Rejoicing

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”                                                                                                    Luke 15.7

The first aspect of this story to attract my attention is the setting. Tax collectors and “sinners” were gathering around Jesus. They were eager to hear what He had to say. Against them stood the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They only had criticism of this man who welcomes sinners and eats with them.

The parable that Jesus proceeds to tell encapsulates the very situation. The irony is only too evident to those with eyes to see.

The sinners readily repent of their sins while the arrogance of the religious leaders gives the all-too-clear message that they see themselves as righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I see from the whole of this narrative how little time God has for hypocrites. And I realise how all-knowing God is. Whatever image I may choose to project, God knows the truth. And the truth is that I am a sinner. I cannot hide this, nor should I try to.

It is equally clear the rejoicing that takes place when I confess my sinfulness. I know I need Him. He knows I need Him. So, why pretend? Let’s get on with it.

Holy God,

In myself I am a miserable sinner. In You I am forgiven, and set free. Dear Lord, there is no contest. I come to You in my sinful state. I confess and repent of all my sins, and I include every sin, even those I may not be aware of, but You know.

I seek Your cleansing and Your way forward for me. I give myself to You for whatever You would do in me and with me.

I look to the day ahead and I rejoice that I can travel this day with You. Take me forward, and may we enjoy each other, in Jesus’ name I ask.            Amen.  

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Everything

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” 

                                    Luke 14.33

                                                                                        

Jesus’ message here is quite clear: the true disciple must put Christ before everything else. Jesus opens this passage by citing what are, likely, the most important things to the individual in human terms, namely family and the person’s very life. Will we give these up?

The believer is to seriously consider beforehand the cost of following Christ. It is no glib or flippant act. Jesus refers to the tower builder who carefully estimates cost before commencing construction. He cites the king who evaluates his military strength before pitting his forces against another.

Jesus demands complete surrender and absolute obedience. But those who give totally in this way find themselves mightily blessed for, and I truly believe this, God will honour those who honour Him.

Jesus is the way I want to go. I sometimes wonder how complete my surrender is, but I commit to press on, to respond as best I’m able to His holy call and direction. If I continue to give myself over to Him, then He is free to have His way with me.

Lord Jesus,

I hear Your word. I come in renewed surrender. I place all that I am and everything I have before You. I say, again, take me and make me what You would have me be.

If following You costs everything, then let me be willing. For what is it to me if I have all that I might treasure in a worldly sense, yet be without You? This would be simply unacceptable to me.

I love You, I rejoice that You have chosen me to this privileged place. May Your love continue to lead me, ever closer to You and further into whatever You would have of me during this earthly sojourn. I am Yours.

Hallelujah!          Amen.

Knowing Him

,But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

                                                                                                    Matt. 14.27

Jesus had experienced quite a busy day. It started with Him receiving news of the death of John the Baptist on the orders of Herod. He had sought to get away to a quiet place where He could work through His feelings of grief and loss. But this was not to be. The crowds followed Him. He ministered throughout the day, healing the sick. At eventide, He led the disciples in feeding the "five thousand". Then He sent the disciples to the far shore, while He went up on a mountainside to pray by Himself. Finally He is alone. At last He can rest and refresh in communion with His Heavenly Father.

Then, during the night, He crosses the lake to where His disciples are in the boat, which is now buffeted by waves caused by a high wind. Jesus is walking on the surface of the water. When the disciples see Him they are terrified. They think He is a ghost. They cry out in fear. Jesus does not hesitate, immediately He consoles them with the words "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

What a fascinating picture I see, and what interesting insight I get from reflecting on this narrative. Jesus had sent His disciples to cross the lake. Why, then, did they fear when the wind and waves rose up? Then again, when He appeared to them on the surface of the water, why did they cry out in terror? Why did they think He was a ghost? Didn't they know Him?

This last question brings to a head this reflection for me. It's all about knowing Jesus. And I mean knowing Him. Knowing about Him is not enough. We need to know the person, to know Him intimately, to trust Him implicitly, and to be assured that no real harm befalls us when He is with us. And He is always there. We have His word for this: "and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28.20b)

Lord Jesus,

It is perhaps too easy for me to be critical of the first disciples and their response of fear and alarm. Sadly I am reminded of the times when I react in panic, quite forgetting that You are there, that You will always be there to help, support and accompany me through all of this journey of life. Yes, through all of it. There is not one single event, experience or thought where You are not with me.

Forgive me, Lord, for those times when I forget Your presence with me. Forgive me and, if You will, give me constant reminders that You are there.

I yield to Your Being. I give myself anew and fully into Your keeping. I receive, value and enjoy Your companionship. I love You.

Let us journey on together, in Your precious name I ask.     Amen.

The Great Feast

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”                                  Luke 14.23, 24

The parable Jesus narrates here relates to the great feast in the Kingdom of God.

The initial invites go out to select guests, who decline, one by one, with the weakest of excuses. The invitation is then extended to the street people, the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Yet, even after these have responded, there is room.

Now the invitation is opened up to the whole countryside. The banquet will be full, but the initial invitees will totally miss out. The master of the banquet is quite specific on this.

We may transpose the invitee groups into the social structure of Jesus’ times, by seeing the initial invitees as the leaders of the Jewish religious movement. They were invited by Jesus, but refused. Then came the ‘poorer’ classes of the Jews. Some responded, but there was still room. This allowed the invitation to be extended to the whole world.

Now to update to the present! Jesus’ first invitation I see as, perhaps, being to the established church. Sadly, many ‘play church’ but don’t know God in real relationship. These are likely to miss out on the banquet. Second are those who come to Christ, aware that they are sinners. They repent, and receive Him as Saviour and Lord. And the third invitation is extended to the whole mission field. May many respond!

Lord God,

I thank You for the invitation that is always there (Rev. 3.20). I thank You that You gave me great opportunity to respond. I rejoice in You. I pray for those others who have come to You. I pray also for the world mission field. Bring them in, Lord. May they know and love You.

I pray for those who have positively rejected You. May they have a second chance? Truly, they don’t know what they’re missing. Help them, Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray.                                                                                                                                  Amen.