SHARING BREAD

⁵¹ Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

Luke 12:51 (NIV)

“Jesus stated that complete dedication to Him would sometimes bring about rejection even from one’s immediate family.  The person who places family ahead of his service for Christ is called ‘not worthy’ in Scripture.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. 

³⁷ ”Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸ and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matt 10:37-39 (NIV)

After 55 years of living, I have come to the realization that life is just simply not about me – go figure!  This may come as a shock to some of you too, but it is not about you either!  It is all about Jesus.  Just as Christ had to empty Himself of His Godhead, humbling Himself by making Himself nothing to save our scrawny necks in obedience to the will of the Father, we too should humble ourselves emptying ourselves to be filled with the strength and power of His Spirit in order to do the will of the Father.  We are told in Philippians:

⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! ⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Phil 2:4-11 (NIV)

What an example!  What a Savior!  It often takes a firm grasp of the above passage to endure some of the rejection which accompanies following hard after Jesus.  Our predecessors in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews chapter eleven faced the same, if not much harder, issues:

³² And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. ³⁵ Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷ They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated– ³⁸ the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Heb 11:32-38 (NIV)

“If a man commit himself to God….that man ought not to be afraid of anything.”  George MacDonald

How very convicting to read that those we have come behind in following Christ lived their lives on earth so sacrificially that they might “gain a better resurrection”.  We often think so little of our home in heaven and simply live like this life is it!  Big mistake!

“The real value of a thing is the price it will bring in eternity.”  John Wesley

As believers we have a breathtaking future in store for us!  We must keep our eyes fixed on that certainty.  When we reach out to others, ministering in the name of Jesus, humbling ourselves to further His kingdom, we discover life that is truly life.  It is in pouring our lives out like a drink offering, as Paul says in Philippians, on the sacrifice and service that comes from another’s faith that brings the follower of Christ true joy.  It is in giving that we receive; dying that we live; humbling ourselves that we are exalted.  Jesus came and turned the world’s way of thinking topsy-turvy!  It takes faith to flesh out this call as it goes against what comes much too naturally for us which, of course, is putting ourselves first. Interestingly, when we humble ourselves we are sitting prime for God to exalt.  We are told in Scripture:

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Whatever good I do is through Christ working in me.  “Every act of compassion done by anyone for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working in him.”  Julian of Norwich
• No person or thing should come ahead of Christ in my life.  “Whatever a man seeks, honors, or exalts more than God, this is the god of idolatry.”  William Ullathorne
• I should live my life in such a way as to “gain a better resurrection”.

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SHARING BREAD

⁴⁹ “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Luke 12:49-50 (NIV)

Jesus brought division to the earth.  He tells us in Matthew:

³⁴ ”Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law–³⁶ a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Matt 10:34-36 (NIV)

Following hard after our Master has always come with a certain amount of rejection – usually from people that we are the closest to.  The message of the cross is confrontational. Certainly we have experienced this in our own lives!  Darkness will rarely embrace light.  This should not surprise us – it began with Jesus Himself:

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹ When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”   Mark 3:20-21 (NIV)

John also adds this insight:

¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.   John 1:10-13 (NIV)

He also tells us to expect this reception from others:

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.   John 15:18-21 (NIV)

Ridicule and opposition from those we are the closest to is difficult indeed.  Jesus tells us that no slight we receive due to following Him will ever go without sure reward:

¹¹ ”Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.   Matt 5:11-12 (NIV)

While Jesus brought division and discord to the earth, He brings great peace to those who follow after Him.  He gives us this promise in John:

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.   John 14:27 (NIV)

I love how the Bible Knowledge Commentary expounds on this verse:

“In New Testament times the normal way to say good-bye was Peace (¬¹lôm in Heb.). In His death Jesus provided a legacy for His disciples: My peace I give you. They would have “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1) because their sins were forgiven and the “peace of God” (Phil. 4:7) would guard their lives. The world is unable to give this kind of peace. Fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15) and fear of the future are removed as Jesus’ followers trust in Him. Thus they need not be troubled (cf. John 11:33; 13:21; 14:1).”

³³ ”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33 (NIV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.     Phil 4:4-7 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• I should not be surprised by rejection.  I must remember that I am not being rejected, but Christ.
• Christ always goes before me – the world hated Him first.
• Jesus gives His perfect peace to those who choose to follow after Him.

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SHARING BREAD

⁴⁷ ”That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. ⁴⁸ But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

Accountability – defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “responsible; required to account for one’s conduct” – this is exactly the point Jesus is speaking to here.  We are held accountable to the Truth we have been given not to mention the gifts that have been bestowed upon us.  We must beware if we continually are privileged to hear Truth and refuse to act on it or embrace it or if we continually fritter away the gifts that have been bestowed upon us choosing not to fan them into flames.  I am reminded of Paul’s words in II Corinthians regarding salvation:

¹ As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.   2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)

Paul also gives urging words to believers in Christ regarding how we are to live.  In Romans 12 we are told:

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern 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 12:1-2 (NIV)

In view of God’s abundant mercy towards us, it is our sacred service to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to be used for His purposes and for His glory.  What does that look like?  How then shall we live?  I love how Peter puts it:

 ¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. ² As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do–living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.   1 Peter 4:1-5 (NIV)

 ⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

“O Lord, what shame that You should need to beg us thus!  Better that others might find us unavailable because of our occupation with You, rather than for us to be so slow to come, so dull to hear, so cold of heart, so indolent of soul. 

O God, spare us Your wrath!  Do not let Your anger be kindled against us.  Let us ask only one thing more, and do not turn away.

Grant this one prayer more, O Lord, that You would give us all that is lacking in us; intensify our hunger and fire our devotion; take the indifference from our spirits; and have within us Your wonderful way and perfect will, O God, we pray.”  Frances J. Roberts

What I glean from this:

• I am held accountable for the Truth I have received.
• I am held accountable for the gifts I have been bestowed.
• I am to offer my body as a “living sacrifice”.

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SHARING BREAD

⁴⁵ But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. ⁴⁶ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:45-46 (NIV)

The end result doesn’t sound too good for the faithless does it?  There will be a day of reckoning for every person who has ever lived.  For the non-believer we are told in Scripture:

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.   Rev 20:11-15 (NIV)

Those who belong to Christ, the redeemed by His precious blood, will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive their reward (or perhaps lack of it!):

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10 (NIV)

This is why Paul prefaces the verse with:

⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Cor 5:8-9 (NIV)

As we have said before, it matters how we live.  Paul again states in Ephesians:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)

I love how the Bible Knowledge Commentary expounds on the above verses:

“Believers then, are to walk (live) carefully, so as to be wise or skillful and thus please the Lord. The manner for this careful, precise walk is making the right use of every opportunity (cf. Col. 4:5), and the reason for this careful walk is that the days are evil. Many are walking in sin, and since the time is short believers must make full use of their time to help turn them from darkness to light. This necessitates wise conduct.

Paul gives us further insight regarding our works being tested by fire:

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴ If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.    1 Cor 3:10-15 (NIV)

While salvation is secure for the believer in Christ through His redemptive work for us on the cross, I wonder if the servant in our verse for today thought that he too belonged to the Master.  The mindset of a verbal ascension sans actions or deeds or a changed life or any manifestation of fruit the Bible states is not saving faith.  One that simply espouses faith yet has no evidence of faith quite frankly just qualifies one to be a demon!  Demons even espoused with emotion!  James tells us:

¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. James 2:18-19 (NIV)

Unfortunately, this way of thinking has crept into our churches giving many a false sense of security.  A believer in Christ will manifest a changed life – not a perfect life, but a changed life. Certainly to believe in Christ is far more than just a verbal assent. As James also tells us:

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.   James 2:14-18 (NIV)

Lord, may we always conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with power according to His glorious might so that we may have great endurance, patience and joy.

What I glean from this:

·         The day of reckoning will come for every person who has ever lived.

·         I am to be careful how I live making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.

·         Saving faith in Christ manifests a changed life.  

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SHARING BREAD

⁴⁴ I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Luke 12:44 (NIV)

Just as surely as there are always consequences to sin (every sin carries with it a death sentence) there are always blessings to obedience.  In our verse for today Jesus speaks of the rewards of the faithful.  Scripture has many illustrations regarding rewards in the here and now and also our future eternal rewards.  While certainly not an exhaustive list, below are some verses from Scripture which perhaps will be a source of encouragement and blessing to us today:

Just as God told Abram (Abraham) – God is our shield and our very great reward:  ¹ After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward. ”   Gen 15:1 (NIV).  This speaks to the total sufficiency and strength our Creator is to be in our lives.  His grace and power are sufficient to meet our every need.

David tells us in the Psalm 19 that in keeping God’s Word there is also great reward:  ¹¹ By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.   Psalms 19:11 (NIV).  We do ourselves much harm when we disregard God’s Word.

We are told in Proverbs that our wisdom will reward us:  ¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;   Prov 9:12 (NIV).  This, of course, is Godly wisdom or “wisdom from above”. 

We are also told in Proverbs that sowing righteousness reaps reward – rewards that are both beneficial and lasting: he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.  Prov 11:18 (NIV).  The righteous, as we know, will live by faith.

In responding to our enemies with kindness, the Lord will reward us:   ²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. ²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.   Prov 25:21-22 (NIV).  We are told to repay evil with good.

Isaiah tells us that when Jesus returns He will be bringing His reward with Him:  ¹⁰ See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.   Isaiah 40:10 (NIV).  His reward and recompense is greater than any paste gem idol this world has to offer.

Jeremiah tells us that God searches our hearts and examines our minds and rewards us according to our conduct: ¹⁰ ”I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Jer 17:10 (NIV).  It matters how we live.

Again, Jeremiah states the following regarding rewards for our conduct:  ¹⁹ great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.   Jer 32:19 (NIV).  We are to “walk in a manner worthy of the gospel”.

The New Testament has plenty to say regarding rewards too.  Below are a few verses to whet our appetites:

Jesus tells us our persecution for His sake will bring us great reward:    ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.   Matt 5:11-12 (NIV).  This is persecution we receive because of Jesus.

Jesus also tells us that we will be rewarded according to our actions:  ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.   Matt 16:27 (NIV).  It will make a difference how we build on the foundation of Christ.

Jesus speaks of loving our enemies which in turn brings us reward:  ³⁵ 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 sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:34-36 (NIV).  We are to live a life of loving and serving.

Paul echoes the same sentiment in Ephesians: ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.   Eph 6:7-8 (NIV).  Our good deeds do not go unnoticed.

Lastly, the writer of Hebrews gives us the example in the life of Moses to follow in regard to his faith and upon what and Whom his focus was fixed:   ²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. ²⁵ He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. ²⁶ He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.   Heb 11:24-26 (NIV).  What do we value? What takes top priority in our lives?

God knows how we are made (He made us for heaven’s sake!). While oftentimes this life is not “fair”, our “jelly bean” so to speak, our hope in the horizon, is in the God who has promised that one day every wrong will be righted, every good deed will be brought to light and rewarded, and every slight or persecution will be judged justly.  God is fair and God is not whimsical and God does not change and God is loving.  We can strike that from our list of concerns.  Believer, be blessed and encouraged by these truths!

 ¹² “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.   Rev 22:12 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• God is a rewarder (Hallelujah!).
• I am rewarded according to my conduct.
• In difficulty, I am to look ahead to my reward so that I will “not grow weary and lose heart.”

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SHARING BREAD

 ⁴² The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? ⁴³ It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.

Luke 12:42-43 (NIV)

A very important question for us to ask ourselves is this:  “What is the task the Lord has placed in our hands at this time of His-story?”  We would do well to be about it particularly if His return should occur during our watch.  Could the task be extraordinarily difficult requiring His sufficient all achieving power and our diligence and perseverance to carry it out?  Could the task be so boring and mundane requiring also this same sufficient all achieving power and our diligence and perseverance to finish it well?  I love what Amy Carmichael states:

“If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider ‘not spiritual work’ I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”   

God calls us to persevere in the mundane as well as in the difficult and exciting.  Oftentimes life’s work can become quite daily.  We would do well to remind ourselves of the wonderful command in Colossians chapter three:

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Col 3:23-24 (NIV)

Our Lord, who judges without favoritism or partiality, will repay in full at His coming. When we work as unto Him, all our efforts become holy (set apart) for divine usage and will be compensated when our Lord returns. We are told in Isaiah:

 ¹⁰ See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  Isaiah 40:10 (NIV)

Jesus gives us these directives in Mark:

 ³² “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Mark 13:32-34 (NIV)

Jesus’ exhortation is for each generation to be watching, waiting and working until His return or our own homecoming.  Paul gives us a wonderful charge (albeit convicting) through the example of his “crucified” life and ministry:

²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”   Acts 20:22-24 (NIV)

Our Lord Himself states the following about His own work in the Gospel of John:

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38 (NIV)

“The vows of God are on me, and I may not stay to play with shadows, or pluck earthly flowers till I my work have done, and rendered up account.”  Amy Carmichael 

Life is not nearly long enough for everything. As believers, we must be constantly seeking the “narrowed down” life which is focused on standing firm in all of His perfect will unhindered by the things that keep us back from attaining this lofty goal.  “It is the life that has no time for trifling that tells.”  Amy Carmichael.   This is the crux of Hebrews 12:1-3:

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.   Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)

“Let us work as if success depended upon ourselves alone, but with heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing, and God everything.”    St. Ignatius Loyola

What I glean from this:

·         I should be about my Father’s business.

·         Whatever I do, I should work at it with all my heart as working for the Lord.

·         I should not waste my life in triflings.

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SHARING BREAD

³⁹ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Luke 12:39-40 (NIV)

“If there is one doctrine I have preached more than another, it is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints even to the end.”   Charles Spurgeon

The Oxford Dictionary defines “ready” the following way:  “Preparations complete; a fit state; willing, inclined or resolved; within reach, easily secured; fit for immediate use; immediate, unqualified; prompt; make ready, prepared, provided beforehand.”  This is what we are called to be as we wait for either the return of Jesus or our own homecoming.  It is described aptly as being “in a state of readiness”.  I am reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy:

⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.   1 Tim 4:6-8 (NIV)

¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.   1 Tim 4:16 (NIV)

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:11-12 (NIV)

Indeed, as Paul challenged Timothy, we are to be a prepared people – training, pursuing and fighting the good fight of faith.  This challenge is spoken to all throughout the Bible.  God has always desired for His people to be prepared.  Paul’s words again emphasize this point:

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.   2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)

To be prepared, God’s people are to know and flesh out God’s Truth.  God delivered this message to Joshua after Moses, God’s servant, had died and prior to the entrance of the Israelites into the Promised Land:

⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Josh 1:6-9 (NIV)

God has delivered to us His Word, His revealed will.  We suffer much harm when we disregard its truths and its power.  It is alive and active and sharper than any two edged sword.  Scripture states about Scripture:

¹² For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   Heb 4:12 (NIV)

I love what the Bible Knowledge Commentary states about the above verse:

“The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh. The readers might think that they were contemplating certain steps out of purely spiritual motivations when, as God’s Word could show them, they were acting unfaithfully as did Israel of old.”

Our hearts will deceive us.  It is the Holy Spirit that illuminates God’s Word pointing us towards and teaching us the truth.  As we approach the Scriptures we are to be prayerfully asking the Spirit, as the psalmist did, to:

¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.  Psalms 119:18 (NIV)

Jesus also tells us that the Spirit will teach us.  We find His words in John:

²⁵ ”All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.   John 14:25-26 (NIV)

The Spirit works within the heart and mind of the believer giving insight and understanding reminding us of Jesus’ words.  Lastly, as an added benefit we find in Psalm 119:

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• I am to persevere to the end in my walk of faith.
• I am to be in a state of readiness as I wait on the return of Jesus or my own homecoming which, by the way, is not idleness.
• With the help of the Holy Spirit, I am to study and know God’s Word so that I may flesh it out pointing others to Christ.

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SHARING BREAD

³⁷ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

Luke 12:37 (NIV)

Amazing!  Those who are watching, waiting and ready for their Master, He will serve.  Reclining at the table, donned with clothes of service, Jesus will wait on His servants.  How like God to turn the order to such as this – the Master serving His servants! What greater love can be bestowed?  I would certainly have to say that would be a most blessed position to be placed in!

The word translated “good” in the above verse is from the Greek word “Makarios” meaning:  “Blessed, blissful.  Biblically, one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life.  The hand of God is at work directing all his affairs for a divine purpose, and thus, in a sense, such a person lives coram Deo, before the face of God.  Blessedness is sharing in the life of God, being favorably affected and influenced by God which involves, among other things, participating in the kingdom, recompense and forgiveness.”  The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids.

So what is actually meant by watching?  It is from the Greek word “Gregoreuo” meaning to arouse, arise.  To watch, refrain from sleep.  It denotes a mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps one from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct. I am reminded of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when speaking to His drowsy disciples:

 ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”   Matt 26:40-41 (NIV)

I wonder if He is saying this very thing to us on our “hour” watch in this time of His-story.  “Watch” and “Pray”, Jesus tells us, “The Spirit is wiling but the body is weak”.

I love the words penned by David in Psalm 37.  Filled with wonderful promises for those who belong to the Lord, it is replete with words such as wait, commit, trust, refrain and consider.  The psalm in its entirety is worth the read yet the following gem found within it seals our point:

 ³⁴ Wait for the LORD and keep his way.   He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.   Psalms 37:34 (NIV)

Jesus and David were not the only ones in Scripture speaking out on watching and waiting for the Master’s return.  Isaiah tells us:

¹⁸ Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!   Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

Paul speaks of this in Romans:

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.   Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)

Stating also in I Thessalonians:

¹³ Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage each other with these words.   1 Thess 4:13-18 (NIV)

Jesus’ half brother James tells us:

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.   James 5:7-8 (NIV)

Believing Jesus’ return to be imminent gave these men greater impetus to watch and wait patiently.  While no one knows the hour or the day of Christ’s return we are all called to live in this same prepared state of anticipation of His arrival.     

“O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee.  I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow, may richer, fuller be. O light that follow’st all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee.  My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day, may brighter, fairer be.  O joy that sleekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee.  I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morning shall tearless be.  O cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee.  I lay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be.”  George Matheson  

What I glean from this:

·         I am to be watching and waiting and ready for Jesus’ return.

·         The promise of Scripture is that those who wait on the Lord will inherit the land.

·         I am to encourage others with the words of Christ’s return.  

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SHARING BREAD

³⁵ “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

Luke 12:35-36 (NIV)

Here Jesus gives us a command of expectant watchfulness.  We are to be ready for service with our lamps aflame.  So how are we doing with this?  I am reminded of the parable of the ten virgins.  Most of us are very familiar with this parable found in Matthew chapter 25 yet I think it is wise for us to revisit it in regards to Jesus’ words to us for today:

¹ “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. ⁶ ”At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ ⁷ ”Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ ”‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ ”But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. ¹¹ ”Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ ¹² ”But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ ¹³ ”Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.   Matt 25:1-13 (NIV)

The ending words of Jesus in this parable are not too dissimilar with His words on the Sermon on the Mount also found in Matthew:

²¹ ”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matt 7:21-23 (NIV)

There are many points to be taken from the above passages of Scripture for us to apply.  While certainly not exhaustive, below are a few I believe to be paramount:

·         Be ready and watching for Jesus’ return:   ⁴² ”Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  Matt 24:42-44 (NIV)

·         We are to keep our lamps burning brightly – we are to shine forth our lights giving direction to others:   ¹⁴ ”You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matt 5:14-16 (NIV)

·         We want to be immediately ready to open the door and welcome Him in: ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.   Rev 3:19-20 (NIV)

·         We are foolish if we are not prepared, wise if we are:  ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matt 26:41 (NIV)

 ¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.   1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

·         No one knows when Jesus is coming – He may be a long time in coming or He may come quickly – we are to be ready at all times:   ⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:7-8 (NIV)

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. ¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. ¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.  2 Peter 3:10-15 (NIV)

·         It matters that we have a personal relationship with Jesus:   ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6 (NIV)

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus desires for me to have an expectant watchfulness for His return.
• I am to be shining my light brightly pointing others to Christ.
• I am foolish if I am not prepared and wise if I am.

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SHARING BREAD

³³ Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:33-34 (NIV)

In our verses for today Jesus speaks to us regarding selfless (sans ulterior motives in our giving with respect to expectations of others), willing giving.  This, my friends, God loves!  I am reminded of a quote I recently came across – unfortunately, I have no idea who to credit it to – that seems appropriate regarding this very point:

“It is another one of those “immutable laws of the universe” where sharing, caring and giving trumps self-centered, narcissistic and selfish every time.”

Paul also speaks to us regarding this issue in II Corinthians:

 ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   2 Cor 9:6-7 (NIV)

Proverbs also tells us:

²⁴ One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
²⁵ A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. ²⁶ People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.   Prov 11:24-26 (NIV)

These verses encourage a life of generosity.  I love what the Bible Knowledge Commentary states about them:

“By giving freely a person has plenty, a seeming paradox (cf. 2 Cor. 9:6). Conversely a person who is miserly, failing to help others in obvious need, will himself always be in need (cf. 28:22). By being generous (Prov. 11:25) a person prospers and is in turn helped (cf. v. 17). Grain (v. 26) in a farming society was a major medium of exchange; hoarding it could drastically affect prices. But a person who sold his grain and did not hoard it was a blessing to others.”

God’s ways are not the world’s ways.  What comes natural to us is usually the opposite of how God works – i.e. God desires for us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, die to live, give to get, and on and on it goes -   I am sure you get the picture here. It is a great paradox requiring faith to flesh out.  It actually boils down to do we believe what He says is true?  If we do believe, then we will act accordingly and be blessed accordingly.  I am confident I have missed many blessings that He desired for me to have because of my own poor choices.  Our choices do make a difference in our lives!  God also desires for us to give to show our love to others.  Jesus tells us:

Freely you have received, freely give.   Matt 10:8 (NIV)

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”  Amy Carmichael

“Our actions disclose what goes on within us, just as its fruit makes known a tree otherwise unknown to us.”   Thalassios the Libyan

“We are to do acts of kindness to those that least of all deserve it.”   William Law

Scripture is replete with commands regarding our giving.  One of my very favorite is also found in Luke:

³⁸ 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.” Luke 6:38 (NIV)

“Every act of compassion done for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working in him.”  Julian of Norwich

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.   2 Cor 9:8 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• God loves for me to be a cheerful giver.
• Freely I have received, freely I am to give.
• It is Christ working in and through me enabling me to abound in every good work.

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