#Luke11 - Shameless Audacity

Click here to read Luke 11:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Two words: shameless audacity. I have read this passage before, although it's been awhile. I always knew it was about prayer, but for some reason as I read it today it really hit me: GOD WANTS US TO BE BOLD IN ASKING FOR THINGS IN PRAYER! In three ways Jesus gets the point across that we can ask God in prayer for things. Please don't read this as saying that God is a genie and we get whatever we want. But if we need something, we should turn to God first. Jesus says, if you earthly fathers like to provide for your kids, and if your earthly friendships are strong enough to give to each other, just think about how much more God, our heavenly father, wants to provide for us and bless us. I think the last time I read this was before the NIV was updated, so I don't think the words "shameless audacity" appeared before. Yet those two words really struck me today.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

In verses 29-32, Jesus declares that the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah. If you don't know the biblical account of Jonah, it's a short read (only 4 chapters in the whole book). He was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and then was spat out to witness to the sinful Ninevites. Jesus was in the tomb for three days, then rose and appeared to the disciples who witnessed to the world. But that's where the comparison ends for Jesus. He is saying that even though the Ninevites were sinful, they listened to God's word through Jonah and repented. He's saying that if the Jews don't listen to him and refuse to repent, they will be condemned in the final Judgment, while the repentant Ninevites will enter heaven. That should have been a huge wake-up call for the Jews, who put the Ninevites right up there with Sodom and Gomorrah in terms of sinfulness.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Next time I'm at a pastors house for supper, don't start proclaiming woes on them, or they might be insulted and try to kill you. :) Just kidding. Seriously, my personal application came from the first point I made about asking for things in prayer. I pray, but often catch myself wondering if God will do it, since it doesn't seem as "urgent" or "important" as many other needs in the world. But I need to ask more boldly for things I need: either in ministry, or family, or financially, or health. God can still say no, but he is still telling us to ask more often and more boldly.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I don't totally understand when Jesus teaches about the strong man. He describes a bit about what happens to demons when they leave a person, but how can a person prevent them from coming in again? It's possible Jesus was saying that God is more powerful than demons, and unless God is living inside of you, you're vulnerable again to demons. But it's still really confusing.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

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#Matthew16 - The Most Important Question

Click here to read Matthew 16:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

In this chapter Jesus asks his disciples about what others are saying. In a way he is asking, "What's the gossip about me?" It's easy for the disciples to answer that question. "Some say this, others are saying this or that." But then Jesus focuses the question to the disciples, who are standing right in front of him and asks them, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter was the one who replied first, as usual. This time though, he got it right. :) "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." It is really easy to make a case for this question to be THE most important question Jesus asks of people, including you and me. Who is Jesus? Is he really the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Savior, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings? If we say he is, it will change our whole life because we'll share his teachings and live them out in our lives.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

When the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus to show them a sign, he told them that none will be given except the sign of Jonah. I wondered exactly what that meant until I remembered that just a couple days ago I read Matthew 12:40, where Jesus also mentions the sign of Jonah in more detail. "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." He speaks of his death and resurrection. I still think this is funny business about asking for a sign, as if the authoritative teaching and countless miracles wasn't enough. Ha! Still, the resurrection was the clincher.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Speaking of asking for a sign, how many times have I made this kind of demand of God. "God show me a sign that you're still here! Show me a sign that this is your will for me! Show me a sign that you have not given up on me!" God gave us more than a sign, he gave us his Holy Spirit, and a family to belong to in the church. Lord, grow my faith to trust in you even when I don't understand.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

In verse 28, Jesus says that some standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. What did he mean by that? Was he talking about the resurrection, or was he referring to his "second coming"? I'm pretty sure all the disciples are dead, and he hasn't returned. So I'm a little confused.

In Christ,
Dan

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