Tuesday, March 19, 2024

WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

Luke 8:22-25 / Keywords 8:24

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

 

Jesus Calms the Storm

8:22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.


24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”


He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.


In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”


Footnotes

b. Luke 8:26 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes; also in verse 37


1. When storms of life come, it can be sudden, uncontrollable, and feel like it will rip our world apart. Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waters and calmed the storm. To the shocked disciples, Jesus asked, "Where is your faith?"

2. When storms come, it reminds us how fragile our lives are and how little we control in the world. Following Jesus doesn't mean we'll have a storm-free life. But we can grow in faith that God's goodness and power is greater than any storm. If we can entrust our own lives into God's hands, maybe we can dare to do even greater things than we could ever imagine.

Prayer Lord, when I am fearful, give me faith to trust in you, even in the biggest storms of life. You have come to know our suffering and death and have overcome.

One Word Have faith in God

Monday, March 18, 2024

GOD’S WORD SHINES AND BINDS

Luke 8:16-21 / Keywords 8:21

He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

 

A Lamp on a Stand

8:16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”


Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”


21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”


Footnotes

a. Luke 8:10 Isaiah 6:9


1. Following the parable of the sower, Jesus goes on to share about a lamp. When the seed of God's word grows in us and through perseverance bears fruit, it is like a lamp on a stand that shines for those in the darkness. The gospel is meant to bring the light of life to others in darkness. Those who have ears to hear and receive the gospel will grow brighter and brighter. The light of God’s love can do great things in the hearts of those who receive it and practice it.

2. Jesus' own family came to see him. When he was made aware of it, he used the occasion to acknowledge that those who hear God's word and put it into practice are his family. God's word put into practice binds humanity together. In God's grace and love, we belong to each other deeply and preciously like a loving, all inclusive, family.

Prayer Lord, give us open ears and open hearts to receive your word and put it into practice. May we shine your grace and love, creating a community of love.

One Word Put God’s word into practice

Sunday, March 17, 2024

THE SEED WITH POTENTIAL

Luke 8:1-15 / Keywords 8:8

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

 

The Parable of the Sower

8:1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.


4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”


When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”


9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,


“‘though seeing, they may not see;

    though hearing, they may not understand.’[a]


11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.


Footnotes

a. Luke 8:10 Isaiah 6:9


1. Jesus chose twelve apostles, but many women followed Jesus very closely. In a patriarchal society, Jesus welcomed and empowered women and allowed them to live up to more than what society tolerated. When women boldly spoke up or did something outside of the ordinary, he always listened and was often amazed at their faith.

2. Jesus taught a large crowd about a farmer who scattered seed over all kinds of soil. God's word, the gospel, is like a seed. It may seem small and simple, but it has great potential and life-giving power. In good soil, the seed grows on its own and can yield a crop a hundred times more than was sown. God's word can change the course of one's life and even the course of history. The farmer doesn't do anything but spread the seed and trust in its potential. Likewise, we cannot do anything except receive it by faith and allow it to grow. God's word is his love letter to all people of the world who are suffering under the power of sin and shame. It is amazing grace and empowering love.

Prayer Lord, may the seed of your word penetrate the depths of our hearts and grow to empower us to live by faith, bearing good fruit.

One Word The seed in good soil will bear fruit

Saturday, March 16, 2024

FORGIVENESS AND LOVE

Luke 7:36-50 / Keywords 7:47

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.

 

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

7:36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.


39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”


40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”


“Tell me, teacher,” he said.


41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”


43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”


“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.


44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”


48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”


49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”


50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”


Footnotes

c. Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).


1. There was a woman who lived a sinful life and was labeled a sinful woman by her community. She was considered unclean by the religious leaders, not even acceptable to God. She lived in shame and deep sorrow--until she met Jesus. Jesus accepted her with the grace of God. Jesus forgave her sins and released her from her shame, renewing her dignity and sense of belonging.

2. Forgiveness leads to a life of love. Love is not too different from forgiveness. It is accepting someone for who they are, mistakes and all. Love forgives, love heals, love shows affection. The woman loved Jesus with great affection, washing Jesus’ dirty feet with her tears of joy, thanksgiving, and gratitude and wiping it with her hair. She poured expensive perfume on them as well. In other gospels, Jesus called such acts of love beautiful (Mt 26:10). Jesus also washed his disciples’ feet.

3. God loves us as we are, despite our mistakes. God’s forgiveness leads to healing and renewal of soul. When we experience God’s love, we become defined by his love and mercy and not by our worst mistake.

Prayer Lord, your love and forgiveness strengthens me to live a life of love and wholeness. Help me to see others as you see me.

One Word Go in peace

Friday, March 15, 2024

INTO THE WILDERNESS

Luke 7:24-35 / Keywords 7:24

After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

 

7:24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:


“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

    who will prepare your way before you.’[b]


28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”


29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)


31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:


“‘We played the pipe for you,

    and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge,

    and you did not cry.’


33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”


Footnotes

b. Luke 7:27 Mal. 3:1


1. Although John taught in the wilderness and by the Jordan river, many people came to him and later to Jesus from all over the Judean countryside to hear the good news of God's Kingdom. John preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins and prepared the way for Jesus. New hope and life were given to all who believed in their message.

2. Radical inclusivity marked Jesus' ministry. The sick, poor, unclean, and even notorious sinners were drawn to Jesus. It is because Jesus embraced and loved them.

3. The people most resistant to receive and accept John and Jesus were the religious leaders and teachers of the law. They could not change their minds about their own interpretation of what the Messiah should look like to them. They distorted reality based on their own ideas and agenda. They stayed in their comfort zone. In doing so, they rejected God's purpose for themselves and preserved their own shameful ways. Even now, we interpret and make our own image of Jesus to fit our politics and/or cultural norms excluding many whom Jesus would embrace. Yet the wisdom and grace of Jesus continues to advance in the unlikeliest of places.

Prayer Lord, we come to you out of our comfort zones and into the wilderness because you offer amazing grace and hope to all.

One Word Go and see

Thursday, March 14, 2024

SEE AND HEAR WHAT GOD IS DOING

Luke 7:18-23 / Keywords 7:22

So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

 

Jesus and John the Baptist

7:18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”


20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”


21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”


Footnotes

a. Luke 7:22 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.


1. Before John’s imprisonment (Mt 11), God had used John the Baptist to preach a powerful message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins that turned many people’s hearts to God. It must have now been hard for his disciples to see him bound and unable to continue his work. But they were amazed at how powerfully God seemed to be working through Jesus.

2. When John sent two of his disciples to inquire of Jesus, Jesus told them to report back to John what they have seen and heard: "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." The words reflect what Isaiah prophesied, especially in Isaiah chapters 35 and 61. 3. When our own ministry or work seems to be struggling, we don’t have to dwell in a sense of defeat. Sometimes we just need to look around to acknowledge that God is still working mightily through his Holy Spirit. We are not alone in God’s big picture and plan.

Prayer Lord, even in the time of trials, open our eyes to see how you are working to heal and to plant hope all around us.

One Word Open our eyes and ears

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

SUCH GREAT FAITH

Luke 7:1-17 / Keywords 7:9

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."

 

The Faith of the Centurion

7:1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.


He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”


9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.


Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”


14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.


16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.


1. The Roman centurion was a symbol of oppression to the Jewish people, but the centurion in this passage was different. His surprising love for the Jews, and his own servant, opened his heart to reach out to and put his faith in Jesus’ power to heal. He even had faith in the authority of Jesus' word alone to heal his dying servant. Ironically, such great faith was not found in the religious leaders, but in a Roman centurion.

2. A widow, whose only son had died, was suffering under the power of death. In her sorrow and vulnerability, Jesus compassionately went to her, and she heard Jesus’ voice, “Don’t cry.” Jesus sees us in our most vulnerable selves with compassion as his own child, mother, or sister. Out of his love, he comforted the widow and raised her dead son to life. 3. Whether we reach out to Jesus by faith or allow him to enter into our vulnerabilities, Jesus has the power and compassion to bring healing and hope. When we make the effort to connect rather than put up barriers, there can be healing in our hearts, in our communities and in the world.

Prayer Lord, give me faith that welcomes your power to heal me and those you put in my life.

One Word Faith that heals

WHERE IS YOUR FAITH? Luke 8:22-25 / Keywords 8:24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drow...