Betrayal

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:1-6

What do you think of the little picture above? There were dozens of internet sites with paintings of the infamous kiss or the shamefully discarded money bag, but this one seemed special. Here is a man alone in near dark, turning away from the only source of light in the picture. What is the worst thing on earth that could happen to you? How about this: Easing yourself down a spiritual stairwell far enough to bid Satan to enter your heart. What a nightmare.

It seems like there are at least two ways to view Judas:

The first way is the easy way. We’ll call it the “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! route. Come on, he spent three years with the Son of God. We’re not exactly sure which teachings and miracles Judas was present for, but John said if they had all been written down the world would not be able to hold the books. How could Judas have not been affected by the Teacher he had lived and traveled with all that time? This tirade could go on…

Or, we could sadly realize that he was made of the same stuff we are. He was (yikes) one of us. No pointy teeth. No perpetual scowl and shifty eyes (Hollywood). When Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray him, they all looked among themselves, right at and through Judas, each asking the Lord if it was them. It seemed at the time like the betrayer could have been anyone, and they all seemed worried for themselves.

It seems that Judas just never trusted God with his heart. He must have figured he could manage as his own spiritual gatekeeper. He must not have known the strength of the Adversary. How very close a relative Judas is to me. But for God’s grace I could have played Judas’ part. That realization makes me want to hit the floor before the Throne of Grace just that much harder. Could it have been me Lord? Surely it could not have been me…

This is a very dark place, but it is also the opening move in Satan’s failed strategy. The Journey to Jerusalem is almost complete. Soon this stage will be flooded with inexpressible light and (to borrow Meghan’s analogy) music of triumph. And if you let your heart listen very carefully, you will detect a low, faint…drum roll.

Wayne Lindell

It's A Matter of the Heart

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments"
Matthew 22: 34-39

Remember the Pharisees? Their motives were not to learn truth, but rather to test Jesus. His answer confronts them with the most vital question of their lives…Will they choose love or not? It always encourages my heart to see Jesus, in his great compassion and mercy speak words of truth and opportunity even to those who are obviously trying to discredit him. He knows they are in error in their hearts and motives, yet he offers them vital, transforming words. Will they choose love or not??

What beautiful simplicity Jesus offers in a complex and confusing world. It really comes down to choosing to love. There is no way to over emphasize love! Jesus elevated love above all other commands.

God created us for relationships with Him and with others, relationships based on loving. So as we personally experience more and more of God’s love, we increase our capacity to love others as well.

So here is the question of the day. Will we choose love or not? What will that look like? Will relationship with and love for my Savior and Lord be my priority? Will I choose to spend focused time with Him? Will I set my heart to remember what this coming week commemorates? Will I respond to His love for me by being so filled, that it overflows to those around me?

Yes, Jesus! I choose love!

Sherry Haake

Admirers and Followers

Please read Matthew 21:12-17
Click here to read this passage online

A couple of days ago, Susanna and I and about eight thousand others attended the Rock & Worship Road Show at the Tacoma dome, one evening, six bands. It was a fun night of Christian music and celebration as we along with the multitude sang and danced our way through the evening as each musical group in procession, brought their own unique sound to the stage. The crowd was alive. The room was electric.

I caught myself at one point in the evening though looking around the arena at all the people worshiping, dancing and singing and wondering, “where do all these people go when the music stops, and the crowds disperse?” “How will these people go back to their jobs, and schools and homes and live for Jesus.” “How will they impact their world for Christ?”

On the heels of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, after all the loud shouts of “Hosanna in the highest”, after the crowds and processional, palm branches and cloaks; Jesus enters the temple courts, and causes quite a ruckus. But this is not the passive, restrained and docile Jesus we like to imagine. In this sequence, he’s no namby-pamby, weak-willed tutor. Rather, this scene captures in slow motion and vivid detail, a glimpse of God’s wrath, the greed and depravity of man, and the blessed mercy of the One who heals. As Jesus moves through the temple court, healing the blind, restoring the lame, children shout their praises to him. In the same moment, the chief priests and the teachers of the law become filled with indignation and conspire to silence him.

Jennie and I got an email today from a friend of ours who teaches at an east coast seminary. On this day, he was going to be preaching in a small church nearby his home. His sermon was on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and he included his sermon notes in the email. Upon reading them, I began to see more clearly the distinction between the Admirers and Followers of Christ. Why many, as consumers praise him, but few take up their cross daily and follow him in complete obedience and surrender. Admirer’s are critics, unattached and carefree. “Yet a time is coming and has now come,” Jesus states, “when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23 & 24.

Jesus isn’t looking for more Admirer’s, he’s looking for disciples. For those willing to lay it all on the line and follow him, wherever he may go, whatever the cost. He’s looking for those who will trust and obey, long after the music stops and the crowds disperse.

May this be our prayer today, and everyday:
“Jesus, clear the temple of my heart. Drive out all that is not pure. Overturn the tables of my self-sufficiency, topple the benches of my pride. Make my heart your house of prayer, that I may be one with your will and live wholly for you now and forever. Amen. “

Tom Kind

The Music Builds

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " Matthew 21:1-5

In our house, we imagine heaven a lot. We have all sorts of hopes and dreams about what exactly it is that God is preparing for us, that "no mind can conceive." Flying and ridiculously large perfect fruit are two common themes. And for me, music. I'm no musician. But in heaven, I think I'm going to be. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in two heavenly bands - one as the lead singer, and one as a drummer. I'm relatively sure you're laughing at me right now. But seriously, I would SO LOVE THAT! I know this may not coincide with the kinds of things most people think of when they think of heaven. And the theology is questionable. But in the Henderson house, when it comes to heaven, we let our imaginations run wild.

When I'm taking a break from my heavenly performing career, I'm going to sit down and compose a symphony. It's going to be about Jesus' ministry on earth. The first part. . .I don't even know the right musical terms! . . . the first "part" - is it a movement?? - would be full of energy and hope. Think of the excitement of Jesus ministry years - healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead. A kingdom where the weak are made strong and the oppressed are set free. This is joyful music!

But at today's passage, the music begins to change. Intensity begins to build. It starts toward the kind of music that our daughter once described as sounding "like somebody's gonna get somebody." True, it's leading to the celebration of Palm Sunday - Jesus getting a piece of the worship he deserves as king. But in another sense, today's passage is where the tide truly begins to turn. To me, this feels like the point of no return. As Jesus rides on this colt, I imagine tears on his cheeks - knowing that the very crowd that will soon shout "Hosanna!" will instead, in a few short days, shout "Crucify him!"

As we enter this next week. . .the Passion week, the Holy week. . .the week leading up to Jesus crucifixion, I invite you to enter in to the emotion, the intensity of the week. Be reminded of the weight of our sin, and the gravity of it's consequences. Be amazed by Jesus' resolve as he walks through the week, toward it's unthinkable climax. This is the week. This is everything! This is EVERYTHING. Without the crucifixion, we are still dead in our sins. My heart is absolutely filled to capacity right now - I can't convey to you all of the thoughts and feelings that begin to swirl around inside of me as I think for just a couple of minutes about what Jesus is about to do in the coming chapters. But then again, some emotions are too big for words. They need something bigger. Like maybe a symphony.

Meg Henderson

For Example

As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, “Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David! The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, “Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!”
Jesus stopped and called over, “What do you want from me?”
They said, “Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!”
Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession. Matthew 20:29-34 (The Message)

In the verses preceding this passage, we find the disciples asking about greatness in Jesus’ present kingdom. Jesus answered them…Greatness involves humbling ourselves and taking our place as one of God’s little ones. Greatness involves accepting others as little ones too; seeking to restore when they go astray, having patience, and always being willing to let forgiveness wash away the hurts that sin must bring.

Then Matthew recorded a deeply moving incident that helps us sense what Jesus’ kind of greatness is. As Christ and the disciples were leaving Jericho, a great crowd followed. Two blind men, sitting by the road, heard that Jesus was passing by. They cried out to Him. The crowd callously told them to be quiet. But the two only called louder. And Jesus stopped.

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, toward His trial and crucifixion. He was burdened by great crowds who did not care, by disciples who did not understand. But Jesus set aside His own burdens and need to respond to this call for help. “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him” (v. 34 NIV).

Jesus stopped—for the individual in the crowd. Jesus cared for the outcasts whom the crowd considered worthless.

This is greatness. To touch in compassion, and to give ourselves for others as their servant, for Jesus' sake.

Ken Churchill

Kingdom Ambitions

Please read Matt.20: 20-28
Click here to read this passage online

Though at first it seems amazing that the mother of two of the disciples; namely James and John, would make such an incredible request of Jesus. There are at least a few clues as to why she felt she could approach him in this way. It is likely she was Jesus aunt, or a close relative. She was also with his followers and it is evident from her request that she truly believes Jesus is who he says he is, and will come into his kingdom. She is a woman of faith, who knows she has access and will be heard. Notice too her sons are right there with her, so they apparently encouraged her to do the asking! She had ambitions for her sons.

So James and John wanted priority positions in the kingdom and Jesus listens to the request and challenges such thinking.

It amazes me that just prior to this exchange, Jesus had been telling his disciples very explicitly of his coming suffering, death and ressurrection . So when he asks them if they can drink the cup he is going to drink, he is referring to his suffering and death. But the disciples are still not grasping what is going to take place and they say, yes, we can drink it! Interestingly, while this conversation is taking place, the other disciples are angry because they realize what James and John are seeking, and they want it for themselves!

Doesn’t your heart just ache for Jesus at this point? He’s headed into the most horrific week of his life, and He has tried to prepare those closest to Him, but they are still confused and caught up with position and competition, and desire for power and authority. And what does Jesus do? He considers them as more important than himself and turns this into an opportunity to teach them kingdom principles that are vital for them and us.

~Though some in authority lord it over others, kingdom leaders are not to do this.

~Greatness in the Lord’s kingdom does not come by using people, but by serving them.

~The goal should be serving not ruling. Those most highly esteemed in the kingdom will be those who humbly serve others

Jesus, Himself is the ultimate example of this principle. He did not come into this world to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a Ransom for many.

Lord Jesus,
I know I still get caught up with the worlds methods and views. Sometimes I use people instead of serving them. I do not apply the vital principles you have given for kingdom living and I waste or miss opportunities to serve. Forgive me Precious Savior, Lamb of God, Redeemer. As Passion week approaches, I want to set my heart afresh to consider the price you paid, to choose to be in Your presence, to follow my Leader and consider others as more important than myself.

Sherry Haake

Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man. . .

Luke 19:1-9
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

When was the last time you climbed a tree without promptly falling out of it? When was the last time you sprinted out ahead of a crowd to capture a glimpse of a celebrity? I can’t imagine (in any time or culture) a chief tax collector with an undersized body being especially skilled at either of these feats. Some kind of fire must have been burning in Zacchaeus to propel him out of his easy, rich life to perform these playground antics. We’re not told how that fire was set, but I think we know.

Enter the Son of Man: thronged with people yet taking notice of Zacchaeus, calling him by name and with pleasant authority inviting himself over for dinner - all to the indignity of some. Jesus was not deterred by the fact that tax collectors cheated by demanding payments above the Roman rate. Tax collectors were commonly thought of as traitors and selling-out their own people. In spite of the standing facts, Jesus wanted to engage with Zacchaeus. The Kingdom was more important than Occupied Israel or Rome.

Zacchaeus acted on an impulse to seek out Christ, responded to Christ’s requests and repented of wrongs with the intent to right them. Imagine all that culminating in hearing from the Lord’s own voice announcing that salvation had come to you. What a wonderful, encouraging little story, with Jesus defining his mission right there: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

A first-century Christian writer tells us (in writings outside the New Testament) that Zacchaeus became a companion of Peter and together with the Apostles, preached in Rome. Even after all the grief of subjugation and temptation Zacchaeus had experienced under the Romans, he would deliver them not curses, but the good news, giving his very life for it. Little Zacchaeus apparently accepted a martyr’s death in Rome under the reign of Nero.

He may be more famous as a children’s Bible story character, but we can still see much of ourselves in Zacchaeus, weak beings with a little fire inside, getting encouragement from Christ to move forward.

Wayne Lindell

Blind Bart

Please read Mark 10:46-52

Don’t you wonder how long blind Bart had sat in that place as an outcast, hearing about this Jesus? How many stories had he heard recounted of this Son of David from busy travelers, as he sat along the roadside? I’ve heard it said that when one of our senses has been dulled, the others become much more clear. Without sight, I’ll bet this man had a very keen sense of hearing. Think of his joy when he heard that this day, Jesus of Nazareth, the one he had heard so much about, was right there! Walking by the very place where he sat begging. His daily routine of calling out for coins turns to calling out for mercy. Others tried their best to quiet this outcast…this blind beggar….but, he won’t be quieted. He continues to cry out all the more to the One who heals….

Who is this Son of David…this Jesus of Nazareth? The One who hears the cries of the outcasts, the One who stops what He’s doing to listen to those calling out to Him. There seems to be nothing too important that would stop Him from being available to those who call upon His Name. That the God of the Universe would actually ask the needy one, ‘what is it you want me to do for you?’ Unbelievable!!!

This man’s ordinary day turns extraordinary as he courageously calls out to the God of Wonders and is heard! His encounter with Jesus not only restores his sight, but also his vision for his life. He goes from being crippled to being set free to follow!

What is it you would like Jesus to do for you?

Kari Levang

Mission Possible

Please read Mark 10:17-27

Your mission, should you choose to accept it… is to get that enormous, dusty, cud chewing, flat-footed camel through the eye of this needle.

It is impossible. It is just as impossible as earning your way to heaven, or buying eternal life. It cannot be done.

That rich, young guy wanted a checklist, an instruction booklet, a price tag. He was a rule follower as much as he was a rule maker. He saw the benefit of outward compliance, external conformity. Rules made sense to him: do not cheat, do not lie, don’t run in the hall, buckle up, be quiet in the library. This is common sense, it is orderly, it is possible.

As I picture this scene, I think he probably felt pretty confident addressing Jesus, he was on top of the world. He was rich, he has a position of authority, he was young, he was polite, he was respectful AND he thought he was onto Jesus. He just wanted that final piece to the puzzle, the golden ticket to eternity.

It turns out that he was lacking. His void was his wealth. Jesus knew that all the rule following of a lifetime could not take the place of inner obedience. Jesus told him to sell his things and give to the poor in order to remove the obstacle that was in his way. It was also to snap his focus, whiplash style to what is important….kingdom stuff, heavenly treasure building through earthly treasure liquidation, helping the poor and answering the call to follow Jesus.

That poor, dejected fellow walks away slack shouldered. Jesus asked too much, it seemed impossible, just like that stinky camel.

Two little nuggets spin this story around. The first is found in verse 21, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Jesus loved him. His words sound harsh for love, but he loved him enough to say it and knew that this guy’s choices had to be narrowed down to two. The second is found in verse 27, Jesus said, “with man this is impossible, but not with God, all things are possible with God.” I surely cannot do it, but God can. Mission possible.

Jennie Kind

Return to Jesus

Please read Luke 17: 11-19

This portion of scripture tells the story of God’s mighty power at work for ten individuals with leprosy. A simple call out to their Lord and he heals them on the
spot. The minutes that follow this miraculous healing, however, are quite telling. Only one returns to Jesus, to thank and praise God for the healing miracle that just took place in his life. Jesus gets directly to the point. He asks the man, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God…?”

The same question could be directed at me on a daily basis. How many small, simple and beautifully subtle whispers of God’s goodness are washed over me every day and how often my heart is filled with fear instead of faith, want instead of contentment and entitlement instead of gratefulness. I’m sure the other nine individuals were thankful to have been healed, but only one took the posture of returning to Jesus.

My heart’s desire is to return to Jesus to give praise to God for all of the big and little ways He is working. To turn from my fear and return to Jesus. To turn from my wanting and return to Jesus. To turn from my entitlement and return to Jesus.

God, give us eyes and hearts that are sensitive to the ways you work in our lives daily. Cultivate in us grateful hearts that give you the glory and help us to return to you the glory and praise.

Jenny Vollmer

Pride

Please read Luke 18:9-14

Would you be willing to take a few minutes to meditate on today's scripture? Here's what I'm thinking when I say "meditate":

1. Think about it - about what it means, about how it applies to you
2. Pray about it - God, why did you want me to read this in your Word today? Where has pride crept into my attitudes? How is my pride affecting those around me in ways that I haven't seen before? How is my pride affecting my relationship with You, God?


"It is pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began. " - C.S. Lewis

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:6

" Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest plae and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " Philippians 2:5-11

Meg Henderson

Go Big

Please read Luke 15:11-31

prod•i•gal
1. recklessly extravagant
2. having spent everything

Dozens of books—entire series of books, even—have been based on this well known parable. A few weeks ago I read one of the most recently published: Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller. In this parable, says Keller, “Jesus is showing us the God of Great Expenditure, who is nothing if not prodigal toward us, his children. God’s reckless grace is our greatest hope.”

The father in Jesus' story represents God: Jesus' own father and our father in heaven. This father knew the degree of his sons' selfishness, the magnitude of the younger son’s offenses, and the depth of the older son's resentment. Yet he loved each without reserve and with everything he had, without regard for how his sons would respond or what others might think. If anyone in the story is "prodigal," it's the father. The man knew how to "go big" with his love.

God is a "go big" God. He is absolute in all of who he is. When it comes to loving you and me, he does it extravagantly, immeasurably, unconditionally, and unstoppably.

I don’t even come close to loving this way. But I want to. God, my hope is in your reckless grace. Please teach me to receive it fully, so I can learn to spend it freely.

"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
—Ephesians 5:1, The Message

"Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."
—1 Corinthians 13:13, The Message

Krysti Hall

Jesus in Wonderland

Please read Matt 20:1-16

I haven’t seen Tim Burton’s rendition of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ yet. But I do remember having to read Lewis Carroll’s original crazed story in high school. What I remember best about this story is that it’s wacky. Not much of it made sense to me. Carroll tosses aside most literary constructs like Jesus tosses temple tables. Nothing happens that’s predictable. Even Greek gods appear less capricious. I couldn’t tell you, even if I wanted to, if there is a point to Carroll’s stories. I do know this though, there has been much speculation over the years regarding Carroll’s literary work. Some say his writing is allegorical containing hidden meanings. Some say he’s a crazed man. I don’t know. Personally, I think his works are amusing, but kind of weird.

Sometimes when reading the gospels, Jesus reminds me of the Cheshire cat. He speaks in words that appear to make no sense. Jesus speaks in parables when I want him to come clean and speak straight. The first will be last. The greatest will be the servant of all. He says the weak are strong and the strong are weak; that the way to life is death. Really? What? What does it mean to eat his flesh and drink his blood? It sounds like crazy talk, this ‘lose your life to find it’ nonsense. Similarly, when we, like the multitudes, want Jesus to do something amazing, he slips away Cheshire catlike, and appears to do nothing. He defies our best efforts to control. We try to pin him down with questions, he sends us away empty handed and with more questions.

The truth is, we still can’t pin Jesus down. In our thinking we can’t figure him out. His Kingdom economy is nonsensical to our post-modern thinking, where truth is relative, where fairness reigns. Jesus tosses aside religious constructs like he tosses temple tables. Christ’s view of the world is very different from our own. His priorities are not the same as ours. We think, “Let me take care of business, then I’ll take care of the kingdom.” Jesus insists, “Seek first the kingdom and these will be added to you.” We assemble our dream team. Jesus assembled a rag-tag rabble of 12 bumpkins. We devise clever marketing schemes, Jesus entrusted himself to the Father and relied on the Holy Spirit. To us failure is not realizing our dreams. In the kingdom of heaven, failure is the result of not trusting God despite circumstance.

Even today Jesus alone remains history’s most controversial figure. To some he is the most revered, Time Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ for all time, God incarnate, LORD of all. Still others despise him, they still mock, cajole, torment and even kill his followers. Many still die for Jesus. Many more though find life, bountiful and spilling over as God intended it to be. Is that really so hard to understand?

Tom Kind

Lost and Found

Please read Luke 15:8-10

This is one of a series of parables of Jesus, about lost things and the joy and celebration when they are found. In this case, a woman lost a coin, which represents part of her dowry. It has great value to her and she is determined to find it. When she does find it, she calls her friends to rejoice with her. And Jesus says, in the same way, there will be rejoicing in the presence of angels, over one lost soul who turns to God.

Lost sheep are important to find. Lost coins are important to find. But to Jesus, the most significant “find” is lost souls! Lost people who turn to Jesus bring about celebration in the presence of angels!

I remember my own determination to find lost things…. Lost contact lens, lost keys, lost cell phone, lost pictures, or papers of importance, but all of those pale into insignificance compared to the time I thought my child was lost. Even though it was only a few moments that he was out of my sight, my heart was filled with deepest longing until I knew my child was safe and I held him in my arms. I wanted to shout and dance with joy! I think that is just a hint of what Jesus is talking about when He teaches us about celebration in the presence of angels when one lost soul is found.

Father God, I long to have your heart for lost souls! Help me not to see lost things as more important than lost ones who are in my world.

~Sherry Haake

The Great Invitation

Please read Luke 14:15-23

Father as we read this portion of Scripture, may we continue be
overwhelmed that you chose to go out to the roads and country lanes to
make your invitation available to all who would listen! Let us not
grow complacent of the Great Invitation we have been given in Christ!
Not only the invitation to come to you for salvation but the
invitation to trust you, to believe you, to rest in you. Lord, help
us to be people who do not tarry or make excuses, but those who run to
you!

Please click here to listen to Invitation

Kari Levang

Please read Luke 13:18-21

It is the winter of 30 AD. Jesus is making his last journey to Jerusalem and he wants his disciples to understand how the Kingdom of God is going to get started and what it is going to look like.

The Kingdom is going to grow in the hearts of people - almost invisible, but with great effect - like yeast, which can turn a lump of goo into a wonderful loaf of challah. No ousted Romans, no disciples becoming governors, just little Jesus-Followers flavoring and affecting the world around them in a way that will forever change the course of human history.

Jesus knew that the almost unseen beginnings of the Kingdom would in time branch and blossom into a dynamic movement. In less than a generation, people would be turning toward Christ at the rate of thousands per day.

It seems that the mustard plant germinates from a very small seed and given the right conditions some varieties of it can grow 10 to 20 feet high in one season! And as for the birds? Psalm 84:3 says: “Even the sparrow has found a home… a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.” Let’s make it our prayer that, like those birds, we all find rest and sanctuary within the Kingdom of God.

One last tidbit about the mustard plant: The Latin name for this family of plants is Cruciferae or crucifer, which means cross-bearing. And sure enough, if you look closely at the little yellow flowers you’ll see that with four perfect petals they offer the sign of the cross, the key to the Kingdom. Just another coincidence, I suppose.

Wayne Lindell

Ready and Waiting

Please read Luke 12:35-40

As I read through this portion of Scripture, I cannot help but notice the tension in my heart and the sudden force of anxiety deep in my stomach. This story brings me back to part of my story. This scene of being on guard, watchful and not knowing when the master would come home is very reminiscent of life in my home as a child. I lived on guard, watchful, listening for the rumble of his truck, the sound of his footsteps coming to the door. Had I done everything to be sure the house was as he required it to be? Is there a fresh cup of coffee brewing so that he can instantly have one at his fingertips as he arrives? Has the fire been burning in the fireplace long enough to have the house at the proper temperature? What will his words be when he walks in the door? Words of condemnation and disappointment or will I have met the mark today? Dreaming of what it would be like to live in eagerness to run into the arms of a loving daddy. Even at the retelling of this scene, I feel my heart racing and a panic rising up in me…..DEEP BREATH…..

Then I think of this story…of this Master…the Master who is coming for His Bride! The Master who is not looking for flaws, but One who is eager to be with His children. One who calls us to a life of readiness, not out of skewed power or control, but out of a heart that knows that as we live in expectancy and readiness, there is a growing capacity in our hearts for Him. This life of readiness and watchfulness is not so that He will find comfort when he comes, but so that we will experience the peace and wholeness that comes as we live in expectancy for our Perfect Father. This Daddy has arms open wide for his children, eagerly anticipating their childlike trust, simply because they are HIS.
Praise you JESUS, our Father and our King!!! May we continue to live in expectancy…not out of unhealthy fear, but out of great love and expectancy for the return of our KING!!!

I’m grateful today that the Spirit of God has done some gracious work in my heart, helping me believe the truths of the True Master in deeper ways.

Kari Levang

Did You Just See That?

Please read Luke 12:32-34.

Many years ago Tom and I were at the Reuben H. Fleet Aerospace Museum. We were wandering among the various exhibits. Once, when I turned my head I saw an image of Bugs Bunny, I looked again and saw no image of Bugs Bunny. I said to Tom, “Did you just see Bugs Bunny?” He of course jumped to the conclusion that I was losing my mind and said no he had not just seen Bugs Bunny. A few minutes later, I saw it again, I did a little 360 looking for the source of this image…nothing. I was a little afraid to mention it thinking that perhaps I had, indeed, “lost it”. A little while later, to my amazement, Tom said, “I just saw Popeye!” Aha! Maybe I’m not seeing things. We were on the hunt, seeking the source of these mysterious and fleeting visions. As it turned out, there were these non-descript poles located throughout the exhibit hall that would pulse red, LED lights at just the right frequency for your brain to detect various images. You would only see them if you turned your head at exactly the right time and even if you were to look directly at the poles you would just see a vertical line of tiny red lights…no image.

Today’s passage is a fleeting peek into the kingdom. Jesus is comparing and contrasting God’s economy with the world’s economy. He uses extreme language to make his point and goes straight to the heart of what most of us find at the top of our priority lists; our possessions. But this directive to sell our possessions and give to the poor comes on the heels of this statement, “do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Please note the past tense form of the word “pleased”, if you are a believer, he has already given you his kingdom. This glimpse, peek, flash of heaven is meant to wrangle our minds to holy places. It is hard to imagine this world in any other terms than real-time Technicolor reality, but it is a mere shadow compared to the glory of heaven that awaits us. He is making our current reality relevant to our heavenly reality. Our worldly things wear out, get stolen, become obsolete and are exhausted. This will never happen in heaven. As per usual, this little morsel of scripture is not in fact about stuff, wealth, possessions; it is all about our hearts. Is your heart set on worldly things that are oh so temporary or on heavenly things that go on for an eternity?

I John 2:17 says, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” That is the best news I have heard all day.

Jennie Kind

Don't Worry; I love you

Please read Luke 12:22-27
Jesus asks, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” I wonder how many of his listeners caught the converse: that worrying can actually cost hours of one’s life.

I’m pretty sure Satan is a huge fan of worry. It’s cheap [for him] and effective. After all, there are so many handy things I can be tempted to worry about. And it’s an easy sell because it doesn’t require me to do anything about anything. That’s probably Satan’s favorite thing about worry: it paralyzes. It deafens my ears to God’s promises; blinds my eyes to his blessing, his work, and his leading; and sidetracks my heart from everything but my worry.

What do I get in return for my worry? A deficit—a loss of time, thought, emotion, and energy. Worry wastes huge pieces of the one life God gave me to live “to the full.” And it’s not even fun!

So why do I do it? I think I forget that I matter—and how much I matter—to God. Even though I absolutely believe God’s word and know in my head and my heart that he loves me, I think part of me is still convinced that if I don’t look out for me and mine, no one else will—including God.

“Consider the ravens,” Jesus says. “They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds.”

God doesn’t just tell me, “Don’t worry; be happy.”

Instead, he tells me, “Don’t worry; I love you. I made you. I know you better than you know yourself. I love you more than you love yourself. I know your needs. Love me, trust me, seek my kingdom. I’ll take care of you.

Krysti Hall

Watch Out!

Please read Luke 12:13-21

As I read this passage, verse 15 makes me stop in my tracks: Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Three things really catch my eye:
1: "Watch out! Be on your guard. . ." Those phrases seem so defensive. So active. Like greed is on the attack, and we have to protect ourselves from it. Wouldn't it be more exact for Jesus to simply remind us not to be greedy - to keep ourselves in check? But when I stop to consider . . .I realize that Jesus' words hit the bulls eye. Greed sneaks up on me. Overall, I don't think I'm a greedy person. Actually, I think I'm pretty content. Then I see how much nicer someone else's house is. . .and greed sneaks in. I hear about someone's sunny tropical vacation. . .and there's greed again. If I don't watch out, if I'm not on my guard. . .greed finds a chink in the armor, every time.

2. "All kinds of greed." I think this is an interesting choice of words. I mean, greed is greed, isn't it? I guess not - not according to Jesus anyway. There are multiple kinds of greed. This is a check for me against the habit of comparing myself to others instead of to God's standard for me. I'm not ultra materialistic. I don't feel like I spend my life trying to keep up with the Jones's. But that's not good enough for God. Not even close. Greed doesn't only look like I think it looks. So where has greed snuck into my life, in disguise?

3. "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Of course it doesn't. But sometimes I sure live like it does - my time gets consumed by earning enough money, making sure bills are paid, and hoping there's enough left over for something fun. But that's not life. When being grown-up and worrying about money feels stifling, when it feels like there surely has to be more to life than this. . .it's because there IS more to life! THANK GOD! Jesus says "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10, The Message).

God, guard us, and strengthen us to guard ourselves, against greed - it will stifle us, distract us from you and from your people, and consume us. Help us learn contentment - through and through. And Jesus, you are LIFE. Help us live like it's true - not chained down by the worlds' standards, but freed up for, and by, the "real and eternal life" that is both "more and better. . .than we've ever dreamed of."

Meg Henderson

Let's Not Fool Ourselves

…Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t become contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever, before long you will be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day is coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.
Luke 12:1-3 (Message)

I used to think that hypocrisy was only doing something you knew was wrong, to fool others. It can be: one meaning of the original word is “playacting.” But the other day I was reading some of the teachings of Larry Richards on this passage. I discovered there is another emphasis here. Hypocrisy is “outward show.” The Pharisees were not pretending. They actually thought that the outward show, the ritual, the attention to minutiae, was the real thing! They had mistaken externals for the real heart of faith.

Because they mistook outward show for reality, their inner eye was blind. What they thought was light, was darkness! With their values wrong, all that they might do could only lead them deeper into the dark night of the soul.

In this passage we find Jesus warning His disciples (and us as Christ-followers), against viewing spiritual life as did the religious people of His day. Outward show had become more important to them than the heart; the external had become reality for them. Yet there is a day coming when no one will be able to hide his or her illusions! There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known (v.2).

When God reveals reality, how vital that neither you nor I end up fooling ourselves…and end up wandering into the cold, dark, empty world of outward show.

Ken Churchill

Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee!

Luke 11:42 (The Message)
I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing every nickel, & dime you get, but manage to find loopholes for getting around basic matters of justice and God’s love. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required.

As you can see, our scripture for today is one verse. One powerful,‘make me tremble’ verse!

According to Richards Expository Dictionary,“In Jesus day, the Pharisees were the most respected and influential group In Judaism.” Yet Jesus calls them frauds! They actually believed that the external rules they followed were more important than the condition of their hearts! They valued knowledge and ritual, but they did not have love and mercy in their hearts. Jesus is very direct, warning them they must get their priorities straight…loving God and people, more than rules and rituals.

I want to read this verse and all the verses about the Pharisees and be shocked at their blindness and self interest, even in the presence of the living God. I want so much to think that never happens to me. That I have never made a list in my mind about what it should look like to be a ‘good’ Christian and then checked myself and others against that list, instead of what Jesus taught us is the first and greatest law.

“To love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and love my neighbor as myself”…How many times has Jesus had to say to me, by His Spirit…Woe to you, you are being a fraud! You are not loving, you are not showing mercy…

Thank you Lord, that your Word, even one verse of it, can bring us to our knees, can bring us to repentance, and restoration….

Today I choose relationship over rules, I choose love over judgement, I choose mercy. I choose You!

Sherry Haake

Hallelujah!

Please read Luke 11:9-13

Okay, so a few years ago I took a Sunday School class about Handel’s Messiah. I found a lot of the information intriguing and compelling and I daresay fascinating. Handel’s Messiah was written in just 24 days in the summer of 1741. I am convinced that this short time frame points to God’s hand in its creation. It was meant to be an Easter oratorio even though it is more often performed at Christmas. It includes all aspects of Christ’s life including the prophecies of his birth, his birth, death, resurrection and his triumphant return. Here is the kicker, it was written during a time when deism was at the peak of its popularity. Deism is the belief that God or god or gods created the universe and then abandoned it ceasing to interact with its inhabitants. People believed that God was out there but unwilling to be relational or a part of their lives in any way. Ask something of him? Fat chance. Seek him? Out of the question. Knock on the door? Go away, no one is home.

Handel’s brilliant masterpiece is full of drama and emotion. It paints beautiful pictures that depict everything from peaceful pastures to a regal throne room. The music runs the gamut from calming to brooding then on to the swelling crescendo of the Hallelujah Chorus. During the performance that the King George attended he leapt to his feet at the Hallelujah Chorus. It was an epiphany! God was not absent. God was not unreachable. God loves his people, yes his creation! This piece of music made people realize that God is accessible, and always has been. This story of our Messiah is the ultimate story of love, God’s love for us. Make no mistake, God did not change, but I think perhaps this was a catalyst for a change in humanity’s perception of God and his love for his people.

This passage in Luke is our personal invitation from God to access him. Jesus is reaching out to us and not only giving us permission but in fact, urging us to approach him. In Hebrews it says, “ So friends, we can now, without hesitation, walk right up to God into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God.” (Hebrews 10:19, The Message) Ask me, dear one, it will be given to you. Seek me, my precious child you will find me. Knock on my door and it will be opened to you, indeed, flung open wide.

Click here, close your eyes, and listen.

Jennie Kind

"Living the Lord's Prayer"

Please Read Luke 11:1-4

These are some thoughts taken from the postscript of David Timm's book, "Living the Lord's Prayer".
I just loved it and decided that his words didn't need any of mine added in! ~ Kari Levang

The Lord's Prayer represents the deepest commitment of the human life imaginable. Frank Lauback put it this way:

"The Lord's Prayer is the most used and the least understood. People think they are asking God for something. They are not--they are offering God something....The Lord's Prayer is not a prayer to God to do something we want done. It is more nearly God's prayer to us, to help Him do what He wants done....The Lord's Prayer is not intercession. It is enlistment."

We don't pray the Prayer to solicit God's attention. We pray it to catch our own. In a world buried in the malaise of mediocrity, waist-deep in complacency, and swamped by our self-centeredness, the Prayer calls us to transformation. And as our lives conform to the plan and design of the Father, we discover that in giving everything, we lose nothing.

As you live the Prayer, may you know the unfolding joy of His presence and the wonder of His transforming power.

An Open Letter to Mary

Please read Luke 10:38-42

Dear Mary,

My friend Katy visited her dad in Atlanta last week and told me a story that totally reminded me of you. I am thinking of the time that Jesus came to visit you and your sister and how Jesus needed to give Martha some relationship advice!

Sadly, Katy’s mom passed away last year so she made a special trip to help her Dad with the sorting, wrapping, boxing and storing of her mom’s things. She didn’t have much time there but she knows how to tackle a task and she is a hard worker (kind of like your sister).

Well, the first night Katy couldn’t sleep so she went downstairs into one of the large rooms filled with things her mom had been collecting, things that now needed to be sorted. ‘Why, oh why, did you buy all these things, Mom? Look at all this STUFF!’ As she looked more carefully at the items in the crammed room, she realized that most of the shelves were filled with items her mom had bought as gifts for other people. Her mom was all about showing people she cared for them by giving them gifts. The room was full of gifts for specific people but also many were there just to have on hand so she could give them at a moments notice. Her mom’s life was characterized by her amazing relationships with others, from the garbage man, to the lady who did her dry cleaning and it extended to every neighbor on their block. This room was just a window into the relationships that truly were her way of life.
As Katy stood in that room, in the middle of the night, she said suddenly several things became crystal clear. All the stuff around her meant nothing apart from the relationships to which they belonged. It was merely ‘stuff ‘. Relationships are what outlast a house full of things. She knew exactly what had to happen in the morning.

Instead of a frantic day of sorting through which items should be kept, Katy reclaimed those few precious hours in Atlanta with her dad. They went out for breakfast. She helped him get some new jeans. They strolled in the park and went to a movie. She said they had such a precious time that day, laughing, crying, reminiscing and just being together. Everything, all the 'stuff’ could get packed up and given away because it was truly unimportant. I think Jesus would have said the same thing he said to you, Mary, ‘[Katy] has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her’.

I know I tend to be a lot more like your sister, Martha, busy, getting everything sorted. So, I wanted to thank you and my friend Katy for being such good reminders of how Jesus created us for relationships.

Sincerely,
Shannon

P.S. I’ve included a picture of Katy and her dad, Coby.

Shannon Wittenberg

Animation 101

When Julia first created this little video, I was delighted by the whimsical mice and happy to know that some of those hours she was spending in front of a computer screen involved more creativity than video games! I was curious when Roxy Clum commented to Julia at church that watching it had really made her think about the parable. What is there to really be thoughtful about when watching clay mice act out a parable I know so very well, I wondered. So I watched it again, with my ‘Roxy’ hat on.

Click Here to Watch Julia's Video

A couple of thoughts:
I am often like the second, fancy mouse that came by. Those needy people on my path that are beaten up by life situations, robbed of dignity or hope, frankly they are the last people I want to see on an otherwise perfectly pleasant day. So, I cover them up. Pulling the yellow piece of paper over the victim did not make him less needy, but at least Fancy Mouse didn’t have to look at that mess anymore. I can relate.

Thankfully, there are the times when I do reach out and help. It is gratifying to know that this is what Jesus would do and there is often real, personal joy in helping others. If I am honest with myself though, when I risk time or money or personal safety or convenience to be a Good Samaritan I would really like a little acknowledgment for my trouble. The hospital where Albino Mouse dropped off his battered friend for care took his money but made it clear that Albino, himself, was not welcome there. Often there is no heartfelt gratitude, or even recognition for stepping into a situation where help is needed. That’s a problem if it was my motivation for helping in the first place.

Jesus wants my heart of love for people around me to be my motivation. While my own efforts have a tendency towards lining up ‘perfectly pleasant days’, He desires to bless me by growing my capacity to love others. Sometimes this growth is on a road with needy people when no one is watching.

Shannon Wittenberg

An Almost Missed Blessing

Please read Mark 10:13-16

Anytime we see Jesus upset in the Bible I think that it’s probably wise to ask why.
Jesus says in chapter 9 verse 37, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” Now here are the disciples, just a few verses later, not welcoming the children.

I can relate to the disciples here. How many times have I had good intentions but gotten it wrong…over and over again? These followers of Jesus thought they were protecting him, or helping him somehow by not allowing these kids to get in his way or distract him. Yet, the distraction of these little children was too important and Jesus couldn’t help but take these little ones into his arms and bless them.

These disciples were about to get in the way of a blessing from Jesus to little children; all because they thought they were helping.

Do I try and help too much? How often do I get in the way of the Lord’s blessing?

The disciples could have avoided Jesus’ indignation had they remembered their teacher’s words a little while before in chapter 9, but also if they had paid more attention to the heart of their Lord instead of what they thought their job was. Then maybe they would have come closer to getting it right.

Today, will I pay more attention to the heart of our Savior than what I think my work for the Savior is? I want to remember His teachings and His heart so my work will not be hindered by me.

Steve Vollmer