Whom Shall I Fear?

A few days ago, I was reading in Luke’s Gospel. I’ve come back to it every day now for almost a week. Jesus’ words remind me, that as in everything, the long-term perspective yields the path of wisdom. In this passage, thousands were gathered to listen to Jesus. The Pharisees and others were consistently being humiliated by Jesus’ teachings and a plot was beginning to form to do away with Jesus.

There is so much in this short passage that we could spend hours unpacking it. But for today take a moment to read it and ponder its implications.

“Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.'” (Luke 12:1-9)

Here are a few questions that might assist your reflection:

• What do you think about Jesus’ words, “there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known”?
• What do you think about Jesus’ words on whom to fear?
• What do you glean from this passage on the topic of fear that challenges you?
• Take a few moments to share your thoughts with the Lord.

Maranatha (Come Lord!)

Primary Priority

Two sisters were entertaining Jesus in their home for a meal. One put the priority on the tangible, here and now, details of fixing dinner. The other put the priority on their guest and what He had to say. It was an honor to have individual time with the most popular teacher and miracle worker in the land in their very own home. Yet they looked at the honor very differently. Take a moment to read this brief passage.

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-42)

Here are a few questions to assist your reflection.

• If you had Jesus in your home for a meal, would you be a Mary or a Martha?
• If you answered “Mary”, how does this show up in your current priorities of listening to Jesus?
• If you answered “Martha”, how might you re-orient your priorities to be more like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus?
• Take a few minutes to share your thoughts with the Lord Himself.

Maranatha (Come Lord!)

Thirst and Yearning

David was being chased by King Saul in the wilderness. He shares his heart with the Lord through this Psalm. Over the years it has been one of my personal go-to Psalms whenever I am feeling alone, under attack or distressed. I always feel refreshed and hopeful when I ponder these words and reflect on the perspective David shares.

“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You.

So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth.

They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be a prey for foxes.

But the king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him will glory, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.” (Psalm 63:1-11)

Here are a few questions to assist your reflection:

• What are a few burdens, distresses or attacks you are facing these days?
• As you read and ponder this Psalm, what new perspective to you glean from this Psalm?
• In what ways does this Psalm bring you hope?
• Take a few more minutes to read this Psalm and ponder David’s heart. How does this minister to you?
• Share your heart and what is on your mind with the Lord.

Maranatha (Come Lord!)

Every Nation, Tribe, Peoples, and Language

One of the portions of the Bible I am reading these days is Revelation, the concluding book in the Bible. This morning, I read in Revelation 7 a passage that brings out God’s heart for all peoples. The scene in this passage is during the Great Tribulation. There is a global campaign against the Lord’s people. This passage shows the multitudes of people who have been martyred.

Take a few minutes to read and ponder this passage.

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “My Lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:9-17)

Here are a few questions to assist your reflection:

• What emotions did you feel as you read this passage?
• What was most shocking to you in this passage? What was most hopeful?
• Pay close attention to the last several sentences in this passage. How does this tap into your longings?
• Take a few minutes to share your thoughts with the Lord.

Maranatha (Come Lord!)