I have spent a couple of days chewing on this chapter. The only mention of Jesus is His baptism, the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and His Father’s acknowledgment. What I spent time on was why Jesus was baptized. John was teaching repentance and forgiveness of sins and this was not the issue with Jesus.
So then I wondered if it was merely the example He needed to set. ‘Do this because this is the model I have set for you.’ I do this as well; make decisions at times based on leading by example. This is real obvious when it applies to the parent-child relationship. Sometimes I listen to parents discuss their decisions and they decide not to drink so my kids won’t drink. The question is does that mean you would drink if you weren’t being an example. Then you have the pain of watching a child drink anyway because they aren’t you. They decided to make their own choice for their own life. We also need to make our decisions based on following the Lord not trying to manipulate someone’s behavior. We are supposed to be living this life not acting as we think a ‘Christian’ should be behaving.
Jesus was identifying with the redemptive work He came to earth to fulfill. We need cleansing and to have a ‘marker’ of turning from our old life to a new life. He really understood what this action meant. He did it because it was right and pleasing thing to do before His Father.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Missional Challenge Luke Chapter 2
According to this chapter Jesus is now twelve years old and His family is going to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a big celebration and a strong family time. I might guess by now Mary and Joseph have begun having their children and they would be busy on this journey and Jesus was probably afforded the privilege of spending time with other family members and friends.
When they could not find Him with their caravan they worked their way back and they found Him in the Temple Courts with the teachers three days later. I am sure the first part of the conversation was a parent’s normal response to the tension they have been through. “What were you thinking? Do you know how worried we have been”, they might have said. Then I picture Jesus standing before them, quietly allowing them to vent their frustration, fear, anxiety and anger, and he asks them, “Why did you search for me in all these other places? Wouldn’t you realize I would be in my Father’s house?”, all without a roll of the eyes or a duh.
So what does this teach me about the Mission of Christ and how does it apply to me. I don’t believe Jesus felt He needed to ‘live’ in His Father’s house, but He desired to be where the focus and conversation was centered on God and how we relate to Him. I have a sense that Jesus did not sit with these learned men and say ‘thus says the Lord....’ but He probably asked questions which would provoke thought and take His Father out of the small manageable box we try to keep Him in. New ideas which would create a fresh sense of wonder and awe if fear of being different did not squash the moment.
This is why church, fellowship or small groups are important. Church can be too organized, a time of observing, then you go home –leaves me flat. I want to question and be questioned. It keeps me engaged in the present, where I live.
When they could not find Him with their caravan they worked their way back and they found Him in the Temple Courts with the teachers three days later. I am sure the first part of the conversation was a parent’s normal response to the tension they have been through. “What were you thinking? Do you know how worried we have been”, they might have said. Then I picture Jesus standing before them, quietly allowing them to vent their frustration, fear, anxiety and anger, and he asks them, “Why did you search for me in all these other places? Wouldn’t you realize I would be in my Father’s house?”, all without a roll of the eyes or a duh.
So what does this teach me about the Mission of Christ and how does it apply to me. I don’t believe Jesus felt He needed to ‘live’ in His Father’s house, but He desired to be where the focus and conversation was centered on God and how we relate to Him. I have a sense that Jesus did not sit with these learned men and say ‘thus says the Lord....’ but He probably asked questions which would provoke thought and take His Father out of the small manageable box we try to keep Him in. New ideas which would create a fresh sense of wonder and awe if fear of being different did not squash the moment.
This is why church, fellowship or small groups are important. Church can be too organized, a time of observing, then you go home –leaves me flat. I want to question and be questioned. It keeps me engaged in the present, where I live.
Missional Challenge Luke Chapter 1
The goal of reading each day is to learn more about the ‘mission’ Jesus came to fulfill while on earth –in the flesh. This first chapter was really about other major people in Jesus’ life. The few things the angel spoke to Mary about: was His name was to be Jesus, He would be great and called the son of the Most High, He would be given the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will never end. I cannot imagine how Mary must have felt at this time. I think mind boggling numbness because the picture of this person is unlike anyone ever before.
Some teach that the reason the people who lived in this time missed who Jesus was was because He came so humbly and they were looking for a majestic warrior –who would clean house and over throw Rome’s rule.
It is amazing how one so mighty, one who created all we see and know, can at the same time be a humble man who cares about the woman at the well when no one else does. He sent his disciples on an errand in order to speak with her alone about her life and to spare her from being judged and shunned by those who did not understand his ‘mission’ to her and this village.
As far as over throwing Rome –He knew time would deal with Rome and there will always be another tyrant in our world. He came to show us we could be free inside, no matter who seems to be in control of the outside.
Some teach that the reason the people who lived in this time missed who Jesus was was because He came so humbly and they were looking for a majestic warrior –who would clean house and over throw Rome’s rule.
It is amazing how one so mighty, one who created all we see and know, can at the same time be a humble man who cares about the woman at the well when no one else does. He sent his disciples on an errand in order to speak with her alone about her life and to spare her from being judged and shunned by those who did not understand his ‘mission’ to her and this village.
As far as over throwing Rome –He knew time would deal with Rome and there will always be another tyrant in our world. He came to show us we could be free inside, no matter who seems to be in control of the outside.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
