Tag: Luke

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Small but significant.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.” He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus, in speaking of the Kingdom of God, uses two words in his object lesson illustrations – tiny and little. Well, really he says it’s like a “kokkos” a grain and “zumé” yeast. The New Living Translation inserts the word “little,” but it’s not in the original language. Apparently yeast is so powerfully pervasive that it needs no modifier word.

Is Jesus saying that the Kingdom starts out small, but grows and expands to something much bigger and more powerful? That’s what it looks like. I don’t want to read too much into Jesus’ word-play here, but it’s interesting to think of God’s plans or His ways being anything but gigantic!

Are God’s ways subtle? I can see how they would be hidden, mysterious, even secretive in the way that would peek our curiosity. It’s hard for my brain to understand words like omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent by descriptions like a mustard seed or a smallest smidgen of yeast!

God does love to start small; creating humans from dust, choosing one unknown nomadic (Abram) to become a nation, a people that would become more populous than the sands of the sea or stars in the sky. And the most famous small to significant example, a chromosome supernaturally implanted into Mary’s ovum, where God takes on flesh and becomes a man. Yeah, this is how God has always approached us and world in which we experience life.

God comes like a grain, a smidgen of greatness, so small, so understated, that it can be easily dismissed or even entirely missed. But it does not remain small, nor nearly invisible. It grows exponentially larger than we can even imagine. Yeah, that sounds exactly like God, like Jesus’ birth, life and death, like what the Kingdom of God will become. It starts small, but hardly insignificant. To find it, to discover it, to live it, we must look for it, like a young child, so curious to touch everything, to exploring their environment constantly. God is not hidden, and neither is His Kingdom. He’s just waiting for us to find Him.

Prayer

​Dad,
It is an absolute wonder to know that, in all your magnanimity, you are still subtle when it comes to us! You still whisper to us. You still want us to come, taking a second look. You still wait to be big in our life and still patiently approach everything that exists in our world and beyond. Small enough, gentle enough for a child to see you and know you. Yet, big enough to be just, right and true above and beyond all other gods. You are enough.

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ENGAGE UNTIL I COME

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’” — ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭13‬‬

KJV Says “occupy” until I come.

The Greek word, “pragmateuomai” is where we get the idea of being pragmatic. Where we do business to make gain or what Jesus was spiritually talking about – “bearing much fruit”

This is seen in John 15:2 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. “

You’ll also find this in John 15:7 “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.”

And again in John 15:8 “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” Not if, but when.

The Apostle Paul writes about this work ethic/pragmatism in Colossians 3:23 NIV “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”

And in 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

The expectation of every disciple of Jesus is that they engage, occupy, or produce. For one, because God has given us so much, but also because Jesus has specifically given us gifts with an expectation that they will be used to continue to produce fruit until he returns.

As a leader in the community of Jesus, the greatest return, the greatest yield of engagement is that we produce one of the most extraordinary increases – another disciple of Jesus.

Who are your five up, five down? Who is discipling you and who are you discipling?

Every single one of us has to work in an area that I call minutia. It is the necessary, sometimes expedient, even critical. But minutia does not often yield eternal results. Filling or filing a government form maybe 100% necessary, but my DOJ or HR compliance certificate will absolutely not show up in the pile worthy or works when I meet Jesus at the judgement (Bema seat of Christ). Calling and waiting on a contracted plumber to come and snake a drain is not exactly kingdom worthy. But poop happens and we gotta do what we do to clean it up.

What are the eternal things that show up in heaven? People! Investing, discipling, loving, praying and encouraging them – tending to the weak and invisible, the hurting and needy. These are the eternal gifts we bring before Jesus at the final reckoning of our righteous deeds.

Jesus told the parable because the crowds kept hearing about the Kingdom of God and began asking when it would arrive. Luke tells us, Jesus told them the story “to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.”

We have used this verse to form an opinion based on the fact that we should be busy about the Kingdom of God work until Jesus returns, which is fine.

But Jesus was still talking about all of us, as his followers, continuing to produce good fruit and to do so in abundance. Bear good fruit. Produce the BEST fruit – making disciples of Jesus!

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Trippin over our gift.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus was super close to Martha, Mary and Lazarus. They were family to him, and their home became a safe, welcoming place to stay and rest. Their home was large enough to host all the disciples as well. It is well known that hospitality was the ultimate expression of love, care and provision in the Jewish culture. The story typifies the struggle between these clashing priorities – serving or sitting with Jesus. The story hits a nerve among those who feel it was unfair to call Martha out for working so hard while her sister seemingly sat around ducking her responsibilities.

We all understand this is Jesus giving the correction! But Jesus has a way of flipping all of our perspectives right-side-up, especially when he challenges our priorities concerning the urgent verses the eternal. We need to let the Holy Spirit sift out preferences so we can see the Kingdom of God.

Jesus says Martha was “perispaó” distracted. Distracted? Martha thought Mary was distracted! What was she distracted about? Luke uses this word Jesus often talked about. She was distracted about “diakonia” the powerful word meaning service. This word was the common Greek word for a waiter, a table servant. The word was constructed from two Greek words meaning “raising dust,” giving us the picture of the sharp attention and speed of a great waiter would look like – moving so fast that dust would fly off their sandals! But this word is also the word for our word – minister! Ministers are supposed to be this picture of ultimate serving. Martha was distracted by ministry, by serving? Ah, yes, our gifting can become so focused, so intense, so singular dimensional that we can’t see, can’t hear anything else happening in the room!

Jesus pointed out Martha’s shadowed side of this beautiful gift of hospitality – she was trippin over her own gift by missing what was more important AND she wanted her sister Mary to join her in her disordered perspective. Martha wanted to pull Mary into her orbit, not Jesus’. Martha wanted Mary to experience what she was experiencing, feel the pressure of her dilemma. Jesus told Martha, she was “merimnaó,” anxious and “thorubeo” disturbed! In Martha’s mind, she WANTED Mary to be anxious and disturbed with her.

If you have ever seen someone excellent in their gift it is amazing. But when you are close enough to someone who excels in their abilities, you’ve also seen how they can be obsessively focused and become situationally blind to everything else. The acuteness of excellence can leave one unable to read the room. And, when this happens, there will be a lot of anger, hurt feelings and unnecessary accusations of others who just don’t “GET IT!” Martha saw Mary as lazy and irresponsible, Jesus saw Mary as dedicated and perceptive!

Jesus corrected Martha because he loved her – but in her “diakonia,” her service, it had brought out her overwhelming intensity, making her anxious, disturbed and critical of her sister. Every single gift can either be shared in a beautiful submission to Jesus OR it can be weaponized with these critical assessments of others! One brings peace and unity, the other brings anger, bitterness and disunity.

Prayer

​Dad,
First of all thank you for loving us enough to correct us in your mercy. I have seen this in my life and have absolutely experienced this in the body of Christ, the Church. And it’s not just our imperfection that causes us to shift or trip over our own gifts and abilities. It’s a tunnel-vision perspective when we are overwhelmed, and start believing it’s more about us and less about you and others. Help us Oh Lord, speak to us Holy Spirit, just as clear as you spoke to Martha. Tell us when we’ve stepped into something that is not helpful, not healthy for us or definitely not others. Help us see when our gift has caused us to produce more fruit of the flesh than fruit of the Spirit.

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Celebrate Belonging.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus followers get back together after being sent out to do exactly what Jesus had been doing – heal the sick, kick out demons, and declare the Kingdom of God. In this debrief, the disciples were ecstatic to discover that demons obeyed them… when they used Jesus name. This idea of accessible power through Jesus to deal with spiritual powers that ensnared and terrified humans, seriously impressed them. And, why wouldn’t it! The crazy discovery that all those amazing supernatural moments Jesus displayed power over elements (water to wine), over sickness, over nature (wind & waves), as well as demons would be available to them simply through faith and declaration of Jesus’ true nature of being God. It had them buzzing with excitement. Look what we can do, Jesus. But Jesus doesn’t allow them to focus nor celebrate for long.

Jesus says something so profound, so chilling that we still have a hard time understanding and processing what he said. “Be excited because your names made the list!” Have you ever made a reservation at your favorite restaurant, the kind that needs a reservation to eat there? Oftentimes, I use OpenTable because it’s quick and easy – plus, it reminds me of the time and place, putting it all in my digital calendar. Okay, it makes me feel smart and efficient – neither of which are my best attributes 🤭. When we arrive, they ask you… do you have a reservation? I would feel uneasy in the moment, if I had not followed the social rules of understanding what their posh services offered. I say “yes,” and give them my name. They look over their list, find my name, and look up. Their face lights up with a smile that says – welcome, you belong here. I’ve seen shows or movies that take it even further. If someone’s Father is a regular, a patron of the place, it’s even more bougie! Each server on duty is trained to know who their son or daughter is upon walking in the door. The perks are all setup to welcome them with an automatic reservation at their favorite table.

The point is this; which is better, bossing around a low-life, rebellious demon, heading to Gehenna, who cares nothing for you? Or Jesus greeting you at the gates of heaven with a hug and a huge smile, saying “welcome, we’ve been waiting for you!” Would I swap out my position of belonging to Jesus, belonging in heaven, for a few lousy moments of power over some pathetic creature whose only passion is torturing defenseless human souls? The evil spirits are forced to come under the authority of Jesus. We, as adopted sons and daughters, are given rights, position and even power because we are Gods – we belong to Him. Jesus is right, it is so much better to celebrate that belonging in comparison to making demons scurry back to their defeated master.

Prayer

​Dad,
Belonging to you as a son is far better than bossing demons around! I’ve seen the arrogance that comes with those who become good at casting out demons. It did something to them, when they became comfortable exercising that authority given by you. I would not want to get used to that kind of power. I’ll take the power of belonging over excising demons every time! Thank you for my name being written in Your book. Thank you for knowing who has rescued me, redeemed me and adopted me into the Kingdom.

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Reaching for position and power.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus’ closest friends, his disciples, his future Apostles had not only seen all the miracles, they had personally experienced supernatural miracles. Yet, something happened that took them back to a familiar battle of disordered desires of comparison. Like some childish playground rules as old as the first two brothers (Cain & Abel)… they asked – who is better? Who is greater? Jesus, who not only possessed all power and authority over all things, but actively displayed this power over demons, sickness, wind, wave and even death itself, had to deal with this head on.

When the disciples started arguing about position and greatness, they mistakenly believed their affiliation and proximity to Jesus to be an entitled promotion to power. But Jesus doesn’t see position or power the way they saw it. In a very Jesus-style moment, he reaches for someone to make the point.

He brings a little child close to him, inviting the child to help him create an object lesson for the grownup adults. Jesus says, “Anyone who welcomes (receives) a little one like this, on my behalf welcomes me.” And further, it makes sense that when you receive a little one, you receive me, thus you receive God himself! Jesus isn’t talking about salvation, he’s talking about our status, our social standing, our positions of authority and power!

When the disciples were arguing about greatness and comparing themselves to each other, Jesus was getting them to reframe the picture. Don’t reach for others of whom you consider to be equal to or better than for comparison. No, reach for innocence, openness, curiosity, wonder and humility. Like a little child!

When the Pharisees reached for position or power they reached for status, strict rules, and even a rock to throw at someone clearly worthless to them. When the disciples started arguing, they reached for position as well! Peter, reaching for power in the garden, grabbed a sword and whacked off a temple guard’s ear. Notice the things Jesus reached for. Having every right to high position and authority, Jesus reached for a little child. Having all power over all things, Jesus reached for a towel to serve, washing his own disciples feet, possibly even his own betrayer, Judas! Jesus did not reach up for position or power, he reached down to serve and love. Ultimately, Jesus reached for the cross that became power over his own death. And rising from the dead, he gave us the power of his resurrection. We will never be more prominent than the moment we anonymously step into serving someone seemingly invisible. We will never be more powerful than the moment we leverage our strength to lift or shield the weak. In the opposite, right side up, Kingdom of God, being least is being the greatest.

Prayer

​Dad,
The power and position dynamics of this world is VERY different than your Kingdom! Comparing ourselves to anything other than you and maybe the innocence of a child will always lead to grief or grudges. Help me to always reach down or over to properly remove any disordered desire of arrogance or pride. I am only what I am because of your grace and mercy.

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Afraid to ask?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭43‬b-‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are so many hard things to understand throughout the scriptures. I am constantly reminded that God’s ways and thoughts are above mine. Meaning, my lens will be blurred until Jesus clears it in heaven. But even then, God will still forever be beyond our thoughts.

The irony of Luke’s observations are worth noting, when we may ponder, “why couldn’t the disciples just see it!” Luke writes, “While everyone was marveling…” Miracles were happening all around them. The amazing outdoor picnic where Jesus feeds 5000 families. The mountaintop chat with Moses and Elijah. The expulsion of a demon out of a child. The disciples minds were constantly being blown away in awe and wonder. Luke writes, at the “megaleios,” majesty of God!

Then Jesus tells them, “I’m going to be betrayed and handed over.” Like falling down a flight of stairs, looking up and wondering how you’re still alive – the disciples minds were instantly tied into tiny knots! What just happened? What changed? And, why now? They had no idea what Jesus was talking about. Their lives, their future now clear as mud.

Luke remarked, “it was purposely “parakaluptó” veiled.” This tumultuous twister of events, these whiplash moments left them “phobeó” full of fear. Have you felt frozen by the chaotic changes around you? This fear left them unable to ask Jesus, “what are you talking about… what is happening right now?” Fear of uncertainty is paralyzing. And we desperately want to ask the questions of clarity! Yet, we don’t know what, who or how to ask. We’re stuck and it’s painfully debilitating. What do we do when we are stuck, afraid and uncertain?

Our only choice is to focus on what we do know and move our hearts towards trusting God who knows all. When we can’t see, don’t understand and feel trapped by fear, it’s not questions that will help us, it’s declaration of who will help us. Sure, we can and should ask God, ask trusted friends and family. But it is likely there will not be any clear answers because of the way things have to unfold. Jesus told them he was going to die. But the how, when, where and who would have to wait within the sequence of time that God had ordained to take place. From our perspective, our lens, things will not make any sense! Oh, what strange fantasies take place when folks try to explain the unexplainable of the future! The only smart choice is not to guess, worry or stay frozen in fear, but to trust and obey God who knows all things and makes all things work out well.

The disciples, staying close to Jesus, found out what God was up to as He unfolded the events just as they needed to be. I think most folks think they want to know their future. It’s sad to see people dabble in darkness with palm readers, seances, tea leaves, horoscopes and wiccan practices. God has definitely shown some people their future, but I’ve seen it drive em a little crazy still not knowing the details. I knew what God called me to as a teenager, but there was no way that alone was going to predict the different assignments within that calling that God had for me. Honestly… I’m glad He didn’t show me! God knows, so it means I need to stay close to Him no matter what. This makes Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 so powerful in times of chaos, confusion or conflict. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Prayer

​Dad,
This whole dynamic of wanting to know, wanting to understand and make sense out of the things that happen in life compared to trusting you is tough. You created us to be solvers and fixers so it comes with this tension. I’m pretty sure it all has to do with faith. Trusting you above and beyond what we see, feel or experience. I also know that sin plays a huge role in our fears and doubts. Your redemption means that we can have Your peace even in difficult times of waiting or silence. Thank you for your mercy and patience as we learn to depend on you.

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Timing is everything.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The gospels are filled with Jesus performing miracles. Yet Jesus often would tell people, “don’t tell anyone.” It’s commonly called the “Messianic Secret.” Isn’t the best part of experiencing a miracle talking about it?

Here in Luke 9, but also in Matthew 16:20 and Mark 8:30, Jesus reveals who he is and what will happen to himself in the near future. I believe these “concealments” have everything to do with timing! If you’ve been walking with Jesus for a while, you begin to see the miracle of the moment. You realize the extraordinary odds of timing as you meet someone, talk with someone or having a note, text or call just happen to take place exactly at the moment of need. All the miracles in the Bible are surrounded by these timely events that must take place in supernatural order. It becomes obvious that these moments are not coincidental, but providential! God orchestrates the most complex timing of events down to the perfect minute. Like Jesus meeting the local samaritan women at the well, outside of town, at noon. That is a precise appointment. And, it took place with Jesus, the disciples and the woman all walking to meet at that moment.

John’s gospel gives us clear hints about why Jesus wanted people not to talk about these experiences so openly. John tells us Jesus said, this phrase several times – my “hour has not yet come” (John 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30). Combined with this perceived secrecy, we have Jesus telling us there is an order to what God is doing. As leaders, we look at principles of momentum and mass, capacity and clarity, but Jesus lives by this “for such a time as this” mindset.

Paul used this beautiful phrase, “the fullness of time.” Wow – isn’t that a deep thought. How can time be full? God is outside of time and his omniscience means that everything is now. There is no then or when! But, Jesus being fully God and fully man, lived within the context of time, where being led by the Spirit of God would pinpoint the accuracy of a miracle moment with perfect precision.

What does mean for us? It means that we can both experience the miracles of God’s moments as well as yield to the Spirit of God to PARTICIPATE in these moments. Have you ever felt like God was doing something supernatural but it just hasn’t happened yet? We cannot step out of time, but we can absolutely step into quick obedience when God directs us to go or speak, wait or pray.

Prayer

​Dad,
It is such a mystery to know that your thoughts are above mine and your ways are beyond my comprehension! Yet, we experience these miraculous moments and you invite us into partnership to be used in them as well. May my faith and courage to be obedient grow like the Apostle Paul said to “take every opportunity,” to see you at work in our lives and other’s lives too. Thank for inviting us to not only walk with you but also work with you in Your Kingdom. That it would be done on earth as it is in heaven!

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Three moments of faith in mission.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke and Mark record this cataclysmic event in the life of the twelve. Jesus sends them off on their first mission’s trip! Luke gets right to it, while Mark first tells us Jesus sent them out in twos. The Chosen, Season 2, Episode “Spirit,” captures it perfectly!

The mission: cast out all demons and heal all diseases. Telling everyone about the Kingdom of God.

Travel instructions: Take nothing. What? Yeah, no walking stick, travel bag, food, money or extra clothes. Wow. no stick, bag, cash or snacks – I’d feel naked! When they go into the town and stay at someone’s house, they should stay with that family until it’s time to leave the town. Later on, when Jesus sends out 70 people, Luke includes a phrase that modern mission’s organizations still use today. The idea is to look for the person of peace – “if a son of peace is there…” Realizing that every town has that unique person, likely ordained by God to be the “key” to the city. Jesus sets the high bar of faith for his followers.

First faith is this “power and authority to cast out demons and heal all diseases.” That’s a big faith. I have been on some mission’s trips and do not remember one of them including that in the mandatory pre-training!

The second faith is that God will use people to provide ALL the needs of the missionaries. It is well known that hospitality is a high priority in middle eastern cultures. If a family sees that its guest has some need, they are prepared and honored to meet that need, even sacrificing their own needs to provide for others. I’m sure the disciples were well cared for in that area.

Luke records Jesus third faith requirement. What happens if I am rejected? Rejection is hard, no matter what century or circumstances you’re in. Jesus tells them, if the town refuses to welcome you – it’s on them NOT on you! Isn’t it interesting that Jesus gives them a framework to understand the possibility of failure? How often when things go sideways on a mission’s trip do we feel that it is our fault and we take responsibility for it. In Jesus training, he forewarns them that it is more likely it’s the people in the town, rather than something they might do wrong.

We might see these passages out of Luke and Mark as only applicable to the first twelve or the second seventy. We’ve got to realize, these stories are meant to be seen as critical for ALL disciples, then and now. As a follower of Jesus, the same three faith experiences in our mission of spreading the gospel is a part of the Kingdom of God. It’s fine for us to classify certain callings to full time or lifetime missionary work, especially in countries not of our own origin. But the reality is Jesus calls us all to the three part faith excursions to GO.

Go, cast out demons.
Go, heal all diseases.
Go, trusting God to provide our needs.
And GO, knowing that rejection may happen.

We (the Church) are really good at believing that all these “discipleship” scriptures are for the professionals of faith. Like there are those God has picked and they must really be good at it. Certainly, that is NOT me! Maybe you feel that you can throw God some cash to help others, which is wonderful to be a generous investor into missions. I still believe is a mandatory experience of a true follower of Jesus. Go on a mission’s trip. Cross a cultural boundary and experience God and people in other contexts. Just remember, Jesus has called all of us to both BE a disciple and to MAKE disciples! All those who profess Jesus as Lord have His power and authority to deal with demons and heal the sick. All of us who proclaim to be citizens of the Kingdom of God are called to live by faith, even to the point of experiencing the radical hospitality of others. And all who follow Jesus will experience failure in our witness and rejection by those who are set to oppose God instead of submitting to Him.

Prayer

​Dad,
Admittedly, faith is scary for us… or at least it is for me. I think everything I know about the miracle of my relationship with you is all about faith. You credited Abraham with righteousness because of his crazy faith in you. Faith to believe, faith to go, faith to sacrifice Issac, and faith to foresee the promised inheritance for the nation! When it comes to stepping out to deal with the demonic or to believe for healing of another – it’s really hard. Even now there’s a part of the Christian community that doesn’t believe it SHOULD happen, let alone could happen! I want to believe. Like the man said, “help me in my unbelief.”

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Relentless Pursuit

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is your calling to go or stay? After a terrorizing night on the beach, where Jesus (a Jewish Rabbi and his 12 Jewish disciples) landed on the shores of Gerasenes. Gersa was a part of the larger Roman Decapolis or ten cities. Jesus purposely crossed the Galilee for an appointment with divine destiny.

No self respecting Jew would have anything to do with this area of the eastern shore. It is believed that the Decapolis was the “Las Vegas” of its day, where there was entertainment, exploration and excitement galore. Gerasenes was known to the locals as “pig island” because of the vast herds providing pork meat products supplying the massive festivals in the arenas. Where there were personal vomitoriums, like public toilets, surrounded the outdoor stadiums, whether it is true or not, decadence was absolutely a big part of the Roman celebrations.

We don’t know where the “tomb man” came from, nor his history. But we do know where he ended up! Out of his mind, and the under control of thousands of demons – his body was like an influencer’s party at an Airbnb. After Jesus exercised the demons out of the man and allowed them to take temporary residence in a large herd of pigs, the response was immediate. The locals wanted Jesus to GO, but the exercised man wanted to go with him! The villagers and the previously demon possessed man were apparently afraid. The difference is, the villagers were afraid of Jesus bringing this kind of power over demons but they also saw that Jesus had power over their entire economy! The pig herders didn’t want Jesus to wipe out any more of their financial income.

The now safe-n-sane man was also afraid. He was afraid to go back to his own community, realizing that his previous life had likely burned all of his relational bridges. He was afraid of the power of his past. The now freed man begged Jesus to take him with them, but Jesus told him “No.” Jesus wanted him to go back to his family, back home where everyone knew his story. Interesting that his “discipleship” path led him back, not forward to follow the savior. Jesus gave him one simple but profoundly difficult command, “Tell them everything that God has done for you.” Some folks journey doesn’t lead them off to extraordinary adventures where life is hard, where the mission field requires language and cultural training. Some are called, chosen to go back to where they came from. Back to the familiar place, where people know them and know their story well.

Jesus was telling him to go back and live a whole different story, starting with the one where he was roommates with 2,800 devils. He had crazy fits of rage, and was a constant danger to anyone that tried to come near to help. But the new story, where he had been set free, now had the power of the love of God radiating from every pore of his soul! This amazing story shows us that Jesus clearly wanted the previously known mad-naked-man to follow him, but to do so by going back to his people, immediately illustrating that God wants us to both BE a disciple but also MAKE disciples. This story also illustrates how God relentlessly pursues the human heart, stopping at nothing to free us and give us a whole new story to tell.

This is how God pursues – endlessly, constantly. Mad naked man only knew how to cut himself, to fend off suicidal whispers. He only knew how to scream from the intense pain of torture and imprisonment. He ran towards Jesus in hope that he could help him, save him! You don’t think God pursues you? Look again. In your torment, fighting to stay alive while whispers of death haunt your mind – scream out to Jesus! He will meet you on the beaches of your own pig island and set you free.

Prayer

Dad,
My life had nowhere near the trauma of the mad naked man, but who knows where it might have gone. All I know is that you saw me, spoke to me and offered me the relationship I needed most – to be my Father. You saved me and are constantly setting me free from my past. I live because you re-wrote my story and now I am yours forever.

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The Parable with a light twist.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus, using common situations to tell simple truths with profound depth, talks about light and lamps. For a very long time, we have found a way to extend daylight by using fire, or now electricity, to enjoy our evenings.

Jesus states the obvious, no one lights up an oil lamp to then cover it or hide it. We turn on lights to make things bright – not dark! It is so clear that everyone hearing this parable might say, uh yeah that’s a given. Jesus then takes the story even further, driving a spiritual point home. He says, “a lamp is put on a stand.” Again, placing light up higher, increases its effectiveness. It doesn’t make it brighter, but it does make those beams of light go further, allowing more people to enjoy its beauty for – “all who enter the house.” The light is not discriminatory on who it reaches. Everyone who is in its presence benefits from its properties.

Jesus then moves to apply the parable to another truth. Light doesn’t just benefit all who experience its illumination. It also exposes everything hiding in the dark! Jesus, being THE light of the world declares the logical next deeper truth – “all that is secret,” will be exposed. No amount of darkness or deception can hide from His eternal glory of the brightest, truest light humans have ever known.

All our sin. All our shadows. All our secrets will be exposed. Nothing has ever been, nor will ever be HIDDEN from the purity that comes from the light of Christ shining on our souls. Is it possible that ALL of our sins, even those forgiven, will be exposed for all to see. Is this exposure part of the “bema” – the judgment seat of Christ. This is where all our deeds are brought before Jesus and weighed for their eternal value? Not a judgement of our sin, but a judgment of our works? Wow. The judgment seat of Christ involves a time in the future when believers will give an account of themselves to Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:10. We don’t hear about this much, do we? I have often thought about what my pile of works will look like when the fire of Jesus torches it to see what is wood, hay and stubble verses what is gold!

Prayer

​Dad,
I still remember hearing about the judgment seat of Christ in one sermon by Raul Reece. I have always known that even though my sins are forgiven, my deeds and my actions that affect others would be judged as worthy or not worthy. It is a sober thought for sure. You are keeping score in so many ways, right? I wonder how many folks know this? May your grace and mercy continue to transform my life to good works – deeds that glorify you and add to the Kingdom of God!