"Master, we worked all night and caught nothing." -Luke 5:5
"They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." -Luke 5:6
At this point in his walking around and preaching, Jesus had been attracting some consistent followers. Peter was one of them. He had heard Jesus preach, let Jesus use his boat, and Jesus had even healed his mother-in-law. Then after Jesus had finished preaching from the boat to people, Jesus tells Peter and his fishing buddies to go back out into deeper water to catch some fish. At this, Peter responded warily that they had been out all night and didn't catch a thing. They were worn out and wanted to go home and sleep. More work was not on the top of their priority list.
Even though he didn't want to, Peter and the other fishermen go out and do what Jesus says. they may have been muttering under their breath, but they did it. I wonder if Jesus had one of those just trust me looks on his face. Mr. Lucado thinks that maybe, "Jesus had a smile on his face thinking about how Peter was about to be half yanked into the water." When they men pull up the nets, they are overwhelmed by their catch! And Peter, a man who doubts himself a lot, finally sees who this Jesus really is. HE recognizes that Jesus is God as a human. Not just a teacher or talker. Not just a healer or miracle worker. He is God, himself.
When Peter realizes this, he immediately pushes Jesus away saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." -Luke 5:8 Jesus does the exact opposite. He won't leave Peter. He stays with him, actually asks him to come with him and do some more fishing. Except this time, he wants Peter's help to "fish" for people. He wants Peter to let others know about who Jesus is and what he is all about.
I bet that all of us have felt like Peter. Tired. Needing rest. Doubting. Amazed. Self-conscious. Ashamed. Jesus encouraged him and accepted him. He invited him to be a part of what he was doing, even though Peter was not who he thought that he needed to be. He gives us the same chance.
1.12.2008
Daily Reading 14
"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:2
"They were astonished at his teaching." -Luke 4:32
Jesus had been through all of those days of temptation in the wilderness, went home only to be rejected, and then showed up in a town that completely swelled with excitement over his presence. He was in Capernaum. While there, all kinds of people came to him with requests, advice, and their own agendas. Jesus healed some of them, who had needs. But others, who wanted to tell Jesus what to do and how to do it were told what was up! "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." Luke 42-43
After 40 days of temptation, it would be hard to resist having a huge mass of people who were amazed by his teaching, wanting him to stay around and tell them more. But Jesus knew his purpose well. He could see the bigger picture. People in other places needed to hear his message, too. Even though there were a ton of people in this place who wanted him to stay, he knew his mission was to let EVERYONE know. He probably had to leave some people who still wanted to know more, or who needed to be healed. I wonder if they ever figured out that they could hear Jesus through others who had listened to him?
I can get caught up in what I think needs to be done, just like the people of Capernaum. Sometimes I wonder why God is not moving or acting like I think he should. Maybe I'm missing the bigger picture. Maybe there is something that is going to happen that shows that God really is a big deal in a way that I am not expecting. I do know that I can participate in His work. I am not going to just sit idly and wait for things to be done by Him. I am one of His followers and I want to help to let others know about His message of hope.
"They were astonished at his teaching." -Luke 4:32
Jesus had been through all of those days of temptation in the wilderness, went home only to be rejected, and then showed up in a town that completely swelled with excitement over his presence. He was in Capernaum. While there, all kinds of people came to him with requests, advice, and their own agendas. Jesus healed some of them, who had needs. But others, who wanted to tell Jesus what to do and how to do it were told what was up! "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." Luke 42-43
After 40 days of temptation, it would be hard to resist having a huge mass of people who were amazed by his teaching, wanting him to stay around and tell them more. But Jesus knew his purpose well. He could see the bigger picture. People in other places needed to hear his message, too. Even though there were a ton of people in this place who wanted him to stay, he knew his mission was to let EVERYONE know. He probably had to leave some people who still wanted to know more, or who needed to be healed. I wonder if they ever figured out that they could hear Jesus through others who had listened to him?
I can get caught up in what I think needs to be done, just like the people of Capernaum. Sometimes I wonder why God is not moving or acting like I think he should. Maybe I'm missing the bigger picture. Maybe there is something that is going to happen that shows that God really is a big deal in a way that I am not expecting. I do know that I can participate in His work. I am not going to just sit idly and wait for things to be done by Him. I am one of His followers and I want to help to let others know about His message of hope.
Daily Reading 13
"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and with his own people and in his own home." -Mark 6:4
"And he was amazed at their lack of faith." -Mark 6:6
So, I'm really far behind in my daily readings. It has been a week since I sat down to read and reflect. So, here we are, picking back up with the topic of Jesus' family.
I had never thought about Jesus' family much except for his mother and his father. He had siblings, though. Just like every family, they had their imperfections. I don't think that his family really was able to understand who he really was. I know that Mary and Joseph had been told that he was the Son of God. Don't you think they would probably have shared that with their kids?
When Jesus went out, no one from his hometown, including his family was very supportive. When he was being dragged off to die by people from his own community, his brothers weren't even around. Could it be that they knew who he was, but they were embarrassed? They didn't think the way that he did. They probably didn't agree with what he was doing by willingly going to die.
Lots of times, we wish that someone else understood. We have these ideas about how someone should act or think or respond to us. We do this a lot with family or close friends. I think what Jesus teaches us in this story is that we can't let the behavior of someone else control our own behavior. We can't demand that someone else think or feel or act the way that we think they should. Even family.
This is a hard concept to swallow. Jesus also tells us that we have family in our fellow believers. This is our spiritual family. When it comes to understanding each other spiritually, we can find that in others who are taking steps on their spiritual journey as well.
Even though it is hard sometimes to be in the middle of family stuff, we still have ways to connect with others and our Heavenly Father.
"And he was amazed at their lack of faith." -Mark 6:6
So, I'm really far behind in my daily readings. It has been a week since I sat down to read and reflect. So, here we are, picking back up with the topic of Jesus' family.
I had never thought about Jesus' family much except for his mother and his father. He had siblings, though. Just like every family, they had their imperfections. I don't think that his family really was able to understand who he really was. I know that Mary and Joseph had been told that he was the Son of God. Don't you think they would probably have shared that with their kids?
When Jesus went out, no one from his hometown, including his family was very supportive. When he was being dragged off to die by people from his own community, his brothers weren't even around. Could it be that they knew who he was, but they were embarrassed? They didn't think the way that he did. They probably didn't agree with what he was doing by willingly going to die.
Lots of times, we wish that someone else understood. We have these ideas about how someone should act or think or respond to us. We do this a lot with family or close friends. I think what Jesus teaches us in this story is that we can't let the behavior of someone else control our own behavior. We can't demand that someone else think or feel or act the way that we think they should. Even family.
This is a hard concept to swallow. Jesus also tells us that we have family in our fellow believers. This is our spiritual family. When it comes to understanding each other spiritually, we can find that in others who are taking steps on their spiritual journey as well.
Even though it is hard sometimes to be in the middle of family stuff, we still have ways to connect with others and our Heavenly Father.
1.04.2008
Daily Reading 12
"He knows me inside and out." - John 4:29
These words are talking about Jesus. The person who is saying them is not at all favorable in the opinion of many people... even some of Jesus' closest followers. If you think about who the woman is, she might remind you of some people that you have opinions about. She came from a place called Samaria. In this town lived a mixed race of Jews and Assyrians. Traditional Jews thought that the intermarriage meant betrayal. This woman was one of them. In the 9th verse of John chapter 4, the woman points this out to Jesus after he had asked her politely for a drink. "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman," she says.
Besides being Samaritan, was in a public place which meant that Jesus should not be seen talking to her as a Jewish man. She was also known by all who knew her to be living in sin. Jesus told her everything about herself. Things that he shouldn't have known because he had never met or talked about her with anyone. But this was God in front of her. She had no idea to whom she was talking.
Then he started to tell her about living water. He was explaining the condition of our souls. Just like our bodies need food and water, our souls need to be filled with the good news that Jesus loves us and accepts us, even while we are still in the middle of our sin. When we drink this water, it lasts forever. His forgiveness just has to be accepted.
Doesn't that tell you something about Jesus, that he was spending time with this woman who needed to hear about his grace? He wasn't just surrounding himself with religious people. He loved everyone. He came for ALL of us to know. Do you know what this woman's response was? She ran to the village, knowing that everyone already knew about her past, and she told them about Jesus' acceptance of her. When they heard this good news, they ran out to meet him themselves. He then stayed there for two days, sharing his message of love and grace and salvation with many more.
I know for a fact that Jesus wants everyone to know about this good news. Do you know that he loves and accepts you?
These words are talking about Jesus. The person who is saying them is not at all favorable in the opinion of many people... even some of Jesus' closest followers. If you think about who the woman is, she might remind you of some people that you have opinions about. She came from a place called Samaria. In this town lived a mixed race of Jews and Assyrians. Traditional Jews thought that the intermarriage meant betrayal. This woman was one of them. In the 9th verse of John chapter 4, the woman points this out to Jesus after he had asked her politely for a drink. "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman," she says.
Besides being Samaritan, was in a public place which meant that Jesus should not be seen talking to her as a Jewish man. She was also known by all who knew her to be living in sin. Jesus told her everything about herself. Things that he shouldn't have known because he had never met or talked about her with anyone. But this was God in front of her. She had no idea to whom she was talking.
Then he started to tell her about living water. He was explaining the condition of our souls. Just like our bodies need food and water, our souls need to be filled with the good news that Jesus loves us and accepts us, even while we are still in the middle of our sin. When we drink this water, it lasts forever. His forgiveness just has to be accepted.
Doesn't that tell you something about Jesus, that he was spending time with this woman who needed to hear about his grace? He wasn't just surrounding himself with religious people. He loved everyone. He came for ALL of us to know. Do you know what this woman's response was? She ran to the village, knowing that everyone already knew about her past, and she told them about Jesus' acceptance of her. When they heard this good news, they ran out to meet him themselves. He then stayed there for two days, sharing his message of love and grace and salvation with many more.
I know for a fact that Jesus wants everyone to know about this good news. Do you know that he loves and accepts you?
1.03.2008
Daily Reading 11
"Both Jesus and His followers were also invited to the wedding." -John 2:2
There is always some reason that a story is included in the Bible. This book called John is one of the four books of the bible called the gospels. They're given that title because they tell about the life and message of Jesus. Gospel means good news.
In my opinion, it is pretty good news that Jesus was invited to this wedding. You might say that He had just begun his "tour" and others had not really thought of Him as a celebrity, yet. A few guys had heard him talking about familiar things from the scriptures and wanted to know more about Him. But, at this time, Jesus was not doing miraculous healing or attracting a lot of attention. He was invited to a wedding, probably because the bride and or groom liked his company. He then walked a really long way - 90 miles to be at their wedding and His followers were invited, too.
It makes me smile to think that Jesus spent time at a wedding. He was very much God, but also did things to relate to us.
There is always some reason that a story is included in the Bible. This book called John is one of the four books of the bible called the gospels. They're given that title because they tell about the life and message of Jesus. Gospel means good news.
In my opinion, it is pretty good news that Jesus was invited to this wedding. You might say that He had just begun his "tour" and others had not really thought of Him as a celebrity, yet. A few guys had heard him talking about familiar things from the scriptures and wanted to know more about Him. But, at this time, Jesus was not doing miraculous healing or attracting a lot of attention. He was invited to a wedding, probably because the bride and or groom liked his company. He then walked a really long way - 90 miles to be at their wedding and His followers were invited, too.
It makes me smile to think that Jesus spent time at a wedding. He was very much God, but also did things to relate to us.
1.02.2008
Daily Reading 10
"Rabbi where are you staying?" they asked. (John 1:38)
"Come and see." -John 1:39
"We have found the Messiah." -John 1:41
Two guys, John and Andrew were doing a lot of listening to John the Baptist. Then they heard about Jesus and started listening to his teaching. The way that we can tell that these guys looked to him as different is by thinking about the question they asked. They asked where he was staying because they wanted to be around him, to learn from him, and to really know him.
The response Jesus gave, telling them to come and see is really intriguing. You know that popular catch phrase, "I'll believe it when I see it?" Jesus actually invited these two to get up close and personal and find out who he was. He wanted them to come and hang out with him. How could they really figure out who he was without doing so? Of course this makes sense. He wanted followers who wanted to know and learn from him. They took the initiative to ask and he welcomed it.
I can relate to John and Andrew. I want to understand and "see" who Jesus is, too. Reading his words helps me to figure out how to be more like him. When I do get that figured out, other people around me can "see" Jesus in my actions.
"Come and see." -John 1:39
"We have found the Messiah." -John 1:41
Two guys, John and Andrew were doing a lot of listening to John the Baptist. Then they heard about Jesus and started listening to his teaching. The way that we can tell that these guys looked to him as different is by thinking about the question they asked. They asked where he was staying because they wanted to be around him, to learn from him, and to really know him.
The response Jesus gave, telling them to come and see is really intriguing. You know that popular catch phrase, "I'll believe it when I see it?" Jesus actually invited these two to get up close and personal and find out who he was. He wanted them to come and hang out with him. How could they really figure out who he was without doing so? Of course this makes sense. He wanted followers who wanted to know and learn from him. They took the initiative to ask and he welcomed it.
I can relate to John and Andrew. I want to understand and "see" who Jesus is, too. Reading his words helps me to figure out how to be more like him. When I do get that figured out, other people around me can "see" Jesus in my actions.
1.01.2008
Daily Reading 9
"He faced all of the same temptations we do." -Hebrews 4:15
"The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days." -Luke 4:1-2
"Well done, good and faithful servant." -Matthew 25:23
Today's entry deals with the concept of Jesus being tempted with all of the same temptations by which we are tempted. I am often tempted to be self-righteous, self gratifying, and glutinous. I can see how these temptations are similar to those that Jesus faced. AND I cannot imagine how tortuous it would have been to go through 40 entire days of any and all temptations that can be thrown at a person. He was starving and was tempted with the suggestion of food. Instead of taking the bait, he answered with what he knew to be true - that he cannot live on bread alone, but needed the word of God to sustain him. He was tempted with power and resisted.
You know what? The difficulty is that when I am faced with temptation, I sometimes give in.
As I read some more of the fourth chapter in Hebrews, I noticed that there were several mentions of the word rest. From these words, I can see that I can look beyond the moment of temptation to a time when I will no longer be stressed or worried over it. The 16th verse of Hebrews Chapter 4 says, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." This is the place of hope. I have strength knowing that I can overcome those moments with God's mercy and grace. It is there because I need it.
I'm glad that I read those words today. Now if I can just remember them when I am tempted!
"The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days." -Luke 4:1-2
"Well done, good and faithful servant." -Matthew 25:23
Today's entry deals with the concept of Jesus being tempted with all of the same temptations by which we are tempted. I am often tempted to be self-righteous, self gratifying, and glutinous. I can see how these temptations are similar to those that Jesus faced. AND I cannot imagine how tortuous it would have been to go through 40 entire days of any and all temptations that can be thrown at a person. He was starving and was tempted with the suggestion of food. Instead of taking the bait, he answered with what he knew to be true - that he cannot live on bread alone, but needed the word of God to sustain him. He was tempted with power and resisted.
You know what? The difficulty is that when I am faced with temptation, I sometimes give in.
As I read some more of the fourth chapter in Hebrews, I noticed that there were several mentions of the word rest. From these words, I can see that I can look beyond the moment of temptation to a time when I will no longer be stressed or worried over it. The 16th verse of Hebrews Chapter 4 says, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." This is the place of hope. I have strength knowing that I can overcome those moments with God's mercy and grace. It is there because I need it.
I'm glad that I read those words today. Now if I can just remember them when I am tempted!
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