Luke 17-18 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-18:43.

“And he cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38-39).

How much faith did the blind man need for his miracle? Did he need to be 100% doubt free? No. He simply needed enough faith to continue to cry out to Jesus no matter what anyone else said to him.

How much faith do I need for my miracle of victory over sin? Do I need to be 100% doubt free? No. I simply need enough faith to continue to hang on to and cry out to Jesus no matter what anyone else ever says to me about it.

No doubt, they will say things to  me. They will say there is no Jesus. They will say Jesus won’t help me. They will tell me that I just need to try harder. They will say there is no help for me. They will tell me to be quiet because my crying out to and hanging on to Jesus makes them uncomfortable. I just need to keep turning to Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can leave your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Luke 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 5:1-6:49.

“And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all” (Luke 6:17-19).

Have you ever had one of those days in which you were just disgusted with yourself. Despite trying to do right and serve the Lord, something happened that laid bear to you exactly how rotten your spirit has been. I’ve had those days. It is not pretty. On days like that, it is easy to get discouraged and think about giving up. How could Jesus be interested in someone with a spirit as unclean as mine.

Yet, here we see Jesus healing folks troubled by unclean spirits. Yes, I’m sure this is a reference to some form of possession that was occurring during the life of Jesus and the days of miraculous gifts. However, I can’t help but think if Jesus could cast out unclean spirits, He can also cleanse my spirit.

He will heal me. I simply need to reach out and touch Him. Today, I’m going focus on drawing near to Him so He can heal my unclean spirit.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

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*Thanks to Jason Hardin for giving me this idea. Throughout the following six months, I’m going to use Wordle as my illustration for each day’s reading. It is a great way to get a snapshot of what is talked about the most in each reading. I’ve created these using the online tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-6:56.

“Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age,) and they were immediately overcome with amazement” (Mark 5:42-42).

by Royce Bair

I have seen the miraculous healings of Jesus’ ministry as allegories for our own spiritual healing. To be sure, these miracles took place, but the purpose for recording them is to say if Jesus could give physical life to these people, He can give spiritual life to me.

Thus, the story of Jairus’ daughter really hit me this morning. Her name is not given. She is just Jairus’ daughter. She did not go seeking healing or resurrection. Jairus went on behalf of his daughter. Many of the miracles say if Jesus could heal them physically or resurrect them physically, He can do the same for me spiritually. But what does this one say? It says if Jesus could heal or resurrect Jairus’ daughter, He can spiritually heal and resurrect my daughters (and my sons).

I needed to read that today. As I grow and see my own defects that Jesus is conquering in me, my biggest fear is how those defects have been harming my own children. At times, I think their salvation is hopeless because they’ve been stuck with a father like me. In despair I think, “I’ll never be able to raise them up or heal them. They are lost for sure.” But that is exactly the point. Just as Jairus could not heal or raise his daughter, I cannot heal or raise mine. But Jesus can.

What does that mean for me? That means today I don’t have to go about trying to manipulate the right action out of my kids as if their salvation depends on me. What it means is I simply need to do the right thing. I need to behave in right ways because they are right, not because I’ve decided if I act this way my kids have to be alright. If my kids will be raised and healed, Jesus will do it. I can turn it over to Him. Of course, I understand that my kids may decide they don’t want that. That will be sad for me indeed. But that won’t be my fault.

Today, I’m going to quit trying to manipulate my kids into salvation. Instead, I’m just going to do the next right thing and let Jesus do His job of raising people and healing them, even my kids.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

PPS. For just a little fun, since the story of John the Baptist’s beheading was in this reading, I thought I’d share a cute story I heard once. Perhaps it will give you a little chuckle and brighten your day.

In the kindergarten Bible class, the teacher was dramatically telling the story of John the Baptist. She told how Herod had promised his step-daughter anything up to half his kingdom as a reward for her dancing. She told with flourish as the young woman asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

“Tommy,” she said, “What would you have said to this wicked woman if you had been Herod?”

Tommy tilted his head and replied, “If I had been Herod, I would have told her, ‘No, no, I meant something in the other half of my kingdom.’”

Today’s reading is Ephesians 3:1-4:32.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let he sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Many of us learned the #1 rule of dysfunction as we grew up.

RULE #1: Don’t Feel

Few of our parents meant to teach us this rule, but it gets passed on pretty often. Perhaps we gathered that the only legitimate feelings were our parents’ feelings. If we didn’t feel as they did about things we were punished, scorned, belittled, lectured, yelled at. We learned quickly to get rid of those feelings. Even in churches this rule gets passed on. Almost without thinking the rule is taught that Christians are supposed to always feel great. “How are you doing?” we ask someone. “Great!” the other says. “Couldn’t be better,” another says. “God’s blessing my socks off,” says a third. We wonder what is wrong with us for feeling lousy, angry, sad, hurt. But we refuse to let them see our supposedly unChristlike feelings.

But wait. Look again at what Paul says. He doesn’t say, “Don’t be angry, it is a sin.” He says, “Be angry and do not sin.” Anger is not a sin. It is simply an emotion. Anger happens. So does sadness. So does hurt. So does fear. So does regret. So does guilt. So does shame. These feelings are not sins. We don’t have to hide them. Certainly, none of these feelings is a justification for sin. Just because I’m afraid, hurt, sad, or angry doesn’t mean I get to yell at my wife and kids, calling them names, beating them. That would be sin. But the feelings themselves are okay.

But I must not let the sun go down on these emotions. I don’t think that means I have to eradicate these emotions before I go to sleep. I’m not always sure that is possible. Rather, I think I need to express these emotions in a proper and healthy way as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the stuffed emotions will come out in sinful explosions or in sinful escapes later.

It’s okay to feel. But be honest with your emotions. Define them to yourself and share them with those closest to you so you can work through them without sinning.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-18:43.

“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).

God has healed me of more than leprosy. However, I find it is easy to forget about that as I press on with my daily life and routine. How quickly I can take for granted God’s precious gifts. When I take the time to write out a gratitude list and then pray it, I can’t believe the grace that fills my life. I am reminded that God really isn’t picking on me with the bad things but is abundantly supplying me with good things. How can I be depressed and despairing when I remember these blessings? My fears that God won’t take care of me tomorrow start to abate. Thanksgiving is good for me. 

An example: Right now I’m breathing deeply and there is still oxygen. My fingers are able to move across this keyboard. I am able to get out of bed and drive to the office today. I still have food in my refrigerator and pantry today. I have clean clothes to wear today. My children are sleeping healthfully this morning; so is my wife. But more than these physical blessings, I’m able to pray today, read my Bible today, be in fellowship with loving brethren today. I am cleansed today by Jesus’ blood. I am an adopted son of God. My Father owns the universe. (That beats out your Father, unless you are my brother or sister, then we can be thankful together.)

Let me quickly add something. This is not just about our relationship with God. I’ve found great benefit in being thankful to others. Write thank you notes, make thank you calls, send thank you e-mails, just plain old say, “Thank you,” when people provide a benefit to you. Be amazed at how actually saying thanks lifts your day and your outlook on life.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Matthew 13:1-14:36.

Jesus’ example really hit me where I needed it today. In Matthew 14:1-12, Jesus’ cousin John was beheaded, humiliated, and buried. In Matthew 14:13, Jesus was withdrawing to be by Himself because of this. Yet, when He arrived at the “desolate place” the crowds had beat Him. There they were in need of a shepherd.

I certainly believe Jesus had every right to say, “Not right now.” In fact, later that day, Jesus does take care of Himself  while letting others endure some hardship for a while (Matthew 14:22-25). But that is not what Jesus did here. Though Jesus was mourning and wanting to connect with His Father, He saw the crowds and had compassion. He healed their sick. 

I need to remember this. I can sometimes take caring for myself into selfishness and self-centeredness. I can get so caught up in me that I simply can’t be bothered with other people, no matter their connection to me or their needs. I can do this in my family, in my neighborhood, and even in the congregation.

In fact, it strikes me that my struggle with just reaching out to folks I meet simply through conversation and hopefully turning to spiritual matters is bound up in this. I can get so bound up in my fear of rejection that I don’t try to talk to folks and that means never sharing the good news with them. 

I need to work on this. Too often I want to stay in my own desolate place instead of having compassion on the crowds. I need to work on this today.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Mark 7:1-8:38.

The healing of the blind man in two stages has often puzzled me. Jesus clearly had the power to heal the man in one shot. Why go through this two step process? The only reason I can see is as an object lesson for the apostles who continually had trouble seeing and understanding Jesus.

They had just had trouble seeing how Jesus would feed the 4000 despite having experienced the feeding of the 5000. They had just had trouble understanding Jesus when He spoke of the leaven of the Pharisees. With the blind man of Mark 8:22-26, Jesus let’s the disciples know they will see and understand in time. They are like this blind man. They are beginning to get a broad outline of Jesus and His teaching. In time, they will come to see clearly. They will grow.

This comforts me. I often feel like I only have a broad outline of what Jesus and HIs teaching are all about. That’s okay. I’m growing. As I continue in Christ, I will understand more and more. That is what being in Christ is all about: Growth. I don’t have to be perfect today. I don’t have to know everything today. Jesus is still working on me. He will conform me to His image as I continue in Him (cf. Romans 8:28-30).

Thus, my goal today is not to be absolutely perfect. My goal is to stay in Christ and draw closer to Him. He will perfect me in His time.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 7:1-8:56.

At first glance, there is something wrong in Luke 8:40-56. I mean sure, it is great that Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood and it is great that He raised the little girl from the dead. However, he touched an unclean woman with a flow of blood and a dead girl. There were laws about that. That made Him unclean. See Numbers 19:11-16. See also Leviticus 15:25-27.

I guess we can say that being unclean is not the same thing as sinning and so it doesn’t matter if He was made unclean. However, if we take that route, I think we actually miss the great point.

If you or I touched the woman or the girl, we would be made unclean. However, Jesus was so clean that when He touched them, their uncleanness didn’t rub off on Him. Rather, His cleanness rubbed off on them. They did not defile Him; He purified them. The woman became so clean her discharge stopped. The girl became so clean, she was made alive again.

What does this mean for me? When I draw close to Jesus, His cleanness will rub off on me. His touch cleanses me.

What am I going to do today? I’m going to figure out how I can get close to Jesus and touch Him.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-6:56.

Before I share my thought from today’s reading, I was reminded of a little joke. In a Bible class, the teacher asked her elementary grade students what they would have said had they been Herod when Herodias’s daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist. After all, he had promised her anything up to half of his kingdom.

Little Johnny raised his hand. When the teacher called on him, he said, “I’d have told her that I meant something from the other half of the kingdom.”

Okay, on to what really stands out to me today. I can’t help but notice Jesus was unable to do many miraculous works in Nazareth. Why? Mark 6:5-6 suggests it was because of the unbelief of those in the town. Sadly, many today have latched on to this and acted as if this means a human’s lack of faith is so strong that the power of God cannot overcome it. This teaching makes man more powerful than God. It is as if to say that Jesus summoned all His power and might but these people were just too strong for Him and He couldn’t cut it.

However, the last story in the same chapter actually demonstrates the point. In Nazareth, people didn’t believe. Therefore, they didn’t come to Jesus for miracles. Look in Gennesaret in Mark 6:53-56. Here the people did believe. Because they believed, they ran about the whole region to bring people to be healed.

You see, the issue is not that my faith is necessary for Jesus to work. The issue is if I don’t believe, I won’t come to Jesus to get Him to do His work.

This applies to me. I am looking for spiritual healing. It is not that my faith accomplishes it. Nor is it that my lack of faith overpowers Jesus’ strength. Rather, if I don’t have faith, I won’t come to Jesus and He won’t work. That is why my faith is so important. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, because without faith I won’t come to Him to learn His way. But as faith increases, then Jesus can do His work in me.

That is why I always end with…

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Mark 8:23-25 intrigues me. So, I did a little research. It says:

And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see men, but they look like trees walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly (ESV).

This two stage miracle is such a contrast to the rest of the book. Throughout Mark, I can’t help but notice how often the word “immediately” is used (“straightway” if you read the King James Version). 

In fact, my research indicates Mark uses words which can be translated “immediately” 43 times. That means almost 6.5% of the verses in the book say something happened immediately. Additionally, these words are only used 57 times in the rest of the New Testament. That means almost half of the times we find these terms used are in just this one book. Mark is a fast gospel. Everything is happening immediately. Everything is happening right away. You get a sense of urgency and speed as you read.

Then you get to Mark 8:23-25 and for a brief moment, everything comes to a screeching halt. Jesus did not heal the man immediately. He healed him in stages. It didn’t happen right away or right now, it happened over a period of time. What is up with that?

I can’t help but notice this story is told right after Jesus rebuked His disciples for slow understanding. They had seen the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand. However, when Jesus told them to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herodians, they just didn’t get it. You can hear the frustration or resignation in Jesus’ voice as Mark relates Him saying, “Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?” (Mark 8:17-18, ESV).

Then we get the story of the two stage healing. Jesus is giving an object lesson about the walk of discipleship. There is a lot of urgency and immediacy in Jesus’ work. However, He is patient. He knows making disciples out of mere men takes time. After a whole bunch of time, we still only see the plan of God the way this man saw people. He could see a faint outline, but no details. However, as we keep on walking with Jesus and keep allowing Him to clear our vision, we actually begin to see those details and get the real picture and not just some general and vague idea that leaves us still wondering about what is really going on. It will take time, but we can grow as disciples. We will struggle along the way, but we will get there.

Three Applications

1. I need to be thankful that Jesus is patient with me and my baby steps as a disciple.

2. I need to be patient with myself and keep working when I know I don’t always get it immediately.

3. I need to be patient with others when they are only making baby steps in their discipleship.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC