Monday, December 3, 2012

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, December 3, 2012         I Denounced the Hypocrisy of the Pharisees

Page 105-106   Luke 11: 37-54

The life in Christ is a life of grace. Jesus’ comments to the Pharisees and experts in religious law summarized succinctly the differences between law and grace: “For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden” (Luke 11:46b). Law says do; grace says done. Law emphasizes what man does; grace emphasizes what God does. Law lives out of the flesh life (self-life); grace lives out of the Spirit (Christ-Life). Law's primary focus is ought to, should've, have to and must; grace's primary focus is on want to. Law declares do, in order to be; grace declares you are, therefore do. Law produces guilt and condemnation; grace produces acceptance and security. Law leads to defeat; grace leads to victory!

The perspective of legalism and a life in grace are polar opposites. In today’s passage Jesus is very confrontational with the political and religious leaders because their legalism was destroying Israel.  Jesus could see that all the years of national frustration were reaching a boiling point of rebellion against their oppressors. Their frustration was not limited to political matters. The people were also reaching a point of rebellion against their national identity as God’s Covenant people. Jesus was calling the people to repentance and to the ways of peace, lest in their frustration they would lose everything. The people did not heed Jesus’ call to a new way of living, and the Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem approximately thirty years later.

If Jesus were walking through our times, with whom would he have this conversation? I can think of a long list of persons and groups who would feel the sting of his indictment. I believe the Democrats and Republicans would be included, so also the Tea Party, AARP, NRA, and assorted other special interest groups. All of these groups are so addicted to power, they do all in their might to stifle dialog.

The Pharisees and Religious Teachers (as well as the groups above) had an agenda and Jesus confronted them with the truth that their pursuit of their agenda was having a severe negative impact on the people.

What does Jesus have to say to the churches of our time as they pursue their agendas for living out what they believe? The communities around our churches know nothing of our scriptures or mission. All they know about us comes from their observations of how we interact with each other and the world around us. Do they see Pharisees and experts in religious law? Or do they see people who love their God of mercy and grace with all of their heart, mind, soul and strength? Do they see people who love their neighbors (remember the parable of the Good Samaritan) as they love themselves?  

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Tuesday, December 04, 2012      They Wanted a Sign & My True Family  

Page 106-107   Matthew 12:38-46; Mark 3:31-32a, 4:21-25; Luke 8:16-19, 11:16, 24-32; Matthew 12:47-50; 

Mark 3:32b-35; Luke 8:20-21