a "wee little" Zaccheus ( Luke18:31-19:10) really do have rich truth for all of us.

Remember how Jesus, the Son of God, was just passing through Jericho when His attention was arrested by a short guy in a tree. But this wasn't just a curious bystander. This was a chief of those rich hated (often thieving) tax collectors. Can you believe this Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus so much that he scrambled up a sycamore tree like some child would do? That seems to me to be a big point of this story. He was willing to do whatever it took to see and know the Lord. He was humble.

And how Zaccheus was rewarded! Jesus interrupted the whole trip to go to his house. Then when Zaccheus revealed his heart by committing to give away over half of his possessions, Jesus said, "Today salvation has come to this house". Can't get much better than that!

Lord, help us "wee little" women to see You today. May we do whatever it takes.

Who Reigns?

The Pharisees are trying to find out when this kingdom of God is coming in today's reading (Luke 17:20-18:8). Jesus' answer must have surely puzzled them;  ".. the kingdom of God is in your midst."  Hmm. Sadly they did not realize that they were talking to the King Himself.

Jesus gives another clue to the kingdom of God coming when He says,  "Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it" in verse 33. Giving over charge of our life to the King of Kings definitely enables His reign to come. So instead of getting terribly focused on how close to the end it is or about all the signs and calamities happening around us, we need to remember Jesus' bottom line in verse 8.  "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Lord, increase our faith. May You reign in our hearts.

Amazing Love!

The disciples in the reading today (Luke 17:1-17) ask Jesus the same thing I feel such a need for. "Increase our faith" is what they say. Jesus answers by the mustard seed story which shows the power of even a tiny bit of faith (so we would desire this faith even more). But then He lets them know by another story that they should consider themselves as unworthy slaves.

So what's the deal? Aren't we princesses in the royal family? That is true, but it is not where we started. We began as God's workmanship, intricately woven by Him in our mother's womb. Then we all took a sin inspired trip over to the enemy's camp and had to be bought back by our Savior with the highest price ever paid (His blood). So we are God's property - twice. That makes us slaves that have been bought with a price that we could never ever be worthy of no matter how hard we worked all our lives. And then for Jesus to elevate us to the position of His princess-bride . It is nothing short of amazing love!

When God says"Yuck"

Our Good News comes today from Luke 16:14-31. The Pharisees are belittling Jesus' perspective on wealth (since they loved it). They could not believe that God did not view wealth and fame and looks and talent and abilities and strength as highly esteemed as they did. In fact the Jesus says,  "What people value highly is detestable in God's sight."  Wow, strong language!

So what does God value? The story of the rich man and Lazarus lets us know that helping the needy (even the sore-infested, starving, licked by dogs and dying needy) is what He finds valuable. It is really what the world would say "Yuck" to. It seems that our perspective easily gets turned backwards. 

Lord, help us have more of Your perspective. You came to a very needy world. Many don't know it, but we are all needy.Thank you for coming. Let us be more like You.

A Elder Sister?

Today's reading (Luke15:25-16-13) ends the Prodigal Son teaching with the illustration that comes so close to home for me. I am an elder sister and have far too often acted like this brother. How good it is to be reminded that the Father says, "Son (daughter), you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours."

Father, help us to remove our gaze from the brother or sister that may be unworthy in our eyes to get the recognition and celebration. Help us to consistently rejoice in our relationship with You. Your love and provision is way more than enough.

Be a grateful elder sister today.

A Glimpse of the Father

In our last reading of this week, Luke 15:5-24, we have the privilege of a little glimpse into heaven. Verse 10 says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." And nobody is rejoicing anymore than the Father.

So Jesus tells a story - one very familiar to most of us - the prodigal son. If you read if from a father's perspective, how much grief it would have caused to see that hear of that beloved younger son wasting the hard earned wealth of the father and the precious gift of life. The most touching verse has to be the description of the now repentant son's homecoming." So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

Can you see the Father looking out from heaven for sons (and daughters ) to turn and start their way back home? Can you hear the rejoicing as the Father runs to meet them? Can you almost feel that hug and kiss?


Our Father in heaven, You are holy,You are love, You are life, You meet our every need. Thank you.