Jesus comes for those that need a Physican

Verses: Luke 5 : 27 - 32

My thoughts about the verses:

Historically tax collectors were seen as the low of low.  They were to collect taxes for the Roman empire yet at the same time they padded their pockets.  Not only did they collect what was due according to the law they collected more for themselves.  People disliked them and felt that they were profiting because of the way they treated the individual citizen.

Jesus walks past a tax collecting booth.  He tells the tax collector to follow him.  Immediately the tax collector gets up and leaves everything behind.

Matthew realizes that the Messiah is calling on him. He doesn't care about the money he cares about his life.  He understands that his eternal life is more important than his earthly life.  He lives his worldly possessions and joins Jesus to start gaining his eternal reward.

Matthew has a dinner and many people come.  Many which were his fellow tax collectors.  You can imagine the Pharisees and other church leaders as they see Jesus eating with this group.  How could Jesus eat with the people that took from the poor?  How could Jesus ask a tax collector to be a member of his followers?

Jesus answers by saying I haven't come for those that are well I came for those that are sick and need a physician.  Jesus didn't come for those that were without need he came for those with need.  Jesus was making the point if you think that you do not need help to make into Heaven then you are not able to accept the healing that comes from the Great Physician.

See we all need the healing power of God. Yet, there are people that believe that they can get to Heaven on their own.  No matter what they hear they continue believing that they do not need God in their lives to help them.  They worship God yet they do not have the Holy Spirit in their life.  They never come to the understanding that the only way to make it to Heaven in through the healing power off Jesus.

We all know people that judge others and assume that they are better than those around them.  They feel that they are righteous because of what they do and do not do that they can pass judgment on others. Yet, they forget that the only true judge is God.  The act of judging others is a sin in itself.

Those that act righteous and think that they can get to Heaven because of that alone are missing the main point that Jesus is getting to in this story.  The fact that those that believe that they need help are more willing to give themselves over to God.  Those that think that they can do it on their own spend more time obeying the law instead of turning themselves over to God to help them get into Heaven.

Prayer:

Dear God thank you for sending Jesus to cleanse us from our sins.  Thank you for healing us when we turn to the Great Physician.  Help us turn our lives over to you.  Help us walk in the light of Jesus and not in our own righteousness.  help us understand that we cannot truly be healed from our sins unless we turn ourselves over to you.  In the name of the Great Physician we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you given your life to God?  Have you realized that you cannot save yourself that you need Jesus in your life?  Are you judging others?  What do you need to do to spread the good news of God?d?

Healing people from the inside out

Verses: Luke 5 : 12 - 26

My thoughts about the verses:

People often think that God does not show love and grace because they are not healed from the ailments that plague them.  They are under the impression that what they need and want is to no longer being sick. That God needs to cure them from their illness so that they can be whole again.  They get frustrated when God doesn't take away their illnesses.  Sometimes we even run away from God because we do not believe we are loved because we are still suffering from our illness.

You need to know that it takes faith to be healed.  Faith that God will heal what you truly need healed. We may think that the sickness of our body needs to be removed so that we can be whole.  Yet, for many of us it isn't the outside that needs healed it is the inside.  Having faith that God will give us what we need  help us understand the grace that comes our way.

There are two different stories happening in these scriptures.  The first man has leprosy.  He was an outcast because individuals thought he was unclean.  They believed his leprosy was a type of punishment for not obeying God.  Yet, we see that he knows Jesus can heal him.  He has faith that shows that his inside is clean.  It is only his physical body that needs healing.  Jesus knew exactly what was needed so he tells the man that he will heal him.  He touches the man and he is purified.  He then tells the man to go the temple and offer a sacrifice.  He knew that the man would do this without question.  That he had the faith that healed his body.

The second  miracle is a man that is paralyzed.  It is his friends that have faith that God will heal him from his ailments.  So they do everything that they can do to reach out to Jesus.  They cannot get to Jesus because of all the people that had come to see Jesus.  So they climb on top of the home that he is at and lower the man on his mat in front of Jesus.  He looks at the man and says because of the faith of your friends your sins are forgiven.  This time it was the inside that needed the immediate help of healing.

The Pharisees and other church leaders questioned how can this man dare to have forgiven a man of his trespasses.  He is offending the power of God.  No man can cleanse someone from the inside.  This can only been done through the power of God Almighty.

Jesus knew what was in their hearts.  So he told them that because they could not see the cleansing did not mean it didn't occur.  So Jesus told the man that he was physically healed to pick up his mat and walk.  As soon as the words were spoken the man stood and rolled up his mat and walked home.  It was the physical healing that the Pharisees and others needed to see that convinced them that Jesus had the power of God.  Yet, let us make this point clear the man received his first blessing in his soul. Jesus only healed his body to show the others what the man felt in the inside.

We need to remember that a lot of times it is our inside that needs the cleansing.  Once we are cleansed and healed on the inside our physical body’s condition does not bother us.  Knowing that God has cleansed you and taken away your trespasses allows you to accept what God has done for you.  You do not have to worry about how you feel on the outside.

We many never overcome the sickness that plagues our bodies.  Yet, once your are cleansed of your trespasses you receive the healing that your truly need.  Those that understand that God heals you from what you truly need healed the more you are able to accept your limitations.  You do not worry about what happens to you on the outside because you know that your inside has been healed.  There are times that others cannot understand how we feel with the healing that we have received.  There are times that God cures us from our illnesses to show the power of God to those around us.  Yet, if you have true faith you know that the healing you have received is the Gift from above that allows you to make it to Heaven.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for cleansing us from our sins.  Help us live a life that honors you.  We thank you for the times you take away our ailments.  Help us understand that we will not receive the healing that we think we need.  We thank you for concentrating on our relationship with you.  Help us accept what you are doing for us each and every day of our life.  Help us not to question the miracles that you perform not only for us but for others that are around us.  In the name of the Great Healer we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you ever questioned God when you are sick?  Have you ever thought that God has failed you because you do not get better?  Have you accepted the healing power that comes by your sins being forgiven?  What do you need to do to grow your relationship with the one that loves you more than anyone can ever do?

Become Fisher's of people

Verses: Luke 5 : 1 -11

My thoughts about the verses:

Back at the time of Jesus and for decades later.  Son's learned the trade of their fathers.  This had been passed down from generation to generation.  Simon was no different than other people of his time.  He had been trained by his father and knew the secrets of fishing.  He had learned all the tricks of the trade.

You have to imagine the scene a group of people had followed Jesus to the water.  They wanted to know more about the love of God.  A group of fishermen who had been out all night find themselves surrounded by this group of followers.  Then out of the blue Jesus comes to your boat comes aboard and tells you to row him out into the water so he can teach.

Now you know there were a lot going through their mind.  Who is this man?  I have been out all night and I am exhausted.   I have to go home and tell the family that we didn't catch any fish.  Yet even though so much was going on their mind Simon starts taking the boat out into the water.  Jesus begins teaching from the boat and satisfies those that had followed him to the water.

He then looks at Simon and tells him to row out into deeper water and throw in their nets.  Simon immediately says we did this all night and didn't catch anything.  Yet, if you want me to do this I will.  So they throw in the nets and there are so many fish that get in the nets they start to break.  So Simon signals the other boat to help them pull in the fish.  There we so many fish now in both boats they were almost sinking.

You can almost understand why Simon through amazement and shock says for Jesus to leave him because he is a sinful man.  Yet, what does Jesus do.  He tells Simon that he will no longer be a fisher of fish but of people.  Simon, James and John get back to the shore leave everything behind and start following Jesus.  They had heard his story witnessed his miracle.  They had been called to serve God.

Now what does this have to do with us today.  For starters we need to surround ourselves with individuals that are open to hearing the word of God.  We need to not hold on to things that belong to Earth but be willing to let that go and follow God.  Lastly we need to accept our calling.  God calls each of us to do something for the Kingdom of God.  We need to understand that we are worthy to do what we are called to do.  That God wants us to spread the good news.  To become fishers of people not just work our current job.  Instead we need to be willing to do the will of God no matter what sacrifices we  make.  We know God will take care of us as long as we follow the will of God.

Prayer:

Dear God thank you for sending Jesus into our lives.  Thank you for being with us as we live out your calling for our life.  Help us to put the needs of God before the things of Earth.  Help us as we accept our calling.  Dear God we ask right now that you place a fire within our soul so that we are encouraged to spread the good news.  In the name of the Most High we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you witnessed a miracle in your life?  Have you felt the grace that God sends our way?  Are you willing to leave your old life and walk in the way of the Lord?  What is God calling you to do today?

Don't be Discouraged...

Verses: Luke 4 :  31 - 44

My thoughts about the verses:

Now Jesus had two choices to make because what had happened in his hometown.  He could hide and quit spreading the good news or he could spread the good news to those who would listen.  We know that one choice would lead to a very short ministry.  So many lives that needed to hear the good news would have been affected.

Jesus took his message on a tour.  He decided that even though he could not reach those that he was closest to it would not stop him.  In fact, he left the city and started showing great works.  He healed those that were ill.  He cast demons out of people.  Jesus gave himself over to the will of God.

He worked very hard to the point that even He needed to rest.  There are so many of us that miss this part of the story.  We forget that part of the process of spreading the good news is having rest.  If you are not studying or connected to God you will not be in the place you need to be to do God's work.

The other part of the story is that Jesus didn't just stay in one place.  He moved from one place to another to tell the story.  Reaching out to those that didn't know the good news.  He didn't stay where he was comfortable instead he reached out to those that were marginalized.

So what can we learn from these verses.  First we can learn that when we give ourselves to God great works will follow.  You have to understand that there will be people that will not accept what you are teaching.  Yet, you should not give up on your calling.  There are people waiting to hear your story. We also need to understand that we have to take time for ourselves.  We need to come to grips that we cannot be good for others if we do not take care of ourselves.  Lastly, we are taught that we need to look beyond the walls of our church.  We have to leave our comfort zone and reach out to those that haven't heard about God's love.  You need to reach out to the marginalized in society and help those that others do not help.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for loving us.  We thank  you for being with us as we go out in the world. We ask that  you show us where we need to go for you.  We ask that  you help us reach out beyond our comfort zones.  We also ask that you be with us and help us take care of ourselves as we are working for you.  In you Holy Name we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you accepted your calling?  Are you willing to reach out to those that need help?  Are you taking time to study and pray?  Are you leaving your comfort zone so that people can hear your story?

Neighbors do not Believe

Verses: Luke 4 : 14 - 30

My thoughts about the verses:

Jesus has gone to several cities and they have welcomed him with open arms.  He has healed people. He has preached the word.  He has lived the story of the Good news.  Then he goes home.

You would think that when the people of his hometown saw Jesus they would throw him a party.  Jesus goes to the synagogue and is giving the scroll containing the book of Isaiah he reads a simple scripture. Then states as the words were read the Messiah was living the story.  The people looked around and said how he could say this isn't he Joseph the Carpenter's son.  How dare he put himself in this role.

Jesus tells them how he could expect anything different from this group.  Let's be honest Jesus had knowledge that was much greater than anyone that he was talking to.  The truth is that your neighbors and family are the last ones to realize the good you are doing for God.  They know your past and if you did anything as a youth you regret they will never forget.  I would think that the people were thinking how a carpenter’s son could be anything more than a carpenter.

This not only happened to Jesus but to the prophets that had come to prepare the way.  People in the community didn't believe what they were saying.  They doubted it because they knew the prophets. You can almost hear them saying how can this person be enlightened with what will happen to us.  Yet, those from other places through the present time understand that God had given them the gift of prophecy.

You must understand that people close to you will miss the work you do for God.  They will think about your past or your families past.  They will judge especially if you have done things in the past that they do not agree with.  They will hold this against you because they will doubt that God has chosen you to do a great work.

Does this mean that we should not share our work for God with those that are close to us?  No we are to share the good news to everyone.  If you noticed Jesus was trying to teach his neighbors about the fulfillment of God's promise to the Jewish community.  Yet, even though he was sharing the good news they did not accept it.  This did not distract him from the ultimate task.  He taught them that what they had done had happened with the prophets of old.  Imaging having the things that you know is true discussed as if you are following the same pattern.  Over time you will notice that the ones that you do not know will accept your calling.

I want you to think about this a second.  Jesus tells them how they treated him and the prophets from the past.  They get so angry that they go to the mountain top to throw Jesus off.  What happened is that he disappeared into the crowd because it was not his time.  The lesson that we can learn from this is that even when the ones that we are close to turn us away God will protect us.  God will lead us to the place where we can do the most good.  So do not be afraid if your neighbors do not accept what you are doing.  Instead trust that God and your ministry will go to even higher places.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for the peace and comfort you give us daily.  We thank you for being with us as others turn their back.  Help us keep focused on the mark.  Help us reach out to those that  have and will reject us.  Help the world see you in us today.  In your name we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you ever been afraid to tell the story of Christ?  Do your family and friends believe you are doing God's work?  What truth do you need to take from this example so that you can bring light to the world?

40 Days of Temptation

Verses: Luke 4 : 1 - 13

My thoughts about the verses:

Can you imagine being in the desert for 40 days.  You haven't eaten for the entire time because you are fasting and worshiping God.  Then the devil comes to you and says here turn this rock into bread and you can eat.  The Devil knew that Jesus was the Messiah and he was trying to tempt him so that he could make him fall like he had done to both Adam and Eve.  Yet, Jesus says no we don't live by earthly food but spiritual food.

You can see the anger on Satan's face.  So he realizes that he will have to do something much bigger than just getting Jesus to fill his belly with basic needs.  So he then shows Jesus all the Kingdoms of the Earth.  He tells him that God has given him this and he says if you worship me I will give it to you. Jesus doesn't fall to the need to have power.  Instead he tells Satan that he is only to worship God.

So the Evil One comes up with a different plan if you love God so much prove it.  He takes Jesus to a high mountain and says jump.  You know that God will not let you be hurt.  The Angels will come to help you.  Yet Jesus says once again no we are not to test God.

There are some very important lessons that we can take from this.  First God will provide our needs we are not to be tempted by people wanting us to do bad to fill those needs.  Secondly we are not to want to be better than God.  We are not to desire fame and glory.  We need to be humble and allow God to be the most important thing in our life.  Lastly, we are not supposed to go out and tempt God. God is not supposed to be tested and prove the power that the Almighty has.  Instead we are to have faith that God is powerful and can save us.

40 days does seem like a long time to be tempted and fast.  40 days is a long time to wander the wilderness doing nothing by worshiping God. Yet there is significance for the 40 days.  The Israelites wondered the wilderness for 40 years because they had done all the things that Jesus was tempted to do.  He was able to restore his community because he was able to replace their 40 years of wondering due to their sin with his 40 days of wandering in the wilderness.

Prayer:

Dear God thank you for loving us.  Thank you for showing us how to live through Jesus's example. Help us not to fall into temptation.  Help keep us safe as we travel throughout the Earth.  Help keep us focused on doing your will not ours.  In your Holy Name we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Could you have handled 40 days fasting?  How would you have handled those temptations?  Have you fallen into the temptations around us because of their beauty?  Are you ready to ask God to forgive you of your trespasses?  Are you willing to put God first in your life?