Daily Bread Luke 6
Daily Bread Luke 6
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is 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. 49But 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."
Observation:
Chapter 6 begins with Jesus redefining what the Sabbath was all about. He uses an example from the Old Testament, where David and his companions ate consecrated bread from the sanctuary when they were hungry. Jesus also heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath in full view of everyone, to show that the Sabbath is meant for good and saving life, not the opposite.
Then after calling the 12 apostles (apostle means “one who is sent”, or “messenger of Good News”), Jesus gives some teaching similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Many call Luke’s version the “Sermon on the Plain”. It has many of the same ideas in terms of the kind of life followers of Jesus lead. Luke’s version says “Blessed are the poor”, whereas Matthew’s says “Blessed are the poor in Spirit”, thus accenting Luke’s desire to reach those on the margins in society.
The verses above point to Luke’s desire to clarify that a disciple leads by example, not just words. He says the key to building a strong foundation that will withstand any calamity, is putting Jesus’ words into practice. Although we are saved by grace and not works, Luke says a “good tree cannot help but bear good fruit”.
Application:
Jesus describes the kind of life his followers will lead. They will love their enemies, not be judge others, but instead look first to see if their own house in order before they comment on their neighbors. They will forgive others (because they have been forgiven), lend freely, and give generously and receive in back with the same degree they gave.
As you can see this is pretty counter-cultural. Christians should be those on the edge, challenging status-quo and working on behalf of those who society has discarded. Christians should love those who everybody hates. Christians shouldn’t take revenge, but pray harder for those who persecute them. (what would this mean in our current ideological/religious battles?)
Jesus says those who pursue this kind of lifestyle will be blessed. He warns those who live for themselves and accumulate possessions selfishly without care of those in need are on very shaky footing.
Luke challenges us to be Jesus’ disciples. He doesn’t mince words in what this will look like. I wonder what this would look like today? I wonder if I am living this kind of life? One thing I do know, if we got back to more of this kind of radical obedience that we would be blessed and the Church would be that good tree that bears much fruit.
Prayer:
Gracious God, you challenge us to lead the kind of life that will leave the world saying, “Where do these people get this kind of love?”. Jesus you taught us how to live in a way that would be salt and light in the world. We know as we follow your teachings, we will be building our house on a rock that can withstand any storm life will bring our way. A
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is 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. 49But 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."
Observation:
Chapter 6 begins with Jesus redefining what the Sabbath was all about. He uses an example from the Old Testament, where David and his companions ate consecrated bread from the sanctuary when they were hungry. Jesus also heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath in full view of everyone, to show that the Sabbath is meant for good and saving life, not the opposite.
Then after calling the 12 apostles (apostle means “one who is sent”, or “messenger of Good News”), Jesus gives some teaching similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Many call Luke’s version the “Sermon on the Plain”. It has many of the same ideas in terms of the kind of life followers of Jesus lead. Luke’s version says “Blessed are the poor”, whereas Matthew’s says “Blessed are the poor in Spirit”, thus accenting Luke’s desire to reach those on the margins in society.
The verses above point to Luke’s desire to clarify that a disciple leads by example, not just words. He says the key to building a strong foundation that will withstand any calamity, is putting Jesus’ words into practice. Although we are saved by grace and not works, Luke says a “good tree cannot help but bear good fruit”.
Application:
Jesus describes the kind of life his followers will lead. They will love their enemies, not be judge others, but instead look first to see if their own house in order before they comment on their neighbors. They will forgive others (because they have been forgiven), lend freely, and give generously and receive in back with the same degree they gave.
As you can see this is pretty counter-cultural. Christians should be those on the edge, challenging status-quo and working on behalf of those who society has discarded. Christians should love those who everybody hates. Christians shouldn’t take revenge, but pray harder for those who persecute them. (what would this mean in our current ideological/religious battles?)
Jesus says those who pursue this kind of lifestyle will be blessed. He warns those who live for themselves and accumulate possessions selfishly without care of those in need are on very shaky footing.
Luke challenges us to be Jesus’ disciples. He doesn’t mince words in what this will look like. I wonder what this would look like today? I wonder if I am living this kind of life? One thing I do know, if we got back to more of this kind of radical obedience that we would be blessed and the Church would be that good tree that bears much fruit.
Prayer:
Gracious God, you challenge us to lead the kind of life that will leave the world saying, “Where do these people get this kind of love?”. Jesus you taught us how to live in a way that would be salt and light in the world. We know as we follow your teachings, we will be building our house on a rock that can withstand any storm life will bring our way. A
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