Tag Archives: the book of Luke

March 22
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“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.  Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that.  Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.'”  (Luke 22:24-26, NIV)

We now see the glory of the Resurrection, but before we arrive at Easter we must leave Palm Sunday and endure Good Friday. Our attitude through all of it, according to Jesus, is to be as He was: The least of all.  The last of all.  The servant of all.

The disciples were acting out of their corrupted nature (which, as people, we all share).  This nature aspires to be the greatest of all.  This nature desires to be the first of all. This nature expects to be served by all.

Because of what Jesus has done for all of us through His death on the cross, and through His resurrection from the dead; His summons to servitude is validated for all time and for all people.  Our corrupted, natural ambitions assure nothing but strife, but our obedience to Jesus assures us life in all of its fullness.  – Luther

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March 21
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“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him [Jesus], ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’  He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.'”  (Luke 19:39-40, NIV)

Today’s scripture comes from the Liturgy of the Palms, which some of us may have heard read yesterday on Palm Sunday.  It serves as a reminder that not everyone — even other religious people, which the Pharisees were — is as excited as you may be about what God has done (and is doing) in your life.  In other words, the message is: “Curb your enthusiasm.”

In such situations, let our enthusiasm be revived by the example of the singing bird, the budding tree, the blooming flower, the frolicking squirrel, and the faithful appearances of the sun, moon, and stars.  Each declares the glory of the Lord!

Will you do your part, and join the chorus of God’s creation?   Or will you remain silent and hear your personal testimony of God’s faithfulness from the stones at your feet?  – Luther

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January 28
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“‘Why are you sleeping?” he asked them.  ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.'”  (Luke 22: 46, NIV)
 
The most compelling temptation is not the urge to do something that is wrong, but it is the urge to do something that is good but falls far short of excellent.  It is the urge to settle for the near-term tactical advantage at the expense of the strategic victory.
Sleeping is not a bad thing.  It is while we sleep that our bodies repair, refresh and regenerate.  However, in today’s scripture verse, something was happening that called for a response from the disciples that sleeping could never deliver.
To choose to pray is to aspire to see the world as God sees the world.  In prayer, we avoid temptations to settle for anything less than God’s will in the challenges we confront each day.  – Luther
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