February 25, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 7 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.57 through 4.59 (pages 115-118)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Lenten Day 7
“ Your brother was dead, but now he is alive. He was lost , but now he is found.”
Such beautiful words—let the angels and the saints rejoice!
The Life of Jesus 4.57-4.59
The lost coin and the sheep were searched for by people. The lost son was watched and Waited for by his father. An awesome truth of Gods love for mankind. The older son didn’t want to forgive. Became bitter. Represents the law. He speaks of All the works he had done. Money. A test of life. To keep our hands tightly gripped or to keep our hands open. Another way To show the lost world the love of God
Think about a time you were actually lost….you had no idea where you were or even how you got there and how the heck you were ever going to find your way out…Maybe when you were a child or even today as a grown up. And that frightful feeling! But then you were found! Could’ve been physically or by directions…whatever way it was,,someone came to your rescue and put you in the right direction. What an understated relief to being found!!
Being lost has many different colors. There is being physically lost, pridefully lost, dishonesty lost…and the list goes on. God knows our hearts and It can be humanly challenging at times, but with God’s help we can always be assured that he will find us:))
Luke 1-7
Keep in mind when Jesus told the teaching of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son who His audience was. They were tax collectors and other sinners along with the Pharisees and teachers. They knew who these stories were about. In the story of the lost son; the younger son represented sinners while the older brother represented the Pharisees and teachers of the law. As sinners see their need for Christ they come to Him and repent of all their sins . Then God fully accepts them as His children and has a banquet for them. That is all sinners no matter Jew or Gentiles from every Nation. The Pharisees and teachers even though they were Jewish refused to attend this banquet for they were proud and self righteous thinking that by following the law { good works} they would earn their reward in Heaven. In the story the older brother was angry with his younger brother. Like wise the Pharisees and teachers were angry at Jesus for His words against them. They were so blinded by their own pride, self righteousness, dogma, and so much more that they couldn`t get beyond their own thinking and were filled with anger to the point of killing Jesus just to shut Him up. And they finally succeeded when Jesus was crucified or so they thought. Of course Jesus conquered death and died for our sins and rose again after three days. The thing is that Jesus wants all people to come to Him to be saved; even those like the Pharisees and teachers who are self righteous and think that their good works will get them to Heaven. How foolish to think that they can come before the Holy God. For it is also the deception of Satan to blind people to the truth. Look at all the religions in the world. They are all based on good works; one way or another. All thinking they have the way to Heaven. But true Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus. And by faith alone not by works. Works comes after we are saved. How do we know this? By the Bible which is accurate for it is the inspired Word of God. All the fulfilled prophecies, etc. without going into detail. God bless everyone.
The Life of Jesus 4.60-4.61
Lenten Day 7
Three parables are given about lost things and the diligence that is given to searching and the joy there is in finding. And yet the most powerful is the story of the son. What a powerful picture of the love and grace of God toward the one who had walked away. Now what is unique about the prodigal son and the other stories, is the son must humble himself and choose to be found in order to be found, which is a beautiful picture of a repentant heart toward God. And the Father shows the lavish love that comes to us from God when we turn to Him. And how could the Jewish leaders not see themselves in the older brother, as all legalists should. They criticize Jesus for His interaction with tax collectors and sinners when these are the very people who need His help. But they only see their dedication to God and how others are not as dedicated as they are. It is that transactional dynamic that love and grace transform. And to be honest, I am always confused by the parable of the dishonest manager. I don’t think Jesus is making a business point of better to get some money than none, although it is not a bad one. I also don’t think he is saying conduct your business life one way and your spiritual life another..honesty and integrity should rule both. The point that our spiritual life is more important than our business life and the return from it is better is a good one and seems to be present. Being responsible for little things to show your capacity for bigger things is present as well, and a good one, but I don’t see it so clearly in the parable. Now if the main point is don’t love money and you can’t serve God and money, both can be controlling and you don’t want to be controlled by money. Then I agree and I am not confused. I just don’t see the point in the details of the story….I guess the bottom line is whether the dishonest manager is to be praised or corrected for what he did. My heart says corrected, but that doesn’t come out so clearly….to me at least…..
Lenten 2024-Day 7
The lost son is always a special picture of Christ’s love for us. The forgiveness He gives us, so undeserved like this son, is overwhelming. The fact is, we continue to sin even in light of that forgiveness and He is still always willing to welcome us back with arms wide open. The transforming power of grace in our life should be what drives us to do better not a follow the rules mentality like the Pharisees. A humble, appreciative heart that knows without Him we would never be able to change!
The father looked upon his prodigal son with unconditional love and compassion for his brokenness. God does the same for me and I am so grateful. So I pray that I can do the same for the people in my life who hurt me because they are acting out of the pain and brokenness they carry. Help me Lord, to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Today I choose to think love, act love, speak love and I will leave my bitterness and resentment at the foot of the cross. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
From Shelly Miller