Truly Blessed

Scripture – Luke 10:23-24: 23Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Reflection: The disciples of Jesus in this passage are blessed because they actually are seeing Him in person. Countless people before them had longed to see Him. But they did not. They were content living in the hope that He would one day come. Yet these disciples knew Jesus personally. What an experience. While they did not yet fully appreciate it, they were deeply blessed.

I am blessed also because of what I’ve seen in my own experience with Christ. I’ve known Him to do miraculous things in my life. I’ve seen Him bring healing and wholeness to broken lives. I’ve watched Him transform churches. I am truly blessed, as well. May I not take that for granted today. By God’s grace I live with an experience of life many people long for. They just don’t know what it is they’re missing. How can I share that with them?

The Risk of Faith

Scripture – Luke 10:21-22: 21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 22“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Reflection: This reminds me that faith calls for a leap of some kind – a risk. It calls for simple trust that what I expect to happen will happen even if I have no other reason to believe it will happen.

No matter how “wise and learned” I might be – no matter how much I think I’ve figured things out – I still have a leap of faith to make. I base my whole life and my ultimate hope on the promises Christ has made. Some of those I’ve seen Him keep already. Others I believe He will.

A child thinks her parents will take care of her no matter what. May I remember to live like that today.

Casual Christianity

Scripture – Luke 10:13-16: 13“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. 16“He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Reflection: For some reason, this passage speaks to me of casual Christianity – a sin of which I am guilty. I’ve grown up in the church. I’ve listened to Bible stories all my life. Sometimes I find myself taking them lightly.

The things I read about in Luke, for example, are absolutely amazing. God sending His Son – the miracles He performs – the teaching He gives! Yet if I’m not careful, I just take all that for granted.

Lord, I’m sorry for that. You are amazing. You do miraculous things I my life every day. Forgive my casualness. I’ll be aware of you today. I’ll watch for you. Thanks you for your patience with me. Open the eyes of my heart this day.

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 29 – Luke 10:17-20: 17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

A Clear Message for Everyone

Scripture – Luke 10:8-12: 8“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ 10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ 12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Reflection: How interesting! In chapter 10, verse 1 (from last Wednesday), Jesus sent out seventy-two people, two by two. They were to go into towns where He planned to go. Their basic message was, “The kingdom of God is near.”

What’s interesting is no matter what kind of reception they found, the message was the same. For some people it was good news – for others it was not.

In today’s world I find myself pulled in so many different directions when it comes to sharing the basic good news of Jesus Christ. That message hasn’t changed. I created a gap between God and me through my sin. I cannot bridge that gap myself. I cannot fix what I have broken. Jesus came to earth. He lived and died and was raised. In that He fixed what I could not. All I have to do is believe in Him and I have eternal life. It’s that clear and simple – no tricks or gimmicks – no fine print. It’s a gift given because God loves the people He’s created.

With that in mind, there are many voices telling me how to communicate that – what kind of language to use or what kind of music to play. Jesus gave these seventy-two people one clear message to deliver. I’ll let Him guide me that way, as well. As clearly as I can I’ll communicate His word of love and hope in whatever settings I find myself.

Lord, please give me your word and the words I need to pass it on. Thanks for coming into my life.

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.

Bearers of Peace

Scripture – Luke 10:5-7: 5“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Reflection: The seventy-two were sent out two by two to visit every “town and place” where Jesus was about to go. (10:1) It looks like they were some kind of advance teams. I wonder what they were to do. Were they looking for places where Jesus could stay while in a particular town? Was He giving them a taste of what they would be doing after He was gone?

The first part of their instruction in today’s passage is somewhat rooted in the first century sense of hospitality. People in Palestine were generally expected to welcome visitors and provide food and shelter for them. Apparently, not everyone would do that willingly. Some people might go through the motions, but exude an attitude that would make it clear they didn’t want to be doing it.

These disciples were to be bearers of peace. Some people would accept that – others, it seems, would not. How will I bring peace today to people I visit and places I go?

An Open Agenda

Scripture – Luke 10:1-4: 1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

Reflection: Seventy-two people were appointed by Jesus and sent out by Him on a mission. He sent them out “like lambs among wolves.” He sent them out without the kind of support system most of us would want in place before going.

A lot of times He sends me into situations before I have time to prepare. I’ve learned to trust He’ll provide what I need. And He does.

The question for me is how willing am I to be sent? How many limitations do I put on my willingness? It’s a lot easier and safer to tell Jesus how I will serve rather than offer myself as a servant.

I have my agenda planned for the day. Lord, keep me open to yours.

Three Offers

Scripture – Luke 9:57-62: 57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” 62Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Reflection: Three people are highlighted here. The first came up to Jesus with the voluntary offer, “I will follow you wherever you go.” That’s the statement I say to Him often. Jesus reminds the man (and me) that “wherever” is a big word. There are implications to this commitment I do not yet know, and I will not know until I follow.

The second person was approached by Jesus with that wonderful invitation, “Follow me.” The man replied that he had some loose ends to tie up first. Presumably, after he got those things in order, he’d be ready.

The third said, “I will follow you, Lord; but….” That’s the easiest offer to make. I really want to do this, “but” – that little word that usually nullifies what’s gone before.

I wonder what happened to these three. Did they follow Him? Will I? Which one best describes my attitude today?

Moving Always Toward the Cross

Scripture – Luke 9:51-56: 51As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56and they went to another village.

Reflection: Jesus came to earth to die for all of us. That was His plan. He would not be dissuaded from carrying it out.

As we draw near to Holy Week and the events leading up to Easter, this is a good lesson to remember. Jesus did not hold back. He came to serve, to save, to die. He gave up everything so I/we might have eternal life – so I/we can always live in hope.

Here, “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Here He began to focus more intentionally on the cross. From now on, each step will take Him closer to that.

Lord, thank you for what you did for me – for all of us. Give me strength today to follow you faithfully and resolutely.

Who Gets the Credit?

Scripture – Luke 9:46-48: 46An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.”

Reflection: Little comment is needed here. This hits most all of us. This is where human nature shows itself with regularity.

We all like to be appreciated and noticed. I like getting credit for doing good things. A lot of times, though, that just doesn’t happen unless I point it out to people. Then the attention comes to me and the good I’ve done becomes self-serving.

I heard it said once, “There’s no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.” I keep that I mind a lot.

Part of my human nature is that inclination to elevate myself by putting someone else down. That’s not the way of Christ. In Christ, I’m called to lift everyone up. I’m not in competition with anyone else to be the greatest or most important. We’re each called to serve in humility. God’s knows our hearts. Good or bad, I always get the credit that’s due me from Him. I’ll keep that in mind today, 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.

Reading for Sunday, March 22 – Luke 9:49-50: 49“Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” 50“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

An Interesting Scene

Scripture – Luke 9:42-45: 42Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44“Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Reflection: What an interesting scene! The demon tried to show its power right in Jesus’ face. Jesus, of course, is stronger than any demon. So the boy was healed in the midst of the crowd. The people were amazed and were talking about what Jesus did.

At that moment, Jesus turned to His disciples with His warning about being betrayed. Why did He do that? Did He recognize the excitement of the crowd was just a surface thing – something that would soon be forgotten?

Whatever the reason, the disciples did not understand. What’s puzzling is why were they afraid to ask for clarification? I ask questions all the time when I don’t understand something someone says. Why do you think they were afraid? What keeps you from understanding some of the things Jesus says?

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.

Real Life

Scripture – Luke 9:37-41: 37The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” 41“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

Reflection: It’s hard to escape the impact of real life. As nice (and necessary) as it is to get away for a while to refresh and recharge, I live in the real world. And that’s a reality I readily embrace.

Jesus and His three disciples had an extraordinary experience on the mountain. I suspect it was a powerful, rejuvenating time for all four of them. Then, “they came down from the mountain.” And they walked right into the messiness of real life.

If we listen we can hear the noise and confusion of the crowd. We can see the frustration in the other disciples. And we can hear the desperation in the father’s voice. Jesus is ready for all that. This is the world He loves. These are the people He came to serve and save.

I’ll remember that today. I’ll remember Jesus’ example here. I’ll remember real life isn’t neat and predictable. With the help of Christ in me, I’ll embrace all that with love. Thank you, Lord, for making that possible.

Listen to Him!

Scripture – Luke 9:28-36: 28About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

Reflection: What a powerful experience. Peter was so caught up he didn’t know what he was saying. All three were confused seeing Moses and Elijah. Everyone was afraid once the cloud appeared.

Then they heard the clear voice of God telling them who Jesus really was. They heard the message I easily overlook. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and I am to listen to Him.

There are voices all around me telling me what I ought to do and where I should go. I forget to zero in and focus on Christ. He’s the one giving the direction I need.

When I consider all the things – the very good things – that could be done – when I think of all the needs in the world – I’m overwhelmed. Jesus will give me focused direction. He’ll let me know what He wants me to do today. I just need to listen to him.

The Counter-Cultural Way of Christ

Scripture – Luke 9:23-27: 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Reflection: This brings to mind Mark Twain’s old observation about being troubled, not by the things in the Bible he didn’t understand, but by those he did. I could focus on verse 27 and wonder what Jesus meant. I could look at verse 26 and wonder if Christ will really be ashamed of me.

But the most troubling verses are 23-25. I don’t have to guess about their meaning. I just have to embrace them and put them into practice.

What are the implications of denying myself and losing my life for Christ. How will that come into play today? How will that set me apart? Am I willing to do that today? Will I follow the counter-cultural way of Christ?

Lord, give me wisdom and courage to answer those questions today. Teach me to live like you.

Waiting for Directions

Scripture – Luke 9:13-17: They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14(About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Reflection: When faced with a task that seems overwhelming, my natural tendency is to look at the limits I have – to focus on what I don’t have. The apostles’ response to Jesus was, “We have only….”

Jesus didn’t even address their doubts. He gave them simple, step-at-a-time directions. Have them sit down. Pass out the food. Pick up what’s left over. Those were things they could do and they did them. Jesus took care of everything else.

I have often said – and I continue to believe – if Christ calls me/us to a task, He’ll provide all we need to accomplish it. If I just forge ahead on my own with what I think is a good idea, then it’s on me to provide funding, food or whatever is needed. That’s when I get in trouble. That’s when I get stressed out. That’s when I lose focus. The key is to let Christ lead – to listen for His directions and follow them.

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 15 – Luke 9:18-22: 18Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Give Them Something

Scripture – Luke 9:12-13: 12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

Reflection: This sort of illustrates the on-going tension between my human nature and my spiritual nature. After a day around people, part of me wants to send them away, while part of me knows I should do something more for them.

Maybe the Twelve were getting hungry. They’d brought their own food. Let everyone else fend for themselves. Send them away.

Part of what Jesus says to me in this passage is don’t focus on yourself all the time. We can all eat together. “You give them something to eat.” It’s not just that I shouldn’t send them away. He’s also saying I am to serve them while they’re here.

Frankly, I’m not very good at this. I’ve learned a lot of people are more sensitive then I am about what people need. I’ve learned to listen to them, and take direction from them. So today, Lord, please show me what I have to give to people I meet. And remind me to serve them, as you came to serve.

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 Time for Retreat

Scripture – Luke 9:10-11: 10When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Reflection: The apostles returned from their mission trip (vs. 6) and told Jesus what they had done. I imagine they were very excited. For certainly they had done things beyond anything they ever dreamed.

Jesus took them away for a retreat. Often there’s a letdown after a big spiritual high. A time of retreat is needed for reflection and even healing. Here’s a good lesson I often ignore.

When the people came, Jesus intercepted them – at least, that’s how it looks to me. I picture Him leaving the apostles alone so they could rest and refresh, while He dealt with the crowds.

A time of retreat is not a luxury, but a necessity. It’s part of maintaining a healthy life – on all kinds of levels. I don’t have to go far away, just away for a while. When’s the last time you withdrew by yourself for a time of reflection a healing?

He Tried to See Him

Scripture – Luke 9:7-9: 7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

Reflection: So King Herod was perplexed. He apparently heard a lot of rumors and stories about Jesus and what He was doing. One of the rumors was that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. But Herod had executed John. So he wondered who he was hearing about.

The last line of today’s reading opens up all kinds of imaginative possibilities. How did Herod try to “see” Jesus? And why did he want to see Jesus?

Over and over we’ve seen that Christ is always open to anyone who comes to Him with a sincere heart. And generally He goes wherever He’s invited. So do we presume Herod followed neither of those paths?

It seems to me one of the keys to seeing Jesus – perhaps the key – is humility. I think Herod was little short on that. Some days I am, too. I’ll be careful today. I’ll remember Jesus doesn’t have to see me….but He does.

Getting What We Need

Scripture – Luke 9:1-6: 1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Reflection: This is a summary of the missional work of the church today – at least for our church in our setting. We gather people together. We equip them and empower them and give them authority Then we send them out as missionaries in their various settings.

This is a growing edge for us at Bethel. We’re good at the “getting together” part. And we’re pretty good at the “sending out” part. It’s in the middle where we slip up.

As you consider your world – your sphere of influence – the place where you spend most of your time during the week – what training or equipping would be helpful to you in your mission? What authority do you need to have? (We often overlook this. Yet if you’re a missionary, sent out from the church, you need to have the authority to make decisions and commitments on behalf of the church.) How can you get what you need for your church? Don’t be afraid to ask.

Life Will Go On!

Scripture – Luke 8:49-56: 49While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” 50Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Reflection: Don’t be afraid; just believe.” What a simple phrase that is. At the same time, we all know how hard it is to put it into practice.

Jairus has just been confronted with probably the worst news of his life. In his world-view, as in ours, death seems to be permanent. At that point hope that she will live was gone. Yet Jesus unflinchingly says she will be healed.

So they went on to the house, and this amazing event took place. Jesus is Lord of all life. Even death cannot stand against Him. He lives and acts beyond the finite limits of life as we know it. That’s why He enables us to live beyond those limits ourselves.

I don’t know what this day holds. I just know we have a Lord with unlimited power. I don’t know that can avoid being afraid. But I can definitely believe in Him. And so I will. Whatever happens today, life will go on!

A Story in Three Parts

Scripture – Luke 8:40-44: 40Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

Reflection: The readings for today and for the next two days cover three sections of one story. So think of it as watching TV show with commercial breaks. Or even better, think of yourself as the director of these scenes. How would they look? How would they sound?

Here in the first part we meet Jairus – a ruler of the synagogue – who came to Jesus in desperation. His daughter was dying. So Jesus went with him.

There was a great crowd around Him as they went, so I assume they couldn’t move very fast. I can picture Jairus frantically trying to hurry everyone up. And I can see Jesus moving calmly along, knowing His time will always be the right time.

In the midst of all those people a particular woman touched His cloak and was immediately healed. As we go to our first commercial break, I find myself wondering if the two references to twelve years are related.

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 8
Scripture – Luke 8:45-48: 45“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Pick a Lesson

Scripture – Luke 8:34-39: 34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. 38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Reflection: Once again, there are so many things in this passage; I’m not sure what to focus on. I mean, we have “those tending the pigs.” What was this like for them? They have a relatively simple job, and all at once the whole herd runs off and drowns in the lake. How will they explain that?

We have the demon-possessed man “dressed and in his right mind.” Yet this great miracle is overshadowed by the loss of the pigs. How much influence does money have on ministry?

We have the people asking Jesus to leave, “so he got into the boat and left.” What did they miss? Jesus will not force Himself on us.

Then we have the man obeying Jesus by staying in his local area and telling “all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”
What do you see in this passage? What lesson would you lift up? What lesson do you need to hear?

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.

Speaking to the Person

Scripture – Luke 8:30-33: 30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Reflection: Jesus spoke to the man, not the demons. The man answered him. Many times I get caught up in a person’s situation, disease or condition. It’s easy to forget the person I’m with.

Recently I spoke with a woman suffering from dementia. Four different times she asked me who I was, even though we’ve know each other for years. As I continued speaking to her, I kept in mind who she is. Somewhere inside she knew I was a familiar and safe person. My prayer – my trust – is that God will cut through her confusion with a clear sense of His love and peace.

To that end I will continue speaking to her, not the demons that trouble her. I will trust Christ to keep providing her with the firm foundation He gives us all.

Those Who Come to Us

Scripture – Luke 8:26-29: 26They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

Reflection: What was life like for this man? I know a few people who have some mental illness issues. They drop by the church building from time to time. We’ve always done our best to welcome them, even as we let them know there limits to behavior they are expected to observe. I don’t have to look for them anymore than Jesus looked for this man. He came to Jesus. They come to us.

It’s never occurred to me to pray for their healing – their release from the power of the demon holding them. For they do live in captivity. And they are barely tolerated in most other places. So they come back to us because we do love them and accept them.

Lord, teach me to more than a welcoming person with these folks. Teach me to be a friend. Hear my prayer as I ask for their healing and my forgiveness.

A Faithful Response

Scripture – Luke 8:22-25: 22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Reflection: What must it have been like for the disciples? They left their old lives behind and committed themselves to following this amazing man wherever He went. They really had no idea where that would lead.

Here, for example, it looks like Jesus randomly decided to cross the lake. “So they got into a boat and set out.” That simple act of obedience is a great example for me. There were no questions asked. Jesus decided to go there, so they went.

Sometimes I hold things up with my questions. Why go there? Do we have what we need? Do I have to get things together? Yet a lot of times, what Christ wants me to do is very clear. I’ll practice responding like these disciples. For in their faithful response they learned even more about who He is. Taking risks in following Him is the only way to do that.

Shaped By God's Word

Scripture – Luke 8:19-21: 19Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Reflection: On the one hand, this seems a little cold. I have a hard time understanding why Jesus would say this. It seems like He leaves His family standing outside.

At the same time He makes the point that obedience is one of the marks of discipleship. Hearing God’s word and putting it into practice are two sides of the same coin. My goal is to keep that reality alive.

I don’t want to just gather knowledge about the Bible. I want to let the Bible – God’s living word – shape my actions and my attitudes. Personally, this is a growing edge for me. Over the past few months I’ve been more focused on it than ever before. It’s really as simple (and as hard) as it sounds: Hear God’s word – put it into practice.