Luke 9:37-48

We have family in town and I am VERY DISTRACTED... but in a wonderful way. :)

My readings have been a little shorter, but I will take what I can get.

The thing that struck me today was that the disciples were focused on themselves.  Jesus just told them to listen carefully as he told them that he was going to be betrayed by men.  The next thing we know is that they were arguing about who was the greatest.  As a mom I am familiar with this type of listening.  It drives me nuts!  I know I do the same thing though and I owe God an apology far too often for this very thing.

Luke 9:21-36

Read it, but lack any response

Luke 9:10-20

Yesterday, in our passage, Jesus asked his followers to trust him, but warned that it won't always go well.  Today, in contrast, he blesses those who chose to trust him.  They trusted him and followed him in order to hear his teaching.  Jesus blessed them with food for their bellies.  I especially appreciate the fact that scripture notes that they were "satisfied".  On top of this, there were baskets of food leftover. 

Some days are like that... I see blessings at every turn.  I am overwhelmed by my Savior's lovingkindness toward me in every area of life.  Other days, I fight the urge to kick manure laden dirt in the faces of those who "do not receive" me.  Today, I am willfully shaking the dust off my feet and moving on.  Perhaps tomorrow will be a feast of bread and fish. :)

Luke 9:1-9

In verses 3-5 Jesus tells them to not take supplies, even basic ones, for their journey.  It is pretty clear that Jesus wanted them to walk by faith.  What I think is even more interesting is that right after Jesus tells them to walk in faith, he tells them they will be rejected.  He essentially tells them to shake it off and keep going on. 

I get so overwhelmed when things are tough or don't go well.  It is normal for me to quit or become very self absorbed.  I need to continue to trust and keep on with the journey.

Luke 8:40-56

 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.”
(Luke 8:48-54 ESV)

Random Bible class information: This is a chiasm... a story within a story.  The point of the main story is found in the interrupting story.

I feel like it is a lot easier for us to talk about what we would like God to do than to acknowledge what He has done.  It is a lot easier to pray for God to do something than to thank Him for what He has done.  When we are in need, we are desperate and willing to employ any means to relieve the pressure.  The woman in this story had engaged every resource available to gain healing.  Supernatural intervention is what we long for most!  When the pressure is gone, we are much more likely to settle for the natural than the supernatural.  When I do this, I don't intend to slight God and His workings in my life.  I just feel funny about depending on the supernatural or crediting a miracle when it could be something else.  I think in this story, Jesus highlights that He alone was the source of healing and wanted that recognized.

I praise Jesus for my "retirement" from RaceSmith.  It was a gift from God and my husband that I didn't even want.  I didn't see the need for it until it happened.  I didn't work for it, ask for it, and yet it was given to me anyway.

Luke 8:26-39

 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
(Luke 8:39 ESV)

I often forget how devastatingly harmful the devil is.  His demons did nothing but wreck havoc and destruction.  They tormented the man and destroyed the pigs.  Peace was only available to the man once the demons left him.  Yet, the people were afraid of Jesus more so than they were afraid of the demons.

Sadly, I think this is true of myself sometimes. I fear what God has in store for me because I don't trust Him.  I think that my own way is better and prefer to choose my own path.  How much better it would be to trust God and allow Him to direct my steps away from destruction.

Luke 8:19-25

 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
(Luke 8:21 ESV)

I always thought of this passage as a very harsh one.  I thought this was a poor way to treat his family.  However, I am seeing the other side of it.  Jesus was telling us how much he cares about us and how much we matter to him.

I am not sure this is a direct application from the scripture, but it applies today.   I need to show care to my children.  They need to know how much they matter to me and not just how much they frustrate me.

Luke 8:9-18

 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
(Luke 8:15 ESV)

In v. 14, Jesus explains that the seed that falls among the thorns is choked out when those who receive "go on their way"  They don't change direction or implement change, they try to take Jesus with them on their own way. 

I will also piggyback with Laura's thinking as I noted that the good soil bears fruit with patience.  That is something I struggle with for certain.

I also struggle with how to live life.  My life is busy--as demonstrated by the fact that I started this post 4 hours ago and am just now getting back to it.  Keeping Christ as the central figure in that is tough.

Luke 8:1-8

 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
(Luke 8:5-8 ESV)

My favorite piece of this passage is the irony.  He teaches on listening and then yells, "If you have ears, listen up" (or something like that) :) 

I picture Jesus traveling around with groupies.  The groupies come and go as they are able and everyone shares what they have when they have anything to share. 

I have a hard time with this passage because I have heard it SO MANY times.  The meat of the passage is the parable of the sower.  Although, the parable is called the parable of the sower, I always think about what kind of soil I am.  I identify with the thorny soil.  While God's word is fruitful in my life, it is often choked out with many worldly distractions.

Luke 7:44-50

 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
(Luke 7:47 ESV)   And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
(Luke 7:50 ESV)

The love of the woman was evident through her actions while the lack of love from the Pharisee was evident from his lack of action.

Words don't cut it.  My actions will reveal my heart more clearly than my words.