​Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:13


In the bridesmaid parable there is no mention of the 5 on the outside being sinners. All 10 are sinners. We are all sinners. Sinless and perfect aren't the criteria for entry.

The difference between those who enter and those who are shut out is genuine faith in the work of Jesus and repentance (asking forgiveness and truly wanting to follow Him and change…even if we mess up frequently). It isn’t just receiving the invitation, looking the part, and carrying around an empty lamp. It is believing, knowing, confessing that Jesus is Lord and Savior. It is constantly refilling our lamps, making sure they are shining the light of Jesus. We can’t make the light shine just by holding the lamp. We need the Holy Spirit. We need to want to keep it full and bright. And it doesn't mean we get it right all the time...we won't! It is about deeply wanting to. It isn’t reciting magic words or being sprinkled with water as an infant; it is a changed heart. Jesus regularly points out the hypocrisy of the “religious” people He encounters who look the part on the outside, who say all the right things, who even want to be with God for eternity. They have on elaborate wedding clothes and carry a beautifully polished lamp, but they have no oil. They miss the key ingredient to create light.

​This parable isn’t for us to look to the right or left to examine who has oil and who doesn’t. We likely won’t be able to identify them, and it is not for us to do. This parable is for us to look within to examine whether or not we are prepared. How will Jesus – who sees straight inside us – find us when He returns?

God, turn my eyes inward to see what You see. Let me never get too apathetic, lazy, content, assuming, to not be prepared for Your glorious return. Help me to be poor in Spirit, with a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and forgiveness.
 
Questions: How can you keep your “light filled”?  How would Jesus find you if He returned today?

​​​“The door was shut.” (Matthew 25:10)

“Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us.” (Matthew 25:11)

“Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” (Matthew 25:12)

1 parable.
10 bridesmaids.
All invited.
All accept the invitation.
All dressed for the occasion.
All carrying lamps.
All eagerly awaiting the celebration.
​All resting.
On the outside, no difference could be seen.

​But only 5 enter the wedding feast.

Why?

Only 5 brought the extra oil needed to keep their lamps lit.
Only 5 were prepared to enter.

Jesus and the apostles tell us over and over again to be ready, for we do not know the exact time Jesus will return again.

This parable is a stern wake-up call about the consequences of not being ready. While the door is open wide now and Jesus is patient for all to enter, a time will come when the door is shut. And when it does, we won’t be able to borrow, transfer or share in the preparedness of others; it has to be our own.
 
Are you ready?
 
Challenge: Read the story of the 10 bridesmaids (some versions say 10 virgins) in Matthew 25:1-13. Think about where you see yourself.

​And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Luke 19:7
 
The crowd grumbles at Jesus inviting himself to Zacchaeus’s house. How dare this teacher associate with such a disgraceful human being, they mutter among themselves and aloud.

But Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Yes, come to my house! Dinner it is!

We don’t know what was said over that dinner, but we know that Zacchaeus’s life was radically changed as a result of this encounter.

His entire adult life Zacchaeus likely heard from the Jewish religious crowd that he was a sinner, that he needed to repent, that he needed to stop extorting the Jewish people, that he needed to give to the poor. While all of this is true, it had no impact on his life.

But Jesus looking up at him from the bottom of that tree, noticing him, loving him at that moment, calling him by name, insisting He dine at his house, engaging with him…THIS forever changed him.

“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Zacchaeus is a transformed man with renewed priorities.

Love for Jesus is the greatest motivation for change. Far more than legalism, guilt, lectures, or manipulation.

​May we not be fooled by what we see. Things aren’t always what they seem. No one is too far gone for Jesus to stop, look up at, engage with, and radically change. In fact, they are the most likely to get His attention. May love be a mighty force for change in our lives and the lives of those we love.
 
Questions: What compels people to follow Jesus? How is Jesus different than the misguided religious leaders of His day?

And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. Luke 192:3
 
​As you read through the Gospels you hear the steady refrain that things aren’t always what they seem.

The first are last and the last are first. The King of kings comes wrapped in humility, not political might. Blessed are the poor, mourning, meek, hungry, persecuted.

The ones who appear righteous, moral, and most devout – the ones armed with the most Scriptural knowledge – are the ones who consistently miss Jesus. And the ones looked down on, uneducated, the outcasts, the sinners are the ones who experience radical life changes through their encounters with Jesus.

Those who should be the most overjoyed coming face to face with the long-awaited Messiah are the ones digging in their heels protecting who they are, what they have built for themselves, and their social status…all in the name of God. Conversely, the ones thought most unclean, unrighteous, unworthy by society are the ones unashamedly running to Jesus, and as a result, rejoicing in healing and wholeness.

On this day in Jericho, while the religious leaders were seeking to trap Jesus, the extremely wealthy, despised chief tax collector scurries ahead of the crowd and climbs a tree for a mere chance to see Jesus as He passes by. But Jesus doesn’t simply pass by. Jesus stops. He stops under the branches of the tree, looks up, and calls him by name.

“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today,” Jesus says.
 
Questions: Where have you been struck by regarding the upside-downness of the Gospel? Where have you seen it play out in your life?

​…whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:27-28
 
Nestled between the rich man walking away and the blind men receiving their sight, Matthew shares three events. First, Jesus tells a parable of a master who hires laborers to work in his vineyard. Some are hired early and some toward the end of the workday, all with payment agreed to in advance. As the day comes to an end, the master distributes the previously agreed-upon wages, which happens to be the same for all of the workers. Grumbling, those who put in more hours cry out, “not fair!”
 
Jesus closes the parable stating that the last will be first, and the first last. He then tells them for the third time what is to come – He will be delivered over to the religious leaders, unjustly condemned to death, handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged and crucified. Unfairly persecuted. But on the third day, He will be raised.
 
Fresh off this weighty proclamation, the mother of two disciples approaches Jesus, asking that her sons sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom. Jesus tells her and them that they know not what they are asking. Elevated status comes from suffering in this kingdom.

The rich young man looked to his possessions and clung tighter. The laborers in the parables looked to the right and left, comparing work and wages. The disciples looked to a worldly throne, hoping for royal status and position. The followers of Jesus continue trying to receive rewards according to the world’s standards and their efforts, while Jesus continues explaining that His kingdom and reward system is unlike any other.
 
If we’re honest, we often join in the grumbling, “not fair!” The truth is, we couldn’t handle fair. Fair lands us in hell getting the punishment we deserve. We need grace and God’s generous gift of salvation through the “unfair” and undeserved suffering of the sinless Son of God. Let us never begrudge the generosity of the Lord.

Challenge: Prayerfully examine your expectations of the kingdom of God and your role in the kingdom. How can you love and serve like Jesus?

​They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Matthew 20:33
 
“Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The cries of two blind men. The following crowds attempt to silence them, but they cry out even louder and more determined, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Jesus stops. “What do you want me to do for you?” He asks.

There is no hesitation. They know what they came for and what they want. “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” They want to be healed; to see.

Immediately their sight is restored. Immediately they follow Him.

The contrast between the blind men and the rich young man from Matthew 19 is worth examining. The blind men come in desperation. They know they are utterly unable to help themselves. The rich man comes pretty comfortable with his situation, but looking for that one missing thing…assuming it isn’t too costly to get. The blind men, poor in spirit. The young man, rich in worldly possessions.

“Teacher,” the young man calls out as he addresses Jesus. “Lord, Son of David,” the blind men cry out. The young man looking for a little more knowledge; the blind men looking for a Savior.
 
The rich young man and the poor blind men approach Jesus differently and walk away differently. Sorrowful, the young man walks AWAY from Jesus. Restored, the blind men walk WITH Jesus.
 
Oh, how it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. The perceived sacrifice is just too much. The perceived need is not quite as deep. But in walking away, the restoration never comes. Because the sacrifice pales in comparison to the reward and the need is so much deeper than realized.

Questions: Think about the different ways we approach Jesus with requests. How do you generally approach Him? How might that impact your mindset and the outcome?

​But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
 
Later in discussing the conversation about the young man that walked away because he couldn’t part with the one thing he valued over God, Jesus tells His disciples it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Harder than a camel getting through the eye of a needle hard.
 
The disciples are amazed and perplexed. They have grown up wrongly believing that riches are a sign of God’s blessing and favor. How then could anyone get into heaven, they whisper among themselves.

Jesus agrees it is impossible. Impossible for man to do it alone. But with God, ALL THINGS are possible.

On my own, letting go is impossible. On my own, saving myself is impossible. I must rightly recognize Jesus for who He is. Not just a great teacher, a humble servant, a gifted healer, a talented storyteller. He is the Son of God. The Messiah. My Savior. My Lord. Only with Him in His rightful position, with an accurate understanding of grace and salvation through Him alone, can I dig deep and recognize my sins and my need for Him to save me. Only then can I loosen my grip on the things I put above Him and follow Him. Because when I know who He is, what He did for me, and what He promises to do for me, then I can trust Him enough to let go of the things I think I need more than Him.

God, this is hard stuff. Soften my heart to know You, believe You, trust You, love You…so I can WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOLLOW YOU. Thank you for your love and patience.
 
Challenge: Spend time really evaluating your assessment of what takes first place over God. Ask Him to help you put these things in their proper perspective. Ask Him to give you eyes to see that He is above all things.

​When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:22
 
“What do I still lack?” the rich young ruler continues his questions to Jesus. Although he thinks he has kept all the Jewish laws and commandments, in his soul he knows something is lacking. It hasn’t brought him the satisfaction he thought it would.

Jesus cuts to the heart of the man’s problem -- the thing in his life that is keeping him from being fully devoted to God and putting Him first in all things. For this man, it is his wealth and possessions.

“Sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me,” Jesus responds.

Jesus knows many things can take first place over God, but money is a big one, tricking us into thinking we can control things; tricking us into thinking we are fulfilled; tricking us with just enough temporary satisfaction to keep us from seeking God.

While it was money and possessions for this man, it may be something else for you and me. It is anything we value over God; anything we are unwilling to give up to have more of Him. What God calls one person to give up, He allows another to keep. He alone knows what our heart is so tightly attached to over Him.

So, how does this young rich man respond? He sorrowfully walks away from Jesus. He walks away from the ONE thing he truly needed.

This young man knew something was missing; something was keeping him from life and peace. But when confronted with how to fill that hole, still he clings to that which he thinks he needs even more.


Questions: What is that thing for you? What are you clinging to that keeps you from entering into the closest relationship with Jesus? Your family, health, possessions, reputation, security, ambition, control…? 

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16
 
Matthew tells of an encounter between Jesus and a young man that is a huge gut check on who we believe Jesus is and what we are willing to do as a result.

“Teacher,” the man calls to Jesus. Immediately we get an idea of who he thinks Jesus is.

The young man doesn’t recognize Jesus as Lord, but rather another good teacher who may be able to point him to that nagging thing that is missing in his life, despite all of his hard work, success, and wealth.

When we don’t rightly recognize who Jesus is, everything else is meaningless. Many throughout history and even today are quick to acknowledge Jesus as a good man and teacher who walked the earth. C.S. Lewis points out this can’t be; He either lied about who He was, was crazy for thinking He was someone He wasn’t, or He was truly the Son of God.

The young rich man continues with his question, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” This man is looking for that one last thing he can check off his list to be satisfied and EARN eternal life. Jesus knows that none of us can do it without Him; that we can’t earn salvation.

Jesus plays along, basically responding if he wants to do it on his own, he needs to keep the commandments. Something Jesus knows full well no one but He could do.

“All of these I have kept,” the man says, shedding light on another flaw in his quest for salvation…the inability to see his own sin. Does he really believe he has kept all the commandments his entire life? Impossible.

To be continued…
 
Questions: Who do YOU say Jesus is? How would you approach Jesus? What question would you have for Jesus?

​As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3
 
Be diligently ready; Stay spiritually awake.
False prophets are coming in His namesake.
Remain ever alert! Do not be led astray.
Times will be trying leading up to that day.
Wars and rumors throughout the land,
It’s not the end yet, but it’s close at hand.
Nation against nation, famine, earthquakes.
Satan’s last stand; he knows what’s at stake.
Lawlessness abounding, love growing cold;
It’s not time to cower, It’s time to be bold.
Flee to the mountains, no time to look back.
Intense tribulation, of time, you’ll lose track.
Great signs and wonders false prophets display.
But do not believe it; don’t be led astray.
You’ll know it for sure when the Son of Man comes.
An incredible sight where He hails from.
Immediately after, the sun will go dark.
The heavens shaken; the contrast stark.
From clouds of heaven, the Son of Man appears.
All look upon it, shaking in fear.
Next come the angels with a loud trumpet sound;
all the elect, they gather around.
When it will happen, only the Father knows,
but when you see all these things, you’ll know it is close.
The final admonition: since we don’t know the time,
be always expecting to meet the Divine.
 
Challenge: Read Jesus’s account of end times from Matthew 24. What surprises you? What are your thoughts?

​The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  John 10:3b-4
 
We are bombarded by messages. How do we hear and listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd over all the others? We NEED to hear the Shepherd’s voice. It is the only voice that leads to truth and life.

It is hard to grow up in this crazy social media world. The voices and messages are everywhere, and they are often louder than the Shepherd’s voice; they are laced with captivating hooks; they are disguised as intelligent voices and quick fixes; they sound smart and savvy and sexy. But they lead to utter destruction. The result is anxiety that is not from God; seeking validation from every voice except the ONE that is light and life.

How can we keep from being buried under Satan’s voices blasting so loud we can’t hear the sweet sound of the Good Shepherd?

Satan’s voice is slowly killing us while we continue to play the game. We are deceived and we in turn deceive. It is madness!

One thing we can do immediately is to begin to recognize whose voice we are hearing and heeding. We can tell by the tone and the impact on us.

God’s voice stills, leads, restores, enlightens, encourages, comforts, uplifts, calms, and convicts.

Satan’s voice rushes, pushes, frightens, confuses, discourages, worries, compares, obsesses, and condemns. Who needs it!

Challenge: Listen to the voices you hear as you go through the day. Are they in the “God’s voice” or “Satan’s voice” category? Any time you hear words not from God, immediately recognize it and turn the “channel”. Tune your ears to the Good Shepherd’s voice.

​And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2
 
Whose sin? they ask; who made him blind?
Someone caused this. Blame to find.
I want you to see purpose. You are stuck on cause.
Instead of opportunity, you look for flaws.
Neither sinned. That isn’t the lead story.
Through this man, you’ll see God’s glory.
Watch what my presence in a life can do.
It’s not just for him; it’s also for you.
Mud from saliva on his eyes anointed.
Now wash in the pool, over there He pointed.
A step of faith the blind man takes.
From his eyes, sight awakes.
Who fixed you? Who made you see?
The man called Jesus; He healed me.
He doesn’t understand much. His eyes have been closed.
Only the name of the healer he knows.
That man is not from God they say.
They are focused only on the healing day.
How can this happen? Again, they ask.
More time to ponder who performed such a task.
With each attack, the man’s faith grows.
He is starting to see what before he didn’t know.
Again, they question how it could be.
I only know I was blind, but now I see.
Calling him a sinner, they cast him out for good.
But Jesus finds him; I suspect he knew Jesus would.
Do you believe in the Son of Man?
Who is He that before Him I may stand?
You have seen Him. It is I speaking to you.
Lord, I believe! Worship ensues.
The Messiah He comes to open our eyes.
He wants us to see fully; to change our lives.
 
Challenge: Read this story in John 9:1-41.

​Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come… John 7:6a
 
​You can’t be famous if you hide like this!  If you’re so great, prove it to the world, Jesus’s skeptical brothers prod Him to go to Judea to the masses.

The parents of Jesus received incredible promises about their son prior to His birth. No doubt they also saw incredible hints of who He was as He was growing up. He had a calling, and He was exceptional. How would parents today respond? Enroll Him immediately in a highly selective & competitive gifted program? Hire private trainers to hone His skills?  Contact the best PR firm to craft His image?  Reach out to the acclaimed consultant? Ensure the world knows just how special He is.

But this isn’t at all how Jesus lived. His childhood was uneventful. He doesn't rush things. He spends quality time with people. He retreats to be alone and pray. He withdraws from attention and praise. He is patient and purposeful.

We live in a world of immediacy. Instant food. Instant communications. Next-day Amazon delivery. Instant gratification. And we expect the same from God, but that isn’t how He works. God gives us hopes, dreams, and passions, but He rarely gives us a glimpse into His timing. In the waiting, we begin to question and doubt. We begin to look to others instead of God, both for advice and comparison. We start to orchestrate things on our own. And before we know it, we are on a path waaaaay off course.

​God’s timing is perfect and purposeful. The waiting tests us. The waiting prepares us. The waiting grows us. The waiting humbles us. We need our wilderness time to fulfill our calling. The wait helps us to face what is coming that only God can now see. The sooner we come to peace with this truth, the sooner we will have peace. We don’t stop dreaming, rather we lean into the places and roles God puts us in, and instead of grumbling, we make sure we learn everything we can in them. We don’t waste one minute of our precious God-ordained waiting time. 
 
Questions: Are there things you have been waiting on for a long time? Do you try to force things to happen? Has it ever backfired? How can you know when something is God’s timing?

​And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! Luke 17:1
 
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” The first human question recorded in the Bible (Genesis 4:9). Sin is solely a personal and individual decision. Or is it?

Eve took the bite of the fruit with Adam standing right next to her. Her partner. Her husband. The one to whom God actually gave the instructions not to eat. Why didn’t he stop her? And not only did he not stop her, he grabbed the fruit from Eve’s extended hand and also took a bite.

While we don’t make another person’s decision for them to sin, our influence is more significant than we may think. And Jesus takes this very seriously. The finality of judgment and eternity are real – Jesus is stern about causing another to stumble.

We live in a fallen world. Yes, temptations to sin will surely come, Jesus acknowledges this. But woe to the one through whom they come.

“Pay attention to yourselves!” Jesus says. Temptations are everywhere; don’t add to it. Don’t make it even harder on others.

Do we encourage those lies? Do we cause another to gossip? Do we drag friends into our sinful endeavors? Do we jump on the comparison and criticizing bandwagon when a friend confides about a disagreement with another? Do we promote books, movies, music that inspire sinful behavior, all tacitly condoning it? Are we a stumbling block to those weaker in certain areas?

Jesus says don’t do it! In fact, He says it would be better to have a huge weight hung around your neck and be cast in the sea (ummm…not fun!) than to be the cause of temptation that leads to a brother or sister in Christ sinning. Our actions impact more than just ourselves!
 
Questions: Are you typically a source of encouragement for your friends or a cause for their stumbling? Are you aware of your impact on others?

It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your younger brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. Luke 15:32
 
The lost son is home. The father rejoices. But unfortunately, that isn’t the end of the story. Back home the older son is the one seething with anger, refusing to go to the celebration for his brother. After all, he stayed home, worked, obeyed, did all the things he was “supposed” to do. He is livid that his wayward brother is getting a party.
 
We don’t know the joy of being found unless we first know we are lost. The older brother didn’t know how spiritually sick he was. The religious leaders surrounding Jesus thought they were quite healthy as well.

This is a recurring theme from Jesus. He says, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Are the Pharisees righteous because they practically live at the synagogue? Is the older brother righteous because he stayed home and worked for his dad? They certainly think so.

If we think we can earn righteousness, Jesus isn’t for us. Jesus can only save a sinner who knows he is a sinner. This is a big deal.
 
The older brother at home was just as far from God all along. Staying out of trouble and going through religious motions don’t necessarily draw one to God. Instead, he grew more bitter and further from God as he relied on his own works.
 
We can’t be saved if we don’t recognize we need saving. Often it is those of us who grow up in a Christian home that has the hardest time seeing it. We have a tendency to be the older brother at home going through the motions, but never realizing the riches and love of our Father.
 
Do you know you are a sinner in need of a Savior? If we don’t know we need Him, we won’t earnestly seek Him.

Question: Have you truly recognized your need for a Savior? Ask God to open your eyes to how lost you are without Him.

​And he said, “There was a man who had two sons…” Luke 15:11
 
Sheep. Coins. Blank stares. “Still not with me?” Jesus may be thinking. Ok, let’s bring it a bit closer to home. He continues with another parable…
 
A man’s younger son asked for his share of the inheritance, leaves home, and ultimately squanders it all on sinful living, finding himself starving in a pigpen. He hits rock bottom. He knows he has traded what was best for what only brought sorrow and suffering. The enticing world let him down and he knows it is all his doing. He longs to go home to his father.
 
As he begins the long shameful walk back home, he rehearses his speech in his head. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” Over and over he practices what he will say. He knows it is a long shot. He has brought disgrace to his family and he imagines his father’s anger when he learns how badly he screwed up his life and wasted all his father had given him.

But instead, His father is waiting. In fact, he has been watching and waiting for this day for a long time. His father recognizes him from afar and runs to him. He wraps him in the best robe, places a family ring on his finger and shoes on his weary feet. The best calf is prepared for a feast. His son was dead and is now alive; he was lost and now is found. Pure joy…time for a party!

THIS is God’s grace. He loves us when we are most unlovable. He waits for us to come home. When we deserve punishment and a lowly position at best, He lavishes His love and riches on us. He celebrates. He makes sure everyone knows WE. ARE. HIS.
 
Once we know we are utterly lost without Him, we have everything we need.
 
Questions: Have you ever experienced grace in your life like the lost son in the story? If so, how did it change you? 

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2
 
The Pharisees and scribes -- doing everything they can to avoid the unclean, sick, sinners -- are up to their usual grumbling about Jesus spending time with just these people. Time for another parable, boys…

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”

My first thought? ME!  That’s who! Why would you leave 99 all alone in the open field to search for the one who stubbornly wandered off? It’s a numbers game. Stick with the 99. (Thank goodness God is God, and I am not.)

But Jesus continues, “REJOICE with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Similarly, Jesus tells of a woman that REJOICED after finding her one lost coin.

THIS is who God is. He pursues us. He searches for us. He wants us to come back to Him when we have wandered. And when we do, He doesn’t scold us and condemn us for our wandering lost selves, He rejoices!
 
If you feel lost or burdened for someone who is lost, keep praying. Know that God loves you; loves them. God is still pursuing. And God stands waiting to rejoice and celebrate in the reunion.
 
Questions: Do you feel lost? Is someone you love lost? How can you find peace and assurance in God’s pursuit?

​Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor… Luke 14:7
 
To the guests at a dinner party of religious elites, Jesus tells them not to sit down at a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited, and you will be left in shame to take the only remaining seat – the lowest place. Instead, go and sit in the lowest place. Then the host may say, “Friend, move up higher,” and you will be honored. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The host makes the seating arrangements.

The host leans in, likely smirking, thinking to himself, ”Whew, not about me at least.” Until…Jesus turns to the host with a word. And to you, don’t just invite friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. Don’t only associate with people who can advance your personal agenda or give you something in return. Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…those who can’t repay you. In this, you will be blessed.

Why do we so easily jump on board the worldly train when we know better? Just because “everyone else” is doing something doesn’t make it right or necessary. In fact, we are flat out told that we are going to live lives contrary to the culture around us. But yet, we follow. It’s like we just don’t quite believe that God is enough and that our hands and feet doing the work He calls us to do is enough. We just have to boost it a bit; give God a little hand here and there. Make that connection. Sit in that seat. Elevate our name (all for the sake of Jesus, of course, we tell ourselves).

We are called to share our faith and make disciples, no doubt. God has gifted us with passion, purpose and good work. But I think of the people I admire the most, starting with Jesus, and they never rely on self-promotion, posturing for seats of honor, or limiting their guest list to those who could elevate their personal status.  They are completely confident in the power of God and the mission He has given them.

Challenge: Pray for God to give you wisdom and discernment to know the difference between doing your jobs in the places you have been called and self-promotion. Pray for God to show you where you might be trying to elevate your name instead of His.

​For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11
 
Self-Promotion for Dummies.
Self-Promotion for Introverts.
Self-Promotion for Women.
Self-Promotion for the Creative Person.
Why Self-Promotion is the Key to Success.
How to Master the Delicate Art of Self-Promotion.
The Art of Tactful Self-Promotion.
How to Self-Promote without Being a Jerk.

These are some of my favorite titles from a quick ”self-promotion” Amazon search. The world screams at us to promote ourselves. “If you don’t do it, no one else will.” Or, “Success is 1% perspiration and 99% self-promotion.” And, “You need to build a brand; build a following.”
 
Writer Leslie Ludy reflects, “It’s easy to justify self-promotion because it often seems so wise and logical. After all, the more noticed and popular we become, the better Christian witnesses we will be, right? But surprisingly, that’s not God’s pattern at all.”
 
Dining at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, Jesus unassumingly observes the interaction buzzing around him. The vying, the posturing, the subtle and not so subtle strategies. “You see, a great seat can not only reflect social standing but can also create it,” is the unspoken motto they subscribe to.

Jesus has a few things to say about self-promotion. While the room is still humming with whispers, Jesus begins to speak. Almost immediately the room is silent, all eyes on Him.

To be continued…
 
Questions: Where do you feel pressure to promote yourself? How do you think self-promotion can get us in trouble? What are some of the potential pitfalls?

​“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come…” Matthew 22:2-3
 
​Preparations made,
the wedding day is here.
Call all the guests
from far and near.
No interest in attending,
other things more urgent;
declining the invitation,
even killing the servant.
Go invite others,
as many as you can.
The feast will continue,
I’ve got another plan.
Oh, but look at that man,
the one in the wing.
He’s here at the feast,
but he’s mocking the king.
Out he must go,
no room for him here.
Weeping he’ll do;
an eternity in fear.
You see, all are invited,
but not all say yes.
What about you?
Come, time to get dressed.
Put on humility,
love and submission.
Step into freedom and grace,
you’ve been given permission.
For all are welcome;
all have a choice:
eternally suffer 
or forever rejoice.
 
Challenge: Read this story in Matthew 22:1-14. 

​When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us,” then he will answer you, “I do not know where you come from.” Luke 13:25
 
“Lord, open to us,” those outside the narrow door cry as they knock. “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets,” they plead.

“I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” Jesus responds.

Oh, they knew who Jesus was. They even ate with Him, listened to Him teach, and likely saw Him heal many. But they didn’t KNOW Jesus. They were part of the “many.” The onlookers. The ones who enjoyed the wide worldly door. The ones who thought they could wait to repent; wait to follow wholeheartedly until it was a bit more convenient.

And while for now, the narrow door is open wide as God eagerly waits for everyone to strive for it, a time will come when the door is shut. Forever. Many will seek to enter and will not be able.

At judgment day, everyone will know the truth. But it will be too late once the door is locked. J.C. Ryle says, “Hell is truth known too late.” We strive and strive for all the wrong things. The narrow gate – Jesus alone – is what our striving should be about.

Strive for the narrow door. Strive for the FREE (to you) gift of entrance through the blood of Jesus; for saying, “Yes, Jesus. You are my Savior. You are the Lord of my life. You are the ONLY way, truth, and life. I don’t want to just know about You, I want to KNOW YOU. I surrender.”
 
A day will come when the choice will no longer be available. Drop everything that is keeping you from squeezing through the narrow gate, and with a light load of only the work of Jesus, enter.

Question: Where are you striving? Are you or a loved one waiting for true repentance and whole-hearted surrender to be a tad more convenient? 

​He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” Luke 13:22-23
 
“Will those who are saved be few?” A question from among the following crowd. Assessing the numbers; assessing the odds.

Jesus flips it back on them, essentially saying, “You wonder if there will be few? What about you?” We are often overly concerned with the business of everyone else without looking within.

Jesus doesn’t answer the question directly, but instead gives some advice on how to be saved: “Strive to enter through the narrow door.”

Strive to enter. Strive implies a great deal of agonizing effort. But it is a striving effort toward the narrow door. A door where our good works for show won’t fit; our accomplishments won’t fit; our appearance on the outside won’t fit; our ancestry won’t fit; our possessions won’t fit.

“For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able,” Jesus continues.
 
Sin and society put many obstacles and detour signs in front of the narrow gate. If we are following the crowd, we might be running with the “many.” We might be on the wrong path. The crowd may be distracting us from the road that leads through the narrow door.
 
It takes an intentional striving effort to go against the cultural masses. God doesn’t share His throne. Partial obedience – partial surrender – isn’t obedience or surrender. We are to love God with our WHOLE heart, our WHOLE mind, our WHOLE soul. Half-hearted isn’t striving.
 
Questions: What do you think the entrance to the narrow gate looks like? Why do you think it is narrow? Why does it require striving for? What does this type of striving look like?

​If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light. Luke 11: 36
 
“Let there be light,” God speaks.  
The world is dominated by dark and light.
Time is separated by day and night.
Darkness conceals.
Light reveals.
Be careful!
Be careful the filter for what is light and what is a shiny imposter.
Be careful!
The eye is a lamp unto the body.
Be careful little eyes what you see.
Everything bright and attractive and enticing isn’t light.
Don’t mistake darkness for light.
For even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
When we think we have light, we might be in a dangerous place.
Here is where to find true light:
God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.
In Christ alone is life; the light of all mankind.
Jesus is the light.
The light came into the world.
But the people loved darkness instead because their deeds were evil.
What do you only do in the dark?
Open your eyes to the light.
The Jewish people were surrounded by light.
But they didn’t see the light; they missed the light.
See the light.
Receive the light.
Actively and intentionally live in the light.
Then bravely, boldly, unashamedly shine the light.
Don’t hide it, and don’t hide from it.
Lift it high for all to see.
 
Questions: Are you chasing after the light? How can God’s light be your guide? How can you shine your light – sourced from God’s power – to those you come in contact with?

​“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none…” Matthew 12:43
 
Jesus tells a story about an unclean spirit that leaves a person. Good news, right?

Unable to find rest, the spirit returns to find it empty, swept, and put in order. Still good, right?

It brings with it seven other spirits even more evil than itself to dwell there, leaving the state of the person even worse than the first. Wait, what?

Jesus goes on to say so also it will be with this evil generation.
 
Isn’t it a good thing to get rid of evil? Isn’t it good to have a clean “house”…empty, swept, and put in order? We spent a lot of time breaking these habits and cleaning up our mistakes, after all. Shouldn’t that count for something? Or at least NOT be an invitation for more evil?

The truth is, when we leave something empty it becomes ripe territory to be filled. And if we don’t fill it with Jesus, the devil is happily waiting to find some temporary things to take His place.

Do we do as much filling as emptying? Deep abiding in God. Prayer. Meditation on His Word.  

Jesus spent His days emptying Himself, always teaching, healing, mentoring. But He also constantly fills Himself. Jesus -- God in the flesh -- regularly gets quiet time alone to pray and talk to His Father. No mission could be more important than His, and He always found time to get filled.
 
Lord, empty me of me…both in the worldly things I cling to and in lovingly serving others…but don’t leave me empty. Fill me with Your power, Your peace, Your wisdom, Your discernment, Your love. Fill me with YOU.
 
Questions: What needs to be emptied in your life? How can you make sure it is filled with the goodness of God?

​And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. Luke 10:39-40a
 
Jesus enters the house. I can’t believe He is here. Will He notice those leak stains on our ceiling? Look at all the people who came with Him…it is going to be so hot in here. I should have made tea instead of coffee.

I’m anxious. My mind wanders, pondering my deficiencies as a hostess.

Meanwhile, everyone else is enthralled by Jesus. I wonder what He is even talking about. I try to focus; to clear my mind and just listen. That lasts about 2.5 seconds. My mind goes to the trash bag left at the back door. If I sneak out quickly, I can remove it before anyone notices.

​What have I missed? They are all listening and even laughing together. They are filled with joy and peace while I am a mess. This isn’t right. I’M THE ONE WHO INVITED HIM. I should be the one filled with joy and peace.

Two hours pass I have not really heard Jesus at all. I’ve been eagerly waiting to meet with Jesus, and I missed it all. My heart breaks. And now He is getting up to leave. What is wrong with me?

I lean against the doorframe as they exit one by one. Tired. Unfulfilled.

Jesus walks up to me and stops for what feels like an eternity. He gazes deep into my eyes and says, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” It isn’t judgmental or cruel; quite the contrary…it is compassionate and calm. The opposite of my countenance.

His words cycle on repeat in my mind. Yes, I did everything but the ONE THING that was necessary; the one thing that needed to be done. To sit at the feet of my Savior and just be present; just listen; just soak in His glory. Never again, I vow.
 
Questions: Are you often so distracted with minor things that you miss the big things; miss Jesus’s presence and work in your life? How can you make an effort to be more focused on and present with others?