READ Luke 5-8
At times, the commands of the Lord seem simple yet most are difficult, seemingly impossible. I need to remember who He is and what He does so when He speaks I am more eager to do what He says.
The following incident encourages me. The crowds were pressing Jesus so He got into a boat near the shore and taught them from the boat. When He finished, He said to Simon:
“Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1–11)
Seeing the power of God caused repentance and changed Peter’s life. The rest of this reading is more of the same — seeing the power of my Savior and letting it affect how I live. Here is the list from only four chapters in the order that Luke wrote about them:
Jesus cleansed lepers, healed people with other infirmities, withdrew to pray, and taught the people. He showed them that forgiving sin takes priority over healing and did that before healing a paralyzed man.
Jesus called sinners to repentance, illustrated truth with ordinary events, explained He is Lord of the Sabbath, healed on the Sabbath, and did good at every opportunity. His power came from prayer; at times He prayed all night.
He called and discipled twelve men, ministered to great crowds describing to them the blessings of God in various life conditions such as hunger, weeping and persecution, blessings that are part of kingdom life. He also described woes to those who seem to do well but reject kingdom life.
Jesus also told His listeners how to love their enemies, to treat them as they wish to be treated. He says:
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:35–36)
He knows our tendency to judge others and tells us to not condemn anyone but forgive, checking our own sins before helping anyone else with their sins. He also says the condition of our hearts determines our actions and obeying what He says results in stability and a firm stand rather than being destroyed by trials.
Jesus healed, even from a distance. He raised the dead. He praised John the Baptist for pointing others to Him and indicated He gets the same delight from anyone who does the same.
He understands human sinfulness yet forgives those we consider the worst of sinners. He also accepts the love of those who are forgiven and grateful, welcoming both men and women to walk with Him.
Jesus used parables/stories to describe spiritual realities to the crowds and explains those realities more clearly and in private to His followers. He said to pay attention because those who listen and obey are given more, and those who heed Him demonstrate that they are in His forever family.
While Jesus can sleep during our storms, He can also calm those storms with a command. Remember that this Savior has set people free from the power of evil spirits, healed those who cannot be healed by doctors, even raised those who have died, which is also His promise to me.
If I have ever wonder about needing a reason to be a Christian, I only need to read about Jesus, my amazing Savior, Lord and friend. Besides dying on a cross to forgive and set me free, remembering His great power turns me from doubts, fears, stubborn desires to do my own thing, and any other negativity as He melts my heart all over again, often with a surprise blessing. Like Peter, I fall at His feet realizing I’ve given Him no reason to take me into His family, yet He has done that and even more, giving me no reason to not follow Him with all my heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment