SAMPLE FOUR SEVENS A 28-DAY DEVOTIONAL...

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FOUR SEVENS A 28-DAY DEVOTIONAL EXPERIMENT

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Four Sevens

Written by Tom Hudzina

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©2009 CruPressCruPress is the publishing divisionof Campus Crusade for Christ’sCampus Ministry.

ISBN 1-57334-070-7

All Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission ofZondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

©2008 Cru Press, Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. All rights reserved.

FOUR SEVENS MEETING WITH JESUS IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

By TOM HUDZINA

v

CONTENTS

vi Preface

viii TheFourSevensTemplates

xiii YourCommitment

1 AnIntroductiontoLuke

2 Days1–7

17 Excursos:Journaling

20 Days8–14

35 Excursos:StudyBibles,NicheBibles,andCommentaries

38 Days15–21

53 Excursos:BibleTranslations

56 Days21–28

71 AndInConclusion

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a while. But then, toward the end of my sophomore year in college, a friend of mine—another Christian on campus who knew I was a believer—asked me, “How are your quiet times going?”

To which I responded, “My what?” The term “quiet time” evoked nothing for me, except perhaps a vague memory of lying on a Snoopy mat after a lunch of P, B, & J and a pint of 2 percent milk in kindergarten.

But with a little encouragement and guidance, I began having my own daily … well, quiet time. And it has completely revolutionized my walk with God.

So what’s a quiet time? Well, it says in Scripture that Jesus would often withdraw to a quiet place in order to pray. “Very early in the morning,” says Mark 1:35, “while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (While admittedly quiet time might sound a little juvenile, as you read this verse, what else would you call it? Solitary time? That would sound like a prison sentence, so we’ll stick with quiet time.) During this daily quiet time, Jesus habitually removed himself from the busyness of life and spent time in intimate communion with his Father.

If Jesus needed this time apart with the Father, it would seem logical to assume we need it just as much, if not more so. Let’s define quiet time as “a point during each day when we remove ourselves from the busyness of schoolwork, dorm life, and the ever-increasing demands of Facebook to spend time praying, reading God’s Word, and quietly listening to what God has to say to us.” As it took someone to kick-start my quiet times, so I’m going to do everything I can here to help you make this a part of your daily routine and establish a habit that will carry you through college and beyond.

Consider me a guide. While I cannot wake you up and get you out of bed for your quiet time, I will walk with you through it and share some things that should be helpful—things I’m grateful someone took the time to share with me. Each day we’ll read a passage from Scripture and meditate on it. I’ll point out a few things that are obvious and then a few things that are not so obvious.

While reading the entire Bible is a noble goal, it’s not where we’re going to start. We’re not going to be running a marathon; we’re going to take a short jog. We’re going to make our way through just a single book, the Gospel of Luke, and even here were going to do some skipping around. A simple undertaking, but one more inclined to success. Rather than ordering the triple patty bacon cheeseburger, we’re going to go with a snack wrap and Diet Coke.

We’ll spend twenty-eight glorious days together developing a habit of spending time in God’s Word and talking with him. They say it takes about twenty-one days to establish a habit, so—who knows?—maybe you won’t even need me for the last week. But either way, I’ll be here for you.

Preface

I remember the first time I thought about reading the entire Bible. I was sitting in the back row of a church listening to one of the few people whose walk with God really impressed me. He said, “If you want to say you know God, then you need to know God’s story. And if you want to know God’s story, you have to read the entire thing. Knowing God means knowing his story.”

The statement stuck with me. At the time, I was in desperate need of knowing God, his story, and how my story had anything to do with his.

But attempting to read the Bible cover to cover can feel like jumping into a marathon without training. Pretty soon your legs start to cramp, your lungs feel as helpful as a pair of flattened soda cans, and you either limp off the course or finish with a time more in keeping with the America’s Cup than the Boston Marathon. This was what my frustrated, first attempt at some kind of a daily time with God felt like.

I would not return again to Mount Sinai and significant face-to-face time with God for

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HOW will it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated?

I can never remember the “how,” because it rebelliously begins with an h instead of a w. Maybe it’s the same for you. If so, that’s okay. This is just a general template; it’s not meant to be a science or a straitjacket. Once you get a feel for some of these questions, try to keep an eye out for key words or phrases, repeated words, contrasts and comparisons, and terms of summary and conclusions (“so that,” “for this reason,” and so on).

Interpretation

Often observation slides right into interpretation. But strictly speaking, observation refers to trying to understand what’s being said, while interpretation refers to understanding the overall meaning.

From what you’ve learned in your observation of the text, you are trying to discern a primary meaning of the passage—what the biblical author was seeking to communicate and what God was seeking to communicate through that biblical author. A particularly fruitful way to pull these things out of the passage is to ask questions such as “What sinful, broken, or fallen condition is being addressed or corrected by the passage?” “What is the deeper sin beneath the behavior?” and “What prompted the author to write this passage?” Keeping these questions in mind can help you uncover the primary meaning of the text.

Application

So, how does the passage apply to you and to others? And what are some actions you need to take in order to apply God’s Word directly to your life?

Let me suggest something here. I think our reflections tend to skip along the surface level of behavior or habits that need changing. This is okay, but often a more significant application resides at the level of our relating to God—our experiencing his grace or trusting in his character or promises. In light of this, I like to pray through certain questions that help me to apply what I’ve been reading to my walk with God.

God, what are you trying to say to me through this passage?

In what ways am I looking to find life in things besides you, Lord?

In what ways am I seeking to earn your favor rather than live by grace?

What do my actions suggest that I’m wrongly believing about your character, our relationship, and what you’ve said in your Word?

In what ways do we need to be more intimate in our relationship?

THE FOUR SEVENS TEMPLATES

Once we get into the twenty-eight devotions, you’ll find that they follow a regular pattern. Something I selected randomly, pulling it out of the air? No. Believe it or not, I used some well-thought-out templates for constructing the devotions. And these are templates that I think you could benefit from understanding and turning into a habit.

I’m talking about templates for:

Bible Study

Prayer

Quiet Times

A TEMPLATE FOR BIBLE STUDy

When one is studying a passage of Scripture, a basic but helpful pattern to follow is the threefold process of observation, interpretation, and application.

Observation

This is pretty straightforward: observe what the passage is saying and describing.

First, read through a portion of Scripture and then go back and make some initial observations about it: Who are the characters? What’s going on? Where is this taking place? Revisit the part of your brain that houses all of that literary criticism stuff your English teacher went on and on about while you doodled with your new four-color ballpoint pen. As a quick refresher, remember to ask yourself some basic who-what-when-where observational questions:

WHO is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the main characters?

WHAT is the subject or event covered in the chapter? What do you learn about the people, event, or teaching?

WHEN do/will the events occur or did/will something happen to someone?

WHERE did or will this happen? Where was it said?

WHy is something being said or mentioned? Why would/will this happen? Why at that time and/or to this person/people?

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stuff—personal stuff, physical stuff, an A on your statistics paper, whatever. He wants you to come to him with everything. There’s nothing too big, nothing too small, so ask away, no matter how ridiculous you think it sounds. And the closer you grow to God through praying and reading Scripture, the better you will get at discerning his will for you, at knowing what he wants you to pray for. This is prayer that moves mountains.

Using this pattern of ACTS has helped me when I’ve not had the desire to pray. I’ve had to jump-start with ACTS when I’ve been confused, weary, sad, depressed, and outright weak. I just say to myself, Okay, adoration, right. Then I begin to pray: “God, you are greater than I am.” On many an occasion, ACTS has guided me into an intimate time with the Lord when an intimate time with the Lord seemed impossible.

A TEMPLATE FOR QUIET TIMES

The template for our quiet times, then, is as simple as combining our templates for studying the Scripture and our ACTS template for prayer. But with one little nuance: sandwiching your Scripture reading between the prayer so that you’re praying before and after.

It looks like this:

1. TALK TO GOD Adoration: “Lord, I praise you for … (some quality of attribute of God).” Confession: “Lord, forgive me for … (for some sin or shortcoming).”

2. LISTEN TO GOD Prayerfully read a passage. What does it say? Prayerfully reflect on its meaning. What does it mean? Prayerfully apply it to life. What does it mean for me?

3. TALK TO GOD Thanksgiving: “Lord, I thank you for … (some specific blessing).” Supplication: “Lord, I ask you for … (requests for yourself and others).”

Talk to God, listen to God, and then talk to God again. It’s that easy.

If you get used to this basic template and get used to meeting with God every day, you’ll be feeling closer to God, living in his grace, growing in holiness, maturing in your understanding of his Word, experiencing his forgiveness—rewarding stuff. But, remember, the key to all of this is creating the habit and being intentional. Make time each day when this routine can and will take place.

In what way is Jesus the answer to my problem?

I particularly like thinking about the last one: In what way does Jesus provide an answer or solution to my sin problem? It’s hard to get into too much theological trouble with a question like this.

In the daily devotions that follow, I’ve tried to draw out some key observations for you. I’m going to map out a little of this process so you can get the hang of it and feel confident that at any time you want to just skip class (though I’m not condoning this) and go and have a quiet time, you’ll be able to get some quality insight from the Word.

A TEMPLATE FOR PRAyER

When I spend time reading Scripture, I often find that I have an intense desire to talk with God before I’m even finished reading the passage. I’ll read about God’s mercy and want to thank him for his mercy. Or I’ll read something about God’s power and glory and want to tell him again how awesome he is. Sometimes God’s holiness comes through the passage and I’ll feel the need to confess some sin that comes to my mind or some attitude I’ve had hidden in my heart that doesn’t reflect his character.

By spending time in God’s Word, we open ourselves up to his voice and he can speak to us directly—something he often does.

Prayer is a natural response to God’s work in our life. A helpful model for me as I respond to God in prayer is the ACTS model: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

A doration: Telling God how great he is, why he’s great (merciful, kind, and so on), and how much we love him for it.

C onfession: Acknowledging to God any known sin that is displeasing to him so that we can come to him unhindered, completely surrendered and cleansed.

T hanksgiving: Thanking God for his grace and forgiveness in our lives, and thanking him for all the things he’s done for us and given to us.

S upplication: Asking God for things that we want.

Let me give you some reassurance about this last piece of the puzzle: supplication. Once your heart and mind are in alignment with God, it’s okay to go ahead and ask him for

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yOUR COMMITMENT

Okay, let’s make a covenant, or agreement, with God that for the next twenty-eight days we’ll take a journey together. We will develop the habit of spending time with him, consistently and with expectation.

I CommITmYSELFTo

thisexperimentofdevelopingahabitofspendingconsistenttimewiththeLordJesusChrist.Today,andfornexttwenty-sevendays,Imakethiscommitmenttoyou,Lord,to:

::spendthirtyminuteseachdaytalkingwithyou,readingyourWord,andwritingoutmythoughtsandfeelingsinresponsetoyourSpirit

::askoneotherpersoninmylifetoprayformeandtokeepmeaccountabletothiscommitmentI’vemadetoyou

::attendafellowshipeachweekwherepeopleareexcitedaboutyouandservingyouonadailybasis

DATE:

SignED:

1

AN INTRODUCTION TO LUKE

THE BOOK OF LUKE IS WHAT SOME MIGHT CALL THE GOSPEL FOR EVERy MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD. ITS NARRATIVE IS THE STORy OF GOD, HIS REDEMPTIVE PLAN BEING PLAyED OUT FOR ALL TO SEE IN THE PERSON AND ACTIONS OF HIS SON, JESUS. JESUS IS THE CENTRAL CHARACTER IN THIS GOSPEL, AND LUKE’S GOAL, AS STATED FROM THE FIRST FEW VERSES, IS TO “REASSURE yOU OF THE TRUTH OF ALL yOU WERE TAUGHT.” THE TRUTH BEING WHO JESUS IS, WHAT HE DID, AND WHy HE DID IT. LUKE IS ESSENTIALLy SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT AND SETTING US ON THE TRAJECTORy OF GOD’S REDEMPTIVE STORy.

THROUGHOUT THIS BOOK yOU’RE GOING TO FIND THAT LUKE HIGHLIGHTS GOD’S DESIRE THAT ALL MEN MIGHT BE SAVED. AND OF COURSE WE’RE NOT TALKING JUST THE MEN, AS IN ADULT MALE PERSONS; WE’RE TALKING “MEN” IN THE SENSE OF HUMANKIND—MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. AND NOT JUST A PRIVILEGED FEW WHO CAN GET TO THE MORNING SERVICE TO HEAR THIS GOOD NEWS. IT’S FOR THE ONES WHO SKIP CHURCH AS WELL, WHO CAN’T MAKE IT BECAUSE THEy’RE WORKING THE SHIFT DURING THOSE HOURS, OR WHO, QUITE FRANKLy, HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE RELIGIOUS LOOP FOR SO LONG THAT THEy’RE SKEPTICAL ABOUT ANyTHING OR ANyONE SAyING ANyTHING ABOUT GOD HAVING A PLAN FOR THEIR LIVES. IT’S FOR THE POOR, THE HELPLESS, THE OUTCAST, THE FORSAKEN. EVERyONE. GOD’S SALVATION IS FOR ALL. HAVE I MADE THIS CLEAR yET?

IN THIS REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE, WE FIND THAT LUKE IS SHOWING US HOW JESUS LIVED, WHAT HE DID, AND WHy HE DID IT. HE SHOWS US WHO JESUS IS IN THE DETAILS OF HIS MINISTRy HERE ON EARTH, AND HE REVEALS TO US JESUS AS A RADICAL NEW TEACHER WHO SAyS, “yOU’VE LIVED LONG ENOUGH UNDER A HEAVy BURDEN. LET ME SHOW yOU A NEW WAy TO LIVE THAT BRINGS yOU AND OTHERS PEACE.” JESUS IS STEEPED IN THE OLD TRADITIONS AND yET GIVES FRESH AND LIFE-GIVING INSIGHTS INTO WHAT THE LAW AND PROPHETS WERE POINTING TO. HE IS SHOWING US THAT THERE IS A NEW WAy TO LIVE LIFE, AND HE IS SAyING THAT TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS TO BRING GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSES TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, NOT JUST TO THE SUBURBS OF JERUSALEM. AND, WHAT’S MORE, WE CAN BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS AND PRIVILEGE.

ENJOy THE SHOW!

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marysetsthebarhighforthoseofuswhodesiretosaythesamethingtoGod.

::InyourmindwhatwouldbethehardestthingGodcouldaskyoutodo?

Wouldyoudoit?

::WhydoyouthinktheangeltoldheraboutElizabeth,hercousin?

::Thepassagestates,“ThepowerofthemostHighwillcomeuponyou.”

WhatdoesthissayaboutGod?

::HowdoesitmakeyoufeelthatthepowerofthemostHigh,hisHoly

Spirit,dwellsinyou?

::WhenwasthelasttimeyousaidyouwoulddosomethingforGodonly

tofindyourselfnotfollowingthroughonthatlateron?Whatmighthave

beenbehindthatdecisionnottofollowthrough?

::marywaswillingtotrustGodinhisplanforher.Wheredoyouhavea

hardtimetrustingGod?

::WhatareasofyourlifewhereyouaredoingwellintrustingGod?

::WhathasGoddoneinyourlifethatyouthoughtwasimpossible?

::Whatarethenearlyimpossiblethingscomingupinyourlifethatyou

needtobringbeforetheLord?

::Asyoumeditateonthispassage,whatisGodmovingyoutoconfess,

repentof,praise/thankhimfor,believe,ordo?

Talk to God

ThankGodforsomespecificinsightorblessinghe’sgivenyou.Afterward,

praythroughyourrequestsforyourselfandothers,beingsensitivetowhatGod

mightwantyoutoaskfor.

Talk to God

TaketimetopraiseGodforsomequalityofhis,suchashisgraceormercyor

majesty.Thenconfessanysinorshortcomingyouneedforgivenessfor.

Listen to God

Goddoestheimpossible.ReadLuke1:1-38.

Iwanttosay,hereondayoneofthismonth-longexperiment,thatbyday

twenty-eight,you,too,willbetalkingdirectlytoangels.Butthatwouldbealie

andnotagoodwaytostartourmonthofquiettimes.Youprobablywouldn’t

wanttoseeanangeleither,becausewhentheyappear,it’susuallytoconveya

ratherdangerousplanthatyou’llbeinthecenterof,aswasthecasewithmary.

WhentheangelapproachesmarywithnewsofGod’splanandherrolein

thatplan,sherespondswiththewords“mayitbeso.”Itsoundslikesucha

simpleandobviousresponse,butwhatisnotexplicitinthepassagearethe

implicationsofwhatmarywassayingyesto.

marywassayingyestopublicshame,thelabelofadulteress,thelikelihoodofher

husbanddivorcingher,apossiblefutureofraisingachildbyherself,astigma

thatwouldremainuponherfamilyforgenerations,andeventhechanceofbeing

stonedtodeath—allthestuffthatcamewithhavingachildoutofwedlocksometime

aroundAD1.Andwhatevertheconsequences,theywouldonlyhavebeen

compoundedbyusingtheunbelievablealibiofadivineconception.

Butinspiteofallthesefactors,andknowingfullwellwhatshewasinvitinginto

herlife,shesaid,“mayitbeso.”

May it be so.

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M E E T I N G W I T H J E S U S I N T H E G O S P E L O F L U K E

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Areligiousrulebookwithanothereightthousandcommandmentstouching

downinBethlehem—thatwouldhavebeenbadnews.Bycontrast,thegood

news(thatwhichrousedtheshepherdsoutoftheirmidnightgrog)isthatGod

hasdoneforuswhatwecouldneverdoforourselvesbysendinghisSontodie

foroursins.Goodnewsisthatsalvationisbygrace,agiftwrappedinadiaper,

lyinginamanger.

Shepherdscareaboutfewthings.Foodforthesheep,asafeplacetolaytheir

heads,andmakingsurealltheflockareaccountedandcaredfor.PerhapsGod

wantedtosharethegoodnewsfirstwiththosewhocouldunderstandsomeof

thesimplethingsthatwereonhisownheart.

::WhatdoyouthinkissoterrifyingaboutthegloryoftheLord?Doyou

everthinkthatitwouldbefearfultostandbeforeGod?

::Theangelsproclaimthatthereis“peaceonearthformenonwhom

God’sfavorrests.”WhatinyourlifekeepsyoufrombelievingthatGod’s

favorrestsonyou?

::ThebirthofJesusisdescribedas“goodnews”and“greatjoy.”

SometimeswelosethatsenseofjoyandexcitementoverourSavior.What

hasstolenthatjoyfromyourheart?

::WhatdoesthispassagecommunicatetousaboutJesus?



Talk to God

ThankGodforallofhisblessings,mercy,andgraceexpressedtoyouthrough

thegospel.Thenpresenthimwithanyandallofyourprayers,petitions,and

requests.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhisgoodnessandfaithfulness.AskGodtobringtomindany

areasofsinthatmaybehinderingyourfellowshipwithhim.

Listen to God

GlorytoGod.ReadLuke2:1-20.

Shepherdsmindingtheirownbusiness,quiteremovedfromanyrumors

ofapregnantvirgin,werethefirstonestoldofthegreatestnewsevertobe

proclaimed.Gofigure.

ItseemsthatGod’sgreatestpleasureisrootedinthebirthofaSaviorforall

mankind.“Goodnewsofgreatjoy,”theangelsays,“becauseaSaviorhasbeen

bornforyou.”Whyisthissuch“goodnewsofgreatjoy,”anyway?Well,maybe

itwouldhelptoconsidertheopposite:whatwouldhavebeenbadnewsofgreat

sorrow?

In Excelsis Deo.

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AtthesightofJesus,theHolySpiritleadsSimeoninpraisingGodforwhat

hehasdone.Godfollowsthroughonhispromises.Andheshowspeoplehe’s

donethis.

::SimeonitseemshasbeenfaithfulforyearstoworshipandfollowGod.

Thetextsays,“TheHolySpiritwasonhim.”Whatevidencedoyouthink

therewasthattheHolySpiritwaswithhim?

::WhatdidtheHolySpiritactuallydointhiscircumstance?Canyousee

thedifferentrolestheSpiritplayedandhowhemightstillbeplayingsuch

rolestodayinyourlife?

::PraisefilledwithtruthseemstobethebiblicalresponsetoseeingGod

fulfillhispromises.WhatisyourtypicalresponsewhenyouseeGodfulfill

apromiseinyourlife?

::WhatpromisesareyouwaitingforGodtofulfillinyourgrowth?

::WhatpromisesdoyouhavetroublebelievingGodwillfollowthrough

on?

::Jesusisjustababyinthispassage,butwhatdowefindoutabouthim

hereevenatjusteightdaysold?



Talk to God

ThankGodforsomeofthespecificpromisesthathehasgivenyouinChrist,

suchashispromiseofeternallife.Thenpresenthimwithyourrequests,those

thingsthatweighheavyonyourmindandheart.

Talk to God

PraiseGodasyoureadthroughoneofthePsalms,echoingthewordstoGod

andmakingthemyourown.Thengobackthroughyesterdayinyourmindand

askGodtobringtothesurfaceanysinthatneedstobeconfessed.

Listen to God

Godfollowsthroughonhispromise.ReadLuke2:21-52.

Waybackinhistory,Godmadeapromisetoanotherwiseinsignificantman

fromIraqbythenameofAbraham.WhatmadeAbrahamsignificantwasGod’s

promisetohim:thathisdescendantswouldbeasnumerousasthestarsand

thatthroughhimGodwouldblessallnations.That’squiteapromise!Andfor

centuriesGod’speoplewaitedforthefulfillmentofthatpromise.

SimeonisanoldmanwhohadfaithfullytrustedGodtoincreaseAbraham’s

descendantsandblesstheworldthroughthem.WemightsaythatSimeon

representsallthegenerationsofoldmen,waitingandwatchingforthe

fulfillmentofGod’spromisestothem.Waitingfortheirmessiah.They’veseen

itall,they’vewaitedpatiently,andnowhereitis.Thetimehascome.

Promises, Promises.

03 M E E T I N G W I T H J E S U S I N T H E G O S P E L O F L U K E

day

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ProphetswerethevoiceofGod,tellingofthingstocomeandthingsthat

neededchanging…now…immediately…orelse.Johnisproclaiminginno

uncertainterms,“Themessiahiscoming,andhe’sreadytocleanhouse,so

youhadbetterstraightenuptheplace.”Johnseemsimmunetosocialpressure,

notfazedintheleastbywhatpeoplethinkofhim(heworecamelskinsand

atelocusts—howcouldhe?).WeshouldbemoreJohnlikeinthisway,andwe

shouldheedhispropheticsummonstoalignourheartswithGod’s.

::Areyouchafforwheat?Seriously,thisisanimportantquestionand

sometimesit’sgoodtoreflectontheproductofourlives.Wouldyoube

gatheredforusefulnessorburnedfor,well,notbeingsouseful?

::Whodoyouknowwhomightbeconsideredchaff?Whatdoesyourheart

feeltowardthem?

::Fireisacleansingagent;itburnsofftheimpuritiesinpreciousmetals

andleavesbehindthepure,uncontaminatedmetal.HowdoesJesus

cleanseuswithfire?Whatimpuritieshavebeenorneedtobepurged

fromyourlife?

::HowdoesJohnportrayhumilitytowardthecomingmessiah?Howcan

youapproachJesuswiththesamehumility?

::JesusistheonewhomJohnisspeakingofinthispassage.Whatdowe

findoutaboutJesusandhisrolethroughJohn?



Talk to God

ThankGodforhisdisciplineinyourlifeandforallthewaysinwhichhe

lovinglycorrectsandconvictsyou.PrayforGodtogrowyouinholinessand

purity;prayforthoseareaswhereyouwanttobetransformed.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhisjustice,judgment,andholinessandforthefactthathe

cannottolerateorevenbeinthepresenceofsin.Confesstohimthoseareas

whereyoufallshortofhisholiness.

Listen to God

Bewaretheunquenchablefire.ReadLuke3:1-20.

Youknowwhat’smissingfrompreachingthesedays?Fireandbrimstone.I’m

serious.Ifyouweretocharthowmanytimesaweekyouactuallyhearabout

hell,andnotintheprofanesense,Ibetthenumberwouldhoversomewhere

aroundzero.

Inthebestsenseoftheterm,JohntheBaptistispoliticallyincorrect.Hetells

itlikeitis.ThereisaholyGod,andheisbeginningtoseparatethosewholove

himandfollowhimfromthosewhodon’t.Awinnowingforkwasusedtothrow

wheatstalksintheair.Theheavygrainsofwheatwouldfalltotheground,

wheretheycouldbegatheredintobags,whilethelightanduselesscovering

woulddriftintopilesnearby.Thefarmerwouldgatherwhatwasuseful(the

wheat)andburnwhatwasnot(thechaff).

Boy, that chaffs.

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Growthcan’thappenwithouthardship,andhardshipwillalwaysprovethe

faithfulnessofGod’sWord.Ifweexpecttogrow,weshouldexpecthardtimes,

weshouldexpectGod’sWordtoalwaysprovetrue,andweshouldexpecttobe

temptedtothinkotherwise.

::WhywouldSatanchooseatimewhenJesuswasweakphysicallytotempthim?

::Whattemptationscometoyouwhenyouarephysicallyweak?

::InwhatwayscanyouidentifywithJesus’temptation(fame,power,food

ormaterialthings)?

::Inwhatareashaveyoufailedtoresisttemptation?Whydoyouthinkthatwas?

::JesusemergedfromthedesertreadytogowheretheFatherwouldlead

him.HowwillingareyoutogointothedeserttoprepareforGod’scalling

onyourlife?

::Havingtrialsinourlivesisn’tsomethingwelookforwardto.Whatis

yourcurrentattitudeabouttrialsandhardshipinyourlife?

::Whathardshipshavecausedgrowthinyourliferecently?

::InfollowingJesus’example,howcanyoumaketheScripturemore

integraltoyourlife?

::Asyoumeditateonthispassage,whatisGodmovingyoutochange,develop,

orcreateinyourlifethatwillempoweryoutorespondasJesusdoes?

Talk to God

ThankGodforallofthewayshehasprotectedyouandsustainedyouinrecent

trialsandtemptations.Amongyourrequests,askGodtoprotectyoufrom

Satanandkeepyoufromtemptation.

Talk to God

Lookaroundtheroomandseewhatcomestomindastothingsyoucanpraise

Godfor.Thenconfessthewaysyou’veyieldedtotemptation,whereyou’ve

wantedandchosentogiveintosin.

Listen to God

Faithfulnessundertemptation.ReadLuke4:1-13.

Iwouldprobablydoanythingafterspendingfortydaysinthewilderness

withoutfood.

onetime,afteraweeklongbackpackingtripintheRockieswithmybuddy,we

arrivedinAspencravinganythingthatusedtobealive,solongasitwaspiled

withlargeamountsofcheeseandcondiments.I’dhavesoldmyarmforfood.

Temptationisstrongestwhenthereisanoverwhelmingdesireforsomething

thatthebodycraves,suchasfoodoraffection.So,afterfastingandpraying

forfortynights,JesusisapproachedbySatan,whotriestotempthiminto

doubtingtheFather’sprovisionandplan.Heessentiallyputsthetastiest,

cheesiestburgerinfrontofhimandsays,“Withorwithoutfries?”

It’simportanttonotethatinthemidstoftemptation,trials,andweakness,

JesusturnstoGod’sWord,theonlythingontheplanetthat’snaileddown.

It is written.

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statement.Afterhundredsofyearsofpeoplehoping,looking,waitingfora

messiah,thiswasn’tsomethingtakenlightlyortakenatall.Everyoneknew

theimplicationsofthispassageinIsaiah,soJesus’statementhadallofthe

ambiguityof“Iamthemessiah,andthisiswhatthemessianicmissionisall

about.Anyquestions?”

::FromwhatJesusreads,howdoyouseethebalanceinhismission

betweencaringforthepoorandproclaimingthegoodnews,i.e.,

evangelism?

::Whatseemstobetheoverarchingthemeofyourlife?What’syour

missionstatementandhowwelldoesitlineupwiththeheartofJesus?

::Howwouldpeopledescribewhatyou’reallabout?

::Sometimessaying“Godlovesyouandhasawonderfulplanforyourlife”

wouldbereceivedalotbetterifanactofcompassionwereabletoillustrate

thatclaim.Howcouldyoushowanactofcompassiontosomeoneto

illustratetheclaimthatGodlovesthem?

::Whatmightbesomebeliefs,lies,ormisconceptionsaboutthepoorand

oppressedthatkeepyoufromengagingingoodworks?

::WhatisclearaboutJesusaswereadthispassage?



Talk to God

ThankJesusforwhoisandallthathe’sdone,oratleastforallthatcomestoyour

mind.ThengivetoGodthosethingsthatyouarestrugglingwith,obsessingover,

andworryingabout.Askhimtoleadanddirectyouintheseareas.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforsomequalityorattributeofhis(forexample,faithfulness,

mercy,orcompassion).Thentakesometimeforconfession.

Listen to God

Jesusreadshismissionstatement.ReadLuke4:14-44.

Anydecentorganizationorcorporationwillhaveaclearandconcisemission

statement.Nike’s,forexample,is“Tobringinspirationandinnovationto

everyathleteintheworld.”Amissionstatementiswhatthecompanyisall

about.

AsJesusbeginstoteachinthesynagoguesandhisfamebeginstospread

throughouthishomeregion,hemakesamovetowardclearingupany

ambiguityregardingwhoheisandwhat’she’sallabout.Hegiveshismission

statementbyreadingfromIsaiah.

TeachingfromGod’sWordwascustomaryinthesynagogue.Teachingthat

you’retheSavioroftheworldwasnot.Tothosepresent,itwasclearthatJesus

wasclaimingtobethemessiah,becauseonlythemessiahcoulddothethings

statedinIsaiah61.

Jesuswasmakingabold,seeminglyblasphemous,andpotentiallysuicidal

On a mission.

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ThisisoneofthebiggeststrugglesoftheChristianlife,believingthatGod

wantstodothingsforus.Let’sfaceit:we’renotthemostadmirablecreatures

intheuniverse,especiallybefore6:00a.m.Icanbethemostcrass,arrogant,

self-centered,ambitious,self-righteousjerk,andyetJesussaysthathewantsto

makemeclean.It’shardtobelieve,butheiswilling.Actually,heismorethan

willing—heeagerlydesirestohealourbrokenness.

::InwhatwaysdoyoustrugglewithfeelingorbelievingthatGodisforyou

andnotagainstyou?Whatisitaboutyourselforyoursinthatliesbehind

thesefeelings?

::TherewasnoshortageofpeoplecomingtoJesuslookingforhealing,yet

thismanwassuccessfulingettinganaudience.Why?

::TheoppositeofcomingtoGodinhumilityiscomingwithademanding

senseofselfishentitlement.Wheredoesthiscomefromandhowwould

youcultivatehumilityinyourprayerlife?

::WhydoyouthinkJesussays“beclean”ratherthan“bewell”?

::IfyoucouldhaveJesusmakeonething“clean”inyourlife,whatwouldit

be?

::WhatdoesthispassagecommunicatetoyouaboutJesus?



Talk to God

ThankGodforthewayshehaschangedyouandallthewaysheisstillchanging

you.Presenttohimyourrequests,includingthoseareasthatyouwanttosee

himcontinuetotransform.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhispower,strength,andmight.ThenconfesstoGodthose

areaswhereyou’vebeenweak,fearful,andpassiveinlivingoutyourfaith.

Listen to God

Jesushealsthehumble.ReadLuke5.

Fewofusstrugglewiththedoctrineofdivineomnipotence(Godasall

powerful).NoonewondersifGodcouldliftaschoolbusorifhehasthe

abilitytohealandmakeuswhole.Thequestionisnotusuallyabouthispower

butabouthisintent—not“Canhe?”but“Doeshewantto?”

IthinkthewordsofthismaninLuke5arepreservedforussowecanseeitin

ink.

Themanasks,“Areyouwillingto?”

Jesusresponds,“Iamwillingto.”

Are you willing?

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17

Excursos: Journaling

Journaling is kind of like eating a balanced diet. Everyone knows that if we just followed the nutritional pyramid, we’d be much healthier. But in reality, eating a balanced nutritional diet, every meal of every day, just doesn’t seem to work itself out in our daily lives. We don’t exercise the discipline to balance every single dietary intake.

Taking the time to write down our thoughts and reflections can be extremely healthy for our spiritual growth. But because of our digital culture and lack of time, we’d rather text, e-mail, or instant message others our instant feelings (lol, =;), =:(, or my favorite emotion, =:o ) or post them on Facebook for all to see. The art of writing them down for posterity and future reminiscence has all but disappeared.

you know, nothing says fun like an evening of reading aloud to your kids what you wrote during those tumultuous dating years in college, including special tidbits that hint at how popular you were or how marketable to the opposite sex. your kids are going to love it.

When was the last time you were able to look back on your spiritual growth through the months and note when and where the Lord taught you about a specific area in your life or where he showed his love and faithfulness to you in a specific way?

Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal does more than ensure a fun time

18 19

Here’s another one, this time from March 25, 2006:

Realized on a trip to cabin with my guys how much of my self-worth and significance was wrapped up in how the guys in my study felt or act toward me. Had a great morning with you, Lord. I felt you refresh and hold me there at the fire until you had said everything and led me to prayer. Turning away from my needs and lifting others up really helps to bring life back. I have to begin by saying goodbye and find my strength not in what I do, or how well, but in you, Lord. Help me to do this. Going to bed. I feel refreshed. Thanks for the lesson today.

Journaling allows you to process the immediate, remember the past, and trust him for the future.

To get started, here’s what I suggest. Go to your local bookstore or card shop and buy yourself a journal or something like one. Blank pages in a bound cover will do. I suggest a Moleskine. They have all sorts of different styles, and honestly, they increase your cool factor by 10.

Then find a pen that writes nice and smooth on the pages of said journal and begin to write. I like to date the page and dump my thoughts. Although I have to say that I’m not as consistent as I would like to be, I do try to journal often, especially whenever there’s something major going on in my life.

Take ten minutes each day to sit and process your thoughts after you’ve had a quiet time. Write a few things down that might be important, or just write how you feel. What you write isn’t as important as developing the habit of writing. You’ll find that journaling will help you see God’s faithfulness and work in your life over the years.

That, and it’ll provide some humorous and possibly life-changing stories for your kids.

with your kids in the future. Writing something down is a way to document God’s work in your life over a long period of time. you can easily take a few minutes each day to write down what you’re reading in God’s Word, some thoughts and feelings it evokes, and what your responses might be. Over time, it’s interesting to look back and read what you thought God was doing and confirming through his work in your life—when you were especially right and when you were especially wrong.

Recently, I stumbled upon a journal I kept during a summer project at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. I remember that summer as being a pivotal time in my spiritual growth and personal walk with the Lord. I was so thankful that I wrote down some of the important things that happened. As I looked through the journal, I was amazed at how some thoughts and hopes that I had at the time were eventually realized. I was also amazed to see that some of the struggles that I came across as I read God’s Word are still being worked out today!

Here’s an excerpt from my journal dated August 8, 2000:

I read tonight how they beat you, spit on you, mocked you. The pain you bore for me. I’m sorry, Lord. I don’t ever want to blatantly sin against you, ever! Help me to rely on you for strength and to get rid of all that hinders me. I want to love you more and more.

Although I can’t remember the circumstances of that particular entry, I can remember wanting that summer to be used by God and to grow in my faith for the rest of my life. As I reflected on that entry, I began to thank God for where I am now and for the fruit that came from wanting to sin less and less and love him more and more each day. My love for him has increased, and I don’t sin in some of the same areas I did when I was a student. I began to praise God, to give him adoration for the things he’s worked out in my life.

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Lukecontinuestoshowusthatlifeinthekingdom,lifeasadiscipleofJesus,

looksmuchdifferentthanlifeintheworld.Weareanewkindofpersonwith

anewkindoflife,andweneedtobringhopetothosearounduswhomightbe

sickandtiredoflifeastheyknowit.Everyone,evenenemies,needJesus.

::Inwhatwaysdoyoustrugglewithlovingthosewhodon’tfollowJesus?

Howaboutthosewhoareadamantlyopposedtohim?

::Whatisitaboutyourselforyoursinthatliesbehindthesefeelings?

::Everyonelendstothosewhomtheythinkwillpaythemback.Jesussaysto

lendtothosewhocan’torwon’tpayyouback.What’syourgutresponseto

that?

::Whoisitthatyou’vebeenexpectingapaybackfrom?Perhapsyouneedto

letthemoffthehook.

::Wheredoeslovingenemiescomeintoyourprayerlife?Whoarethe

enemiesyouneedtobeprayingfor?

::WhatdoesthispassagecommunicateaboutJesus?

::WhatisGodmovingyoutoconfess,repentof,praise/thankhimfor,

believe,ordo?

::Whodoyouneedtoforgive,confessto,believefor,andloveinprayer?

Talk to God

ThankGodforthewayshelovesyouwhenyoudon’tdeserveit.Then,asyou

makeyourrequeststoGod,prayforthoseenemies,ordifficultpeople,that

thisstudyhasbroughttomind.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforthemanyaspectsandexpressionsofhislove.Thentaketimeto

dealwithanysinthatmaystandbetweenyouandGod.

Listen to God

Kindnesstotheungratefulandwicked.ReadLuke6:1-45.

Loveyourenemies.Thisisasimpleandbasiccommandment,butnonecould

behardertofollow.

Lovingyourfriendsiseasy.Lendingsomeonefivebuckswhenhesayshe’llget

younexttimeisabreeze.ButJesustakesthisupandwayoverthetop.Ifosama

BinLadenranintoyouatacoffeeshopinKabulandneededa$10spot,

wouldyoulendittohim?Givetoeveryonewhoasks,thistextsays.Thisnew

commandmentdoesn’tjustreflectaheartattitude;itreflectsanaction.

Love wins.

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inourlivesisahardsteptotakeandmanydon’ttakeit.Saying“Lord,Lord”

issayingalot.It’ssaying,“okay,howdoIbuildthisthing?”andthendoing

exactlywhatthemasterbuildertellsyou.

InthisparableJesus’buildingadviceissimple:don’tusesand.It’sthequestion

thatfollowsthat’sdifficult:“What—orwho—amIcurrentlybuildingmylifeon?”

::Asyoureflectonthedecisionsyou’vemadeinyourlifeupuntilnow,on

whatfoundationshaveyoubuiltyourlife?

::Jesusmentionsfloodsandtorrentsasametaphorforhardship,pain,and

suddendisaster.Reflectonthewaysyou’vedealtwiththesestormsinyour

life.HowhasGodbeenfaithfultokeepyourfoundationfirm?

::Wordslikesecurity,firm,solid,andtrustworthycometomindwhen

wethinkaboutourhopeinChrist.Arethereanyotherideas,words,or

thoughtsthatcometomindwhenyouthinkaboutJesusasthefoundation

ofyourlife?

::TheparablesJesususestoillustrateprinciplesofthekingdomseem

simpleonthesurface,yetsomepeopledon’tseemtogettheirmeaning.

Whydoyouthinkthatis?

::AsitrelatestoChrist’slordship,inwhatareasofyourlifedoesJesus

reignandinwhatareasisthereastruggleforcontrol?


repentof,praise/thankhimfor,givehimlordshipover?

Talk to God

ThankGodforwhathehasbeenshowingyouinhisWord.ThentalktoGod

aboutthosethingsandpeoplewhoweighuponyourheart.

Talk to God

ReadPsalm59and/orPsalm62andpraiseGodforbeingamightyfortressand

firmfoundation.AskGodtorevealareaswhereyouhavebeendependingon

yourownstrength,ratherthanonhim,andconfessthosethingstohim.

Listen to God

Buildyourhouseontherock.ReadLuke6:46—7:35.

Sandcastlesareamazinglyfuntobuild…forabouttenminutes.Thenyou

begintounderstandwhypeopledon’tbuildtheirhousesoutofsand,onthe

beach,closetothewater.It’spointless.

Weallknowpeoplewhosedecisionshaveequatedtobuildingsandcastles.You

fearthatanyminutetheirlivesaregoingtodisintegrate,buttheydon’twant

tohearit,notfromyou.Theydon’twantyourdirection;theydon’twantyour

advice.

InthispassageJesusconnectstheideaofbuildingahousewithbuildingalife.

Bothtaketimeandbothneedasecurefoundation.Jesusoffersusthatsecure

foundation,butthepriceishumility.That’swhygivingsomeonefullauthority

Well-built sandcastles.

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herlife.Forsomeatthetable,itwas—howshallwesay?—awkward.ButJesussawit

asahumbleandappropriateresponseoffaith,andheforgavehermanysins.

Perhapsifwewereabletofeeltheweightofthesinthatwasliftedoffher

shoulders,wewouldweepaswell.

::Howdoesyourresponsetoforgivenesscomparetothiswoman’s

response?

::Whodoyoumostidentifywithinthisstory:SimonthePharisee,the

womanweepingatJesus’feet,orsomeoneatthetablesimplytakingitall

in?Why?

::ourresponsetoJesusfortheforgivenessofoursinsreflectshowdeeply

wecareaboutholinessinourlives.Whatareasofsininyourlifedoyou

viewwiththeperspectiveofthePharisee?Whatareadoyouviewwiththe

perspectiveofthewoman?

::InwhatwaysdoyoustruggletoreceiveGod’sforgivenessforsinsyou’ve

committedinyourpast?

::Asitrelatestoyourownlife,inwhatwaysdoyouputalimituponJesus’

mercy?


::Whatdoyouneedtoconfess,repentof,askfor,orweepforinprayer?

Talk to God

ThankGodforthewayinwhichhehasforgivenallyourpastsins.(Bespecific

aboutthesinsyourecall.)Andthen,asyoumakeyourrequeststoGod,addto

thatlistanincreaseddesireforholiness.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhismercy,forgettingaswellasforgivingalloursin.Confess

thosethingsforwhichyoufeelguiltyandinneedofhismercy.

Listen to God

Jesusforgivesmuch.ReadLuke7:36-50.

Sinburieddeepinthesoulweighsaton.Itaccumulatesmassandgravity,and

eventuallytheburdenissounbearablethatifyoudon’tconfesstosomeone,

you’llgocompletelynuts.Iknow.I’vebeenthere.

Whateverevilyoumayhavecommitted,it’sdoubtfulyou’veeverdegraded

yourselfbystealingTootsieRollsfromtheBoyScouts.Irememberthatvery

transgressionvividlyfrommychildhood,andIremembertryingtokeepitin

andgetawaywithit.EventuallyIbroke,becausetheneedtobeforgivenisa

powerfulthing.

WhenaprostituteshowsupuninvitedatthehouseofaPhariseeandstarts

weepingandcleaningthefeetofJesus,youknowGodmusthavebeenatworkin

A humble submission.

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Allofuswouldliketobehealedsecretlyfrommanythings,thatis,healed

withoutanyone’severknowingwehadaproblem.IimaginethatforJairus,

asthespiritualleaderofthesynagogue,itwasequallyhumblingtopublicly

grovelforJesus’spiritualassistance.Butgettingwellinvolvescomingoutofthe

darknessandexposingoursinandbrokennesstothelightofday,tothelight

ofGod,andtothelightofotherbelievers.(AsJames5:16says,“Confessyour

sinstoeachotherandprayforeachothersothatyoumaybehealed.”)Weall

haveissuesthatwetrytoconceal,butwelearninthisstorythatJesuswantsus

togeteverythingoutonthetable,sothatwecanencourageandprayforeach

other.Sothatwemayhealed.

::WhydoyouthinkthewomandidnotwantJesustoknowshehadtouchedhim?

::DoyouthinkthatJesus’delayfromhelpingJairuswasintentional?

::WhywouldJesuswantJairustowait?

::Whataretheissuesyouwishwouldremainconcealed?

::IfyoucouldhaveJesushealanythingwithoutanyone’sknowing,what

woulditbe?

::WhyisfaithsoimportanttoJesus?

::WhyishumilitysoimportanttoJesus?Whyishumilitysoimportanttofaith?

::Whocouldyoushareandpraywithaboutsomeofyourdeeperstruggles?

Talk to God

ThankGodforallthewaysheshowshiscompassionandcareforyou.Asyou

bringyourrequeststoGod,bringtohimthosedeeperissuesandhabitual

struggles,askinghimtoprovidesomeonetosharethemwith.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhisknowledgeandwisdom,becauseheknowseverythingabout

everything—andeverythingaboutyou.Confesstohimthosedeepissuesthat

causeyouthemostembarrassmentorshame;askhimtocleanseyouofthem.

Listen to God

Faithandhumility.ReadLuke8:41-56.

It’skindofweirdwhenyoucanwalkintoaroomandsensethemoodwithout

anyone’ssayingaword.It’sweirderstilltobeabletosensefaith.YetJesus

knowswhenhe’sapproachedwithitorwithoutit.Thewomanhadfaith,

butapparentlyshewasfearfultoaskforhelp—fearfulofJesus,fearfulof

embarrassment,perhapsfearfulthathemightrefuse.

Going public.

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TakingtrustinGod’spreparednesstoofar,ofcourse,makesyouanutcase.

TakingitwithahealthyperspectiveanddependenceonGodmakesyoua

maturediscipleofJesus.

::Whatdoyouthinkwerethedisciples’firstthoughtswhentoldtotake

nothingfortheirjourney?

::Howhardisitforyoutolivewithoutthe“essentials”?Whatdoyouthink

liesbehindthebeliefthatyouneedallthe“stuff”inyourlife?

::IlostmycellphoneonceforseveraldaysandIthoughtlifewouldend.It

didn’t.Whatisitinyourlifethatmightbeanidolofdependenceforyou?

Howhardwoulditbeforyoutoletgoofittoday?Why?

::TrustingGodtoprovideforourbasicneedsiseasy,butwhataboutthe

deeperneedslikerelationships,careers,orthefuture?Areyoudependent

onGodforallthings,somethings,ornothing?Why?

::Thedisciplesaregivenpowertoproclaimthegoodnewstothe

surroundingarea;theyareessentiallyambassadorsforChrist.Whatfears

keepyoufrombeinganambassadorforhim?

::CanyoutrustGodforthewaypeoplewilleitherreceiveorrejectyour

sharingofthegospel?


::Whatdoyouneedtoconfess,repentof,askfor,trustGodforinprayer?

Talk to God

Thinkofthewaysinwhich,justinthepastfewmonths,Godhasprovidedfor

you—andthankhimforallofit.TalktoGodabouttheupcomingwaysyouwill

needhimtoprovideforyou.

Talk to God

PraiseGodasourgreatprovider,theonewhoknowsandmeetsallourneeds.

Confessthewaysinwhichyouhavefailedtotrusthimtoprovideforyouand

thewaysinwhichyou’vedependedonotherthings.

Listen to God

Jesussendsthedisciplesoffforanadventure.ReadLuke9:1-56.

Beingpreparedforanythingthatcouldhappenisimpossible.Youjustcan’t

becompletelypreparedforeverythingthatcomesyourway.God,however,is

alwaysprepared.

Jesusknewthisbetterthananyone.Ithinkheknewthatgoingthrough

somethingyou’recompletelyunpreparedforandcomingouttheotherendin

abetterplacethanyouwerebeforecancauseincrediblespiritualgrowth.Your

understandingofjusthowdependableGodisgrowssomuchwhenyouare

giventheopportunitytoseethathe’stheonewhoisprepared.

It’skindoflikethatfeelingyougetwhenyou’redrivingonatollroadand

suddenlyrememberyoudon’thaveanymoney.Youstarttoscramblearound

fordimes,nickels,postagestamps,anything.Butthen,afteryoucomeup

withnothingexcepttwopenniesandwhatyouthinkmightbethecornerofa

five-dollarbill,thedriveraheadofyoupaysyourfare.Wow!youthink.Godis

reallywithme.Wecandoanything.I’mdrivingtoChina.

What, no extra shirt?!

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pain-freeexistence.Itwouldbetough;itwouldbelonelyattimes;andmost

assuredly,therewouldbeacrossinthefuture.Unfortunately,manydecided

theyhadbetterthingstodothanfollowJesus.

Howaboutit,partner—areyouin?

::WhatisitaboutJesusthatwoulddrawpeopletospendtimewithhim,to

followhim?

::Impatiencecanoftenrearitsuglyheadinourlives.Whathaveyoubeen

impatientabouttothepointthatyoutooksomeshortcutsinyourwalkwith

God?

::Howoftendoyourelyonhowothersviewyouasagaugeofyourspiritual

maturity?

::Noticetherepetitionoftheword“first.”Whatthingsdoyoutendto

place“first”infrontofJesus?

::WhydoyouthinkJesusissoharshtosomeofthosewhowantedtofollow

yethadthingstofinishbeforetheywereable?

::HasfollowingJesusmadelifeeasierorharderforyou?Whydoyou

supposethatis?


::Whatdoyouneedtoconfess,repentof,askfor,ortrustGodforin

prayer?

Talk to God

ThankGodforthewayshegivesyourlifepurposeanddirectionandmeaning.

AskGodforthestrength,passion,anddesiretofollowhimwhereverheleads.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforbeingworthyoffollowing,ofloving,ofserving,andofgiving

one’slifefor.Confesstohimthosewaysinwhichyouhavefailedtolove,serve,

andfollow.

Listen to God

Jesusrevealsthecostoffollowinghim.ReadLuke9:57-62.

Thesedays,itdoesn’ttakemuchhardworkortimetoacquirejustabout

anythingyouwant.Allyouneedisacreditcard,$19.95,ortwofriendswho

willrecruittwomorefriendstosellhomecleaningproductsonline.It’sthat

easy.

Inlightofhoweasyitcanbetomakeafewbucks,I’veoftenthoughtthatit

can’tbeallthathardtofollowJesus.I’llsaytomyself,I’llgoanywhereorI’lldo

anythingforJesus.AndsometimesI’llfollowthroughonmydetermination.

Butsadly,I’vebalkedalotoftimesaswell.

I’veseenfriends,family,andstudentsIknowdothesamething.Evensome

ofthemostwell-intentionedpeoplefadeawaywhentheyrealizethatdoing

anythingandgoinganywhereforJesuscanbealotharderthantheythoughtor

trulywanted.

Thisisnonewphenomenon.AsJesus’popularitygrew,sodidpeople’sdesire

towalkwithhimandbehisfollowers.ButJesusdrewthelineinthesand

prettyclearly.Thosewhowantedtofollowhimwouldn’thaveapeacefuland

Okay, good to know.

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There’ssomuchmoretothispassage,andIwishwehadtimetogointosome

ofit.Perhapslater.JustsoakinthefactthatJesuscontinuestosay“Go!”tohis

disciples.Ithinkhereallymeansit.

::Go.Whatdoesthatcommunicatetoyou?Behonest.

::Themetaphorofbeing“lambsamongwolves”issignificanthere.Alamb

inthatdaywasthepricefortheatonementofsins.Alambisalsoseenas

pure,innocent,andneedy.Inwhatwaysareyoutobealambamongwolves?

::HowcanwerespondtootherswhowanttohearthemessageofJesus?or

perhapsthequestionismorelike,howshouldwerespond?Hmm.

::InwhatwaysdoestheideaofgoingtotellothersaboutJesusexciteor

scareyou?

::ThenecessityofrelyingonGodcomesupagainwiththedisciples

needingtorelyonothersfortheirfood,clothing,andshelter.Inwhatways

doyoustruggletoreceivefromGodorfromothers?

::InwhatwaysdoyouseeJesususingyouasalaborerfortheharvest?

Whereistheharvestfieldforyou?

::Whatdoyouthinkwasmostimportantforthetodiscipleslearnhere?

::Whatdoyouneedtolearnconcerningyourdesiretogo?

::Whatdoyouneedtoconfess,repent,askfor,ortrustGodforinprayer?

Talk to God

ThankGodforyoursalvationandthesalvationoffamilyandfriends.Asyou

pray,askGodforthesalvationofspecificindividualsyoudesiretoknowhim.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhissalvationandhisglobalplanofredemption,creatinghis

kingdomfromeverytongue,tribe,andnation.Asyouconfessyoursins,bring

beforeGodthosetimesyou’vefailedtospeakupandwitnessforhim.

Listen to God

Jesussendsouttheseventy-two.ReadLuke10:1-24.

Asifwedidn’talreadygetthepointinchapter9,Lukegivesanotheraccountof

Jesussendingothersouttodoministryinthecountryside.Thisissomething

tomarkinyourmentalnotepad.ItisimportantinunderstandingwhatJesusis

allabout.

Asbefore,Jesussendsoutthedisciplestohealthesick,exorcisedemons,and

proclaimthatthekingdomofGodhasarrived.Itwasgoingtobeaneventful

weekforpeople.

Furthermore,it’sinthispassagethatwehaveoneofthemostquotedand

reveredteachingsofJesusonmissionsandministry.You’veprobablyheardit

somanytimesthatyoualreadyknowwhatI’mabouttowrite.ButIdon’tcare;

I’mgoingtowriteitanyway:“Theharvestisplentiful,butthelaborersare

few.”Sotrue.AndthenJesussendsthemissionariesoutwithsomewordsof

advice,underscoringtheneedtorelyonGodfortheirprovision.

The harvest is plentiful.

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Excursos: Study Bibles, Niche Bibles, and Commentaries

Sometimes studying the Bible can get a bit confusing. So you push through it, keep reading, and hope something will make sense soon. I’ve done this. We’ve all done this. We get uncomfortable when we’re confused by the Bible, and so we row onward, looking for familiar, or at least fairly clear, passages to sink our teeth into.

All of which is to say that sometimes it helps to have some outside illumination when trying to understand certain passages of Scripture. The Bible’s authority, its historicity, and the application of a particular passage are all key elements in understanding the Word of God. It’s helpful to have some other source of knowledge guiding you through difficult sections that sometimes can downright frighten you. In Deuteronomy, for example, it says that whatever you do, don’t cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. What’s that about? Any scholars out there want to give this passage a look-see?

I’m going to suggest three sources that can help you understand a text without having to lock yourself in your room with a case of Red Bull and a large-letter edition of the Living Bible. These three sources are study Bibles, niche Bibles, and commentaries.

Study Bible. A study Bible is designed to help you understand, not only the meaning of God’s Word, but also the history behind it, the characters involved in it, and other

36 37

relationship with Leviticus, one time I read a commentary on it that broke it down passage by passage. It was wonderful. I was able to enjoy and understand the book in ways I couldn’t have on my own. I found that by reading another person’s commentary on Leviticus, I was impacted by God’s truth within the book and I was able to see new dimensions of Christ’s atoning work for my sin.

Commentaries can be helpful when trying to understand a passage for the first time, reading through it for the fifth time, or simply checking to see if your gut instincts about a passage ring true with someone else’s analysis. There’s nothing more satisfying than finding out some really smart guy thought the same thing as you did.

For a great starter commentary, I’d suggest The NIV Application Study Commentary Series (Zondervan), written by various authors. This commentary is an entire series of books, one for every book of the Bible. The great thing about a series of commentaries is that you can order an individual commentary on any particular book you may be studying. you don’t have to order the entire set, which could be expensive.

you also can’t go wrong with the paperback Tyndale New Testament Commentaries or the Expositors Bible Commentary (Zondervan).

And finally, online resources can be of help as well. Crosswalk, Bible Gateway, and Desiring God are all well-respected online resources that can link you to commentaries and insights from different pastors, theologians, and authors.

Bottom line, having a broad range of influence and insight is important to a healthy understanding of God’s Word. Perhaps you can start building your own personal study library by buying a study Bible or two, and a commentary or two, and begin to broaden your horizon of biblical insight.

Amazon will love you for it.

places in the Bible that may shed light on the passage you’re studying. Most study Bibles are put together by a scholar or a group of scholars who write notes on certain verses and passages to clarify them. Study Bibles can also help you organize a daily or an annual reading plan. Sometimes they are divided into various topics and give you reading plans so that you can study specific topics, such as sin, the Messiah, or the Holy Spirit. Study Bibles are great when you want to have helpful information right there on the page rather than having to go to another book. Some good study bibles are The NIV Study Bible or The ESV Study Bible.

Niche Bible. Niche Bibles are for different market segments made up of people with certain characteristics or interests. Examples of niche Bibles include men’s and women’s devotional Bibles, prayer-centered Bibles, and even musicians’ Bibles. The point of a niche Bible is to reveal what the Scriptures say about a particular subject in a way that is relevant to a certain readership. While such a Bible can be extremely helpful for learning all you can about topics such as prayer or music or being a male, the viewpoint is limited and can actually narrow your ability to interpret God’s Word on your own. While niche Bibles are great for motivating us to spend time in the Scripture, it’s often healthier to have a broader perspective. I suggest balancing your time in a niche Bible with time in your run-of-the-mill, no-frills Bible. You’ll be just fine.

Commentary. A commentary provides scholarly research, interpretation, insight, and comments on either the entire Bible or a book of the Bible. A commentary is not to be held as inspired Holy Writ but instead as a study aid with pertinent information and valuable insight. Having a commentary with you as you work through the Bible can add depth to your reading and illuminate key passages of Scripture that you otherwise might overlook.

Every year I try to read through the entire Bible. Often I’ll get to a book like Leviticus and find myself halfheartedly going through the motions, reminding myself it’s only another eight hundred pages till I get to the Gospel of John. So, in light of my lukewarm

38 39

Perhapsyoucouldgathersomefriendstogether(twoorthree)andsharewith

themtheseversesfromLuke.Thenaskthefollowingquestionsandprayabout

themwitheachother,incommunityandoutloud,askingtheHolySpiritto

guideyourtimetogether.

::WhatattributesoftheFatherleadyourthoughtstoanattitudeof

reverence,awe,andwonder?

::Howcouldthekingdomcomethroughyouasagroupoffriends?How

hasthekingdomofheavenalreadycome?

::Whatdoyouneedtoeattoday?Whatmightbesomeotherthingsbesides

foodthatyouneed(notwant,butreallyneed)?

::Whatdoyouneedtoconfessandasktobeforgivenfor?Whodoyou

needtocallrightnowandaskfortheirforgiveness?

::Whodoyouneedtoforgiveand,withtheSpirit’shelp,loveinreturn?

::WhattemptationsarepresentthatwoulddrawyouawayfromGod?

::Whatthingscanyouseecomingdowntheroadwhereyoumaybe

temptedtosinorcauseotherstosin?


Talk to God

ThankGodforhisfaithfulanswerstoyourprayersevenwhenhesaidno.As

youpraythroughyourneeds,prayparticularlyfortheChristianfriendsGod

hasputinyourlife.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforsomeattributeofhis—aqualitythatcontributestomaking

himGod.Thenconfessanysin,focusingonthewaysyou’vehurtandsinned

againstothers.

Listen to God

“Whenyoupray,say…”ReadLuke11:1-13.

Jesuswantsustounderstandthreekeylessonswhenheteachesustopray.First,

wecanapproachtheFatherwithourneeds.Second,Godwantsustoapproach

himboldlyandwithoutanypretense.Third,thegiftthathegivesusistheHoly

Spirit,notascorpion.

oftenweviewtheLord’sPrayerassomethingweprayalone—aformula,ifyou

will,forourpersonalprayertimes.I’vedoneitthatwaymanytimesmyself.

“myFatherinheaven…”ButthisisnotthewayJesustaughtit.

Insaying,“Whenyoupray…,”Jesususedaplural“you.”Itismeanttosuggest

prayerincommunity.Thisprayer,then,isaboutprayingtogetherforeach

other’sneeds,fortheforgivenessofoursinstowardothers,andforourFather

tokeepusallfromtemptation.

oftenweblowthroughthatprayerwithoutevenengaginginwhatitmeanstous

asagroupofbelievers.We’reallwalkingthesameearth,experiencingthesame

kindsoftrialsandstruggles,andweallhaveneeds.Boy,dowehaveneeds.

Whose prayer is it?

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everythingelse.

Jesusisagenius.Hedoesn’tjusttellusnottoworry;heleadsustochangeour

focusandpriorities.Andthis,asithappens,isthecureforworry.

::Whatanxiousthoughts,worries,ornightmareskeepyouawakeatnight?

WhatsinsinyourlifeordoubtsaboutGodordecisionsthatyou’vemade

areaffectingyourabilitytotrustGod?

::Jesuscallsushis“littleflock.”Whatdoyouthinkhewastryingtoconvey

tousbythis?

::Wearecalledtorunafterdifferentprioritiesthantheworlddoes.Are

theprioritiesinyourlifecausingyourestoranxiety?

::HowquicklydoyoudrawneartoGodinmomentsofdoubtandworry?

::Theheartmovestowardwhateverismostvaluabletoit.Whatisyour

heartmovingtoward?Why?

::Youmightbeworriedrightnow.Ifso,whatmightGodbeaskingyouto

doaboutthat?

::WhatdoweunderstandaboutJesushere?



Talk to God

ThankGodforhisleadinganddirectioninyourlifeandforallthewaysinwhich

he’sguidedyouandisstillguidingyou.Thenmakeyourrequestsknowntohim,

andasyouask,listenforthosethingsthathe’sleadingyoutoprayabout.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhissovereigntyandhiscontroloverallthings,includingyour

future.Asyouconfessyoursin,confessthewaysyou’veworriedratherthan

trustedhim.

Listen to God

You’remuchmorevaluablethanbirds.ReadLuke12:1-34.

WorryisonethingIcan’tseemtoshake.SometimesIwakeupat2:00a.m.

andbegintothinkaboutallthedisastersthatcouldhappeninmylife—not

beingabletopaymybills,havingnoplacetolive,sittingdowntoanexamI

can’thandle,havingconversationswithpeopleIneedtoconfront,andsoon.I

alsofrequentlyworrywhatothersmightbethinkingaboutme.

Theweightofworryandfearanddoubtwilloftenweighheaviestintheearliest

hoursofthemorning.Sothat’sagoodtimetorememberthepointofthis

passage:thatGodcaresforusmorethanwecanimagine.

Butthereisaconditioninthistextthatmayexplainwhyourworriessometimes

linger.Jesusinstructsus,“Seekhiskingdom,andthesethingswillbegivento

youaswell”(Luke12:31).Idon’tknowaboutyou,butwhenI’mfocusedon

God,andeverythingelseinmylifeistakingabackseattohim,Idon’tseemto

worry.Aboutanything.IfeellikeI’mtakingcareofthemainthingthatI’m

supposedtodo(seekingGod),andasaresult,IcantrustGodtotakecareof

Why worry?

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::It’scleartherearesomewhothoughttheywereinbutendedupbeing

out.Whatdoyouthinkhappened?

::HowdoesyourheartrespondtothisteachingofJesus?

::Salvationisbygracealoneandreceivedbyfaith.There’snothingyoucan

dotoearnit.Yousimplyreceiveitasafreegift.Whendoyouthinkthis

happenedinyourlife?Whendidyouacceptthatgiftofsalvation?

::WhydoyouthinktheseskepticswerehesitanttoplacetheirfaithinJesus?

::Itisinevitablethatwewillsin,andGodhaspromisedtoforgiveus

whenwedo.WhatstrugglescauseyoutocometoGodinhumilityand

desperation,knowinghowvaluablehisloveandforgivenessareforyou?

::“Ineverknewyou”isascarystatement.Whatisyourheart’sresponseto

that?Why?

::Jesusistheultimateauthorityinheavenandisworthyofpraise.Inwhat

waysdoyouseeyourselfas“first”or“last”?HowmightyouaskGodtohelp

youhavearightperspectiveinthisarea?

::WhatdoweunderstandaboutJesushere?



Talk to God

ThankGodforanyandeveryaspectofyoursalvation.And,asyoumakeyour

requeststoGod,prayforthoseclosetoyouwhodon’tknowChrist.Pray

specificallyfortheirsalvation.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforsomequalityorattributeofhis.Confessanysinorshortcoming

youneedforgivenessfor,sothatyourtimewithhimwillbeunhindered.

Listen to God

Jesusencouragesustomakeeveryeffort.ReadLuke13:22-30.

Nodoubtwhenyouheartheword“suspense”youimmediatelythinkofthe

terrorthatismusicalchairs.Themusicisplayingandthenitstops,andthen

there’samaddash.Findaseatandyou’resafe.Fromwhat,nooneevertold

me.Butthesapswhocan’tfindoneareout,andalltheycandoiswatchothers

havefunwhiletheystewinhatredforthegameonthesidelines.

TheendofhistorycomeswhenJesusfullyushersinhiskingdom.Justasinmusical

chairs,themusiceventuallyisgoingtostopandpeoplearegoingtoscramble.

AsJesuscontinuestoteachaboutthekingdomofGod,onepersonmentions

thebigelephantsittingintheroom.“Areonlyafewpeoplegoingtomakeit?”

(Translation:“AmI?”)

Weallhaveadeep-downdesiretoknowwho’sgoingtomakeitandwho’snot.

Realitytelevisionisbasedonthisfact.Someofuswanteveryonetomakeit;

otherswantonlyaselectfew.Jesussaysit’llbesomewhereinbetween.

AsJesuswasonhiswaytoJerusalemandawaitingcross,timewasrunningout

forIsrael’sskeptics,cynics,andprocrastinators.AsweawaitJesus’return,at

anymomentthemusicmaystarttowinddown,soweshouldmakeeveryeffort

tobesureofourseat.

Musical chairs.

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Jesuscaresdeeplyforthem.Heloveseveryoneofthem,likeashepherdloves

hissheep.Hewillgoafterthatonelostsheepifittakeseverythinghehas.And

thoughit’sdifficulttoimagine,he’sevenmoreconcernedforsinnersthanmy

sonisforhistruck.

::Whodoyoucareaboutenoughtogoafter?

::WhatistheheartissueJesusistryingtoidentifyhere?

::Isthereanynuanceofdifferenceamongthethreedifferentstories?

::ThePhariseeswerethespiritualelite,thereligiouspeopleoncampus.

InwhatwaysmightyouactlikeaPhariseetowardthesinnersaroundyou?

::SpendingtimewithsinnersmeantJesuswasspeakingwordsoftruthto

them.Theywantedtolisten.Whatkeepsyoufromspeakingtruthtothose

aroundyouwhoneedtohearit?

::TherewasnoshortageofpeoplecomingtoJesuslookingforforgiveness.

Whywerethesepeoplesuccessfulingettinganaudience?

::Whatisitaboutrepentantsinnersthatcausesallheaventorejoice?




Talk to God

ThankGodforsomespecificinsightorblessinghe’sgivenyou.Thenpresent

tohimyourrequests,keepingthisverseinmind:“Youdonothave,because

youdonotask”(James4:2).

Talk to God

FocusyourpraiseonGodasourheavenlyFather,andasyouconfessyoursin,

askGodtorevealanywaysinwhichyourlifeisnotalignedwithhiswill.

Listen to God

JesusteachesusabouttheFather’sheart.ReadLuke15.

Whensomethingislost,youhavetwooptions:giveuplookingforthelost

item(Whocares?Ididn’tneeditanyway)orgocrazylookingforit,tearing

everythingapartandleavingnosofacushionunturneduntilyoufindthat

thing.Thedifferencebetweenthetwoactionsishowmuchvalueyou’veplaced

ontheitem.

mysonhasamillionmatchboxcars.They’reeverywhere.Andhelovesevery

one.Sometimes,whenwe’rereadyforbedandI’mabouttoturnoutthe

light,he’llpopupandsay,“Ineedtogetmytruck,Dad.It’soutside.”Atthat

momentmyconcernisgettinghimtobed.Hisconcernisthelosttruck—his

lostandlonelytruck,whichisoutsidewithoutanyoftheothercarsandtrucks

tokeepitcompany.Hecaresdeeply(farmorethanIdo)aboutthattruck.

ThePhariseescouldn’thavecaredlessaboutsinnersortaxcollectors.But

Lost trucks.

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Whensomeonesinsagainstyou,Jesussays,evenifthatpersonisarepeat

offender,youmustforgivehimorher.Why?Becauseweallarerepeat

offenders,andGodcontinuestoforgiveus.Therefore,wemustdothesame.

ForgivingothershasnothingtodowithearningmeritwithGod.Ithas

everythingtodowithcontinuingthepatternGodsetsforus.AsJesushas

taughtandproclaimedthekingdomofGod,whateverelsewemayknowabout

lifeinthekingdom,weknowthis:theveryatmosphereisoneofcontinual

graceandforgiveness,freelyreceivedandgiven.

::Whoarerepeatoffendersinyourlife?Howdoesthataffectyourheart

towardthemandyourabilitytoforgive?

::oftenourownstrugglewithcertainsinsyieldsimpatiencewithothers

strugglingwiththesamesins.Whatisitthatyoufindhardesttogivegraceto?

Receivegracefor?

::Causingotherstosinseemstobeanevengreateroffensethanthesinitself.

Why?

::InwhatwaysdoesSatancauseyoutostumbleandsin?Whataresomeways

youmayhavecausedotherstosinandneedtoaskforforgiveness?


::Asyoumeditateonthispassage,whatisGodmovingyoutoconfess,repent

of,praise/thankhimfor,believe,ordo?

Talk to God

ThankGodforallthedifficultandtryingpeoplehehasplacedinyourlife(be

specific).Thenplaceyourrequestsbeforehim,“castingallyouranxietyupon

him,becausehecaresforyou”(1Peter5:7).

Talk to God

PraiseGodwithanywordsyoucanthinkofbeginningwithAandthenB,and

soon,andseehowfaryouget.AsyouconfessyoursinstoGod,confesswhere

you’veheldgrudgesorjudgedothersorinsomewaycontinuedtoholdothers’

sinagainstthem.

Listen to God

Jesusteachesusaboutforgivingothers.ReadLuke17:1-10.

ForgivenessisaconsistentthemeinJesus’teaching.Forgivingothersreflects

inourlivestheforgivenesswereceivefromtheFather.Thestrongestrebukes

fromJesuscomewhenonedoesn’tdishoutwhatonehasreceived.

JudaisminJesus’daywasentrenchedinrulesandlawandahierarchyof

righteousnessandholiness.Ifyoudidn’tliveuptothelaw,youhadtotry

harder.Therewasanairofentitlement:“GodshouldforgivemebecauseI

earnedit.”

My roommate is a punk.

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us,itisintheaskingthatGodwillrevealthattous;itisintheaskingthathe

willrealignourheart.

Askandnevergiveup.

::WhatdoyoudeeplywanttoseeGodaccomplishinyourlife?

::WhatdoesthewidowrepresenttousasdisciplesofJesus?Whatattributes

wereprobablytrueofherthatneedtobetrueofyourprayerlifeand

approachtotheFather?

::Nevergivinguptakesdisciplineandconsistency.Inwhatwaysdoyou

struggletobuildthosethingsintoyourprayerlife?

::Whydoyouthinkitissohardtostaypersistentinprayer?

::Prayerisapowerfulthing—itcanmovetheheartofGod.Whatwould

youaskGodforifhetoldyoutheanswerwouldbeyes?What’skeepingyou

fromaskingagainandagain?

::WhatdoyouhavetroublebelievingGodfor?

::Whoinyourlifemodelsthepersistenceofthewidow?




Talk to God

ThankGodforwhatheisdoinginyourliferightnow,today.Presenttohim

theneeds,cares,anddesiresofyourday.

Talk to God

ReadPsalm28andpraiseGodforhisbeingthesourceofourstrength.

Confessanysinthatmayhinderyourtimeandfellowshipwithhim.

Listen to God

Jesusteachesusaboutpersistentprayer.ReadLuke18:1-30.

onoctober29,1941,theprimeministerofEngland,SirWinstonChurchill,

visitedhisalmamater,theHarrowSchool,tospeak.Thisbecameoneofhis

mostquotedspeeches,partlyduetodistortionsthatevolvedaboutwhathesaid.

ThemythisthatChurchillstoodbeforethestudentsandsaid,“Never,ever,

ever,ever,ever,ever,evergivein.Nevergivein.Nevergivein.Nevergivein”

andthensatdown.Inreality,hemadeamuchlongerspeechcoveringagreat

dealmorethan“nevergivein.”

Factorfiction,fordecades,peoplehavebeenmovedandmotivatedby

Churchill’simperative.Whichbegsthequestion“Whocares?”Seriously.I

didn’tknowChurchill,sowhyshouldIpressonbecausehetoldmeto?

motivationalspeeches,quotes,platitudes,inspiringmoviemoments,andthe

likearepoorsourcesforcontinuedstamina.Theenduringreasontopersist

andpersevereisbecauseJesustellsusto.AndaccordingtoJesus,thereisno

areawherewearemoreinneedofperseverancethanprayer.

Thisispowerfulbecauseit’sJesustellingusto“nevergiveup”andtohavethe

faithtoaskuntiltheFatheraccomplisheswhatwe’veaskedofhim.Andevenif

whatwe’veaskedforwasnotsuchagoodideaandnotinGod’sperfectwillfor

Never give up, ever.

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thepoint.TheyaresoclosetounderstandingwhoJesusisandyetaresofar

away.AsJesusentersJerusalemonadonkey,thepeoplecryout,“Longlive

theking.”Inmark’sreport,whensomeoneaskswhatthecommotionisabout,

theysayit’stheprophet,Jesus.ThePhariseestellhimtorebukehisdisciples

foressentiallycallinghimLord.Andthecrowdsconfusehimforapolitical

messiahratherthanaspiritualone.King?Prophet?Lord?messiah?Yes,all

ofthese.Butevenwhenthepeoplegetthelabelsright,theygetthemeaning

wrong,ascribingthepropertitlestohimforthewrongreasons.

Let’scallhimLordJesusandlet’smeanit.

::Thepeopleshout,“Hosanna!”whichmeans“theLordsaves.”Whatisit

thatyouneedtheLordtosaveyoufrom?

::WhatisitthatcausedthepeopleofJerusalemtomissthepointofwho

Jesusreallywas?

::Howcanyourheartsometimesmisleadyoutobelievethewrongthings

aboutJesus?

::ScripturetellsusthatiftherewerenoonetopraiseJesus,thestones

wouldcryout.HowdoyoucommunicatetoJesusinprayerhowwonderful

andawesomehereallyis?




Talk to God

ThinkaboutJesusandthankhimforanythingthatcomestoyourmind.Asyou

makeyourrequeststoGod,askhimtomakeyouhumbleandsubmissivetohiswill.

Talk to God

ThinkofthemanytermsofroyaltyascribedtoGod(majesty,king,andsoon)

inScriptureandusethesetopraiseGod.Asyouconfessyoursins,confessthe

waysyou’vefailedtorespondtoJesusasthetruesovereignofyourlife.

Listen to God

JesusentersJerusalem.ReadLuke19:28-44.

Notunderstandingwhat’sintendedcanbeafrustratingscenario.

Someguysthinkavacuumcleanerisawonderfulgiftfortheirwife’sbirthday.

Theyhearhersay,“IwishIhadabettervacuumcleaner,”andthencouplethat

with“Justgetmesomethingsmall,”andtheytranslatethisas“Icanscorebigif

Ibuyheranexpensivevacuumcleaner.”No,no,shedidn’tmeanthat.These

guyscompletelymissedthepoint.

AtnoothertimeintheministryofJesusarethepeopleofJerusalemsomissing

Jesus is king.

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Excursos: Bible Translations

As long as I have been involved in any type of small-group study where a Bible is either needed or preferred, it never fails that there’s another person with a Bible that says something slightly different from mine. While that can be confusing, it’s not half as confusing as walking through the Bible aisle of a Christian bookstore. All of the translations and all of the acronyms bleed together: KJV, NIV, NASB, ESV . . . CIA, FBI, CNN, ESPN. So let me clear up some of the confusion and explain why we have so many translations and what’s different about them.

We wouldn’t need Bible translations if we knew how to read ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. But most of us don’t, and so we leave it to the ones who enjoy doing that type of thing to translate it for us. What makes the process tricky is easily demonstrated by the verse “Adam lay with his wife Eve” (Genesis 4:1). I’ll assume you know what’s being said here. The translator also knows what’s being said here, but what English word should she use to say it? If she translates it word for word, using “lay with,” then you could misunderstand. Were they taking a nap together? If she uses an English equivalent like “had sex with,” then your grandmother could have a heart attack. That should give you a broad picture of the tensions and issues involved in translations as well as introduce you to the three major types of translations.

Formal equivalence. Bibles that have what’s called a “formal equivalence,” or literal translation, will take the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts and translate them as closely as possible to the original words and sentence structure. This type of translation will keep the original and historical meanings intact while still allowing us to understand it in English. It is an

54 55

essentially word-for-word translation, giving the best possible reading of how the original audience would have read it.

To catch the only downside of this type of translation, think of the Spanish phrase mesa verde. If you translate it literally, it would say “table green,” as opposed to the “green table.” Maintaining the original word order can actually make reading it in English somewhat challenging.

Some translations that hold to a literal, word-for-word translation are the New American Standard (NASB) and the English Standard Version (ESV). Literal translations are helpful in keeping us connected to the history, nuance, and wording of the original text. However, in attempting to provide verbal accuracy, meaning can be obscured. An “ephah” of flour is meaningless to most of us, while a “pound” of flour is not.

And this brings us to the next type of translation.

Dynamic equivalence. Rather than requiring you to turn to the tables of weights and measures at the back of your Bible to figure out what an ephah is, a dynamic equivalent translation takes the next step and figures it out for you. The translators ask, “Okay, what would this be like today in as close as possible to the original words? How would we say it?”

In dynamic equivalency, idioms, words, and grammatical structure are all translated into our own equivalent, everyday usage of the same words, idioms, and grammar. This is sometimes called a thought-for-thought reading, as opposed to a literal word-for-word reading. This kind of translation can help increase the ease of reading or the flow of Scripture, matching it to the way we read today. Bible translations that use this method include the New International Version (NIV), Today’s NIV, or TNIV, and the New American Bible (NAB).

For the average Christian, using a Bible like the NIV as a primary source of reading is often the most helpful. you just need to decide if you are an average Christian and choose accordingly. I’m pretty average.

Paraphrase. A paraphrase, or free translation, adds modern slang to Holy Writ. And taking the liberty to put God’s Word into our own vernacular can be fun and helpful, so long as you take the time to study the text, understand its intended nuance and meaning, and then say it straight. That’s what authors writing a free translation have done. They have taken the original language, translated it into a native language, such as English, and then added their own style to it in an attempt to bring out shades of meaning hidden by cultural distance.

For example, Eugene Peterson, who wrote The Message, takes the account of Jesus’ birth and writes it like this:

The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined, but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. (Matthew 1:18-19)

If you’ve been to any Christmas Eve service, anywhere, you might not recall ever hearing this version read by the play narrator. But as you can see, a paraphrase can bring greater insight into the attitude or tone of a passage.

Another helpful free translation you may come across is the NLT, or New Living Translation.

Each type of translation has both an up side and a down side. The down side of the free translation is a little steeper than the others because to paraphrase you have to make some interpretive leaps and assumptions, and a translator risks saying or adding something that’s not in the original text.

I think through this survey you can see that it’s helpful to have a few different translations lying around to refer to, since each amplifies a different nuance of meaning. No matter what translation you use, I’d highly recommend to you the book How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (Zondervan), which is filled with more insight on this issue and a number of other interpretive topics.

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Thiswholescenewouldbenauseatingifitweren’tsoconvicting.I’dliketosay

thatIdon’ttrytokeepupappearancesinChristiansettings,oractasthough

everythinginmyspirituallifeisperfect,butIcan’t,becauseIdo.Ialsotend

toactasifmyknowledge,mygifts,andmypersonalityweremyowncreation.

WhatdoIhavethatIdidnotreceive?

Weareonlystewards,entrustedwithcertaincapacitiesandresourcesforusein

lovingandservingGodandothers.There’ssimplynothingtotakecreditfor.

::Inwhatareasdoyoustrivetoexcel?Inwhatwayscanyouseektobring

glorytoyourselfinsteadofGod?

::Jesusbroughtreligiousprideintothespotlightasanexampleofwhatnot

todo.Whydoyouthinkthatis?

::HowdoyoustrugglewithhumilitybeforeGodandothers?Whyshould

yourattitudebeforeGodbeahumbleone?

::Whatisitaboutfaithandspiritualitythatcanactuallycauseprideand

arroganceinaperson’slife?Isthereanyevidenceofthatinyourlife?

::HowdoesJesusmodelhumilitybeforeGodandothers?Howhashislife

influencedyourdesiretodothesame?




Talk to God

ThankGodforthegiftsandabilitieshehasentrustedtoyou.Andasyoupray,

askGodtoshowyouhowyoumightbeabetterstewardofthesegifts.

Talk to God

PraiseGodastheultimatesourceoflife,love,andeverygoodthinginourlife.

Asyouconfessyoursins,focusonsinsofprideandarrogance.

Listen to God

Jesusexposesspiritualpride.ReadLuke20:20-47.

There’snothingmorerepulsivethansomeonewhotalksaboutherselfallthe

timeortalksaboutothersinacondescendingmanner.Ihadayouthpastor

oncewhowouldsaythesamejokeoverandoveragain.“I’mthehumblestguyI

know.Iwroteabookaboutit.”

Noonestruggleswithpridemorethanhardworkingoverachievers.Finding

significanceinthethingswedoandhowwellwedothemcanbethebiggest

sourceoffrustrationinourlives.Andyetnoformofprideisvilerthan

spiritualpride,whichJesusencounteredinthereligiousleadersinJerusalem.

Theytookprideintheirreligiousachievements,intheirsocialstanding,and

inbeingseenasrighteous.Ataseverelossforhumility,theyactuallythought

theyknewbetterthanJesus,thatistosay,betterthanGod.

I’m the most humble.

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derived.Quitefitting,no?ThewidowgaveallshehadbecauseGodwasworth

allshehad.ThisistheheartthatJesuswantedtohighlight—aheartworth

preservingforalleternity.

::HowoftendoyougiveallthatyouhavetoGod?

::Whatis“allthatyouhave”?Listit.Seriously,listeverythingyouownor

willown,suchasacollegedegreeperhaps.ThenaskGodhowyoucangive

itallbacktohim.

::It’sclearfromthisstorythatGodisnotconcernedwiththeamountyou

givebutwithwhyyougivetheamountyoudo.Whatmightbethehardest

thingtogiveoverorgivebacktoGod?Why?

::Financially,whatcouldyoubegiving(evennowasapoorstudent)to

showGod’sworthtoyou?

::HowhardisitforyoutotrustGodwiththefinancialareasofyourlife?

Howoftendoyoucometohiminprayeraskingforhisprovision?

::Godloveswidows,orphans,thepoor.Hewantstotakecareofthem.

HowmuchdoyoutrustthatGodwillcareforyourneedsaswell?




Talk to God

ThankGodfortheabundanceyouenjoy,giventoyoubyhim.AskGodto

showyouhowyoumightbeabetterstewardwithyourfinancesandwhereyou

mightbemoregenerous.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhisoverflowinggenerosity.AsyouconfessyoursinstoGod,

reflectonwhereyou’vebeenstingywithyourtime,money,andenergy,thatis,

whereyou’vefailedtogiveasGodgivestoyou.

Listen to God

Givingallyouhavetogive.ReadLuke21:1-4.

Watchingpeoplepumpmoneyintoslotmachinesisnotmyideaofagood

time.Ithinkthat’swhyI’venevergonetoAtlanticCityorLasVegas.When

theoddsaresignificantlyagainstaperson’severgettingapayback,Ijustcan’t

musterthedesiretoobservetheirpointlessactivity.

Inthesamesense,Ican’tseemyselfsittinginapewonSundayjustwatchingas

peopleputtheirmoneyintotheofferingplate—ornot.

SowhywouldJesusbecampedoutnexttotheoffertoryplatesintheJerusalem

temple,watchingwithhisdisciples?Answer:Jesuswaswatchingthehearts.

ontheoutside,wealthypeoplegenerallylookwealthyandpoorpeoplelook

poor.Butontheinside,itcanbeadifferentmatter.SoJesussitsandwatches

theheartsofallthosecomingtothetempletodeclaretheircommitmenttothe

Lord.JesuswantstoseejusthowmuchGodisworthtothem,hisworthship.

No,that’snotapun.Worthshipisactuallythewordfromwhichworshipis

How much is a mite, anyway?

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pickeduponwasabouthim).PartofthePassoverfeastwaseatingflatbread,

whichwasbrokenandthenshared.Thewine,alsoapartofthetradition,was

asymbolofthebloodcovenantbetweenGodandhispeople—asymbolofthe

shedbloodofasacrificethatatonedforsins.ButJesusdeclaresthattherewas

now“anewcovenant”abouttohappen,anewPassover,anewlamb,anew

sacrifice,anewIsrael.Godwasabouttoshedthebloodofhisownfirstborn—a

spotlessLamb—makingitpossibleforallthepeopleoftheworldtobeatoned

for,tobepassedoverby(spiritual)death.

Jesussaid,“Thisismybody,myblood,shedforyou.Eat.”

::Jesussaidthathe“eagerlydesired”toeatwithhisdisciples.Doyou

believethatGodeagerlydesirestocommunewithyou?Howdoesthisplay

outinyourprayerlife?

::WhatdoestheshedbloodofJesusaccomplishforus?WhydidJesus’

bloodneedtobeshed?

::Howeagerlydoyoufindyourselflongingforthecomingfeast,whenwe

willeatanddrinkwithJesushimself?Whatthingsinyourlifekeepyou

fromgettingexcitedaboutthat?

::Jesusgavehislifeforus.Whatmustthathavemeanttohisdiscipleswho

personallywitnessedit?Whatdoesthatmeantoyou?



Talk to God

ThankJesusforhissacrificeandforallthatwasaccomplishedforyouonthe

cross.AsyoumakeyourpetitionstoGod,expressyourdesiretonotsimplyask

buttotrustandbelievehimfortheserequests.

Talk to God

PraiseGodastheauthor,defender,andperfecterofourfaith.Confesstohim

anysinsthatstandinthewayofyourfellowship.

Listen to God

Jesuspreparesforthecross.ReadLuke22:7-38.

DuringtheExodus,astheIsraeliteswerepreparingtoleaveEgypt,theLord

gavetheminstructions:eatquickly,paintthedoorframesofyourhomeswith

thebloodofaspotlesslamb,enterintothehome(pasttheblood),andawait

insafetyastheAngelofDeathpassesover.Iftheydidthis,theirfirstbornsons

wouldbespared.ItwasthebeginningofwhatwouldbecomethePassoverfeast,

celebratedbyJewstorememberwhenGoddeliveredthemfromslaveryand

broughtthemintothePromisedLand.

Withhisdisciples,Jesuswasnowcelebratingthisveryfeast(whichIhopeyou

Body and blood.

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Ifyouthinkaboutit,weactuallydenyJesuseverytimewesin.Wedenyhis

powerinourlives,ourassociationwithhim,andessentiallyJesushimselfwhen

wechoosetogoourownway.WeliveoutPeter’sdenialalmosteverysingle

day.ButJesuscontinuestoloveusandforgiveusandworkthroughus.IwishI

repentedasmuchasPeterdideverytimeIdeliberatelychoosetosin.

::AsyoureadPeter’sdenial,whatistheLordsayingtoyouinthistext?

::HowdoessininourlifecommunicatedenialofJesustothosearoundus?

::Haveyouweptbitterlyoversinlately?

::Jesusrestoresusandwantsustoknowthathelovesusunconditionally.

InwhatareasofyourlifeisithardforyoutoreceiveGod’sunconditional

forgiveness?

::LikePeter,weshouldrespondtosinwithremorse.Whatareasofyour

lifedoyouneedtoconfesstotheLordoraskforcleansingfromprevious

sinsyoucan’tletgo?

::UnconditionalmeansyouneednotdoanythingtoearnGod’sloveand

forgiveness.Whatactionsoractivitiesdoyoudooutofanattempttoearn

God’sfavororforgiveness?



Talk to God

ThankGodforhisgrace,thathisfaithfulnesstousisnotbasedonour

faithfulnesstohim.Prayaboutthoseareaswhereyoudesiretobemore

faithful,moreobedient,andmorecourageous.

Talk to God

ReadPsalm89anduseittopraiseGodforhisfaithfulness.Asyouconfessyour

sins,confessthosetimeswhenyou’vebeenunfaithfulinyourloveforChrist.

Listen to God

Idon’tknowtheman.ReadLuke22:54-62.

Peerpressurecanbeapowerfulthing.Icanrememberdoingsomepretty

stupidthingsinhighschoolsimplybecausetheotherguysweredoingitor

becauseIfearedwhatpeoplewouldthinkofmeifIdidn’t.

Petercangetabadrapforhisdenials,butI,forone,identifywithhim.It’shard

togoagainsttheflow,especiallyifyourlifedependsonit.I’veneverbeeninthat

situation,butIknowwhyhedidwhathedid,andI,mostassuredly,wouldhave

donethesamething.ThefeelingsofguiltthatPetersufferedmusthavebeen

horrendous.Ifagrownmanwhofishedforalivingandwasthedefactoleaderof

thedisciplesweeps,youknowhehastobefeelingseriousremorse.

Betrayal.

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thingsweregoingtoworkfromnowon.Jesus’deathforoursinprovidedopen

accesstothepresenceofGod.Freeandclear.Nopriestneeded,noanimal

sacrifice,nomorecurtain,nomoreDayofAtonement.Jesushadmadethe

finalsacrificeforsinsandnowGodwasapproachableatanytime,byanyone,

anywherethroughJesustheChrist.

::WhydoyoubelievesomeofJesus’closestfollowerswerestandingata

distance?

::Whatthoughtsenteryourmindasyouconsiderthefreedomwehavein

approachingGodbecauseofChrist?

::Inyourprayerlife,howdoyouexercisethefreedomtoapproachGod

withanything?HowmuchareyouexperiencingthefreedomthatJesus

providedforyouonthecross?

::WhatareasofyourlifearedifficulttodailycrucifywithChrist?

::HowdoyouidentifywithJesusandhissufferingonthewaytothecross?

::ThecrossisthefinishedworkofChrist.Whatareasinyourlifedoyou

needtobelieveGodwhenhesays,“Itisfinished”?

::WhatdowelearnhereaboutJesus?



Talk to God

ThankGodthatyouhavecompleteandtotalaccesstohimandthatyoucan

approachhimatanytimeandinanyplace.Thencomeboldlyandconfidently

beforehisthroneandmakeyourrequests.

Talk to God

PraiseGodforhispresenceinyourlife,ineverythingyoudo,think,andsay.

Confessthosethingsthathavecreateddistancefromhim.

Listen to God

Jesusfinishesthework.ReadLuke23:26-49.

Thecurtaininthetemplewasasignificantitem.Itseparatedtheholyof

holies—theplaceofGod’spresence—fromtherestofthetemple.Thecurtain

createdabarrierbetweenamostholyGodandamostunholypeople.An

electricfence,ifyouwill,onlyinsteadofgettingashock,you’dbestruckdead

ifyoutriedtocrossthebarrier.

onceayearthehighpriest,andthehighpriestalone,enteredtheholyof

holies,presentedthebloodofasacrifice,andsoughtforgivenessforthesins

ofGod’speople.Thiswassomethingyoudefinitelydidn’twantthehighpriest

forgettingtoaddtohisdayplannereachyear.

WhenJesusfinallydiedandcommittedhisspirittodeath,thecurtain(which

wasprettydarnthick)toreintwo,signifyingadramaticchangeintheway

It is finished.

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maryrunsbacktotellotherswhatsheknows.Herresponseissomethingweshould

imitate,runningtotelleveryonethenewsthatJesushasrisenfromthedead.

DwellingonthedeathofJesusbringsustoaplaceofhumilityandgratitude.The

tombiswherewerejoice,wherewehope,whereweruntotellothers!

::Jesusconqueredsinanddeath.Howdoyouexperiencethistruthinyour

life?Wherehasheconqueredsinanddeathinyou?

::Likemary,doyouhaveahearttorunandtellothers?Whyorwhynot?

::HowdoesPeter’sreactiondemonstratehisloveforJesus?

::InwhatareaofyourlifehasJesusmadeyoumostalive?Whatdeadplaces

needtobetakentotheLordandmadealive?

::Howdoestheemptytombchangeyourviewofeternity?ofdeathanddying?

::WhathopedoesitbringtoyouthatJesusreallyisalive?

::ThroughtheHolySpirit,therisenChristlivesinandthroughus.How

haveyouexperiencedthisreality?

::WhatdowelearnfromtheemptytombaboutJesus’powerandauthority?



Talk to God

ThankGodthathisSpiritliveswithinyou,andthankhimforalltheways

you’veexperiencedandareexperiencingnewlife.Asyoupray,askGod,

throughhisSpirit,tolivehislifeinandthroughyou,beingspecificaboutall

thedifferentaspectsofyourlife.

Talk to God

TaketimetopraiseGodforbeingGod,incomparabletoanythingoranyone

inanyway.Confessyoursinstohimandhumbleyourselfbeforehim.

Listen to God

Jesusrisesfromthedead.ReadLuke24:1-12.

TheemptytombisthecruxofChristianity.Althoughtheworkwasdoneonthe

cross,theproofisintheemptytomb.

Everyonedies;noonecomesbacktolife.AndsowhenmarygoestovisitJesus,

shefullyexpectstoseehislifelessbodylyinginthetomb.Butthetombis

emptyandtheangelistheretoverifyit.Nevermindtheangels,earthquakes,

andmassivestonesrolledaway.Jesusisalive!

Resurrection day.

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Andthatisquiteanadventure.

::SometimeswestrugglewithseeingGod’shandinourlife.What“sign”

wouldyouaskGodtodoinyourlifetoshowheisactiveandcaresabout

yourrelationshipwithhim?

::Jesussaidhewashungry.HowdoesthehumanityofJesusdrawyou

closertohim?InwhatwaysdoyoustruggletobelievethatJesustrulydoes

understandyourhumanity?

::HowhaveyouexperiencedtheHolySpirit’sinfluenceand

empowerment?

::WhydoyouthinkJesusneededtorecountwiththedisciplesallthe

reasonsheneededtosufferanddie?

::Godistheonewhoneedstoopenourmindstounderstand.Howdoes

thattruthaffectwhatyouaskforinprayer?

::Whatdoyouneedtopraise,rejoice,andthankGodfor?

::Whodoyouneedtoprayforortellaboutthiswonderfulnews?

::WhatdowelearnhereaboutJesusinthispassage?



Talk to God

ThankGodforsomeofthespecificthingshehasshownyouandtaughtyouover

thislastmonthofmeetingwithhim.AndasyoupresentyourrequeststoGod,

askhimtohelpyoukeepthisdailyhabittomorrow,nextmonth,nextyear.

Talk to God

onthisfinalday,praiseGodforsomeaspectofwhoheisthathasbecome

clearerthroughthisstudyinLuke.Confessanysinorhindrancethatis

keepingtheSpiritfrommaximallyempoweringyou.

Listen to God

Jesuswalksthroughwalls.ReadLuke24:13-53

Afterallissaidanddone,theicingonthecakeiswhenJesusappearsoutof

nowhere.Ifthemiracles,thefulfillmentofScripture,orrisingfromthedead

didn’tclearitup,perhapsJesuswalkingthroughawallwould.Andthenheswallows

afishtoprovehe’sreal—noghost,nohallucination.Ithinkhemighthavedone

thatjustforfun.Eitherway,he’stheman.orrather,God.orrather,both.

Hislastencounterwiththedisciplesismeanttoencourage,confirm,and

empowerhisfriendsfortheministrythat’sahead.Jesus’ministryonearthwas

complete,andnowthediscipleswouldbechargedwithtakingtheGoodNews

totherestoftheworld.Butnotthisday.Thiswasamomentofvictory,and

everypreciousdropofjoy,relief,andjustplainhappinesswouldbewrung

fromit,fortomorrowwouldstartanewworkweekintheministryofthe

disciples.Jesusblessedthem,gavethemafewmoreinstructions,andleftthe

taskofspreadingtheGoodNewstohisdisciples,whoincludeyouandme.But

hedidn’tleaveusalone;hisSpiritempowersusandguidesusinfulfillingwhat

JesusourLordstarted.

I’m hungry.

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And in Conclusion

It’s quite appropriate that at the end of Luke’s Gospel, he recounts the interaction Jesus had with a couple of his disciples walking along the road to Emmaus. Jesus—the messiah—has been crucified and the disciples are stupefied, unable to piece it all together. But along comes Jesus disguised as he has been throughout the Scripture and he opens their eyes to see that the whole of Scripture is really about him:

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ 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. (Luke 24:25-27)

Luke recounts that their “hearts burned within them” as their minds were opened.

Luke reveals to us an important fact: that knowing Gods plan and gift of salvation is deeply rooted in knowing the entire story. The good news doesn’t just reside in part two of the Bible, the New Testament. The entire story of the Bible is about one person, one plan, one goal. That person is Jesus, that plan is redemption, the goal is the glory of God. It’s really a pretty simple story line.

We read the Scripture looking to see how the text, wherever it is, relates or points forward to Christ. In the book The Ancient Love Song, Charles Drew (P&R Publishing) notes some of the ways Scripture points us to Christ

The Law (especially portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) anticipates Christ by exposing our hearts and persuading us of our need for a Savior.

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ministry on earth, culminating in his death, burial, and resurrection.

The Epistles (Romans, 1 Corinthians, and so forth) offer sustained theological reflection on the significance of the person and work of Christ for the church.

Revelation gives us a window into the future glory of Christ as he brings in his heavenly kingdom.

The Bible is an eclectic book. It’s filled with books about history, poems, wisdom, songs, prophecy, and in depth narratives. Read any in part, and you miss out on much that God wants to teach you. Camp out in just your favorite parts and again, you’ll miss the fullness of the story. The point, I believe, of such a vast array of perspectives and genres is to engage with a God who is not normal. Nor is he routine. Nor is he interested in simply passing on a list of rules and regulations for us to follow without passion or desire.

He desires to engage with you, to relate with you, to walk with you. And so, we approach the Bible eager to see what God is like. And knowing that God is exactly like Jesus perhaps you can begin to look at the Bible with fresh eyes. When you understand that God has been pointing to Jesus from the very beginning, your study of the Bible becomes a whole new adventure.

Studying the Bible, making it a daily routine and engaging God with his word can be the most life changing habit you’ll ever develop. you’ve got a roadmap, you’ve got some foundations for a daily routine, now make it a lifestyle. Make it a 365-day experiment.

May the Lord bless you and keep you as you begin the journey to understanding Gods word, and may his face shine upon you as you seek his face.

At a broader level, the failures of specific Old Testament characters (for example, the repeated failures of God’s people to trust him and follow his law) also point indirectly to our need for a Savior.

The promises scattered throughout the Old Testament (especially prophetic books such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) anticipate Christ by kindling a longing at several levels that only Jesus can ultimately fulfill. For example, God’s repeated promise to dwell with his people (Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 37:26-28) comes most clearly to fruition in the incarnation of God’s Son (“The Word become flesh and dwelt among us,” John 1:14) and the future kingdom of Christ (Revelation 21:3).

Wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and so on) compels us to look to Christ for meaning and for the ability to live wisely (see Colossians 2:3).

The psalmists and prophets sometimes spoke with the voice of Christ, anticipating his suffering (the Cross) and exaltation (the Resurrection).

Particular Old Testament offices (prophet, priest, and king) foreshadow Christ’s redemptive work. They invite us to look for a prophet who is greater than Moses, a priest who is greater than Aaron, and a king who is greater than David.

Certain Old Testament rituals, such as the Passover (Exodus 12), foreshadow God’s redemption of his people through the Cross.

In the New Testament we encounter explicit proclamation of Jesus:

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) introduce us to Jesus Christ and his

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