Tag Archives: the book of Luke

May 11
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“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’   He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.'”  (Luke 17: 5-6, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus must resist the temptation to think — as the world is inclined to think — that “more is always better”; or that “big is best.”

One definition of economics is “the allocation of resources.”  In the economy of God, a little boy’s lunch — freely offered — feeds multitudes; and up-armored giants are slain with a sling and a stone.

Today, offer to God’s service whatever it is you already possess.  Our heavenly Father cares not as much for our ability as He does our availability!  – Luther

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May 5
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“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, even their own life — such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”  (Luke 14:25-27, NIV)

There is a difference between the “crowd” and the “committed.” Crowds are self-interested and fickle.  The company of the committed is in to the finish.

Jesus’ words to the crowd were necessarily pointed: There is no room for competing loyalties; there is no room for followers who are not willing to keep to the path — even to humiliation and suffering (represented by the cross).

As all conditional or contingent statements, these words of our Lord give us a choice.  How have we chosen?  – Luther

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May 4
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“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  (Luke 14:11, NIV)

Humility.

Jesus tells us that we ought not exalt ourselves (e. g., seek time in the spotlight).  In other words, do not covet a status that is higher, larger, or more powerful, for personal benefit or glorification.

Our ego is fed by such things, but in the context of today’s scripture Jesus challenges us to resist the temptation of self-promotion and self-elevation so common in our society.  We should, instead, take our place with the least and the last among us.  In God’s time, truly humble individuals are always recognized with a public promotion that no one can take-back or take away.  – Luther

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