Gardening Time

Scripture – Luke 8:4-15: 4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ 11“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Reflection: One of the challenges in Bible reading is coming to a very familiar story with an open mind and heart. This parable is an example of that for me. I tend to kind of skim through it because I think I’ve got it. That is, I’ve taken lessons from this in the past and I don’t think there are any more to come.

Even if that’s true (a dubious assumption to be sure), I overlook the fact that the old lessons still apply. When it come to receiving God’s word, the soil of my heart changes from day to day. There are many days I have work to do in my garden – weeding, digging, working the ground. If I take that for granted and don’t do anything, it will all eventually turn into the hard ground of the path.

Today, for example, I have to clear out some rocks so the roots can go a little deeper. What about you? What kind of gardening do you need to do today?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, March 1
Scripture – Luke 8:16-18: 16“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

Examples for Us All

Scripture – Luke 8:1-3: 1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Reflection: The actions of these women were heroic. They demonstrate what we all aspire to be. Moving quietly in the background, without getting much attention at all, they provided support for Jesus and the Twelve “out of their own means.”

This kind of humble, background service is how the kingdom is built. The church today rests on the faithfulness of countless people who will never be listed in any history books. They’re just ordinary people doing what they can do to serve Christ in their lives.

In my younger days I used to think the Lord had something great for me to do. By that I was thinking of some big, public ministry – something that would have a major impact on the world. I’ve learned He does have great things for me to do. He has used me in some wondrous ways. None of what I’ve done will make the highlight films. But what He’s enabled me to do has been truly great. He’s let me help build His kingdom. What could be greater?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Do You See This Woman?

Scripture – Luke 7:44-50: 44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Reflection: It’s hard to know where to start here. There are so many different things popping out in this story.

I’m caught right off the bat by Jesus’ question to Simon: “Do you see this woman?” Clearly Simon saw someone “who had lived a sinful life.” (vs. 37) But did he see the person she was? I think that’s the essence of Jesus’ question.

There are a lot of people I see but don’t really see during the day. They may be obstacles when I’m trying to drive somewhere. They may be servants when I buy something. They may be potential problems I have to encounter. But rarely do I stop and see the individuals they are.

I’ll pay attention today. I’ll remember everyone I see has a story. Everyone I see was created and is loved by God. I’ll make it a point to see people today, as Christ has seen me.

Jesus Answered Him

Scripture – Luke 7:40-43: 40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Reflection: This is interesting. In vs. 39, this Pharisee “said to himself” some things about the woman who was touching Jesus. As he was thinking these things, “Jesus answered him.”

First, He called him by name – Simon. Second, I wonder if Simon even knew Jesus was responding to his thoughts. From his perspective, it looks like Jesus is just telling him a random story about forgiveness and love.

It’s hard to draw much of a lesson today because this little story is the bridge between yesterday and tomorrow. Suffice it to say, Jesus knows me from the inside out. Sometimes the seemingly random things in life are His way of teaching me a lesson I need to learn. I’ll pay attention today. As life unfolds, how might He be teaching me this day? To what inner thoughts or attitudes might He be responding?

Another Dinner Party

Scripture – Luke 7:36-39: 36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Reflection: First of all, I find myself taken back to chapter 5 of Luke where Jesus found Himself a guest at another dinner party. This was with Levi, a tax collector – someone the Pharisees would have kept way out at arm’s length as one of the “sinners” of the day. Now Jesus is having dinner with one of those Pharisees. He really will go wherever He’s invited.

This scene has a bit of a cultural context. Without going into details, just understand the set-up of the house and the dinner in those days (unlike in our day) allowed this woman to come and do what she did. And what she did was a very loving, humble and courageous act.

This story will carry over for two more days in our readings, so it is to be continued. For today, what do you make of the Pharisee’s thoughts? What kinds of people trigger a similar reaction in you?

Practicing Humility

Scripture – Luke 7:24-28: 24After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Reflection: One of the key aspects of Christian character is humility. At the same time, it’s one of the hardest aspects to develop. Once I become aware of humility, it’s gone. I slip into being proud of how humble I am.

Given that, I can practice humble behavior. John the Baptist, for example, was always clear with people that he was not the Christ. His role was only to prepare the way for Him.

I can practice by not insisting on my own way or by not taking credit for an idea. I can let other people go before me. I can serve people without asking for or expecting a reward.

How can you practice being humble today? Remember, the goal is not to become the ”least in the kingdom of God.” The goal is to humbly serve as Christ would have me serve.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, February 22
Scripture – Luke 7:29-35: 29(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ 33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ 35But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Are You the One?

Scripture – Luke 7:18-23: 18John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” 21At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Reflection: John the Baptist comes back into the picture here briefly. He sent his disciples with a basic question that touched the heart of his life’s calling: “Are you the one?” John was committed to preparing the way for the Lord’s Christ. Was his work accomplished?

On one level I think he was asking if his life mattered. I often step back and face that question. Sometimes I wonder if the ministry of the church and my role in that make any real difference at all.

Jesus tells John’s friends to go back and tell him what they have seen and heard themselves. Likewise, I find it necessary sometimes to step away from how I feel and look at what’s being done. For what’s important is not whether or not my life matters, but that I have given myself to what matters? In Christ I have. He is doing great works through our church. And I am privileged to have a small role in that. Thank you, Lord, for that. May we all be blessed today as we stand firm in Him.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Overcoming a Cynical Heart

Scripture – Luke 7:11-17: 11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Reflection: Well, this certainly got the attention of people! The news began to spread throughout the whole country. As quiet as Jesus had tried to keep things, there was no stopping it after this. His reputation would become widespread.

It’s interesting that today, when communication is almost instantaneous, a miracle like this would make hardly a ripple. We’ve become so cynical in our thinking, we just wouldn’t believe it. We’d check out snopes.com to see if it was a hoax. Or we’d assume some medical reason could explain it. And all the while we’d miss the fact that we are tied to our finite mind-set – the one that says dead people stay dead, so there must be another explanation.

It’s easy to forget, Christ can do anything. He can even raise people from the dead today. I’ll be careful not to put my limits on Him today. Lord, save from the limitations of a cynical heart.

So Jesus Went

Scripture – Luke 7:1-6: 1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6So Jesus went with them.

Reflection: The centurion was a Roman soldier in charge of a number of troops. He was apparently a good person who had a great reputation among the Jews of Capernaum. What’s striking is he was not a Jew Himself.

How had he come to know about Jesus? Again, that question could be asked about any number of people we meet in the New Testament. What we do know is that he, a gentile (that’s is, a non-Jewish person), asked Jesus to come to his house. We also see that Jesus went.

How did you hear about Jesus? Where were you when He came to meet you? Have you had that experience? Remember, He’ll meet you any place, any time. All you have to do is ask Him to come.

The Ground of Our Being

Scripture – Luke 6:46-49: 46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Reflection: Years ago I came across a phrase that’s stayed with me: We do no better even though we do know better. Jesus lifts up a pretty basic point here. If I’m going to call Him Lord, I need to let Him be the director of my life.

In Him I have a foundation for life that will not be shaken. To borrow a phrase from Paul Tillich, He is the ground of my being. When life is spinning around me, if I keep my feet planted in Him I will stand firm. His way is the best way.

I’ll remember that today. I won’t let things throw me off course. “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand.”

Who Is My Teacher?

Scripture – Luke 6:39-42: 39He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Reflection: Who’s the primary teacher in my life? There are many people I look to and learn from. Yet, as Jesus points out, once I’m fully trained under them, I’ll be like them.

We are called to a higher standard than any human can provide. Jesus Christ is not just my life director and savior; He is my example to imitate. My goal is to be fully trained by Him so I will be like Him.

I’ve got to quit settling for second or third best. I’ve got to stop being satisfied with doing what’s merely good enough. I’ll lift my vision to the perfection in Christ. I will give Him my best effort even as I trust Him to keep making me better.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, February 15
Scripture – Luke 6:43-45: 43“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

How Will I Be Treated Today?

Scripture – Luke 6:37-38: 37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Reflection: How would my life be if people treated me the way I treat them? There’s a good question to carry around today.

Jesus seems pretty clear here. Whether it’s judgment, condemnation, forgiveness or whatever – the measure I use is the measure that will come back to me.

I’ll keep that in mind today. I’ll let it guide the attitudes I bring to people. This is especially helpful right now as I’m expecting to confront someone today regarding unacceptable behavior.

Thank you, Lord, for your tempering words. Reshape my attitude and guide my tongue today.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

A Basic Lesson

Scripture – Luke 6:12-16: 12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Reflection: This looks like the next step in a larger plan. Jesus has established Himself as a teacher and healer. Some people have begun to see that He is the Christ – much more than a man.

Here He takes an entire night alone to pray. When the morning comes, He chooses the twelve apostles from among His disciples. An apostle is basically one who is sent. It certainly looks like He spent the night in prayer as He got His list together.

As basic as this lesson is, I often forget to pray about decisions I face. I might give a token nod to the Lord, but essentially I rely on myself to figure out what to do. That needs to change. I need to change.

In fact, my leadership style is undergoing a transformation right now. So is our church. I will be intentional about praying for and through these changes. I will recruit other partners in prayer to join me. I will welcome your prayer support, as well.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Future Readings: I’ll be away from my computer for the next few days. Here are the scheduled readings. I encourage you to follow them each day. If you would like to add your own comments, that would be great!

Sunday, February 8
Scripture – Luke 6:17-19: 17He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, 19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Monday, February 9
Scripture – Luke 6:20-23: 20Looking at his disciples, he said:” Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

Tuesday, February 10
Scripture – Luke 6:24-26: 24“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Wednesday, February 11
Scripture – Luke 6:27-31: 27“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Thursday, February 12
Scripture – Luke 6:32-36: 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Being Real Rather Than Religious

Scripture – Luke 6:6-11: 6On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Reflection: Here’s another Sabbath scene. This time it looks like a set-up. We don’t know if the Jewish leaders planted the man with the shriveled hand, but they were ready to find fault.

Jesus, of course, knew what was going on. He always does. It took me a long time to finally realize I can’t hide anything from Him. That was really the beginning of grace for me. For I recognized that, knowing everything about me, He loves me.

Well, Jesus called the man up front and asked a simple question. Basically he asked if it’s better to be religious or to be real. Here’s a person in need. I have the means to help him whether it’s time for church or not. What’s the question?

Again, this was what got Jesus in trouble. This is part of the cross He accepted for me and you. He kept His purpose clear no matter what opposition He faced. How real will I be today?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

When the Trouble Began

Scripture – Luke 6:1-5: 1One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 3Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Reflection: Here’s where the trouble really begins. The conflict between the kingdom of God and the established religious order on earth is demonstrated clearly in this scene.

Technically the disciples of Jesus were harvesting grain on the Sabbath – an act specifically forbidden in the Jewish law. But the interpretation of that law had been carried to such extremes even a pleasant walk in the country could become unlawful. Devotion to the law became greater than devotion to the Lord who gave the law.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing here. He used an example from the Pharisees’ own Bible to illustrate that the needs of people – the authentic needs of real people – supersede artificial or blind obedience to the law.

Then He made the astounding claim that He is “Lord of the Sabbath.” He is the one who can create new rules. He is the one in charge. The line is being drawn. The way to the cross is opening.

The Problem with New Wine

Scripture – Luke 5:33-39: 33They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” 34Jesus answered, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” 36He told them this parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

Reflection: This describes the tension we feel in the church today – in any church. The word of God is new and fresh. It bubbles up every day. And so the nature of the church is in flux all the time as we constantly are re-shaped by this “new wine.”

There’s a natural part of our human nature that prefers the “old.” What we forget is, even the most contemporary expression of church today will one day be the “old wine.” Whether we’re talking about our style of worship, our form of organization or our attitude, we look to Christ to keep transforming the old wineskins into new so we’re ready for today’s new wine.

That’s something most all of us resist. And so I can only open myself anew to Christ’s transforming work. For if I let the new wine into the old wineskins, both will be ruined.

Leaving Every Thing

Scripture – Luke 5:27-32: 27After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 31Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Reflection: Here’s another story of Jesus calling someone to follow Him and the person responds immediately. As with Simon in last week’s readings, we don’t know any of the background. Had Levi heard Jesus before? Or had He at least heard of Him. What we do know is “Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

What I also see is a finality to this act by Levi. Simon could always go back to fishing. But Levi could never go back to the tax booth. His position would have been filled almost immediately, and he would never be considered again for that job.

Lord, give me that kind of faith – to let go of every thing around. I will not let the stuff of my life control me. I choose you, O Lord, to follow. Show me how to leave “everything” as I do that.