Week 1, Day 4
Today’s Reading: Luke 7-8
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
Most of us have sung the song about the wise man building his house on the rock, and the foolish man building his house on the sand. I know it was a regular song when we were in small classes, and I’m pretty sure that the teachers are still teaching it to the young children now. This comes from the story that Jesus tells at the end of Luke chapter 6 (and parallel passages). But, we need to look at the passage and see what it is that Jesus was teaching with this story!
First, notice that Jesus starts the final section of the chapter by asking the question: “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do the things that I say?” How many people today are guilty of the same thing? How often might we be guilty of the same thing? We cannot call Jesus our Lord, and then ignore the instructions that He gives! The story that followed this question was to emphasize the point that the wise man will do just as Jesus instructs.
Jesus said that the one who would come to Him, and listen to what He said (thus, putting it into practice) would be like the wise man. The man who was willing to listen would dig down through the soft soil until he found the rock. He would build the foundation for his house on that rock, so that it would be solid. No matter what might come, the house would stand. There would be no storm, nor flood that could knock down the house that was built on solid rock. However, the man who hears what is said by Jesus, but refuses to act in accordance with His instructions is like a man who would build his house on the earth, without any foundation. Of course, when the storms came, the house was completely destroyed.
The question to us is: where will we build our house? The only way to answer that question is to look at our own reaction to the instructions of Christ. Are we willing to listen to what He tells us, and put it into practice in our lives? Or do we (like so many around us) think that we can act in any way that we choose? If we hear the word of Christ, and then ignore it for our own desires, we are building our house on very unsteady ground. We can be sure that it will fall at the first sign of trial, or tribulation. However, if we are dedicated to applying the instructions of Christ to our lives, we will be building on the solid foundation. If our foundation is on Christ, then we will be able to withstand the trials and tribulations that come our way.
Here is a passage for further consideration:
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
–1 Corinthians 3:9-16
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Week 1, Day 3
Today’s Reading: Luke 5-6
Some thoughts from Yesterday’s Reading…
The easy passage to pick out today is the temptations of Christ. It is interesting to take a look at the temptations that Jesus had to face, and realize that he was indeed “tempted in all points as we are” as the Hebrew writer states in Hebrews 4:15. Please don’t think that this is the only time that Jesus was ever tempted. It is simply the most direct, and most obvious time of temptation. One of the things that we see in our text is that Jesus was tempted in the same manner as John warns we will be tempted. Consider John’s writing:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
–1 John 2:15-17
Each of these temptations of Jesus fall into one of these categories. Notice how Jesus was tempted:
- Satan told Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus was very hungry at this point, as he had not had anything to eat for 40 days. This was a temptation of the “lust of the flesh.” Can you imagine how tempting it would be to follow the words of Satan if you had the power to make your own food, and had not eaten for 40 days? Obviously, those who think that Jesus couldn’t really be tempted, either do not understand, or do not believe in his humanity!
- Satan took Jesus to a high place, and showed him all of the kingdoms of the earth. He told Jesus that he would give him all the kingdoms of the world, if He would just fall down and worship him. This is a temptation of the “lust of the eyes,” as Satan was showing Jesus all that He could have. Jesus’ desire was to have all mankind in His kingdom, so this must have been a temptation for Him.
- Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple, and told him to cast Himself down. This is a temptation of “the pride of life.” If he were indeed the Son of God, then surely the angels would come and save Him! Here it was, the opportunity for Jesus to prove who He was! He could take away all questions–at least for Satan. However, there really was no question in the mind of Satan of who Christ was! This was nothing but a test, and Jesus was able to pass the test easily.
I want to point out that Jesus answered each of these temptations by quoting scripture, and that is the perfect way for us to be able to get past the temptations of Satan as well. We must first be educated in scripture (that is, we must study God’s word, so that we will know what it is that He wants for us. Then we must be willing to actually use the word of God when tempatations arise. Make sure to spend enough time in God’s word to know what the answers are, and then use it correctly!
Also notice that Satan quoted scripture. This tells us that there are those who can and do use scripture in a way that is not correct. How many “religious leaders” do you know who will quote scripture and then make applications that are obviously not what was intended by the passage. Just yesterday, I heard some one quote scripture, and then make a completly false application to it. This is not uncommon, and so we must be on our guard.
Keep in mind:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
–2 Timothy 2:15
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Week 1, Day 2
Today’s Reading: Luke 3-4
Some Thoughts From Yesterday’s Reading…
As you probably noticed, the reading from yesterday was quite lengthy. There was a lot of good things in there, and that makes it a bit difficult to decide on a particular section to write about this morning.
One thing that stood out to me was the “Song of Mary” (Chapter 1:46-55). In this section, Mary praises God for all that He has done, and all that He was going to do. She realized just how blessed she was, and it seems the importance of her position. Verse 48 says:
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
Mary knew that what was about to happen to her was something special. She was a virgin, yet she was going to have a child. Earlier, she had been told that this Child would be called the “Son of God,” and that He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit. I cannot imagine the feelings that must have been welling up inside of Mary during this time! Imagine how she must have been terrified on one hand, having to deal with something that no one else would ever have to deal with. On the other hand, she must have been full of joy. I beleive it is her joy that is evident in the song of praise that is expressed in this chapter. Mary addresses some of the characteristics of God in this song of praise as well.
Mighty. Mary calls God “the Mighty One”, and then goes on to speak of the mighty deeds that God had done. He had done “great things” for Mary, which probably included far more than just allowing her to be t he mother of the Messiah, though that was certainly the greatest act that she had seen thus far. She went on to speak about how He had done mighty things with His arm, scattering those who were proud, and bringing down rulers, and exhalting those who were humble. God was in control, and He could do whatever He wanted to do! There is great comfort in coming to the understanding that God is indeed in control!
Merciful. God is merciful to those who are obedient to Him. Mary quotes from Psalm 103:17 in verse 50 of chapter 1. God’s mercy is ever present. It was especially present in the Child that was about to be born unto her. The bringing of the Messiah was a sign of the mercy that God had, and was showing to Israel. He had not forgotten His people, and was coming to them, remembering the promises He had made going back to at least the time of Abraham:
He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
–Luke 1:54-55
Mary was chosen to be the mother of the son of God because she had all the characteristics that were necessary for that difficult task. She exhibits these characteristics in this short song. She is certainly a great example to us, in that she put her full confidence and trust in God. Her praise rings out as a statement of her faith, even when she had to be unsure of what the future held for her in a lot of ways.
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Week 1, Day 1
Reading for Today: Luke 1-2
As you read through the daily readings, jot down some notes about what stands out to you. Be sure to come back tomorrow, and post some comments about the reading.
I know it may be hard for some to keep up with all of the readings. Most will be broken up into 1 or 2 chapters per day. Make reading a family affair, sitting down and reading with the whole family. Remember, if you keep up with all of the readings, you will read the whole New Testament in the next six months!
Tune in tomorrow for some of my thoughts on today’s reading, as well as the reading for tomorrow!
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