Moses Meets Pharaoh

Prayer Practice

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.

DAILY READING

Exodus 5:1-5

REFLECTION

A Stubborn Faith -- Moses Meets Pharaoh

by Tom Richards

As I looked at today’s reading and some of the verses that come before and after Exodus 5:1-5, I was impressed by Moses’ and Aaron’s “stubborn faith”. Moses encountered God in

the burning bush in Exodus 3 and was told of his mission to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom. In Exodus 3:10 God says “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Moses was reluctant to accept this assignment, to say the least.  However, he finally obeys God. 

As Moses is preparing to go to Egypt God makes an interesting statement in Exodus 4:21 “The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.” That had to be hard to hear for Moses, but with the support of Aaron he moves forward – returning to Egypt, addressing the Israelites and sharing God’s plan, and then to Pharaoh as we see today.

Big surprise (Not!), Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go! In fact he is pretty emphatic about this as we read in Exodus 5:2 “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”

As the story develops, we see Moses and Aaron return to Pharaoh repeatedly until finally the Jews are freed to leave Egypt and head to the Promised Land. 

Moses was reluctant, but he was ultimately obedient to God’s calling. However, that did not mean things went smoothly for him. In fact, things were anything but smooth. Yet, with God’s help, Moses (and Aaron) remained faithful and continued to follow His command regarding the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt.

I am guilty of thinking that if you do the right things then you get the results you want. If you are obedient to God’s commands, things will go smoothly with your health, finances, relationships.  Unfortunately, that is not always true (remember “But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go”!).  Yet, like Moses we are called to have a “stubborn faith” because we have a “stubborn God” who pursues us as his children and desires nothing more than to lead us out of slavery to the Promised Land. 

Thank you Father, for the faith of Moses (and Aaron), for the fact that they were human and had feelings that many of us have had, and yet demonstrated a “stubborn faith” in you. Help us demonstrate that same kind of faith, even when --- or perhaps especially when, things do not go “smoothly”.

Amen

Thank-you, Rebekah!

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Genesis 24:1-4, 57-66

REFLECTION

Thank-you, Rebekah!

Today we read about the calling of Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife. This is a very deliberate process and it is clearly shows God’s hand in choosing Rebecca to be part of salvation history.

While genealogies and much of the bible features men, make no mistake regarding the critical role of women in God’s story. Rebekah is called, ultimately by God, to move to a foreign land and become the wife of a man she never met. Wonderfully, Isaac and Rebekah have far more than an arranged marriage – they fall in love and become the parents of Jacob and Esau. Jacob then has a son named Judah whose ancestor is David, and ultimately Jesus. 

There are two genealogies in the New Testament (Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38) that trace Jesus lineage back to David – and Isaac and Rebekah. Some scholars believe that the genealogy found in Luke 3 is actually through Mary’s line while others believe both are through Joseph.  Regardless, there seems to be no disagreement that Mary was a descendent of David from the tribe of Judah, and therefore a descendent of Isaac and Rebekah. One proof of this is that Jewish law would not have allowed Joseph to marry outside of his own tribe. 

So here is Rebekah, following God’s call to be part of his glorious plan. Her obedience (“I will go”) ultimately leads to Mary’s obedience when the angel approached her in Luke chapter 1.  When Mary is confronted with the incredible news that she would be the mother of Jesus, “the Son of the Most High”, her response is found in Luke 1:38 – “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” 

What an incredible role Rebekah played in God’s plan. What an incredible role Mary played in God’s plan. And what an incredible role women continue to play in God’s plan! Single women, married women, and mothers are all called into God’s plan, just like Rebecca. The impact that they make on our world, our church, and certainly our families is evidence of God’s continued love for his children. 

Thank you Father for calling Rebekah into your wonderful plan of salvation. Thank you for all of the men and women you worked through to bring Jesus into our lives. Help us to be obedient to your call and to move the story of salvation forward to people who have not heard this “good news”.  Amen.

When Prayer is Made

PRAYER PRACTICE

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

1 Kings 8:35-51

REFLECTION

by Tom Richards

Then Hear from Heaven, Your Dwelling Place

Today we read a portion of King Solomon’s “Prayer of Dedication” for the Temple, which he built in obedience to God’s command. Solomon offered this prayer “before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel” (1 Kings 8:22). 

As I read and re-read this passage, I noticed a consistent request in each paragraph. Solomon asks God to “hear from heaven” (see verses 36, 39, 43, 45, 49) the prayers of his people.  Solomon outlines different challenges that the Israelites might face which will result in the need for prayer:

Verses 35 - 36 = weather – “there is no rain”

Verses 37 – 40 = famine, plague, blight, mildew, locusts, grasshoppers, an enemy

Verses 41 – 43 = instruction for foreigners

Verses 44 – 45 = war

Verses 46 -51 = sin and resulting captivity

It is interesting to note that this prayer was offered to God in front of the whole assembly of Israel.  I am guessing that Solomon was not only asking God to be faithful in hearing the prayers of his people, but also emphasizing to the people the essential need for prayer!

As I listed the challenges that Solomon identified there were some that struck pretty close to home. To name a few, how about weather (Hurricane Ida), plague (COVID 19), and war (Afghanistan)? This caused me to ask myself, do I really pray about these things? Solomon asks God to “hear from heaven”, but how can God hear if I am not praying? Do I really take these things to God in prayer, not just for myself and my family, but for fellow believers, my community, my nation, and the world? If I am not doing this, who is? Please ask yourself this question as we look at Solomon’s advice about dealing with adversity and sin. I am guessing most of us could do better…

Father, forgive us for our selfishness, for our tunnel vision, and for often looking at prayer as a “last resort”. Help us to grow in our prayer lives and trust that you will “hear from heaven”.  Amen 

 

Bring Unity to All Things

PRAYER PRACTICE

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture. 

DAILY READING

 Ephesians 1:7-10

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Unity Make Perfect Sense

by Tom Richards

The theme associated with today’s reading is “Bring Unity to all Things.” That is a very appealing statement in a world that seems to be lacking in this area! The unity that many people long for will not come through politics, music, culture, or good intentions. We seem to have ample evidence that these things don’t accomplish that end.

Paul tells us in today’s reading what will bring unity. Beginning in verse 8 he says, “With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” My study bible stated the last part of verse ten a little differently: “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

According to my study bible the last part of verse ten in the original language not only makes reference to leadership (Christ’s headship) but it also was often used to refer to adding a column of numbers. To quote my study bible, “A contemporary way of putting it (verse 10) might be to say that in a world of confusion, where things do not “add up” or makes sense, we look forward to the time when everything will brought into meaningful relationship under the headship of Christ.”

We don’t have to look very far to see many things that don’t “add up” in our world.  However, under Christ’s headship one day it will. That is our hope (and assurance) as his followers. It seems to me that as Jesus disciples we should exercise our citizenship in this world to strive for unity – the kind that God desires. But doing so should always be with the ultimate goal of seeing others come to know Christ. 

“ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” Amen.

God is Faithful

 DAILY READING

1 Corinthians 10: 6-13

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Stand Firm

by Tom Richards

One of the blessings of the Gospel is the freedom we have in Christ. Prior to Jesus the Jews were burdened by a large number of rules, regulations, and sacrifices that they were obligated to uphold to be in good standing with God. Jesus changed all of that, meeting the full requirement of the law through his suffering, death, and resurrection to new life. No longer were the Jews (or Gentiles – us) slaves to the burden of requirements that could not be met. In Galatians 5:1 Paul addresses this: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Yet in today’s reading Paul gives us some “do nots”.

Do not be idolaters, likely referring to the Jews worship of the golden calf when Moses met with God on Mt. Sinai.

Do not commit sexual immorality, likely referring to the Jews worshipping Baal of Peor, which involved sexual immorality with Moabite women.

Do not test the Lord, likely referring to several passages in the Old Testament where the Jews showed a lack of faithfulness and followed their own desires instead of the clear direction of God.

Do not grumble, likely referring to Numbers 16:11 where some rebellious Jews challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron who God had chosen for that purpose.

Why would Paul give the people (us) this guidance? In verses 11-13 we learn why God gives these (and other) “do nots” in scripture. He wants us to avoid things (sin) that could impact our walk with him. “12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” We have freedom, yes. We have a loving Father who says “do not” to things that will bring harm to ourselves and others. And… we have a loving Father who is faithful; “he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Amen!

God's Word is Health to the Body

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Proverbs 4:20-27

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Turn Your Ear to My Words

by Tom Richards

Today we read a father’s advice to his son, which is a pattern throughout the book of Proverbs.  The author, Solomon, emphasizes the importance of the words that the father shares.  In verse 21 he says, “Do not let them (words) out of your sight, keep them within your heart.”  In verse 23 Solomon continues, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

In the bible, we see the word heart used many times.  One definition of heart that made sense to me in bible applications says, “The heart is the center not only of spiritual activity, but of all operations of human life.”  Alternatively, it is our “control center”. 

Solomon wanted the son in our reading to gain more than “head knowledge” of the father’s words.  He wanted the son to have “heart knowledge”, that is, knowledge that makes a difference in how the son lives.  When the father’s words are in the son’s heart, the mouth can be kept “free of perversity.”  When the father’s words are in the son’s heart, “corrupt talk can be kept far from his lips”.  When the father’s words are in the son’s heart “they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”

We live at a time when information, knowledge, and words are abundant.  There are all kinds of statistics regarding our incredible access to all of the above compared to previous generations.  But what about the words of Solomon?  What about words that will enable us to find life and “health”? 

We have a Father who has given us his Word, not just the written word but according to John 1: 1-3, Jesus Christ, his son!  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. “ This Word wants to dwell in our hearts.  He wants us to know him --- not just know about him.  

So, it is with the words of scripture.  In Colossians 3:16 Paul says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God..” Like the father in Proverbs God’s desire for his children is that we embrace the Word (Jesus) and his word (scripture) in our hearts – the “control center” of our lives. This is truly the path to life! 

 

He First Loved Us

DAILY READING

1 John 4:19-21

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

He Loved Us First

by Tom Richards

Today we read three short, but impactful verses from 1 John. This letter from the apostle John was written to believers and was likely a “circular letter” intended for churches in the province of Asia. John addresses a number of topics, and certainly seems to focus on how believers should interact with one another.

Below are some of my thoughts on these verses based on preparing for this post.

1. Verse 19 gives the “order” of love – “We love because he first loved us.” John discusses this earlier in his letter. In 1 John 4:10 he says “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” These simple words can be captured in the phrase “His love, our response” that some of you may be familiar with.

2.  Verse 20 “doubles down” on verse 19. Here John really drives home the point of demonstrating love as believers. “If anyone says ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” Can he be any clearer?

3.   Verse 21 demonstrates the significance of verses 19 and 20 as John goes back to the source of this content: “And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” The “he” in this verse is Jesus himself. If you look at John 13:34 you will see these words: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

While these words were written almost 2000 years ago, they certainly apply today. People, including believers, seem to be at odds over many topics. The ability to talk about a challenging issue without arguments and personal attacks ensuing is almost a lost art. There is a clear opportunity to demonstrate that as Christians we are different in this regard, especially when it comes to fellow believers. Many years ago a wise gentleman from Kentucky shared with me that “it is OK to disagree. It is not OK to be disagreeable.” I think he captured at least some of the essence of today’s reading. 

Father, help us to remember that all people are created by you and made in your image.  Help us to remember the words of Romans 5:8 –“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And let our relationships with fellow believers be a witness to those who don’t yet know you. In Jesus name, Amen!

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.

Rules for Christian Households

DAILY READING

Colossians 3:18-25

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Instruction for Christian Households

by Tom Richards

The title in my bible for today’s reading is “Instructions for Christian Households”. These verses are very similar to those found in Ephesians 5:22-6:9. Most scholars believe both letters were written while Paul was imprisoned (possibly under house arrest) in Rome in 60 A.D. The issue of order in the family – including slave/master (or perhaps employee / employer) relationships must have been one needing attention given the words found in both Ephesians and Colossians.

For me, it is important to look at the context of Paul’s guidance by reading some verses that precede his instructions regarding “family” relationships. For example, in Colossians 3:12-14 we read “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” And in Ephesians 5:21 Paul says “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

With these verses in mind, words like submit (verse 18), love (verse 19), obey (verse 20 and 22) and “do not embitter” (verse 21) seem to follow when we are living in obedience to Christ. There is no issue regarding “worth” or “superiority” or “position” if we live with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” And certainly not if we “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

How we live out these “instructions” can have a direct impact on the “health” of our families, including our workplace or other situations where we might be in authority or under the authority of someone else. Many years ago I memorized Colossians 3:23.  At the time I had a summer job (college years) in a grain elevator. One of my tasks was to unload farmers’ trucks and wagons during oats harvest. Thankfully, this was not a major crop and harvest lasted a little over a week, but what a miserable week it was! If you know anything about oats, they come with many hulls, dust, and are very “itchy”. I thought of Colossians 3:23 (“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”) more than once during those hot summer days! 

Hopefully, I was able to honor Christ by applying one of the “Instructions for Christian Households” that we read about today. Take some time to think about how Paul’s words have affected your life and consider sharing that example with someone you know.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

Sharers in the Promise!

DAILY READING

Ephesians 3:1-6

DEVOTION/REFLECTION

Chosen to be Sharers in the Promise!

by Tom Richards

Do you remember playing games as a kid where teams had to be selected? (We actually had a ritual with a bat to determine who chose first when playing baseball!) Do you remember what it felt like to wonder if you would be picked? For some, maybe that was never a problem. But for others, maybe you were the youngest, or the smallest, or just not one of the better players. Maybe some thought you were not “worthy” of being picked. But if you were picked, do you remember the relief and excitement that came with knowing that you were chosen – that you were part of the team?

Today we read about a mystery “which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Since most of us at UALC are gentiles we need to let these words from Paul sink in. We have been chosen to be on God’s team. No, not God’s team, but chosen to be members of his family! It is not because we deserved to be chosen. It is not because we possessed some special skills or because we were “righteous”. No, it is because of God’s love and grace. Paul refers to this in verse 2 where he says “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.”

How thankful we are for this undeserved gift. How thankful we are to be chosen, to be desired so much by the God of the universe that he sent his only Son to die on our behalf. John 1:12-13 is a favorite verse of mine that seems to sum this up nicely: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."  Amen!

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

Heirs of the prophets

PRAYER PRACTICE

Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Acts 3:17-26

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Foretold Through the Prophets

by Tom Richards

Today we read about Peter’s interaction with his fellow Jews following the miraculous healing of a lame man earlier in chapter three. The unbelieving Jews who witnessed this healing wondered by what power the man was healed. Peter explains in verse 16, “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” He also explains in verse 15 that they “killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.”

Our reading picks up where Peter tells the Jews that Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection was foretold by the prophets.  This statement echoes the words of Jesus himself.  In Luke 24:25-27 he states “He said to them, How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Peter goes on to specifically reference Moses, Samuel and all the prophets, and Abraham as bearing witness to Christ. Peter explained to the Jews who Jesus was based on words written many years prior to his life on earth. Jesus, the Son of God, was not fiction. He was not a myth held up by his disciples’ loyalty. He was the promised Messiah, foretold in the scriptures, evidenced by miracles during his time on earth, evidenced by his resurrection from the dead, and evidenced by his ability to change lives in Peter’s day and in ours. 

Perhaps the most significant thing Peter said in today’s reading is found in verses 19 – 20.  These words were applicable to his Jewish audience and certainly to our world today.  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”  Amen…

The Gift of God

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Ephesians 2:6-10

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Saved by Grace

by Tom Richards

Our reading today is one that is familiar to many Christians, especially Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” This verse along with verses like Titus 3:4-5 “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” are key to understanding that we cannot earn our salvation, that our best efforts are not enough. It is truly God’s grace that saves us!

Yet, Paul states in verse ten that good works should be part of the Christian life. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Peter also addresses this when he challenges the believers in 1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

It is clear that while our good works and best efforts cannot save us, God desires that we do good works as a means of living out our faith and giving him glory. We can demonstrate our love for God by keeping his commandments, by letting our light shine before others. Recently we learned that our daughter performed a wonderful act of kindness for a client who was in a time of need. She gave of her time and skill sacrificially, a true act of grace. Hearing about this brought great joy to my wife and me as we recounted the story. I have to believe that our Father in heaven feels a similar joy when we extend grace to one another, bringing him glory in the process.

Father, help us to know that while our salvation is a free gift, it came at a great expense, the death of your son, Jesus. Help us to know that because of our new birth in Christ the Holy Spirit empowers us to “do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Amen.

The Believer's Prayer

 PRAYER PRACTICE 

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Acts 4:13–31

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

In the Name of Jesus

by Tom Richards

“By what power or what name did you do this?”  In today’s reading we find Peter and John before the “rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law” being questioned about the miraculous healing of a lame man (see Acts 3:1-10).  Peter answers this question in Acts 4:10:  “then know this, you and all the people of Israel:  It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”  In Acts 4:12 Peter goes further and states:  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

The Jewish leaders respond in Acts 4:18:  “then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”  After being released, Peter and John join the believers and pray to God.  They conclude their prayer asking him to “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

What is it about the name of Jesus?  The name that has the power to heal.  The name that has the power to save.  The name that often brings opposition from unbelievers.  The name that we, as his followers, base our trust and hope in, just like the believers in Acts 4.  And, the name that even in 2021 can cost believers relationships, livelihoods, earthly goods, and in some cases their lives. 

In Acts 4:20 Peter and John take a stand for the name.  “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  In Acts 4:29 Peter, John and other believers pray “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable you servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  I wonder, can we say the same?  Are we willing to proclaim Jesus’ name?  Perhaps our prayer should also be that God would enable us to speak his word with great boldness.

I recently read an article by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, a messianic Jew, which concluded with words that seem to build on today’s reading and were an encouragement to me: “It is time to live unhindered, uncompromised, unbound, bold, and all out on fire and mighty in the power of the living God, for thus says the Lord, ‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  Deep darkness shall cover the earth, but the glory of God shall rise upon you’ (Cf. Isaiah 60:1-2).  In the Name above every name that is named, the Name of Yeshua Hamashiach; Jesus the Messiah, the Way, the Truth, and the Life; the King above all kings, the Lord of all, the Hope of the ages, and the answer to every life; the Star of Jacob, the Prince of life, the glory of Israel, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; the Name that will remain above all names when all is passed away, Yeshua, Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever.  Amen”

Lord, teach us how to live unhindered, uncompromised, unbound and bold, and all out on fire for Jesus!

Zachaeus and Parable of the Ten Minas

PRAYER PRACTICE 

Spoken Prayer 

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading.  Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

 Luke 19:1-27

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Well Done, My Good Servant

by Tom Richards

Today we read about Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus and the Parable of the Ten Minas. I would like to focus on the Parable of the Ten Minas in this post. Jesus told this parable “because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” This is very timely as he is in the last days of his ministry and is moving ever closer to his suffering and crucifixion.(In Luke 19:28 we start reading about his triumphal entry into Jerusalem). Jesus makes some key points in this parable to the Jews of his day and to us as well.

Jesus was clearly the “man of noble birth” in this story who goes on to become king.  When he talks about the “man of noble birth” going to a distant country to be appointed king this was similar to the practice of the Herods who went to Rome to be appointed rulers over the Jews. We know that Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father and will return as king some day in the future. Do we ultimately recognize Jesus as our king?

Jesus was rejected. In verse fourteen we read how the “man of noble birth/king” was rejected. We can read in the bible how Jesus was rejected and ultimately crucified. We can also read history and observe the current times to see that this rejection has occurred since his time on earth to this day. Are we ever guilty of thinking/saying/acting like “We don’t want this man to be our king”?

Jesus is going to return!  This is a very short, but important statement in verse twelve and we see it fulfilled in verse fifteen. Jesus speaks to the issue of his own return in Matthew 24 and specifically in Matthew 24:44  “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Are we ready for Jesus’ return?

Jesus has work for us to do until his return. In the parable the “man of noble birth” gives his servants ten minas. “Put this money to work, he said, until I come back.” Jesus gave us
work to do as well, not to earn our salvation but because of our salvation which is a gift from God. What kind of work does Jesus ask us to do? Certainly participating in the Great Commission comes to mind as well as loving God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind and our neighbors as ourselves. Are we good stewards of the Gospel? Do we demonstrate our love for God and neighbor?

Father, help us to see not only Jesus but ourselves in the Parable of the Ten Minas. Help us to be like the most faithful servant in this story and to long to hear Jesus say to us “Well done, my good servant!” Amen

 

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Luke 10:1-41

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

by Tom Richards

Wow, there is a lot of ground covered in today’s reading! I would like to focus on Jesus’ interaction with an “expert in the law” and the story of the Good Samaritan found in verses 25-37. 

The “expert in the law” tries to test Jesus (have we seen this before?) by asking “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Like he so often does under these circumstances, Jesus responds with a question, “what is written in the law, and how do you read it?” The “expert in the law” answers by saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The first part of this response comes from Deuteronomy 6:5 and the second part from Leviticus 19:18. Both of these verses would have been familiar to the Jews in Jesus’ time.  This is a great answer, but the “expert in the law” wanting to justify himself asked Jesus “who is my neighbor?” and the familiar story of the Good Samaritan follows. 

The initial response of the “expert in the law” is one that Jesus used himself. We can see this in Matthew 22:35-40 and Mark 12:28-32.  In each case it is interesting (and humbling) to note that the reference to heart, soul, strength and mind is a call to complete devotion. And, the Greek word for love in these verses is agapao which is the verb form of the more familiar noun agape. It calls for action. Some definitions of these words include:

-    A deliberate striving for another’s highest good, and is demonstrated through action

-    To love unconditionally and sacrificially.

-   1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives a great definition!

Reflect - I would ask you to think about these verses as you read or simply remember the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus really makes his point to the “expert in the law” and to us in this parable! In a world that is more divided than I can ever recall, how easy it is to act like the priest and the Levite when it comes to my “neighbors” – all of my “neighbors”. 

Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Son of David

by Tom Richards

Luke 3:21-37

Today we read about Jesus’ baptism and a record of his genealogy. There are lots of names here and I admit to skimming past them in most of my previous readings. But since this is our reading for the day (and I have been asked to write about itJ), here are some observations:

Matthew 1 – A similar list of names can be found in Matthew 1, similar, but not identical. Why the lists and why the differences? Matthew’s gospel is believed to have been written to Greek speaking Jews. Most scholars believe Matthew is tracing Jesus’ lineage through Joseph. This would be his “legal” lineage in the eyes of the Jews. 

Luke’s gospel was written to Theophilus (see Luke 1:3), but essentially to all believers, Jew and Greek (gentile) alike. Many scholars believe Luke is tracing Jesus’ lineage through Mary. This seems to make sense when you read verse 23 where Luke states: “He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph.”

Abraham vs. Adam – Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage to Abraham, the father of the Jews. Luke traces Jesus’ lineage to Adam, the father of humankind. This makes sense if you consider that Matthew was a Jew writing to Jews and Luke was likely a gentile writing to Theophilus, a man of high standing and possibly a Roman official – a gentile. (As a gentile I am thankful for Luke’s version!)

Son of David – For Jews, the purity of one’s lineage was critical. Jesus was fulfilling prophecy every step of his life. The term “Son of David” was a messianic title. Tracing his lineage to David (and Abraham) was key to his identity as the promised Messiah, critical to Jews and gentiles alike. Luke references this lineage in Luke 1:32-33 where he quotes the angel’s words to Mary: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

We see this again in Luke 18:38-39 when Jesus heals the blind beggar: “He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus genealogy was extremely important as he would face doubters of his true identity throughout his ministry beginning in his hometown in Luke 4. He continues to face doubters today. But for those who believe those questions have long been answered.

Father, thank-you for the detail that is included in your word, including our reading for today. And thank you that we are your children because of Jesus, the son of Joseph, the son of Mary, the Son of David, the son of Abraham, the son of Adam, the Son of God! Amen.

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Prayer Practice

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Luke20:1-19

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

By What Authority?

by Tom Richards

In today’s reading we find Jesus in yet another confrontation with the Jewish leaders. It is Tuesday of Holy Week (see Mark 11) and Jesus has just entered Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and created a scene by cleansing the Temple (Monday). Now these leaders ask Jesus, “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” These questions were likely (at least in part) in reference to his cleansing of the Temple. 

Jesus answers them with a question of his own and goes on to tell a story that we know as “The Parable of the Tenants”. In this parable it is pretty clear that Jesus is talking about himself.  In verse 17 he quotes Psalm 118:22 “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.”  He goes on to say “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” These words really got my attention. What can they mean?

My Study Bible notes state the following: “As a pot dashed against a stone is broken, and as one lying beneath a falling stone is crushed, so those who reject Jesus the Messiah will be doomed.” How do Jesus’ words fit in a culture where so many people believe there are multiple paths to eternal life? How do Jesus’ words fit in a culture where so many people relegate Jesus to being a great teacher, but nothing more?

 C.S. Lewis shares some thoughts on this in his book “Mere Christianity” when he states his disdain for folks who say Jesus is a really great moral teacher but they deny that he is God. Lewis asserts that a  simple man who voiced the words Jesus did would either be crazy or a devil. He is challenging the reader to decide, either He is the Son of God, a mad man, or something even worse (to read the actual words of C.S. Lewis go to page 55-56).  In Matthew 16:15 Jesus poses an all important question to Peter, and us:  “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?"

Prayer:  Dear Father, help me to gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus really is. Help me to grasp the sacrifice that he made for me and for all mankind. And help me to answer Jesus' question in Matthew like Peter did, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Amen