general warnings

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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devotional post #1,990

Luke 13:1-5

Luk 13: 1 Now there were some present at that time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
Luk 13: 2 He responded to them, “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered these things?
Luk 13: 3 No, I tell you! But unless you repent, you will all be destroyed as well!
Luk 13: 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them, do you think they were worse violators than all the others who live in Jerusalem?
Luk 13:5 No, I tell you! But unless you repent you will all be destroyed as well!”

general warnings

Every time disaster strikes, or someone dies unexpectedly, our hearts are prone to ask “why?” Jesus does not leave that question unanswered. He tells his followers straight up that such deaths are not specific punishment. But he does warn that specific punishment is coming to everyone who refuses to repent and join his kingdom. So, such tragedies serve as a general warning for everyone. Judgment is not happening today, but it will happen. Today’s age of grace includes some tragedies which make us all think.

LORD, give us wisdom to respond appropriately to the general warnings all around us.

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an age of conflict

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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devotional post #1,989

Luke 12:57-59

Luk 12:57 “And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
Luk 12:58 As you are going with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, so that he will not drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.
Luk 12:59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the very last lepton!”

an age of conflict

Jesus had been warning his followers that loyalty to him was not going to prevent conflict with others. In fact, he implied that the age between his first and second advents would be an age of conflict. If we look at the signs, we can tell that his prediction has come true.

His advice for us who will live during this age of conflict is that we should seek to reconcile with our adversaries. If at all possible, we should seek peace with everyone. If we choose to remain enemies with everyone who disagrees with us, this age will be one of bondage from which there will be no release. Also, we cannot rely on the courts to always decide in our favour, even if we are in the right. So, we should look for any and every opportunity to reconcile with people out of court.

LORD, give us the wisdom and courage to seek reconciliation and peace with all those who oppose us in this age of conflict.

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significant signs

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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devotional post # 1,988

Luke 12:54-56

Luk 12:54 Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A rainstorm is coming,’ and it does.
Luk 12:55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and there is.
Luk 12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how can you not know how to interpret the moment you are in?

significant signs

A few months ago, there were  major earthquakes in  New Zealand. Thankfully, there were only few deaths, but there was major damage and disruption. The next day, news broadcasts covered the tragedy in detail, highlighting the many ways people were trying to support the victims, and help the communities influenced by the disaster to recover.

Even the weather portion of the news focused on how the high winds and rain might hinder the rescue efforts. The meteorologists could accurately predict the weather patterns, but no one knew precisely when the quake was going to happen.

Jesus was pointing out that the generation he spoke to was in a major moment of decision, and most of them would miss the opportunity to join his kingdom, and save their lives for eternity. The signs were all around them, but they were ignorant of them.

LORD, give us eyes to see the things that really matter.

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when passion divides

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky-devotions-pics-april-2017-14

devotional post # 1,987

Luke 12:49-53

Luk 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth– and how I wish it were already kindled!
Luk 12:50 I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished!
Luk 12:51 Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!
Luk 12:52 Because from now on there will be five in one household divided, three against two and two against three.
Luk 12:53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

when passion divides

When I was a kid, my family was passionate about American football. We loved to watch the high-school and professional games, and even talking about football entertained us — particularly because our family was divided between those loyal to the Miami dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys.

Religious loyalty divides people all over the world today, and Christianity did not change that. In fact, Jesus predicted that choosing his kingdom would divide families. It stands to reason, because anything that you are passionate about can be a source of conflict.

LORD, we do not want unnecessary conflict with others, but we do want to stand for you and your kingdom.

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the other slaves

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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devotional post #1,986

Luke 12:45-48

Luk 12:45 But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is delayed in returning,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat, drink, and get drunk,
Luk 12:46 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
Luk 12:47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating.
Luk 12:48 But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

the other slaves

In her book about the marginalised referred to in the Bible, Marianne Bjelland Kartzow comments on the commentators of this text: “It is striking that commentaries on Luke have nothing to say about the beaten male and female slaves mentioned in verse 45, as if these slaves, or servants as they are often called in modern translations, had no relevance” (Destabilizing the Margins: An Intersectional Approach to Early Christian Memory, 33).

Jesus’ very point in his parable is that they are relevant. Those of us who follow Christ are responsible to take care of his other followers. We can say we belong to Christ, and crow about being ready for his return, but if we are not nurturing our fellow believers, but selfishly abuse our authority instead, his return will set us straight. Knowing our master’s will is a great privilege, but it comes with great responsibility.

LORD, show us how to care for those you have placed in our charge.

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prioritising people

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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devotional post # 1,985

Luke 12:41-44

Luk 12:41 Then Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this illustration for us or for everyone?”
Luk 12:42 The Lord responded, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?
Luk 12:43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns.
Luk 12:44 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his belongings.

prioritising people

It was not uncommon for the people listening to Jesus to express confusion and ask for more information (see Roy Zuck, Teaching As Jesus Taught, p. 279). Here, Peter asked Jesus what the referent to his parable was. He wanted to know if it applied to his disciples, or to the greater crowds listening. Jesus’ response essentially answered “both.” The present faithful are responsible for the future faithful. Those who believe the gospel have been put in charge of those who are being drawn to it. Faithfulness to that charge will result in a new charge — all the master’s possessions.

Jesus encourages a new perspective about gain and responsibility. Under the old perspective, money is something to worry about and seek. Under the new perspective, people are the thing to invest in. If we treat people right, untold possessions await us. If we mistreat people, the master will not be pleased with us when he returns.

LORD, show us how to live in your new perspective, prioritising people.

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surprise insurance

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

devotional post # 1,984

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Luke 12:37-40

Luk 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them!
Luk 12:38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, blessed are those slaves!
Luk 12:39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
Luk 12:40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

surprise insurance

In Jesus’ analogies, it is the slave who stays working and alert in spite of his master’s absence who wins the favour of the master. It is the houseowner who protects his property even when things were quiet and no thief was lurking about who stays safe. The second coming will be a surprise. All those know-it-all prophecy types will be just as surprised when Jesus bursts through the clouds. The only insurance we have against the surprise is to keep loyal to our master through the long dark night.

LORD, build us into faithful servants.

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working britches

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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devotional post # 1,983

Luke 12:35-36

Luk 12:35 “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning;
Luk 12:36 be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

working britches

When I was growing up in rural Florida, my parents and siblings would tell me to get my working britches on. That meant it was time for work, so be ready. That is essentially what Jesus is telling his followers here. Instead of fussing about what flashy clothing you could wear, get dressed for service because your master could return at any moment. When he comes, be ready.

LORD, help us to get ready to welcome your return.

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perspective on present possessions

Posted on April 9, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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Today’s devotional thought by Jefferson Vann

Luke 12:32-34

Luk 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is delighted to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves wallets that do not wear out– a treasure in the sky that never decreases, where no thief attacks and no moth destroys.
Luk 12:34 Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

perspective on present possessions

The thing that the Lord tells his followers to pursue, just happens to be the very thing that he says God is delighted to gives us out of the riches of his grace. So, that is why we can afford to be so generous with the other things we have. We see those things (present possessions) as temporary, and we have already been promised an eternal inheritance to replace them. If our hearts were tied to this present stuff, it would indicate that we are not seeking Jesus.

LORD, give us your perspective on this present stuff, and make us generous with it.

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pursuing grace

Posted on April 8, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

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WHAT ARE YOU AFTER?

Luke 12:29-31

Luk 12:29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things.
Luk 12:30 Because all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Luk 12:31 Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

pursuing grace

Much of the world is obsessed with consuming and acquiring. The Lord says we should not follow that path. Instead, our obsession should be the things that our Father has provided for us. His kingdom is his plan for our future, and we pursue it today by taking advantage of the grace he has given us now.

LORD, show us how to focus our pursuit on you kingdom of grace.

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