Burunche’s Blog

Luke 6:37-42 Judging Others

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Luke 6:43-45 A Tree and Its Fruit

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:46-49 The Wise and Foolish Builders

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Now Jesus is getting down to the nitty gritty! Some of the laws of the Kingdom of God appear so simple when they are actually so profound. Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that pushing on an object causes that object to push back against you, the same amount but in the opposite direction. There’s also a saying that “What goes around comes around!” While God sends rain on both the just and the unjust, if we want God’s richest blessings, we must bless others also.

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Are we really qualified to be sawdust inspectors? We love to pounce on others’ shortcomings, no matter how tiny they might be, conveniently ignoring the glaring failures in our own lives. One Christian writer has suggested that Jesus has based his illustration about a man with a beam in his eye on some real incident in which a man known to be a sharp critic of his neighbors is walking down the street, failing to pay attention while a carpenter coming the other direction is carrying a beam of wood over his shoulder. The local critic winds up with the corner of the beam striking his eye, forcing him to wear an eye patch for months.

What about fruit inspection? In Ghana, the Ashantis have a saying that it’s not the man who is cutting the path who knows whether or not the path is straight, but only the man coming behind. Steve Green has a song entitled “May Those Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful.” Want to know what kind of fruit you are bearing? Ask your family and friends, but be prepared for a shock. You might think you are doing very well, only to find that others feel your “fruit” is rotten and worm-eaten.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Why does Jesus seg into talking about wise and foolish builders? If we are unwilling to recognize our shortcomings and persist in judging others mercilessly, we are as foolish as a man who builds his house on a sandy watercourse where flood waters will rapidly tear it apart and carry it away.

Regarding judgement: God is the only One who truly knows the human heart. The rest of us are merely playing guessing games. We are currently on the edge of a situation in which some people have told vicious lies about others who have worked whole-heartedly and honestly for years. Authorities have listened to the lies instead of praying. Anybody can make the same mistake. Leave judgement to God and concentrate on loving and forgiving instead. What if you aren’t certain someone has done something wrong? You can always pray like this: “Dear God, only You know the facts of this situation. Please send Your light and Your truth into it so that the facts will come out. If someone has sinned, help me to forgive them, for I also need forgiveness for the many times I sin each day. Let Your Kingdom fully come and Your Will be fully done in the lives of all those involved. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.” Remember to pray for others as you hope they will pray for you!

Abraham Lincoln once said, “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” No matter how hard we try, those around us will know if we are hypocrites bearing rotten fruit or if we work whole-heartedly and passionately for God. May God help us, so that we leave off judging and criticism and concentrate on bearing Godly fruits that will stand the test of time. If we persist, we are as foolish as the man who built on sand.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are always eager to criticize others while we ourselves may be doing something worse. Help us to leave off criticism and judgement and concentrate on fulfilling Your perfect Will for our lives. Help us to remember that the measure we give out is the measure we will receive. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 6:17-26 Blessings and Woes

“He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”

Love for Enemies

Luke 6:27-36 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

This morning people are SWARMING FROM EVERYWHERE! The word went out last night that Jesus, that preacher from Galilee, has come to town and will be teaching this morning. Some people have traveled far distances, sleeping overnight in the center of town for safety. Some are struggling to carry cripples or to lead the blind or to climb the hill themselves. These people have already heard that when Jesus comes, the power of God is there to heal, to deliver, and to restore. Nothing like this has ever happened before, not in all the history of Israel, and people are desperate to reach Jesus by whatever means possible. Those who cannot walk well beg those who can to assist them, for they have heard that when Jesus speaks, power goes out from him.

A huge crowd gathers around Jesus and his disciples. Although Jesus is primarily teaching his closest followers, he projects his voice so that everyone in the crowd can hear him. Jesus is standing in a level area with a cliffside behind him that helps amplify every word he speaks, so that all listening might understand. How many people might be in this crowd? Benjamin Franklin actually studied the crowd density when George Whitefield, one of the most famous outdoor preachers in history was preaching. Franklin determined that between 30,000-50,000 people might be able to hear Whitefield, depending on weather conditions, background noise, etc. (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-science-of-sound-whitefields-massive-crowds/ ) It’s possible that even if some at the back of the crowd fail to hear Jesus clearly, those closer to Jesus might be repeating everything Jesus says, allowing the word to go out through the entire crowd.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.” Jesus is teaching radical stuff! Up to this point, people have believed that the Kingdom of God likely belongs to the rich; after all, they already own everything else. And the idea that to be poor and hungry and hated and insulted are good things is revolutionary. Certainly, none of the teachers in the temple is saying anything like this. And if those statements sound shocking, Jesus’ next statements are even more so.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.” Jesus is warning all those who have been sitting on their wealth and enjoying public acclaim that they are already receiving their rewards. And as if that isn’t enough, Jesus begins teaching stuff that is even more radical.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

By now, many in the crowd are confused and scratching their heads. Sure, God is kind to everybody; after all, He’s God and that’s His job. But now Jesus is advocating for common people to copy God. Whew! That means that the crowd must be kind to the arrogant Roman soldiers who thrust their way through the streets, upsetting market tables and causing havoc. Those poor people who have been secretly envying and hating the rich religious leaders are scandalized. These people have depended on their hate to fuel their actions; if they leave off hating, what will they have left for motivation?

When we read these accounts, it’s as if we stand at the back of the crowd, straining to hear Jesus. We can only guess at the number of healings and deliverances that took place when Jesus was teaching, for Jesus never worried about numbers. But what of the principles Jesus is teaching? Are we doing good to those who hate us, refusing to worry whether or not they will respond? Are we being merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful?  

Isaiah 58:6-14 tells us, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, ^and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The Word of the Lord is not merely to be listened to or to be read; it is to be obeyed. Throughout the Bible, God emphasizes that obedience is the key to Kingdom living. If we read Jesus’ words and then claim that these only apply to someone else but not to us, we are flagrantly disobeying God. As we read, the Holy Spirit will convict us, highlighting particular things we need to work on right now. May God help us, so that we gladly and swiftly obey Him when He speaks to us through His Word!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and to obey when You speak to us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 6:12-17 The Twelve Apostles

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.”

Jesus knows that he has only a short time on earth and that he must thoroughly train a few men who will pass on his teachings. Even though Jesus has already called some men to be his disciples, now he wants a select few to become apostles. The term “disciple” means “a believer,” while the term “apostle” means “one who is sent.” Although sometimes writers of the Gospels use the terms interchangeably, Jesus has many disciples but only twelve apostles. Jesus doesn’t simply look around his disciples and begin making random choices but goes out to a mountain and prays all night to make certain he will choose the right men to become apostles.

If Jesus has devoted all this time to prayer, why does Jesus choose Judas Iscariot? Doesn’t Jesus know ahead of time that Judas will steal from the offerings for the poor and will eventually betray him? We won’t actually know the answer to that question until we reach heaven; however, it’s quite possible that God the Father warns Jesus and tells him to choose Judas anyway. Just as God the Father knows all the earthquake faults along the Jordan Valley, He also knows all the breaking points of Judas’ character. But Judas will have the same opportunities as all of the other apostles to preach, teach, heal, and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. When Judas chooses to break bad, it will be his free choice, not anything that is forced upon him.

How does Jesus know whom to pick? After praying all night, Jesus greets his disciples in the morning. As Jesus looks at these men, the Holy Spirit quietly speaks to him, causing these men to come forward in Jesus’ mind while the others fade into the distance. How am I so certain that this process occurs? At many points in my life, I have had occasion to pray for guidance. Each time, one choice will suddenly become right while all other choices will retreat into the distance so rapidly that I can’t even grab them mentally. Throughout God’s Word, He promises to lead us and guide us if we will only allow him. God will guide anyone who asks for wisdom as long as they are serious about the request.

Jesus Heals a Great Multitude

Luke 6:17-19 “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.”

Jesus has prayed all night, and the power of the Holy Spirit is upon him to heal all who will come to him. At some point, Jesus might not even have to touch people, but merely wave his hand over the crowd. As Jesus does so, cries of delight ring out! “My eyes! My eyes! I can see! I can see!” “Look, I’m leaping!” “My leprosy, it’s gone!” “The demons are gone! My daughter is free!” “My mind is clear! I am no longer having fits!” Thousands of people are healed in a single moment as God’s power moves through the people.

Later, after Jesus has briefly joined Moses and Elijah on a mountaintop, Jesus will descend and heal a demon-possessed boy who has repeatedly fallen into fire and water during epileptic fits. When the disciples ask why they have been unable to cast out the demons, Jesus will tell them that “This kind only comes out by prayer and fasting.” Although Jesus spends a great deal of his time ministering to huge groups of people, he also spends hours and sometimes entire nights praying. These long hours of prayer prepare Jesus for continuing his ministry. Jesus doesn’t urge his disciples to fast a great deal; however, he fasts privately. Jesus also advises his disciples that when they fast, they should do so privately, avoiding making a show of their self-denial.

How many times do we actually devote to praying over critically important decisions? Sadly, many of us make judgements based on superficial qualities without asking God for His Wisdom. A phenomenally successful Korean minister described the secret of his achievements succinctly: “I pray and I obey.” But if we don’t pray in the first place, how do we know what orders we are obeying? Only when we get quiet before God can we possibly know what God wants us to do.

May God help us, so that we will continue to seek His guidance and then obey. May we “pray and obey!”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to continually and persistently ask for Your leading. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 6:1-11 Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

“One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.”

Once more, Jesus is literally setting Pharisaic teachings on their ears. The Topical Encyclopedia tells us, “The concept of the Sabbath is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, originating from the creation narrative and extending through the Mosaic Law. The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, observed on the seventh day of the week, and is a sign of the covenant between God and His people.

“The Sabbath is first introduced in Genesis 2:2-3 : “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.” This passage establishes the Sabbath as a day of rest, reflecting God’s own rest after creation.

The formal institution of the Sabbath is found in the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:8-11 states: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”

The question is this: What constitutes work? People and animals must be fed and watered. It might be necessary for people to walk to the synagogue to worship; how far can someone walk on the Sabbath without breaking the Law? Over the centuries, religious leaders have debated these points. The permissible distance for a Sabbath day’s walk is roughly 1 kilometer. Housewives are expected to prepare food ahead of time so that they will not be working on the Sabbath. Even in America in the 20^th century in New York City, gentiles have arrangements with their observant Jewish neighbors to do work such as lighting lamps or stoves.

The Pharisees have perfected the art of keeping the Sabbath to a science and harshly judge anyone who fails to meet their standards. In Mosaic Law, Sabbath breakers can be put to death. First, the Pharisees try to catch Jesus out when his hungry disciples walk through a field, rubbing the husks off kernels of grain and feeding themselves. But Jesus reminds them that David even fed his men with show bread from the temple and informs them that “the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” The nerve of this man! How dare he describe himself this way? Why doesn’t he just force his disciples to fast? Who cares if they are hungry?

Now Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. While common people are listening attentively, the Pharisees are secretly chortling. Old Abner is standing at the door of the synagogue. As a cripple, he is not allowed to enter; however, he may remain outside and listen. What’s Jesus going to do now?

Jesus scandalizes the religious leaders by asking Abner to stand before them and then saying, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” How dare this upstart carpenter embarrass temple leadership in this fashion? What answer can they possibly give? While the leaders are fuming behind their beards, Jesus proceeds to heal Abner, restoring his withered hand. Abner is overjoyed, but he’s also careful to hide his elation; after all, these leaders are so vengeful that they might put him out of the synagogue simply for having been healed on the Sabbath.

The question Jesus posed in that synagogue is one that all of us must confront daily. Will we be merciful or vicious? Will we hide behind regulations or will we be kind and loving? Jesus always comes down on the side of kindness and mercy, but do we? Are we secretly delighted when people break rules so that we can catch them out? Are we more interested in proving how righteous we are than in helping others?

May God help us, so that we will do His work His way!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to be merciful as You are merciful. And help us to be compassionate as You are compassionate. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 5:33-39 Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting

“Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”

And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”

Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise, the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

The Mosaic Law only orders fasting once, during the Days of Awe (Leviticus 16:29-31.) But somehow by the time of Jesus, regular fasting and prayer has become a mark of outstanding religious observance. In Jesus’ story of the Pharisee and the tax collector in the temple, the Pharisee boasts that he fasts twice a week. (Luke 18:12) We don’t know how many times a week John the Baptist’s disciples were fasting, but if John came out of the Essene sect, his disciples might have followed the strict diets and fasting prescribed by the Essenes. Disciples of the Pharisees are evidently following similar practices.

Now Jesus and his disciples show up, and while they might be praying, they certainly aren’t having regular fasts. Jesus and his disciples are feasting with tax collectors and money lenders and never turn down a meal when someone offers. The Pharisees are scandalized! Can it be that all these years they have been afflicting themselves needlessly? Certainly not! Jesus and his disciples must be ignorant unbelievers!

The Pharisees have conveniently forgotten the many times God has addressed His people, admonishing them to eschew ritual fasting and change their behavior instead. Isaiah 58:6-11 says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Even in Jesus’ day, marriage ceremonies are marked by extravagant feasting with plenty of wine. Jesus’ first miracle is to change water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Nobody is going to come into the marriage banquet and drive everyone out, ordering them to fast. Jesus is comparing himself to a bridegroom, telling those questioning him that his disciples will celebrate while he is with them and fast once he has left them.

First, Jesus compares his teaching to that of new material that has not yet shrunk to a permanent size. If new material is used to patch an old garment, the material will tear away when it shrinks in the wash. In the same fashion, the Good News of the Kingdom is so much greater than the Mosaic Law that it’s impossible to join the two together and expect it to work.

Jesus compares his teaching to that of new wine which must be stored in new wineskins that are still flexible and can stretch as the new wine ferments and expands. The old wineskins of the myriads of observances that have been developed since Moses cannot hold the Good News of the Kingdom of God, for that Good News will cause those old wineskins to burst. It is not the teachings of Moses and the prophets that are the problem. Some Christians want to ignore the Old Testament as if Jesus’ coming has made that unnecessary; however, Jesus will later tell his disciples that he has not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it. Repeatedly, Jesus demonstrates his respect for the Law and the Prophets, reading in the synagogues when invited to do so.

The scribes and Pharisees have developed ritual fasting to a fine art, scorning all those whose lives cannot accommodate such practices. But in the process, the hearts of these men have become as rigid as those old wineskins that have no more stretch in them. Fascination with observances has caused many of these men to lose sight of God and His Mercy completely.

What about us? In Lent, Americans give up chocolate or potato chips or some other favorite food during the Lenten season; however, much of the time, they also complain bitterly about their “suffering.” Such practices make a mockery of denying oneself. Instead, why not give up anger, bitterness, conceit despair, estrangement, falseness, guilt, hatred, insincerity, and jealousy and take up happiness, joy, humility, hope, closeness, truth, grace, love, honesty, and trust?

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Why not pray that God will help you to repudiate everything that is not of Him and that He will bring in the fruits of His Holy Spirit instead?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and our hearts are hardened. Please break up the stoney places in our hearts and give us hearts that are tender toward You. Let our lives demonstrate all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 5:27-32 Matthew the Tax Collector

“After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Jesus is having a day of it. After ministering forgiveness and healing to Eli, Jesus leaves that houses and walks down the street toward the tax office. A huge crowd follows Jesus-after all, he’s just healed a paralyzed man. What might Jesus do next? This is the most entertainment these folks have had in years, not to mention the fact that they are awed by the power of God.

Tax officers are feared, hated, and regarded as turncoats, spies, and traitors who serve the Romans as they extort more than their due from the suffering public. When tax collectors come to be baptized by John the Baptist, he tells them not to collect more than is due them. Although tax collectors generally are wealthy, they are also hated and feared by their fellow citizens. Given the horrible reputation of tax collectors, religious authorities assume that Jesus will never call someone like that to become a disciple…..but they’re wrong!

Following the leading of the Holy Spirit, Jesus walks down to Levi’s tax office and issues a simple invitation, “Follow me.” What’s amazing is that Levi does exactly that; Levi rolls up his scrolls, hands his money box over to one of his fellow tax collectors, and walks out of the office and down the street with Jesus. Levi and Jesus go to Levi’s house, where Levi swiftly organizes a sumptuous banquet, inviting other tax collectors and their friends to come meet Jesus. The guests at this banquet are some of the richest and most hated men in town. Many of the religious authorities have followed Jesus at a distance, watching to see if he will make a mistake so they can criticize him or even have him arrested. Now the banquet is going on and the scribes and Pharisees are gathered outside Levi’s house, talking with Jesus’ disciples and shooting angry looks toward Jesus, whom they can see through the open door. When Jesus looks out the door at the Pharisees and lifts a goblet of wine in their honor, they are scandalized!

“Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”the Pharisees demand. “Jesus answers them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” The religious authorities are fuming! How dare Jesus call these SINNERS to repentance. If these men want to repent, let them do it on their own. If they don’t choose to repent, let them go to Gehenna, to hell. These men have free will and can choose to do what’s right, so why coddle them?

Meanwhile, inside Levi’s banquet hall, Levi and his guests are hanging on every word Jesus utters. After years of scorn and verbal abuse, these tax collectors and money lenders are thrilled as Jesus speaks to them lovingly. Hard hearts are melting, the Holy Spirit is moving, and none of these men will ever be the same again. The longer Jesus speaks to these men, the softer their hearts become until all of them are reduced to tears of repentance. Jesus waits, giving them time to consider their wrong-doing and to confess it. Then Jesus says to these men the same thing he has already told Eli the former paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven you.” For the rest of their lives, the guests at Levi’s banquet will be Jesus followers, and Jesus will welcome them into heaven when they die.

Reading the account of this banquet, we might feel a bit smug. After all, we have never cheated anyone or extorted money from them. But have we gossiped? Have we criticized? Have we misjudged others without knowing their motives? Have we over eaten or gone on shopping sprees or gotten drunk or gambled? Do our children fear us because we criticize them so severely? Romans 3:23 tells us that “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.”

No matter how we might try to explain our shortcomings and failures at righteousness, the fact remains that each one of us is a sinner. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The ground is level at the foot of the cross. To a Holy God, all sins are equal, and none of us in and of ourselves is righteous. All of us need a Savior just as much as did the tax collectors and money lenders at Levi’s banquet.

The tragic part of this story is that while tax collectors and money lenders were repenting and entering the Kingdom of God, many of the religious authorities were trusting in their own righteousness and their rigid observation of minute rules. These men had hardened their hearts against all those around them who had neither the time nor the finances to observe such rules. When Jesus lifted that goblet in salute to the religious leaders, he was silently inviting them to enter the banquet hall, to join the tax collectors and money lenders inside, and to repent as they were doing. But the religious leaders firmly believed they were far superior to these men and spurned Jesus’ invitation.

None of us is superior. All of us have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. The question for us is simple: Jesus stands at the doors of our lives, inviting us to abandon our own efforts at justification and to receive his free gifts of forgiveness and salvation. The choice is ours. Will we freely choose to confess our sins and to abandon our own efforts, or will we insist on persisting in futile efforts to earn our way into heaven? Choose rightly, for you are choosing for eternity!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and nothing we do is sufficient to blot out our sins and to earn our way into heaven. Please forgive us our sins, cleanse our hearts, and help us to trust in the blood sacrifice You made for us on Calvary. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 5:17-26 Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic

“Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

Well, Jesus is at it again, scandalizing the religious elite. A large crowd of religious leaders has gathered to observe Jesus, and the power of God is healing people, including, presumably, the religious leaders. Great stuff, right? As Jesus is sitting there teaching, noises can be heard up on the roof of the house, and suddenly plaster is falling from the ceiling. But if that isn’t enough, a hole appears in the ceiling with men on the roof scooping out the plaster with their hands and chipping away at it with a sharp hoe until there’s a hole large enough for them to lower down a man on a pallet.

People in the crowd gasp, “That’s Eli! He’s been paralyzed for twenty years! What’s happening?” But what happens next is even crazier, for Jesus looks intently at Eli and proclaims, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Now the onlookers are really confused! Eli’s friends are hoping that Jesus will heal him, but why is Jesus pronouncing forgiveness of sins? Jesus and Eli know something the crowd does not, for Eli first became paralyzed from a stroke after losing his temper and nearly beating someone to death. In the years since, Eli has bitterly regretted his actions and has longed for God to forgive him. Finally, Eli has reached the point of telling God that if God will only forgive his sins, Eli will be willing to remain paralyzed for the rest of his life. Eli’s afflictions have made him far sweeter and more humble than he was when he was healthy.

When Jesus pronounces forgiveness over Eli, everything in Eli’s body relaxes. Eli feels as if a huge burden has been lifted from his shoulders, and he has peace for the first time in twenty years. But Eli is about to get even more.

“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

Eli has not only received full pardon for his sins but now he is healed. As Eli’s neighbors gape in astonishment, Eli, picks up his mat and practically dances out of the room and back to his own house. Down the street, onlookers are crying and shouting, “Eli, what happened to you?” And Eli is answering, “MY SINS ARE FORGIVEN AND I AM HEALED!”

Meanwhile, back at the house where Jesus has been teaching, everyone in the crowd is awe-struck and praising God. After all, what other reaction can there be? When Eli was let down on his mat, everyone saw the shrunken limbs, the contractures in the joints. Now Eli’s legs and arms look whole and healthy and they obviously work, for Eli is bounding down the street waving his mat over his head as he shouts out his thanks to God.

The religious leaders are left scratching their heads in astonishment. Never before in the history of the world has someone claimed to forgive sins. Who is this Jesus and on whose authority is he proclaiming such forgiveness? But if Jesus does not have authority to forgive sins, how has he managed to heal a paralytic? While the religious leaders are puzzled, the common people have no such problems. Everyone in town knows that Eli has bitterly regretted his hasty actions of twenty years ago. Now God has heard Eli’s prayers and has answered them completely and satisfactorily. All Eli’s neighbors are shouting “Hallelujah!” Some local musicians have shown up at Eli’s house, Eli’s wife has begun fixing food, and Eli’s family is throwing an impromptu party.

While Eli’s family is celebrating, let’s step out of the scene for a little bit and look at ourselves. Lent is a time when we are to examine our hearts and confess any sins we find there. Although we might not have committed any gross sins, remember God doesn’t grade on a sliding scale of sins. To a Holy God, all sin is equally wrong and deserving of punishment. Many of us commit sins of omission, refusing to do what needs to be done to help others. Others of us are very polite, but rub us the wrong way and see what we will say then! I have the misfortune to have some family members who could reduce others to rubble with one or two sentences and a lifted eyebrow. Our tongues should have been registered as deadly weapons. And I learned early how to politely destroy someone with a few words.

My confession should cause those reading this to check their own hearts. Do you indulge in unkindness and cloak it with some socially acceptable name? Do you leave a trail of offense as you go through life? Even the best and most gracious people still sin and all of us are in need of forgiveness. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross of Calvary. Perhaps we don’t suffer from physical paralysis but from emotional paralysis. No matter. Jesus has come to save us and forgive us if we will only confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we have sinned against You and against those around us, both by what we have done and by what we have left undone. Please forgive our sins, cleanse our hearts, and help us to live for You from this day forward. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 5:12-16 Jesus Cleanses a Leper

“And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.”

However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

Consider the plight of those cursed with leprosy. As soon as leprosy is discovered, the sufferer becomes a social outcast, forced to live at the margin of town, cut off from family and friends. Even when the case is quite mild, a leper remains isolated unless there are other lepers with whom he or she can associate. Leprosy affects the nerves carrying pain impulses; the wounds of leprosy come because the leper hurts himself and cannot perceive pain, so neglects wounds until they become open sores and the flesh is rotting.

As Jesus travels around preaching and teaching, he comes to a “certain city” where a wretched man has a body wracked with leprosy. Gathering his courage, this poor man somehow forces his way through the crowds to fall at Jesus’ feet. Under normal circumstances, this man would grasp Jesus’ feet; however, as a leper, he realizes that he is forbidden to touch anyone.

“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” The leper gasps out this plea, hoping with everything inside him that Jesus will not spurn him or drive him away. But Jesus has pity on the man. “Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” The crowd gasps as the man’s face, arms, legs, hands, and feet all become clean and new.

How do we know that this is what has happened in this case? J. John, a British-based evangelist, has a short video in which he describes a Gospel meeting in India to which he was invited. After speaking to the main group, J. John was told that there was a special group that requested prayers for healing. J. John walked to a separate tent to find a huge group of lepers anxiously awaiting him. At that point, J. John seriously asked God if God couldn’t send someone else, but God remained silent. Feeling like a complete fraud, J. John ascended the platform in front of the group of lepers and prayed a very simple prayer. Suddenly, there were cries from the audience, and J. John saw what appeared to be false layers of skin falling from the bodies of the lepers! The Holy Spirit moved, and God healed every leper in the place!

These healings did not come because J. John had so much faith, because he argued with God before he prayed for the lepers. But these poor people suffering from leprosy came with the same plea as the man who came to Jesus. “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” God was willing and healed every one of those lepers. It was the faith of the lepers and the prayers of other believers, not the faith of the evangelist, that led to the mass healing.

Jesus orders the man to follow the rules laid down by Moses, showing himself to the priests and making the necessary sacrifices. One wonders if the priests go into shock when this man presents himself, for it’s unlikely that any leper has presented for examination since Moses first gave that edict.

This public miracle naturally enhances Jesus’ reputation, causing the crowds that are following to swell to record proportions. During the day, there’s no time for Jesus to withdraw quietly for private prayer. Only at night when the crowds go home can Jesus have time to pray, and even then he must go off into the wilderness to escape the crowds.

One of our missionary friends has quoted her late father, also a missionary, as having said, “I feel like a Coca-Cola and everybody has a straw!” No matter how strong you are or how resilient, remain in ministry long enough and the needs of those around you will drain you dry…unless you are regularly receiving new strength and new hope from God.

How can you spiritually refuel? Copy Jesus. Get away from the crowds to a quiet place where you can sit and give God time to speak to you. Although there are times when the Holy Spirit has spoken in a thunderous voice, generally He speaks in a still small voice. Noisy prayer meetings where people are screaming may appear impressive; however, it’s quite difficult to hear the Holy Spirit if you are making too much noise. Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. We must give the Holy Spirit time and space in which to speak.

What does Jesus pray when he retreats to the wilderness at night? We don’t know, but certainly, he thanks God the Father for everything He has done through Jesus that day and asks Him for more strength, more grace, more love, and more power to carry out the Father’s will. We also may pray for these things, as long as our goal is to accomplish the Will of God and not to enhance our own reputations.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that by ourselves, we have no resources to carry out Your perfect Will. Please give us Your strength, Your grace, Your love, and Your power, so that we may touch all those around us, fulfilling Your Will for their lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 5:1-11 Four Fishermen Called as Disciples

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”

Jesus is preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, but there’s a problem. The crowd is so enthralled by his teaching that they are crowding around, forcing him into the water. Looking around, Jesus sees Simon mending his net and asks Simon to allow him to sit in the boat while Simon pushes the boat out a little bit into the water. Now Jesus has a great place to sit away from the crush of the crowd and in addition, the water will help amplify his voice so that people will hear him better.

Once Jesus finishes teaching, he puts Simon to a test of faith. Everybody knows that fishing is better at night, and last night Simon and his colleagues did their best and caught nothing. Now Jesus orders Simon to launch out into the deep and set his nets. This is one of the weirdest orders Simon has ever received, but there’s something about Jesus that gets his attention. Jesus has a funny smile on his face like he knows something that Simon doesn’t know. Simon shrugs his shoulders and heads for deeper water. Why not humor Jesus? What does he have to lose?

Simon’s disbelief turns to shock as the net begins filling to overflowing. Suddenly, the net is so full of fish that it threatens to tip the boat over. Simon and his brother Andrew wave excitedly at James and John in the other boat, who rush to help bring in the overloaded nets. Before the fishermen are through, both boats are full to overflowing and are threatening to sink.

None of the fishermen can believe this catch. Once the boats return to shore, Simon prostrates himself before Jesus, crying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”  While Simon makes it to his knees first, the other fishermen are similarly in awe. Who is this Jesus? How has he performed this miracle? But something even wilder is about to happen.

“And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” There are other fishermen mending their nets at the same place. These guys were smirking when Simon went back out onto the lake, but now they have nothing to say. The big shock for these onlookers comes when the four fishermen who are dealing with their miraculous catch finish handling the fish, drag their boats up on the shore, drop their nets, and walk away to follow Jesus.

There are several kinds of miracles here. First, there is Simon’s willingness to allow Jesus to sit in his boat. None of the other fishermen care that Jesus is being forced into the water. Next, there’s Simon’s agreement to go back out onto the lake even though he’s already exhausted and even though this is the wrong time of day for fishing. There’s the miraculous catch of fish that overloads two boats. And finally, the greatest miracle of all, four rough tough fishermen who have braved storms on the Sea of Galilee for years are willing to leave everything to follow Jesus. These men are serious hard-nosed businessmen with successful operations, wives, and families. What’s so compelling about Jesus that they will simply walk away from everything? How does Jesus know he’s going to find his first disciples in this situation?

Throughout Jesus’ life, Jesus and his Heavenly Father have a continual dialogue going on. As Jesus walks through Capernaum, God the Father tells Jesus he will find many of his disciples in this town. It’s possible that God has also told Jesus that those ready to follow him will come as soon as he invites them. Anybody who begins giving excuses is not ready for discipleship.

Why would Jesus pick four fishermen as his first disciples? Can Jesus see Calvary from that beach at Capernaum? Even though these men aren’t sure what they are getting into, Jesus already knows following him will demand physical and mental toughness and the will to continue in the face of opposition and abuse. Jesus is aware that he is selecting future church leaders, not merely disciples who will follow him while he ministers on earth. Even at the onset of Jesus’ ministry, he realizes that each step he takes is one step closer to Calvary, where he will fulfill his calling as the spotless Lamb of God.

How many of us have a sense of mission? God has put each of us on earth for a reason, and yet many people fail to realize this fact. Martin Luther once said, “We are to be little Christs to our neighbors, for in so doing we find our true identity as children of God.” Copying Jesus’ behavior is a very serious business, for it means dying to our own desires and seeking to please God in everything we do. Jesus stands at the doors of our lives, beckoning us to come and follow him. Will we make the same choice as Simon and his friends, leaving everything to follow Jesus, or will we begin arguing and trying to negotiate? Later, Jesus will tell would-be disciples who are giving excuses for not following him instantly that “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

May God help us, so that we continually and perpetually answer His Call on our lives, never looking back or arguing, but obeying readily and cheerfully!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to answer and obey as soon as You call. Help us to trust You with every part of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Luke 4:31-37 Jesus Expels an Unclean Spirit (Mark 1:21–28)

“Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people. They were astonished at His teaching, because His message had authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He cried out in a loud voice, “Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him.

All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And the news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding region.”

Luke 4:38-41 Jesus Heals at Peter’s House (Matthew 8:14–17; Mark 1:29–34)

“After Jesus had left the synagogue, He went to the home of Simon, whose mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. So they appealed to Jesus on her behalf, and He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and began to serve them.

At sunset, all who were ill with various diseases were brought to Jesus, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them. Demons also came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked the demons and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ.”

Luke 4:42-44 Jesus Preaches in Judea (Mark 1:35–39)

“At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place, and the crowds were looking for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving. But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.” And He continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.”

Jesus has walked away from childhood friends and neighbors who are furious because he has failed to perform on demand in the synagogue at Nazareth and has moved to Capernaum. Now Jesus is starting his ministry by casting out demons, healing all who come to him, and preaching in the local synagogues. Capernaum isn’t that far from Nazareth, so the Nazarenes are probably fuming when they hear what Jesus is doing now. But the Nazarenes have only themselves to blame, for when Jesus came to them, they rejected him.

People in and around Capernaum are much more receptive to Jesus’s ministry. Casting out demons, healing, and preaching will be hallmarks of Jesus’ work for the rest of his ministry. Even at the onset, Jesus knows what he has been called to do and how God wants him to work. Why are these activities so important?

Jesus has come to graphically demonstrate God’s Will for His Kingdom and to call people to new life. Everything that Jesus does and everything that he preaches and teaches is focused on showing what it’s like to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God. If this Kingdom only means suffering and pain, then Jesus’ mission is a useless one. But if the Kingdom means living in freedom from sin and oppression, living in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, then Jesus’ teachings will be a revelation to all who hear him. When God gave Moses the Law, He did not mean it to become an intolerable burden; however, centuries have passed and now observant Jews are struggling to fulfill long sets of rules devised by religious experts.

Notice that the demons are everywhere, even in the synagogues. Years ago, I read the testimony of a man who was formerly a witch in Nigeria. This man attended church regularly and could spot those church goers plagued by demons. While church members were singing songs about victory over Satan, the demons were laughing hysterically, knowing that they were controlling the believers and not God.

The speed of darkness is the speed of light. Holiness and evil cannot exist in the same space at the same time. When Jesus arrives in Simon’s house, demons flee, acknowledging him as the Son of God.

What are the true marks of a successful ministry? Ministering in the Holy Spirit results in physical and spiritual healing, deliverance from Satan and his demons, and the advent of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all touched by the ministry. When the Holy Spirit is present, there’s no need for noisy background music, screaming prayers, light shows, or smoke machines.

The evangelist Benny Hinn is extremely controversial, and in recent years he has faced strong criticism. But I was present at a Benny Hinn crusade in Charleston, WV in 1978. Hinn called the young people to come forward, filling the front of the Charleston Auditorium. Hinn remained on the stage and simply stretched out his hands and prayed, “Come, Holy Spirit!” All the young people went down on their faces under the power of the Holy Spirit and remained that way for several minutes. There was dead silence in the auditorium-no music, nobody praying out loud, only the sound of these young people weeping under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

Many lives were changed that day, and many of those people would tell you now that experience was one of the greatest of their entire lives. The Holy Spirit showed up, and nothing else was necessary. In the silence, God spoke to those young people, assuring them of His love, His mercy, His grace, and His forgiveness.

May all who minister do so as Jesus did, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit ministry gives lasting results while ministry based on special effects fizzles as soon as the sound and light show ends. May God help us, so that we minister as Jesus did!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we long for Your touch on our hearts and lives. We envy those whom Jesus healed, for they were blessed beyond all measure. Holy Spirit, we welcome You and beg You to come and abide with us forever. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.