Well, I'm going to be sitting in the Omaha airport for like the next 8 hours. Items on the to-do list: homework, read, sit, sleep, eat, read, sit, blog. So here it is.
I've been reading through Luke lately, so that's what's comin - randar thoughts on Luke.
Luke 2:40-52 I'm not going to type this story out, but basically, as a teen Jesus was called WISE because he asked a lot of questions. Jesus, God Himself, asked a lot of questions of the older, wiser Jewish men of the day. For those of us in college .. WE ARE YOUNG! We do not know everything. We need advice if we want to be wise.
Luke 5:5 "'Master,' Simon said, 'We worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.'" This is the definition of insanity!! To do the same thing and expect a different result. But Simon did it ... because Jesus asked him to. Am I willing to do insane things Jesus asks of me? Are you? ((2 Thess. 1:11 "May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do."))
Luke 6:12 "One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night." Jesus...prayed...all night. Who are we to think we don't need to also? He was God Himself and he prayed all night!! This blows my mind. Maybe I should pray these next 8 hours ....
Luke 6:27-31 " Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks ... Do to others as you would like them to do to you." This is radical, but very clear. It's the inside-outside-upside-down Kingdom! To love those who do wrong to you. Ouch. So hard.
Luke 6:35-36 "Love your enemies! Do good to them .... then you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked." Again, ouch.
Luke 7:36-50 I'm not gonna type out all the verses, but it's the beautiful story of Jesus forgiving a very sinful woman. Lots of implications here - she performed a deed (perfume on Jesus' feet) to prove her faith in Him, and she was forgiven. Also, there is no one too sinful to be forgiven by Jesus!
Luke 9:22, 24 "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me ... But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." So, how does this apply to us? Obviously it looks different for every single person. What does taking up my cross daily mean? Just living unselfishly? Or is there more?
Kind of a lot ... but Luke is just so good. You should read it! I should go read it. Alright, I'll leave you with this quote from an awesome song, one that really puts into words the way I'm feeling right now ...
But all I really wanted was the One who really won it .. fought death, beat it, gave his life to the public. I love it.
