This comes from the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector that Jesus taught to a group of self-righteous, haughty people. It says in verse 10 that both men went up to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee pushed his way up to the front of the crowd in order to be seen and heard by everyone, and once there, proceeded to pray loudly and arrogantly…basically telling God how lucky He was to have him. On the other hand, the Tax Collector stood way back in the courtyard, daring not to even look up to heaven, but rather beating his breast and whispering, “God have mercy on me.” In Jeremiah 31:19 it says, “After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understanding, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” The road from self-deception to self-awareness requires acknowledgement…admitting I’m just as sinful as those around me and not one bit more righteous.
Tag: Luke
Luke 15:24 ” For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found…”
If you think about it…we’re all like the prodigal son. We were all spiritually dead – separated from God the Father, with no hope of eternal life…when we were made live again, by the blood of Jesus Christ. For we all had wandered away from our Heavenly Father, just like the prodigal son…and just like the prodigal son, when we had come to our senses in the middle of that pig pen – we realized we couldn’t make it on our own. That’s when we returned. We returned to a loving Father with outstretched arms, rushing to meet us and draw us to Him.
Luke 19:5-6 ” When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”
Zacchaeus was the Chief Tax Collector in Jericho. A much hated puppet of the Roman government who regularly exploited and gouged his own people. But Zacchaeus had heard of this man Jesus and wanted to get a closer look…so he decided to do something completely undignified for man of his position…he climbed a tree. He climbed a tree for the practical reason that he was a short man in a sea of people…but, as the old saying goes, “to be up a tree” could be fitting for him also. When someone is “up a tree” they are in a difficult situation without a way of escape. Could Zacchaeus had sensed the hopelessness and desperation in his soul as Jesus approached? As Jesus came near the tree, He looked up, called Zacchaeus by name, and invited Himself to his house in one short interaction…but this encounter changed everything for Zacchaeus. For the seeker now had been sought by the Savior, and his life would be changed forever.
Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the Synagogue, as was His custom.”
Early in His Ministry, Jesus returned to His home town of Nazareth. There, He practiced the Ministry of Staying Put. Many of us rail at that Ministry, for we’d rather be used in the far-flung reaches of the world than to be utilized by God in the place we were born and raised. Just this past Sunday in Church I heard of an opportunity to go on a short-term mission to Guatemala to work in an orphanage of shunned and outcast children with handicaps and congenital defects…and my heart went out to them and their suffering. Does this mean I will go? That’s entirely up to the Lord, and I leave it in His hands. For my mission may be to remain where I am, touching the people around me… in the town where I was born and raised.
Luke 24:18 ” They stood still, their faces downcast, one of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, ‘Are You only a vistor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ “
It was still on the third day that these two followers of Christ were trudging on the road to Emmaus. Disheartened and disillusioned , they had put their hope in this man named Jesus only to see Him die on a Cross. Yes, some crazy women had tried to convince them that He had risen from the dead, but they weren’t believing any of it. Suddenly, a man was walking along side them, asking what they were talking about. Cleopas was incredulous that this stranger didn’t know the events of the last few days. In more modern language, Cleopas might have exclaimed to Him – “Have you been living under a rock?!” And Jesus could have replied, “As a matter of fact, Yes, I have.”
Luke 11: 11-13 ” Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? “
We think we know what we want…but in our short-sightedness are we really asking for a stone from the Lord…when He wants to give us a loaf of bread? We naively think we know what’s best for us…when we really don’t have a clue. We have a good, good Father that wants to give us only the very best…so ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your petitions before the Lord…and pray God’s Will into your life, not yours.
Luke 2: 51-52 ” Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Even at twelve years old, Jesus had the plan and purpose for His life laid out in front of Him. But He was also the young son of His parents, Mary and Joseph, and He honored them by His submission and obedience. Many times in our own life we’ll encounter situations that we just don’t understand, but we know they’re of the Lord. That’s when we submit anyway…we obey anyway…we honor anyway.
Luke 2: 49 ” ‘Why were you searching for Me?’ He asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?’ “
The 12 year-old Jesus wasn’t being disrespectful to His parents when He asked this question. He was simply incredulous that they had not realized where He was destined to be. For this young Jesus had already taken on the obligation and duty of His Heavenly Father…as seen in Psalm 69:9, “…for the zeal for Your House consumes Me…”
Luke 1:38 ” ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ “
The Lord has called you and laid on your heart a promise, but like Mary, you can’t understand how this could possibly happen. Like Mary, you have questions…but also like her, God will faithfully answer them all in due time. And in the end, like Mary, we will need to put our complete faith and trust in God, knowing that what He has placed on our heart will come about. Today you too are pregnant… you’re pregnant with a promise…a promise that’s about to come full-term.
Luke 5:16 ” But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
It’s not that Jesus was anti-social or hated the crowds that pressed in all the time around Him…for He loved people. But He did require Father-Son time, and searching out solitary places to pray was essential for His wellbeing. When we’re alone by our self in the silence – we shut out the noise of the world…we gain God’s perspective…we hear clearly from the Holy Spirit. It was essential for Jesus…it’s no different for you.
Safetypinlove 