Luke 20:9-18

Jesus tells a story about a man who owns a vineyard and rents it out to tenant farmers only to have them refuse to pay for use of the land. When servants are sent to collect they are beaten and rejected. The man then sends his only son to collect the rent. The tenants see an opportunity to take control of the land permanently and choose to kill the son. The people listening to the story thought it had a horrible ending and hoped that nothing like that would ever really happen.

Of course it is obvious that Jesus is alluding to the way Jews had received God's prophets in the past and the choice they would soon make concerning the visitation of the Son. Knowing the end of the story, I think we often look at those Jews with near disdain. How could they possibly not see what God was doing in their lives. How could they reject and kill the Son of God. It seems remarkable, but how often are we guilty of playing the role of the tenants.

When God puts people in our lives, do we pay attention. God has given opportunities to change behavior and attitudes through the advice, council, and even criticism of others. God gives us opportunities to help the hurting by bringing us into contact with the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the grieving, the fatherless, and the lost. He gives us opportunity to grow spiritually by surrounding us with giants of faith, both past and contemporary. Do we see them as an opportunity to respond to God or do we beat them up and send them on their way.

It is important to see every person we come in contact with as possibly bringing a message from God. No matter how much we dislike the message or how little we feel like it applies to us, we have to be careful to pay attention and be eager to respond so that we are not guilty, like the tenants, of ultimately rejecting the Son.

Luke 19:28-36

Jesus is continuing his journey toward Jerusalem. At the conclusion of this journey Jesus will complete his obedience to the Father becoming a sacrifice that can eliminate sin and give people the hope of standing before God as blameless and holy. While on his way we are shown an event involving him and two of his disciples. Jesus tells the two what he wants from them (a colt), makes them aware of potential obstacles (that they may be questioned), and gives them what is necessary to get around the obstacle (the name of Jesus). As they execute their mission, they are also given great assurance because they “found it just as he had told them.” It is also interesting to see that what Jesus has asked of them is to join him in his work and at the completion of their task glory is brought to Jesus and God.

There is a pattern here that plays out over and over in the ministry of Jesus. It is important for us to remember that the ministry of Jesus has not ended and the pattern is ours to follow. Jesus tells what he wants from us, to connect with God and allow Him to direct our lives. He makes us aware of potential obstacles, Satan and his schemes. He gives us what we need to avoid the obstacles, the proper attitudes and habits, the Holy Spirit, and the power of his resurrection. As we journey toward our goal we receive assurance as we find it just as he told us. We also need to remember that the work of connecting to God is Jesus’ work and we are joining him. As we draw closer, we increasingly reflect the glory of God and thereby make Him more visible to others.

The two disciples accomplish there task because of there willingness to raise Jesus to his proper place (in this story, the back of the colt). In our story, the only way to successfully complete our connection to God is to elevate Jesus to the proper place in our lives.

Revelation 11:1

So often the Apocalypse of John is used to scare people into submission. I think some people forget that the purpose of the amazing images in this book is to bring hope and encouragement to faithful believers and to let them know that God is aware of all of suffering they experience.

In Revelation 11:1 John is told to take a rod and measure the temple, the altar, and those who worship in it. The physical temple in Jerusalem (whether it was standing at this time or not) is obviously not what John is to measure. John is being asked to see who measures-up to God’s standard of a true believer. This group or community of believers is marked off (or set apart) so that they cannot be spiritually harmed by the events that unfold on earth. It is God’s presence in their hearts and lives that preserves them so that they can receive God’s blessings.

It is important to remember that the measuring stick is incapable of measuring our effort. Our best efforts don’t even register. It can only measure whether or not we have maintained our faith in Christ. While the things we do (or don’t do) are an indicator of the faith we have, they are not our admission ticket. It is our faith in Christ that provides access to the safety of the temple.

Isaiah 11:1-10

This beautiful prophetic passage talks about a branch that would grow out of the roots of the stump that Israel's monarchy had become. This branch would bear fruit and have the Spirit of God resting on him. It is easy to discern the subject of this prophecy is Jesus. If it were not apparent to us Paul spells it out in Romans 15:12 and Jesus himself alludes to this passage in his proclamation recorded in Revelation 22:16.

The passage gives us a picture of a wise and understanding king who is strong and capable of giving direction to his subjects. He is also a king who knows and fears God. This king is fair and always does the right thing. He will hold his subjects accountable to the words that he speaks and will bring about unprecedented peace. This is a king that people from all nations will want to follow.

While the description of the king is amazing, I couldn't help thinking about another passage of scripture. 1 Peter 2:21 says, "You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps." (NASU). In other words, since Jesus made such an incredible sacrifice for us, our response should be to model the life that he lived.

The characteristics mentioned in this passage are attainable for each of us willing to develop a relationship with the Father and rely on His power to transform us. We can be wise and have understanding. We can give counsel and be powerful. We can know and fear God. We also can do the right thing, be fair with other people, and be peace makers. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (NASU)

While it is remarkable to think that God knows I can become a person with the attributes described in Isaiah 11, I have to admit that it is also a little frightening to think about trying to acheive that level of character. It seems like a lot of pressure and even though God does the transforming, he does so by shaping and training me. Sometimes that can be uncomfortable or even painful and their are days I'm just not ready for that.

Thankfully God is faithful and patient. I can see His work in my life so far and continue to trust He knows whats best, even when I don't like or understand it.

Luke 19:1-10

Zaccheus was a short guy (I feel his pain!) but he didn't let that hinder his pursuit of seeing Jesus. He could have been content to hear about Jesus or even hear the words of Jesus but he wanted to and needed to see Jesus. My fear is that often we get so caught up in hearing or reading the words of Jesus, or even busying ourselves working for him, that we don't see him.

When we commune with Jesus, when we eat the bread and drink the wine, do we only see our sin and the consequence of it (his death) or do we see him in the glory of his resurrection. When we help someone who is hurting do we take comfort in doing what Jesus asked his disciples to do or do we see the face of Jesus and respond out of a deep and abiding love for his sacrifice. When we study scripture do we learn information that will help us be better people or do we come face to face with and see a loving Savior that transforms every aspect of our lives. Although he has promised to always be there and will never leave us there are times we don't see him.

When we go through times of not seeing Jesus, how do we respond. Are we content to wait around on him until he can get our attention or do we follow the example of Zaccheus. Zaccheus refused to let anything hinder him in his pursuit to see Jesus. He was willing to change both location and perspective to see clearly. He knew that if he was willing to seek that he would find the face of Jesus. Once he saw him he received him gladly. That reception was a blessing and that sighting was responsible for transformation.

Daily we have opportunity to receive Jesus. Sometimes we need to change our location. Sometimes we need a change of perspective, but all the time we have to opportunity to see Jesus. It may be that you see him in the revelation of his word. It may be that you see him in the practice of spiritual discipline. Maybe you see him in the face of the people God has put into your life. Regardless of how you see him know that you can see him, and when you do, receive him gladly. Then brace yourself for the joy of his blessing and the wonder of his transforming power.