Luke 23:39-43 - Confession Is Vital

Luke 23:39-43:
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Enduring the pain of his own crucifixion, and knowing his life was speeding to an end -- this criminal understood his place in the big picture. The lifestyle he led, and the actions he had taken, had brought a ripe harvest of pain, suffering, and death.

He knew he deserved it, but Christ did not! And -- when he heard his fellow criminal insulting Christ, he became indignant and told him to stop.

He understood justice. Seeing this righteous man hang on the cross next to his, and suffer the same punishment as his own, was not justice -- it was just wrong!

He said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

He had faith in Christ -- and was willing, even as he hung on his own cross -- to make it be known.

And, Jesus replied, "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

And -- there it was -- the basis of our salvation:

Luke 12:8:  "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God."

A little over a month later, on the Day of Pentecost, to be exact, Christ's kingdom -- His church -- was established. Luke's Book of Acts tells of its early history and its rapid growth. This principle of confession and action of a believer's faith is a major theme seen played out over and over . . .

The Jews on that Day of Pentecost -- the eunuch from Ethiopia -- Lydia, the seller of purple -- Cornelius, and his household -- even Saul of Tarsus (later, the Apostle Paul) -- all confessed and acted on their belief in Christ.

This faith in Christ is a vital part of our salvation, as Paul wrote to the followers in the City of Galatia:  "Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."  (Galatians 3:23-29)

Confess your faith in Christ, and act on it!  Clothe yourselves in Christ!

Luke 21:2-4 - Even the Smallest Amount

Luke 21:2-4
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

He had been watching. Each one would come up and drop their gift into the collection box. A great deal was made about the sound each coin made as it hit bottom . . . a slight pause passed between each coin.

When a poor widow got her turn, the two coins she dropped in made very little noise -- and then she was gone.

Jesus called His disciples' attention to her -- it took her just a few seconds. If He hadn't pointed her out to them, they would have missed her . . . But He hadn't! He noticed her even before she came up to the box.

He noticed -- not the amount, but the portion she gave -- the intent behind it -- the sacrifice involved. He noticed she gave all she had!

To those behind her in line, she looked like a hindrance to their progress. "If that's all she was going to give . . . why did she bother?"

And yet -- to Jesus, she had given more than the rest of them!

How could this be?

It is a relationship -- one hundred percent is more than any part -- all is the limit. She had given the limit.

There is both encouragement and challenge here. It is not the amount, but the portion – it’s the relationship.

We might see others with more than we have, and see the large amounts they give -- hear each of their coins as it rings . . .

But -- Jesus says we can easily out give them -- if we give in relation to what we have been given.

Be comforted too! If given in the proper attitude and relationship, even the smallest gift -- even from the least of us -- is noticed!

Like the poor widow, if we are doing the right thing -- to the one that matters -- we will stand out from the crowd!

Luke 18:22 - What Is Holding You Back?

Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

The man had asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. Jesus had even agreed with him -- he had been living a pretty clean life . . .

Adultery?   -- Never!

Murder?   -- Hadn't crossed his mind.

Stealing?   -- Wouldn't dream of it.

False testimony?   -- No way!

Honor his parents?   -- Since his birth.

The other five of the Big Ten?   -- Not a blemish on his record.

So? What was the problem?

Jesus saw beyond the commandment checklist, and saw into his heart -- He could see the true problem…

The man wasn't completely trusting God. He had placed his trust in what riches he had gathered, and was addicted to the power -- the abilities -- the things those riches gave him.

Hebrews 4:12:  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

We are all different. Not all of us have the same problem as this man. There are many generous people we meet every day, but there can still be something holding their hearts hostage.

How about you? What would Jesus look into your heart and see as your challenge? What are you holding on to?

The physical cravings of your body?   --   A desire for everything you see?   --   Pride in your achievements and possessions?

These are just three major categories of the challenges that can keep us separated from the eternal life the man asked Jesus about.

Be honest with yourself. What are you holding on to -- or what is holding on to you?  What's keeping you from your goal?

Matthew 6:33:   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 16:10 - It's Just A Small Thing

Luke 16:10
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

Is it important that a bank manager is focused on details? Would you trust a man to keep your finances if he couldn't remember where he parked his car at the end of each day?

Or, how about a cashier who just gave back paper bills instead of bothering with coins -- two dollars instead of $2.05? Even though it is a small thing -- you would feel cheated.

Sometimes seeing how people handle small things gives us an understanding about how they will handle bigger things. That is just something we have become accustomed to. We see the principle working with our kids -- with employees -- with coworkers -- with ourselves!

We give a small bit of responsibility, and we see what happens. It is sort of a training process -- or a proving ground.

Just a small amount, yes -- but a good indicator of whether we can entrust even more.

We have often heard of a large amount of money being found and returned to the rightful owner by a good citizen. -- It makes you think you could trust the finder with even more . . .

But -- how many times have you stopped to think about how you handle small things?

Do you take "sick days" from work to play hooky?

Do you look for ways to "trim" your tax obligations by being creative on your return?

Do you take one or two extra samples at the counter -- rationalizing that "they put them there for the customers" -- even though you know the intent was one per customer?

These are small things -- not big things. "Who would know,,and who would care?", you might say.

Yeah . . .  Who would?

Proverbs 15:3: The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

1 Timothy 5:24-25: The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Luke 13:24-25 - The Party Is Inside!

Luke 13:24-25
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.'
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’"

When people get together, it can be enjoyable. A large group of people?  -- That’s called a party!

No one wants to be left out of the party. You don’t even have to know what the celebration is about to have fun! Some of us just want to be “where the action is” . . . whether we know what the "action" is or not.

Here, Jesus urged His followers to do all they could to enter through the narrow door. It would not be easy to pass through -- and once the door was closed -- it would stay closed.

Jesus used this story to suggest that heaven would not be an easy place to enter. It had only one door in . . . a narrow one at that!

It sort of sounds like the door on Noah’s ark . . .  Once that door closed, the best advice for those outside was to grab a good umbrella!

In the parable, some had hung around the house before the door had been closed. They mingled with everyone -- enjoyed the fellowship -- had a great time! They just didn’t pay attention, and never made the effort to go inside.

Now -- once the door closed, they wanted in too. They suddenly realized that the party had moved indoors -- and they were standing outside!

They knocked on the door – they pounded – they pleaded! They said, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets!"

Through the windows, they saw all the people having a great time . . . but they were on the wrong side of the glass!

Jesus brought the story’s meaning home to His listeners:  The time would come when those outside -- those who had seen the door, but never bothered to pass through it -- would see the party get better!

They would see the likes of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and a whole host of other “spiritual” celebrities -- but instead of being with them -- those outside would be thrown out!

Where will you be when the door is closed?

Remember this . . . the door is narrow, and not easily entered. If you have passed through it, you will know . . . It isn’t a door you pass through without your knowledge, effort, or understanding.

Don’t be one who just hangs around the crowd -- a kind of party crasher! 

You are invited to join the party too! So come on in . . . while you can!

Luke 12:15 - Guard Against Greed

Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

"The one who dies with the most toys wins!" That is what it said on the bumper sticker. That seems to sum up the way the world measures a successful life.

Jesus said this way of looking at life is all wrong, and we need to guard against this way of thinking!

That is easier said than done . . .  Our peers remind us of this measuring standard every day. It takes just a few minutes of watching television, reading a newspaper or magazine, listening to the radio, or viewing almost any webpage, to have the world hold up what it says we should see as our ultimate goal:  Wealth. Beauty. Stuff!

This verse is Jesus' response to a man in the crowd who was on the brink of what he thought was success and happiness -- and he could just taste it.

Apparently, his parents had died, and his brother (probably older) was the executor to the family estate. Whether this man's brother was slow about it, or just avoiding it, we don't know, but this man was annoyed at him for not letting him have his portion of the family inheritance, and was hoping Jesus could help convince his brother to do it -- to just give him his happiness!

We have all been in a similar circumstance; having something of value just out of our reach -- wanting it badly -- just knowing it would be the very thing that would make our lives complete! -- "Just give it to me, already!"

That feeling of want -- need -- gotta have -- is greed. In a very real way it causes us to displace our trust and faith from where it rightfully ought to be -- in God.

Jesus warned the man to guard against that feeling -- that greed. He warned him (and us) to not trust things of this world to take care of us -- to comfort us -- to make us feel important -- to love us.

Why? Because they won't -- they can't -- they are incapable of doing any of that!

Jesus told the parable of the rich fool who, after he had a great harvest, reveled in what he had. He wanted to build bigger barns, retire, take it easy...

But -- suddenly -- the end of his life came...

And, too late!

He realized nothing he had -- nothing he had put his trust in -- nothing he had built his life around -- was of any use to him now.

2 Timothy 6:9: Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Job 9:33 - It's Who You Know That Counts

Job 9:33
If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together...

Sometimes it truly is "Who you know" that counts. Knowing the right person can open doors for you that you thought were closed forever.

Job knew that he was innocent of whatever it was that had caused him all the grief, pain and suffering he had been experiencing. But, he also knew that because God was so powerful, so just, so wise, so mighty, that if he approached God to plead his case, God would have had no reason to hear him.

And -- if somehow God did listen to him, Job said, "Even my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

Job felt like there was no help -- like he had fallen so far down that no matter what he did, there was no fixing it.

Many of us have been there right next to Job.

Has there been a point in your life where you thought there was no "fixing it?" Have you reached a new level of low deeper than you thought low could be?

We sometimes find ourselves in situations where there is no way we can get ourselves out of our own "mess." We find ourselves, unworthy, unable, unloved. We look to God for help, and realize He is beyond our reach . . .  He could never tolerate our guilt -- our sins -- our stink!

We find ourselves right next to Job, and cry out with him, "If only there was a mediator between us!" We see a need for someone else -- someone God would listen to -- who could plead our case for us. Someone to stand between us and God's glory -- God's righteousness -- God's justice!

In our darkest hours, and from our lowest depths, we see a need. And so does . . .  GOD!

Even while we were deep in our sins, God saw the same need -- saw the need for someone who could bridge the distance between us and Him -- someone who could answer Job's (and our) plea!

Romans 5:8:  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Timothy 2:3-6:  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.