Becky Austin

When Jesus Gives Food for Thought (Luke 14)

12:30 PM




I find it interesting that Jesus, who was considered a threat to the Pharisees is invited to dine among them. Jesus, knowing the intent of their hearts, knew that He was being watched (v1). He takes this opportunity to use common, everyday custom and occurrences to provide some spiritual “food for thought.” If we take the time to sit with Jesus and listen to His Words, we too will be given instruction and insight meant to penetrate into our hearts and promote spiritual growth.

Jesus heals on the Sabbath:
The Pharisees had become so strict about following rules that they had even created elaborate interpretations of what it meant to “keep the Sabbath.”  This legalism had hardened their hearts and they had become enslaved to precepts and lost understanding of the principles God intended.  Thus, they accused Jesus of wrongdoing when he healed on the Sabbath. And Jesus gave them food for thought: “And he said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?"” (v5)
To the Pharisees, the essence of the Fourth Commandment was this precept: Thou shalt not work. To the Lord Jesus, the essence of this commandment was this principle: Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. One could cease from work on the Sabbath (as the Pharisees did) without keeping the Sabbath holy. Contrarily, Jesus (and others, such as the temple priests) could also observe the Sabbath as a holy day by working on it. The Pharisees were so committed to the precept of not working that they neglected—indeed violated—the principle of keeping the Sabbath holy. (Bob Deffinbaugh, Bible.Org)

Choosing A Place of Honor:
God calls us to have humble hearts and not put “self” on the throne of our hearts. We all enjoy being chosen or recognized as important, or shown special consideration or honor. There is nothing wrong with being given recognition or honor but the heart that begins to expect entitlement will become vain and prideful. Jesus observed this behavior that day and he called it out. ““For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."” (v11) In the Kingdom of God, those who are humble will be the honored ones. What honor we strive for on Earth will not even matter. 

What’s In It For Me?:
Jesus also observed how much expense and show went into this great supper among the leaders of the community. Although there is nothing wrong with using our resources to foster relationships with others and enjoy communing with them, Jesus called into check a couple of things: 1. Those who were present had the means to repay the favor 2. Those present didn’t necessarily need what was provided.
Jesus wanted those present to think about Why they do what they do.  This is a great  question for us as well. Do we only give to get something in return? Are we also using our resources to promote true need in our communities?  Are we looking for earthly reward or spiritual?  “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."” (v13-14)

These were some of the things from this chapter that stood out to me.  I love how Jesus can take simple observations, provide meaningful “food for thought” and just pinpoint the “heart” of the matter so precisely and pointedly. I love to come to the table and sit with Him and learn from Him. He asks questions that make me have to examine my own heart and motives. But, He also shows me “His Heart” and provides me the motivation to change and seek His Will. What “food for thought” did you digest today?


Door

A Know-so Salvation {Luke 13}

10:30 AM

Today's Scripture Reading: Luke 13


I was a cocky kid growing up! I didn't think so at the time, but back then, I never thought about my mortality, or ever growing old. Growing old was for old people, and somehow I never pictured myself having to deal with the challenges that come when our bodies begin to show their age.

Likewise, I believe there are still many today that never think much about their own mortality. They're a good person, and God is a loving God and they're confident it will all work out in the end. Right? Hmm...

It seems there must have been some of those same people living back in the First Century as well; whose theology was based on works and just how good you were. Notice,

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”- Luke 13:1-5

The key word in this passage is, 'repent'.  Jesus wants each of us to realize that living life as we think best will ultimately lead to disaster. For centuries, it seems, we've believed the old adage that a person will reap what they have sown- good brings blessing, while evil brings calamity down upon us, and Jesus has decided here to set the record straight!

 He wants us to understand that we need to turn around and let Him set our values, direction, and lifestyle today. For each of us, left on our own to decide what we must do to be welcomed into heaven, will one day discover we were terribly wrong, but by then, it may be too late. Jesus went on to speak about this in Luke 13:24-28,
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.  Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out." 

  That will be an absolutely horrible day for some! Just imagine spending your whole life striving to be the best 'YOU' can be only to discover, your efforts were never good enough. O, I pray that will never be the case for anyone reading this today! 

 We need to heed Jesus' warning and repent —  turn around, surrender our hearts and lives, and follow hard after Him. 

 Blessings, 
sue

Dressed and Ready

Dressed and Ready {Luke 12}

3:00 PM


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Scripture for January 21, 2020

“Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” (v. 37b)

Hold on a minute!  When Jesus returns, He will once again serve…….. those who are ready for His return.

Luke 12 is packed with warnings:

1)      Warnings to watch out for hypocrisy.  Don’t be afraid about how you will die, but where you will go after your earthly body dies. (1-12)
2)     Watch out about the greed in life – wanting stuff.  My dad always told me, ‘you can’t take it with you.’ (13-21)
3)     Don’t worry – about food and clothing.  God knows you need these things – He will always provide.  Our purses should be full of ‘treasures of heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” (22-34)
4)     This parable is about being a prepared servant.  Minimally, we should pay attention to these first three warnings.  God is sovereign and He knows when He will send Jesus back.  But are you excited to die to this earthly life?  Are you excited to spend eternity with God? (35-48)

I have heard people say that they are not afraid to die, but ____________.  Fill in the blank.  They still have some things that are undone.  A vacation, or watching their children or grandchildren grow up.  Or simply they have projects they want to finish.  As my dad always told me, ‘you can’t take them with you.’

I think the focus on this parable is for those who know Jesus.  Jesus wants to find us doing what He has put us in charge of.  Here’s the thing – it looks different for you and I.  You may be a doctor.  How you care for people looks different than it is for me.  You may be a mom of young children.  Or you are a caregiver of aging adults.  Who Jesus has led us to throughout our lifetime will change.  I can’t help but recall a question a priest presented to me that will be asked of me when I die – “what have you done with what I’ve given you?”  Ever since I heard that, I have had that question come to mind from how I treat people to possessions.  They are all gifts from God.  Unfortunately, I haven’t always ‘done’ what is right.

So when Jesus returns, will I be given much or just a little?  What have I done with what I’ve been given?


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