prior commitments

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12032 Luke 14.  Jesus encounters a group of people who are interested in him, but whose prior commitments to traditions keep them from entering his kingdom.  He responds to this problem by giving advice and telling  stories. The advice about a wedding feast (7-11) encourages people not to let their ego keep them from entering. The advice about giving a banquet (12-14) encourages people to seek the needy for kingdom ministry. The story about the great banquet (15-24) shows that the LORD does just that: he does not waste his time on people who have prior commitments.  Entering into Christ’s kingdom requires a divesting of anything that might be a hindrance to total commitment. This includes family and self-preservation (26-27) and personal plans and goals (28-32).  Someone who is just interested in Christianity but is not able to make that kind of sacrifice is like tasteless salt (34-35).

LORD, help us divest ourselves of prior commitments and enter your kingdom whole-heartedly.

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access to all, resistance by many

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12010 Luke 13:10-35.  A synagogue ruler’s opposes a healing in his own place of worship. Pharisees try to get Jesus to leave their territory. And sandwiched in between all this Jesus described the kingdom as leaven in three measures of flour, and a place that can only be entered through a narrow door.  The point is that God has provided access to his kingdom for all, but many will choose to resist. At the heart of the resistance stood Jerusalem itself. Jesus wanted to gather his city to himself as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but they would not.

LORD, we give you our lives. Transform us so that we conform to your loving plan for your kingdom — our future.

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a generation’s doom

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12005 Luke 12:49-13:9.  Jesus knew not only that he was going to suffer a violent baptism (the cross), but also that the entire generation in which he lived would be under judgment. That generation would be torn apart by division among families. Neighbors would send each other to debtor’s prison over cases that could be settled.  Tragic events like Pilate’s killing of the Galileans and the fall of the tower in Siloam would become commonplace.  Jesus knew why these things would happen, but that generation did not. They could not interpret the time. Jesus knew that there was a fruitless fig tree in the vineyard of Israel. Unless that generation repented of its rebellion against him, that generation would be cut down.

LORD, may we repent, reconcile, and bear fruit for your kingdom before it is too late.

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preparing for the future

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12029 Luke 12:13-48.  The rich fool thought he was getting ready for the future, but he was merely laying up treasure for someone else to enjoy (13-21). The nations of the world think they are preparing for the future by worrying about eating, drinking, and things to wear, but their treasure is in the wrong place (22-34). We, the servants of the Master, are the stewards of his house. we should be providing for his household. That is how we prepare for the future.

LORD, give us wisdom to seek your kingdom and provide for your household and so be ready for you when you come.

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leaving the city

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12028 Genesis 19.  Lot’s wife looked behind her at the cities God was destroying and she became a pillar of salt.  She was not the only one reluctant to leave her past life. Lot himself begged that God spare Zoar, and God did — even though Lot eventually left that city out of fear (18-22,30). The daughters had lost their husbands, who stayed in the cities because they did not believe Lot’s warnings. The daughters cooked up a scheme to get Lot drunk, and committed incest with him so that they would have children. You can take the girl out of the city, but that is not taking the city out of the girl.

LORD, take the corruption of the city out of us!

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listen, obey, be transformed

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12025 Psalm 19.  The believer can hear the voice of God in nature (1-6). The supernatural is possible, but not necessary. The believer can enjoy the treasures of God in scripture (7-11). What appears to be bondage to law to some are experiences precious as gold to believers (10). The believer has access to both forgiveness and transformation through a relationship with the LORD (12-14). Redemption involves both.

LORD, may we listen, obey, and be transformed.

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choosing the right fear

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12018 Luke 11:37-12:12.  A Pharisee had invited Jesus to dine with him, and Jesus accepted. The Pharisee was astonished that Jesus did not follow his tradition of ceremonially washing his hands before eating. The Pharisee expected deference because he was a Pharisee. He expected Jesus to fear his position. Jesus looked beyond the man’s position and saw his inner hypocrisy. Jesus later warns his listeners to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Fear of man can cause a person to honour the dishonourable and overlook their sins. We should fear God, who has the right to destroy us in Gehenna — not man who can kill us — then can do no more.

LORD, give us the wisdom to choose the right power to fear.

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an insufficient request

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12012 Gen. 18:16-33.  God had determined to destroy Sodom because its sin was very grave (20), but he also chose to let Abraham know that it was going to happen. Abraham interceded for Sodom by appealing to God’s justice — not his grace.  Surely God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked. The LORD decides to rescue Lot and his family, even though Abraham had not asked for that. There could not be found even ten righteous men in the city. Still, the LORD rescued Lot and his daughters out of his grace.

LORD, we submit our prayers to you this day, knowing that you will bless us over and above what we ask.

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seeking holiness

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12009 Luke 11:1-36.  The kingdom of God is Holy Spirit empowered righteousness. A person in God’s kingdom prays for a minimum of things. She is satisfied with what is needed for today (3), but she begs for forgiveness and deliverance from Satan’s power and the sin it brings (4). She prays for the Holy Spirit (13). She seeks to gather others into the kingdom of God (20,23). She seeks to hear the word of God and keep it (28). She seeks wisdom from the one greater than Solomon (31-32). She seeks holiness so that by her witness she can lead others out of darkness (33-36).

LORD, we seek your holiness!

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ultimate vindication

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12007 Psalm 17.  David prays for deliverance from evil men. Like a lion, the wicked man lurks in ambush, seeking to do violence for personal gain (12).  His portion is in this life (14). But David’s hope is that God would deliver him in answer to prayer, AND that his ultimate vindication would be awaking from death satisfied with the LORD’s likeness (15).

LORD, we trust you for deliverance from trouble today, and deliverance from death tomorrow.

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