Can you believe we are already one month into 2023! We are starting the year walking through the Gospel of Luke together, but here are three tools to help you as you read Scripture through the rest of the year:
- 5 Steps to Understand the Bible. Start here. Give yourself a fighting chance of understanding what you are reading.
- If you are beginning with the first book of the Bible, Genesis, I wrote a series of posts on the story of Joseph. Joseph is a major character at the end of the book of Genesis, and the story of Joseph and his brothers is a little messy and complicated. Here is the first of those posts: Joseph: A Story of Redemption.
- If you aren’t starting in Genesis, the Gospels (stories of Jesus) is a good place to begin. Over several weeks, I’m walking through Luke, 3 chapters a week. This is the third post, to find the earlier posts, check them out here:
Luke 13 – turned up but pressing on.
I don’t know if you can feel it. It began a few chapters back, and it’s something I notice in each of the Gospels — the intensity rising. Every town Jesus visits, each person Jesus heals, every word Jesus speaks has more emotion behind it.
We find the reason in a passing comment on Jesus’ travels.
“Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.” -Luke 13:22
Jesus was always pressing on because in Jerusalem laid his ultimate goal. He was called there to be the sacrifice for the world. He was working his way to Jerusalem to lay down his life, so you and I could have real, true life.
You have been called to something greater. At moments of your life, it will be the most difficult thing you’ve ever attempted. You must press on to your own personal Jerusalem. Others will tell you to quit, run, change course, but you must ignore them. Your call requires you to put your head down and press on.
What are you called to? Whether today represents a difficult moment or an easy one in your calling…press on.
Luke 14 – the perils of leading (your own life)
At the beginning of the American Civil War, the North was beset by horrible leadership. It set the war back months, possibly years.
Bad leadership…
The first general of the Union army, General McClellan was overly cautious, and he worried about every potential the South could throw at him. He asked, “What does the South have that I can’t see? Will it be too wet to move the men, war machines and supplies forward? Am I making the right decision?
Months of waiting.
…and more bad leadership.
Abraham Lincoln eventually replaced General McClellan with a more aggressive option – General Burnside. Unfortunately, Burnside was so aggressive and anxious for this opportunity, he nearly destroyed the North’s army in his first battle. He sent his army to fight an enemy who had a more advantageous and fortified position. Worse, when it became obvious the battle was lost…he kept fighting.
Leading isn’t easy. Whether it’s leading a nation into war or just leading yourself into the day, decisions can be difficult. In this chapter, Jesus challenged his followers to count the cost before they committed to him. Know what your walking into.
Jesus is calling. Don’t be General Burnside and rush to follow Jesus. The life he promises is better but not easier. But don’t be General McClellan either. If you wait for the perfect time and place, it will never come.
Jesus is calling. Will you respond?
Luke 15 – lost and found
There are a host of characters in this trio of stories from Jesus. The shepherd who searched for his lost lamb. The woman who tore apart her home looking for a lost coin. The son who demanded his inheritance and ran away. The father who patiently waited and watched for the son’s return. The older son who was faithful and diligent day in and day out.
Who are you?
Are you searching for a lost son, daughter, friend co-worker — frantic to find them? Have you found yourself lost — all resources spent and out of options? Are you patiently waiting for the return of a loved one? Are you incredulous over being overlooked despite your consistent faithfulness?
God sees you. You are in these stories. He knows the pain, frustration and worry you are experiencing. He feels it too.
Don’t be anxious. There is rejoicing at the end of your story.
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