Tag Archives: discipleship

April 18
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:38-39, NIV)

“You can’t go home again,” is the title of a famous book written by Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938). Returning home is not always a pleasant option. It certainly was not a cheerful thought for the man in today’s scripture, whom Jesus had liberated from the tyranny of demon-possession.

Perhaps the man feared the taunts of those who remembered him in his former state. Perhaps he thought that his new life warranted a fresh start in a new place. Perhaps he thought that he could do more for the reputation of Jesus as a part of the Master’s entourage than he could by returning to the skeptical folks at home.

However, Jesus had other ideas. “Return home and tell how much God has done for you,” Jesus told the man. He is telling you and me the same thing today.

Our task is a simple one: Tell what God has done for you. Our witness, as modeled in the sequence of Jesus’ last words on earth to His church, begins at home (Jerusalem) before extending to our “Judea and Samaria” and to the “end of the earth.” (Please see Acts 1:8.)

Be bold. Give God the glory. No one can tell your story better than you. Be faithful in this simple task.  – Luther

Reminder: As normally done, Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow. Have a great day in worship! The risen Lord reigns! Hallelujah!

Tagged , , ,
April 15
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.” (Ruth 1:1, NIV)

The great works of God — whether in us, with us, or through us — begin in the most humble and common of circumstances.

The story of Ruth and Naomi and their persistent faith, loyalty, and humility began with the compelling — but utterly common — circumstance of famine, and a humble family’s sojourn to a foreign land for the purpose of surviving the famine.

Be utterly faithful to God in even the most boring of times; and look for Him in the commonplace. We often miss experiencing God because He appears to us in rags when we expect Him only in robes. Whether in rags or in robes, God is God. Be vigilant in all circumstances!  – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
April 3
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Good Friday

“And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.” (Luke 23:50-52, KJV)

The first word of advice to newly-elected Pope Francis came from a fellow bishop, Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil: “Don’t forget the poor.”

Joseph of Arimathaea, whom history kindly remembers for giving Jesus a decent burial in a tomb that had never before been used (yes, tombs were “recycled”), is to be emulated because he remembered a poor Jesus as he “waited for the kingdom of God.”

Joseph had at least one encounter with Jesus: He was a member of the religious council that had put Jesus on trial. However, Joseph did not agree with the council’s conclusions, nor with its decision to press the Romans for Jesus’ death. Whether this was Joseph’s only encounter with Jesus, or whether Joseph had also heard Him teach in the synagogue, or had heard Him preach in the villages, I do not know. But scripture is clear that Joseph was a good and just man, who “waited for the kingdom of God.”

We can surmise that Joseph was a man of money and influence, since poor people in those days didn’t own tombs; and inconsequential people weren’t given audiences with high government officials like Pilate. On the other hand, on that Good Friday, Jesus was the poorest of the poor: His clothing — taken; His disciples — absent; His dignity — surrendered; His good name — sullied; His body — broken; His life — gone.

Most people are very uncomfortable with the poverty of others, as if it were contagious. Joseph of Arimathaea was not afraid.  As he waited for the kingdom of God, Joseph did good by not forgetting the poor. Whether a pope or a pedestrian on the highway of life, there is no higher office than “servant of the poor.” As we do to the least of these — the poor — we do to Jesus.   – Luther

Tagged , , , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →