Repentance

Repentance (Father We Have Sinned)

What a great testimony Zacchaeus offers me. As a fledgling disciple he walks the walk of repentance and shows me what it means.

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” – Luke 19:8 ESV

I think his story of becoming a follower of Jesus was a pretty strong reaction. I think he would have fallen on his knees first and then proclaimed that he was giving half of his possessions to the poor. A statement that declared his repentance to be true – no longer in love with money and following Jesus was his priority.

As I continue to read Luke 19, I came upon this verse:

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” – Luke 19:38

Zacchaeus change not only took place because he accepted Jesus as his Saviour, and his Lord, but a change does not happen like that unless he declares Him the King of his life.

I know that I am called to do the same – acknowledge Jesus as the King. Why am I failing to practice those things that would suggest this is true? I resist losing my possessions, reluctant to praise Him as I should. I think of myself, talk of myself and ignore my God, Creator, Redeemer, King. It is possible that I think of His kingdom as power and prestige that I am entitled too instead of the glory, honour and praise rightfully His. I look for miracles and wonders and for Jesus to overcome my enemies and I try hard not to think of a cross, suffering, shame or rejection. It is possible that I am looking for a relationship with God that is self-serving rather than one that calls for self-sacrifice. If any of this really resonance and is true, I am going to have one incredible night of repentance.

It will not be easy

It’s Not An Easy Road

If the story of what Moses and Aaron went through after their first meeting with Pharaoh taught me anything – is that my calling, my journey, my walk with Jesus will not be easy, and I must keep on going.

But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take
the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.”
Exodus 5:4 ESV

When I think about it some more, I realise that am going to end up serving someone. I read this amazing quote from a book, Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture, by Alastair J. Roberts and Andrew Wilson. I think that said it well:

“Time and again…Paul uses the exodus story not just to remind Christians of our liberty, but also of our responsibility…[This is something that] is actually at the heart of Christian discipleship: Israel was set free from serving one master in order that they might serve a new one. God’s purpose for the plagues and the confrontations, the water-crossings and the fire, was not that Israel might be free to wander off and do their own thing, but that they might “serve” him (Exod. 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3). The contrast in Exodus, in fact, is less between slavery and freedom, as we might expect, and more between slavery to Pharaoh…and service to the LORD. It is as if…service to nobody is not an option.” (145-146)

In deciding to follow Jesus, how do I stay true to my calling, journey, and walk with Jesus, in order to make it a little bit more easier?

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. – Luke 18:1 ESV

There are a few pointers in this chapter to think about. There are two parables Jesus gives on prayer. One is the need for persistent prayer and the other is having an attitude of prayer that recognises my sin and complete dependence on God’s graciousness.

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? – Luke 18:8 ESV

Even Luke knows that following Jesus is hard. Will I keep my heart fixed on Jesus or will I love this world? How can I endure to the end? Is the danger regarding my faith and my love for Jesus at a place where it can be swallowed up by the sheer ordinaries of my daily life?

To bring that point home, Luke also tells us the story of the rich ruler. Another troubling story that might just be too radical. I know it had to be shared this way because if Jesus had given us this message softly we might have missed its truth. This entire chapter (Luke 18) has challenged me to what the character of discipleship looks like. It will not be easy, but I know Jesus has invited Himself to walk with me.

Designed to stop division

Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

The story of Moses fleeing to Midian brings some important lessons to disciple-makers in how God views those that cause division. It is wrong and He reasons with us with a similar question that came from Moses’ own lips:

When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” – Exodus 2:13 ESV

Why do you strike your companion? Earlier the Egyptian who was violating a Hebrew was killed, and the two Hebrews that were caught fighting in this story were reprimanded. Whether rooted in malice or by sudden provocation, there is a difference between one offender and another. In this story, Moses is trying to make the Hebrews friends – a good example for us to follow for Jesus did the same. In fact, Jesus was a prophet in calling as was Moses, a healing prophet, a peacemaker and was designed to end division. So, why do you strike your companion? There is something wrong when we do so and do not think we are only talking about a physical strike, it could be by tongue as well. If we consider the person we are striking – is it a friend, acquaintance, associate, follower of Christ, at least it is one created in the image of God. If we consider our cause for the striking, perhaps there is no cause for it at all, or no just cause or at least, none worth speaking of.

I am encouraged that God is in the business of using people who have failed. The Bible doesn’t paper over the failures of its heroes. Noah got drunk and exposed himself. Abraham lied twice about his wife being his sister. Isaac did the same. Jacob deceived his father and cheated his brother out of the birthright. David sinned with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered. The disciples all abandoned Jesus at His crucifixion and then doubted the resurrection. Peter denied Jesus and later waffled on the gospel out of fear of the Judaizers. Mark bailed out on the first missionary journey. And in our text, Moses murders an Egyptian, is rejected by his countrymen, flees for his life, and lives in the desert for the next forty years. This story gives us hope that God can use us even after we’ve failed.

My part is to cry out to Him and to trust Him – trust in His faithfulness more than in my own; trust in His strength and put zero confidence in my own. That’s not to say that we don’t act. We’re called to action as husbands and wives, as parents and workers, as ministers of reconciliation and disciple-makers. But when we come to the place of recognizing our weakness – even our outright failure – in these callings, then we can come back to Christ with confidence, once again confessing our need for forgiveness and once again trusting that He gives it freely and will lead us by His power into the work He has for us to do.

Comparison to being a disciple

Take Up Your Cross The Savior Said

I have to admit that the parable of the dishonest manager has to be one of those puzzling parables as it would seem that the manager’s reduction of the amount owed by his employer was not a good thing to do. Somehow it would seem that Jesus is sharing this parable and speaking directly to His disciples and making a comparison between them and the dishonest manager. The puzzling part comes from Jesus commending the dishonest manager for his actions. I do not know the answer today, but I am sure, just as I have found out from the other puzzling parables that there is a practice in the Middle East that if I understood it, I would get it. I believe that the issue at hand is debt reduction and it is that practice that echoes Jesus’ mission objective. I am called to be faithful in the use of my wealth and to promote Jesus’ objective and not ostentatious living.

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. – Luke 16:1 ESV

If Jesus is teaching about materialism and money then it makes sense that He calls out the Pharisees for their love of money and their neglect of showing compassion for the poor.

One cannot talk about the Pharisees without talking about the Law and so Jesus does. He offers us disciples a new imperative to force our way into the Kingdom at any cost.

The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. – Luke 16:16 ESV

Here is my disciple- question:

Have I become complacent, passive?

Here is my prayer:

Father, I am not just a Christian, I am a disciple. But in some ways I have become passive. Forgive me. Let me seek You with an unflagging zeal. I long to be in the very centre of Your present will for my life. I long to know You better. I seek You, Father, with all my heart. Help me to do so, and pick me up where I fall short. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Here is my benediction:

God has accomplished marvelous things! Let us go in new appreciation for the works of God’s hands. Let us live as faithful disciples, telling all what God has done. And remember that Jesus is always with us, to the end of the age.

Blessings

Blessings – Laura Story

Jewish parents often brought their children to rabbis in order to receive a blessing. In some ways, it was much like the Christian parents of today who dedicate their children. A great example of such an event is the blessing of Jacob upon the sons of Joseph.

When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” – Genesis 48:8-9

I can’t think of anything more rewarding or refreshing than caring for children.

There is a joy I have in knowing I am a child of God. There is also a joy I have when I disciple with others. Sometimes that joy comes as a student, other times as a teacher. There are so many blessings when it comes to discipleship and here are my top three:

Growth. Even if I do not feel equipped to take on a new relationship and teach them how to walk with Jesus, I do it anyway! I find God faithful in providing me with words of wisdom, encouragement and instruction. I do not need to know it all, I know the One who does. That means I can share both my victories and my defeats.
Worth every single minute. Discipleship is a sacrifice. The gift of time in a hectic schedule and pouring myself into another soul is draining. Yet, when I see the joy as eyes light up to hearing and receiving the truth of God’s Word and being there with them as they experience being set free – amazing. When we spend so much time together we actually become friends and prayer partners.
God is glorified. How precious for me to bring them to Jesus, to remind myself to go to Jesus, to meet our deepest needs. How precious to see others go to their Bibles first thing in the morning and find beautiful treasure for themselves.

Generational issues are broken, relationships restored, lives transformed all because God cares and God has called and we have participated with Him. We are truly blessed.