"Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall." -- Luke 11:17

This perhaps is one of the wisest things Jesus ever said.  And while it was directed to those of the Jewish faith around particular circumstances, it's one of those teachings that spans across space and time.  It applies to all kingdoms, all nations, all families, all groups of any sort.  That's why groups are sometimes at their best when all members share a common enemy.  When the group and each person within it is threatened, the group tends to be unified and resilient.  Consider the difference of national unity between World War II, when the nation stepped up and came together, and Viet Nam, when the nation was divided.  Or more recently, the united strength of the country in the Fall of 2011 compared to today-- one of the most polarized periods in US history.  A third party threat does wonders for a group of any size, whether small or as large as a nation.  But when there's relative peace, or when we disagree, we have a tendency to turn on each other.   We make members of our own group the enemy, when the real enemy is not that person on the other side of the aisle... but the person we see in the mirror.

Love God.  Love your neighbor.  No matter if they're Republican, Democrat, or Independent.  Yes, they are your neighbor too.

Readings: Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Luke 11:14-36; Psalms 77:1-20; Proverbs 12:18


*Note:  While this post addressed the Luke passage, make sure you read Deuteronomy, as it enlightens us to what led Jesus' own faith community to adopt fanatical legalism.  After reading this, wouldn't you?  It was a tough tide for Jesus to turn.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -- Luke 11:9-10

I used to read this, and I would think it was about stuff.  As a kid, if I wanted a new bike, I trusted that God had my interests at heart, and I would pray really hard, only to be confused when I didn't get the bike.  Did I not pray hard enough?  Did God not hear me?  What gives?  Later, I came to think differently.  It wasn't about the stuff at all.  It was about what I thought the stuff would bring to my life.  With the bike, I wanted a way to play and move and connect with my fiends.  My old bike provided that just fine.  The flashy model wouldn't change that, and perhaps God understood I didn't need it.  Maybe it was something else I needed that I thought the bike would give me-- validation, attention, status.  There are many things I want even now, and while I don't pray to get them, rarely do I examine the needs I'm experiencing that I think the stuff would fill.  Maybe I should do that more, and understand what I should really be praying for.

Readings:  Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalms 76:1-12; Proverbs 12:15-17

"Who is my neighbor?" -- Luke 10:29

An religious man, who was an expert in the Law and Jesus were discussing the Law.  In Jesus' classic reductionism, he boiled it down again to one law with two parts:  Love God, and love your neighbor.  So the expert says, "yes, but who's my neighbor?"  Today, we read Jesus' answer in story form:

"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"  The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."  Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." -- Luke 10:13-37.

Who needs your mercy today?  Who are you passing by that needs your grace and attention?  Remember to be a good neighbor to all.

Readings:  Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalms 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14

"Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No noe who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" -- Luke 9:61-62

The one who was telling Jesus he'd follow him didn't understand that the moment to follow was now.  To go back to pack, say goodbye to family, manage all of one's affairs... it didn't align with the urgency of the call.  One who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is unsure.   To be a Christian is an intensely personal decision.  If you're thinking about it and want to talk it over with your family or friends, then you're not ready.  It's one of those things that when you know, you know, and sometimes your family and friends don't understand.  Conversely, just because your family has always been Christian does not mean that by default, you are too.  At some point in your life, you make the faith your own.  No one is there to "represent" your Christianity to God or to the world.  It is your faith, and yours alone.  And it's not a wishy-washy faith.  Set your sights ahead, and don't look back.

Readings:  Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalms 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11

"Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all-- he is the greatest.'" -- Luke 9:48

Why do we make things so complicated?  It seems that sometimes we tend to think that thoughts and ideas about God can only be comprehended by fully developed adult brains.  The disciples were gathered with their rabbi (teacher) who was healing and teaching, and they began arguing about who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom.  Jesus must have just rolled his eyes as he picked up a child and said the one like this child is the greatest... it is the weak, the marginalized, and the ones without power, yet who believe, worship, and celebrate the life they've come to know in Jesus who are the greatest.  A simple faith, a simple trust, and a non-judgmental, honest spirit of love is, I believe, God's desire.

Readings: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalms 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10

"Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, 'Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.' He replied, "You give them something to eat." -- Luke 9:12-13

In this scene, the disciples have returned from being sent out on a mission to teach, preach, and heal.  They are excited, re-energized and are beginning to tell Jesus all about their adventures.  Jesus suggest they go to Bethsaida, where they might have a better opportunity to share and decompress.  But the crowds heard about it, and followed them out there.  It seemed that no matter where they went, there was no getting away from the people.  And the text says Jesus "welcomed" them as he spoke to them about the Kingdom and healed them.  Late in the afternoon, the disciples decide enough is enough, and wondering how they might get some time with Jesus all to themselves, they tell Jesus to send them away because they'll be hungry soon and there's nothing for them here.  Jesus' response?  "You give them something to eat."  That was a shocker.

What were they to do?  They wanted the crowds gone, but now Jesus doesn't just say, "oh it's okay... let them stay..." he not only says that, but now "feed them"?  "Umm... Jesus..." they say, "we only have five loaves of bread and two fish... that will barely feed us..."  Jesus instructs them to have them sit in groups of 50 (there were about 5000 men there).  And then they witness the miracle they will never forget.  After Jesus blesses it, they serve it and it feeds everyone and there are leftovers!

So often, we make excuses for why we can't do something.  How often is our excuse tied to the fact that we don't think we have enough of what we need to do it?  It's time to move from viewing our lives in a context of scarcity and see what we do have, thanking God for the abundance he's provided.   Employ the resources of time, energy, and money that are in your care, and you'll be amazed at what God can do with them!

Readings:  Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9

"Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you." But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet." -- Luke 8:45-47a

The woman in this story is one who has been bleeding for 12 years.  She's tried everything and has gone to every specialist, every healer, and has tried every over-the-counter herbal remedy she could find.  No one could heal her.  But she knew Jesus could, so knowing that he's about to pass through the crowd, she positions herself in a way that she will be able to get to him.  Her heart beats wildly as she sees him approach.  Finally, as he's passing she moves into the crowd and gets to where she's within reach of him.  She doesn't want to trouble him, so she just reaches out to touch his cloak.  When she does, she's instantly healed!  She's filled with joy and can't wait to go tell her loved ones.  They won't believe it... and then dread and fear fill her... Jesus has stopped.  He turns and demands to know who touched him.  Now she's really scared.  This one with such power does not seem pleased, and if she can be healed by touching his cloak, what damage could he do to her if he wanted?  But that's not who Jesus is.  Terrified, she fesses up, and a wave of grace overwhelms her as he says, "Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace."

It was not just that Jesus had the power to heal that made this woman well, but that she had the faith required to know the healing power of Jesus.  He doesn't say, "go, I've healed you now," but instead, "go,  your faith has made you well."  She was not passive.  She actively exercised her faith, and became new.

What are you passively waiting for God to do for you?  How do you need to be exercising your faith?

Readings:  Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7