Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-17; Matthew 11:1-19; Luke 7:18-35; Matthew 11:20-30; Luke 7:36-50
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Luke: The passages on the faith of the centurion today are powerful – especially his words in Chapter 7 verse 7 – “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Can we learn something from the faith of the centurion in our lives today?
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 7’s readings titled “Jesus the Healer” is at this link.
Wow…. Verse 35 in Luke chapter 7 is such a profound teaching of Jesus’ for each of us to consider: “But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Take a few moments to really meditate on this verse and what it means. For me this verse is a reminder that sometimes in life we have to move forward in faith on something “wise” we’ve heard, but maybe not experienced – and then later see that the wisdom is true. I’m not sure if I’m going to explain myself well here… but my thought is that as followers of Jesus, I think we can get lazy in our faith at times. As just one example – maybe we don’t think we really need to give financially to our church. We know the wisdom of Malachi 3:10, but maybe we haven’t really experienced the wisdom of giving. So, maybe we need to follow the wisdom first – and then we will later know the full truth and beauty of the wisdom. Hope this makes sense? I’d just say that if there is a struggle in your life that God is calling you to leave behind or move forward on – go for it! If you know you should be doing or not doing something – go with that wisdom you know and then it will “shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Please follow Wisdom! Please follow Jesus!
A nice image of John the Baptist sending two of his disciples to meet Jesus is below, from verses 18 & 19 – “The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 7’s readings today, titled “John’s Problem with Jesus” is at this link.
In Luke chapter 7 today we read about the “immoral” woman who kissed and put perfume on Jesus’ feet. Verse 39 is a powerful testament to Jesus’ character – “When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, “This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”” How ironic… this Pharisee thought that Jesus was not sent from God because he let a sinner touch him – when indeed it is this very act that proves that Jesus was sent from God! Jesus loved everyone – and still loves everyone today – and wants to be in relationship with all of us. No matter what this woman’s sins were. No matter what our sins were or are. Jesus loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Like the woman in this story, will we humble ourselves and come before the feet of Jesus? And will we ignore those who might suggest we’re not “good enough” to be in relationship with God or Jesus? Remember, Jesus came to call the sinners, the sick – and not the righteous. Let’s not act righteous before Jesus, but come to his feet as we really are and worship Him for who he truly is!
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the fantastic worship song “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?” by Delirious. For some reason every time I hear the lyric “open up the doors and let the music play, let the streets resound with singing” I am reminded of a trip to the Dominican Republic I took several years ago to work on houses with Habitat for Humanity. Walking down the dusty streets of a tiny village in the DR I distinctly remember the doors being open, the music playing and the streets resounding with the singing of children playing. God’s presence was so real and tangible to me on that dusty little village in the DR. I pray you’ve had or will have a similar experience with God walking down “a street that has no name!”
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
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