THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:33-39 “No one pours new wine into old wineskins.” (Luke 5:37) Praying and fasting are examples of deep religious devotion. Jesus is being challenged on not being religious enough. But He ignores the question ‘religion’ and talks about ‘relationship’ instead. The bridegroom has arrived, the climax of a traditional Jewish marriage. All…
We all need the Doctor!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:27-32 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Luke 5:31) Do you think of yourselves as spiritually healthy or sick? Do I see myself as someone who needs help, or not? Do you see others as more needy than you, more sinful, further from God? The religious…
A prayer for 2016?
Praying with, praying for…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:17-26 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Jesus sees the faith of this man’s friends. It was not his faith, but their faith, that prompted Jesus. This reminds us to not give up on others even if they give up themselves. Our faith can be…
Time to withdraw and pray?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:14-16 “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Jesus was not a superhuman or a superhero. He struggled daily, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally. He was drained by the desperate people seeking healing from Him. His disciples were slow learners and didn’t always get along or cooperate. He was…
My life, my testimony!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:12-14 “Offer the sacrifices Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” (Luke 5:14) Jesus commands this man to obey the law of Moses; does this apply to us too? Here it is ‘as a testimony’ to the religious leaders, a message for them. The message – that as a…
God shows up… through us!
Received this from someone today. A good reminder that God made us to be His representatives, His hands and feet. God is not doing nothing in the world today, He is working through those who are showing up, who are loving and serving and caring and sharing. And He is encouraging others – like you…
Open up the nets!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:8-11 “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” (Luke 5:10) What does Jesus mean by ‘fish for people’? Jesus told a parable to describe the kingdom like fishermen catching fish. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and…
Trust me, and I’ll show you!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:1-7 “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5) Peter and his friends have been fishing for years. They are expert fishermen, they know the best ways to fish. How can Jesus, a Rabbi and carpenter by training, know about fishing. Peter’s response reveals that he is…
Not just for me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 4:42-44 “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also.” (Luke 4:43) The message of the kingdom of God really is good news for all (Luke 2:10). Hope for the hopeless, freedom for the enslaved, forgiveness for the guilty. Here in a coffee shop, I see…