Friday – Luke 18: 35 – 42
As the days role by and the closer we get to Easter, Jesus ministry becomes more intense. As Jesus gets closer to Jerusalem the more the tension seems to arise around his ministry.
Today Jesus approached the city of Jericho. It was in this place that Jesus was met with shouts from a man seeking him. This blind man heard the crowd going by and asked another person what was happening. They told him it was Jesus. He then cried out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stopped and walked over to the man. It was obvious to all of us in the crowd that the man was blind. His eyes were encrusted. It was at this time Jesus asked an interesting question. “What do you want from me?”
Why would Jesus ask such a question? Was it an unnecessary or silly question? Didn’t Jesus see his eyes? What else would he rather have Jesus do?
I find this interesting that Jesus would ask an open ended question. It implies to me that Jesus could do whatever the man asked him to do. At the same time, Jesus asking the blind man the question in a way Jesus puts some responsibility on the man for his own healing.
One last thing I notice is the Jesus models for us how we can minister to others as disciples. He first pays attention to people, he listens carefully, and then he heals. So as we encounter people we should give them our attention and listen carefully to their situation and needs. It is only at that point we can more forward in ministering to them. We can not assume we know what people need.
Questions for reflection and comment:
Disfigurement, blindness, abnormalities often threatens us. Do you feel uncomfortable when you see people who are afflicted in some way?
You and Jesus are walking down the street and you encounter a blind person. Jesus beings to share with you what he sees when he looks at that person or hears a persons request for help.
What does Jesus see in street people?
What does Jesus note about this person you encounter?
What does Jesus point out to you?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Day 26 on the Journey
Thursday – Luke 18: 9-14
Eventually we will find ourselves caught in one of Jesus’ stories. In today’s reading, I find myself as the object of the lesson. Jesus tells of two men who went to the temple to pray. The first was a high-profile member of the congregation, well known for his contributions to the church and the community. The other man was known as Otis. Otis was always drinking and stirring things up in the community.
The way Jesus tells the story, the first man starts praying out loud and giving thanks for all he has and also for the fact that he is different than Otis. Otis on the other hand has trouble even looking up and around the room. Otis only muttered something about his sins and then left.Jesus concludes the story; I think to myself, I am glad that I am different from the rich fellow. Then embarrassment hits me. It makes me uncomfortable. As much as the rich man had judge Otis, I to was judging the rich man. I have at times fallen into the same trap Jesus was teaching about in this story. I was placing myself above others in God’s eyes. I was equating my sins were less than others sins were.
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
Have you been caught in the story before?
What embarrasses you?
Does God hear prayers of certain people more readily than the prayers of others?
Imagine standing next to someone you do not like or have considered different from you.
Jesus is next to you and begins to tell you what he sees in the person next to you.
What does Jesus see?
You ask Jesus how can I pray for this other person?
How does Jesus answer you?
What prayer did he say?
Eventually we will find ourselves caught in one of Jesus’ stories. In today’s reading, I find myself as the object of the lesson. Jesus tells of two men who went to the temple to pray. The first was a high-profile member of the congregation, well known for his contributions to the church and the community. The other man was known as Otis. Otis was always drinking and stirring things up in the community.
The way Jesus tells the story, the first man starts praying out loud and giving thanks for all he has and also for the fact that he is different than Otis. Otis on the other hand has trouble even looking up and around the room. Otis only muttered something about his sins and then left.Jesus concludes the story; I think to myself, I am glad that I am different from the rich fellow. Then embarrassment hits me. It makes me uncomfortable. As much as the rich man had judge Otis, I to was judging the rich man. I have at times fallen into the same trap Jesus was teaching about in this story. I was placing myself above others in God’s eyes. I was equating my sins were less than others sins were.
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
Have you been caught in the story before?
What embarrasses you?
Does God hear prayers of certain people more readily than the prayers of others?
Imagine standing next to someone you do not like or have considered different from you.
Jesus is next to you and begins to tell you what he sees in the person next to you.
What does Jesus see?
You ask Jesus how can I pray for this other person?
How does Jesus answer you?
What prayer did he say?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Day 25 on the Journey
Wednesday – Luke 18: 1-8
Jesus tells a great tale of a Judge today in response to someone question about how we are to pray.
Can you imagine the hardnosed judge, who has little compassion for anyone? This judge is however, a proficient judge who graduated first in his class from SMU Law. Some would say her problem is that she cares more about the fees, court cost, and fines, than she cares about the law. It not surprising when an old poor widow tries to get the judge to hear her case the judge ignores her motions. In fact the poor woman couldn’t even get past the court clerk. The poor woman badgered the clerk for weeks with no results.
Finally, the woman had worn down the clerk that he was willing to face the consequence of letting her in to see the judge. The judge was at her limits as well. The judge relented because she and her clerk were so annoyed by the woman’s badgering. This clerk was getting very little work done.
So what does this have to do with prayer?
Does the story illustrate the urgency and intensity of prayer?
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
Imagine Jesus surprises you with his request today. Jesus asks you to pray for him as you all journey on to the cross. Jesus asks you to pray for a part of his ministry that is particularly important to you.
What ministry do you pray for?
How does that ministry touch your heart?
Why?
Jesus tells a great tale of a Judge today in response to someone question about how we are to pray.
Can you imagine the hardnosed judge, who has little compassion for anyone? This judge is however, a proficient judge who graduated first in his class from SMU Law. Some would say her problem is that she cares more about the fees, court cost, and fines, than she cares about the law. It not surprising when an old poor widow tries to get the judge to hear her case the judge ignores her motions. In fact the poor woman couldn’t even get past the court clerk. The poor woman badgered the clerk for weeks with no results.
Finally, the woman had worn down the clerk that he was willing to face the consequence of letting her in to see the judge. The judge was at her limits as well. The judge relented because she and her clerk were so annoyed by the woman’s badgering. This clerk was getting very little work done.
So what does this have to do with prayer?
Does the story illustrate the urgency and intensity of prayer?
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
Imagine Jesus surprises you with his request today. Jesus asks you to pray for him as you all journey on to the cross. Jesus asks you to pray for a part of his ministry that is particularly important to you.
What ministry do you pray for?
How does that ministry touch your heart?
Why?
Day 24 on the Journey
Tuesday – Luke 17: 20-37
The Kingdom of God is among us. When we talk about this with others who have not been following Jesus, I think, see us as crazy. They point out to us all the evil, hate, and hurting that is happening in our community and world. They say, “the Kingdom is suppose to be perfect and the world is far from perfect.” How can you talk about the Kingdom of God in our midst? Can you think of a time when you were driving or walking and you witnessed a touching scene? In the actions of the people you thought to yourself, “That’s what the Kingdom of God among us means.” Can you share your own stories of how you have witness and experience the pieces of the Kingdom in your own life?
If so describe some of what you see.
What makes you think of the presence of the kingdom in that persons actions?
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
Today, I invite you to reread this passage and imagine yourself sitting with Jesus as he spoke these words. Imagine what expressions you see on others face as Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God in the midst of us. Were people nodding their heads in agreement? Were people confused?
Then imagine Jesus coming to you and asking you these questions:
What comes to your mind when you hear me speak of the Kingdom?
What images come to your mind?
What event or people do you describe to him?
The Kingdom of God is among us. When we talk about this with others who have not been following Jesus, I think, see us as crazy. They point out to us all the evil, hate, and hurting that is happening in our community and world. They say, “the Kingdom is suppose to be perfect and the world is far from perfect.” How can you talk about the Kingdom of God in our midst? Can you think of a time when you were driving or walking and you witnessed a touching scene? In the actions of the people you thought to yourself, “That’s what the Kingdom of God among us means.” Can you share your own stories of how you have witness and experience the pieces of the Kingdom in your own life?
If so describe some of what you see.
What makes you think of the presence of the kingdom in that persons actions?
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
Today, I invite you to reread this passage and imagine yourself sitting with Jesus as he spoke these words. Imagine what expressions you see on others face as Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God in the midst of us. Were people nodding their heads in agreement? Were people confused?
Then imagine Jesus coming to you and asking you these questions:
What comes to your mind when you hear me speak of the Kingdom?
What images come to your mind?
What event or people do you describe to him?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Day 23 on the Journey
Monday – Luke 17: 7-10
Jesus continues to teach the disciples and us. Most of the time, it has been in the form of stories and actions. However today Jesus uses brief saying, like proverbs, that have intrinsic meaning rather than contextual.
What do you think of Jesus sayings?
When I hear them, I want to sit down and read them. I want to hear the several times, because they are not clear. Once again, Jesus teaching style does not give me the answers, but makes me think and wonder.
Jesus says, “Who among you would say…” I am sure the answer is suppose to No One. I however do not find this as easy as Jesus makes it out to be. It sounds like he is telling us that the work will never be done. It also sounds like even after serving for years faithfully the servant has no claim for rest or reward.
Once again, Jesus makes it sound as if being his disciple is going to tough. Is Jesus saying we, disciples, have no grounds for assuming reward or for boasting?
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
What do you think Jesus is trying to communicate?
What are the rewards of being a servant of God?
This is making my brain hurt on a Monday morning. I may write some more later… until then I will just keep walking and listening.
Jesus continues to teach the disciples and us. Most of the time, it has been in the form of stories and actions. However today Jesus uses brief saying, like proverbs, that have intrinsic meaning rather than contextual.
What do you think of Jesus sayings?
When I hear them, I want to sit down and read them. I want to hear the several times, because they are not clear. Once again, Jesus teaching style does not give me the answers, but makes me think and wonder.
Jesus says, “Who among you would say…” I am sure the answer is suppose to No One. I however do not find this as easy as Jesus makes it out to be. It sounds like he is telling us that the work will never be done. It also sounds like even after serving for years faithfully the servant has no claim for rest or reward.
Once again, Jesus makes it sound as if being his disciple is going to tough. Is Jesus saying we, disciples, have no grounds for assuming reward or for boasting?
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
What do you think Jesus is trying to communicate?
What are the rewards of being a servant of God?
This is making my brain hurt on a Monday morning. I may write some more later… until then I will just keep walking and listening.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sunday – Luke 14: 15-26
When reading Jesus teachings at times I see why someone on the outside might think Christianity was foolish. Jesus casts a vision and gives instructions that go against the grain.
For example, Jesus calls us to see people as people. He says that money makes no difference, social standing makes not difference, and success or failure makes no difference. Most people would argue with Jesus and say that these things do make a difference. They make a difference in who is elected to public office. They make a difference in who takes with you. They make a difference in what kind of job you can get. Jesus says they do not mean anything to him.
Jesus also continues to paint a picture of the kingdom of God as he teaches. It seems the more he talks about the Kingdom that it has less to do with a time in an indistinct future and more about something that happens here and now. This is important to keep in mind how bold we might be to pray the Lord’s Prayer, to ask God, to bring his Kingdom and will here and now. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask for the Kingdom of God to be on earth as it is in heaven. I think that is a bold prayer.
Are we ready to break bread with persons from all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds? Are we ready to be invited to a dinner party where everyone is different? Are we ready to share our lives with people who are broken or who have been ignored in current society? At least in the reading today that is the image I got.
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
When you imagined the story Jesus told, where were you in the story?
Who was sitting next to Jesus at the banquet table?
Who was sitting next to you?
What was served for dinner?
What is the hardest part of this story that Jesus tells?
If you could ask Jesus a follow up question to this story what would it be?
When reading Jesus teachings at times I see why someone on the outside might think Christianity was foolish. Jesus casts a vision and gives instructions that go against the grain.
For example, Jesus calls us to see people as people. He says that money makes no difference, social standing makes not difference, and success or failure makes no difference. Most people would argue with Jesus and say that these things do make a difference. They make a difference in who is elected to public office. They make a difference in who takes with you. They make a difference in what kind of job you can get. Jesus says they do not mean anything to him.
Jesus also continues to paint a picture of the kingdom of God as he teaches. It seems the more he talks about the Kingdom that it has less to do with a time in an indistinct future and more about something that happens here and now. This is important to keep in mind how bold we might be to pray the Lord’s Prayer, to ask God, to bring his Kingdom and will here and now. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask for the Kingdom of God to be on earth as it is in heaven. I think that is a bold prayer.
Are we ready to break bread with persons from all socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds? Are we ready to be invited to a dinner party where everyone is different? Are we ready to share our lives with people who are broken or who have been ignored in current society? At least in the reading today that is the image I got.
Questions for Reflection and Comment:
When you imagined the story Jesus told, where were you in the story?
Who was sitting next to Jesus at the banquet table?
Who was sitting next to you?
What was served for dinner?
What is the hardest part of this story that Jesus tells?
If you could ask Jesus a follow up question to this story what would it be?
Day 22 on the Journey
Saturday – Luke 15:11 – 16:13
The more I follow Jesus the more I love to hear him tell stories. It is through his storytelling that he brings his ideas to life. At the same time Jesus explanations at times leave people cold. In the readings today we experience two of those great stories Jesus tells.
As you read the story of the prodigal son…
Imagine yourself hearing Jesus tell this story for the first time… Which character in the story do you immediately like? Why?
Which character do you not like? Why?
I am sure that as people heard Jesus tell this story they did not like the older son being shortchanged. I am sure people were whispering to each other trying to figure out why Jesus told this story.
In the story of the dishonest manager…
Which character in the story did you immediately like? Why?
Which character did you not like? Why?
What Kind of Business Ethic is Jesus teaching?
If you could ask Jesus about one of these stories, which one would it be?
What would you ask?
Jesus tells these stories to change, challenge, and grow his disciples (then and now). What tone of voice do you think Jesus used when he was telling these stories? As he finished each story what do you think he did? Who was he looking at? Was he watching for a reaction?
The more I follow Jesus the more I love to hear him tell stories. It is through his storytelling that he brings his ideas to life. At the same time Jesus explanations at times leave people cold. In the readings today we experience two of those great stories Jesus tells.
As you read the story of the prodigal son…
Imagine yourself hearing Jesus tell this story for the first time… Which character in the story do you immediately like? Why?
Which character do you not like? Why?
I am sure that as people heard Jesus tell this story they did not like the older son being shortchanged. I am sure people were whispering to each other trying to figure out why Jesus told this story.
In the story of the dishonest manager…
Which character in the story did you immediately like? Why?
Which character did you not like? Why?
What Kind of Business Ethic is Jesus teaching?
If you could ask Jesus about one of these stories, which one would it be?
What would you ask?
Jesus tells these stories to change, challenge, and grow his disciples (then and now). What tone of voice do you think Jesus used when he was telling these stories? As he finished each story what do you think he did? Who was he looking at? Was he watching for a reaction?
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