LUKE 8

 Did you ever notice how much red there is in the Bible?  Well, I guess just the gospels, but so much red.  As I was reading, I was thinking about how many things Jesus did that I remember vs how many things that he said that I could recall.  It was a lot more red!  

Then I started to think, "What is more important - the things we do or the things we say?"  Now, Jesus did do a lot of cool things and his greatest thing (dying and then rising from the dead) was an action, but He sure did spend a lot of His time teaching.  I think I have that backwards.  I spend a lot of time thinking about what I do.  Maybe, instead, I should think about what I say.  What am I teaching others?

Especially since the things Jesus can do for us are pretty incredible!  In this chapter alone, He drives out a legion of demons from a naked guy who was living in rocks, heals a hemophiliac, commands the winds and the rain to stop and then raises a twelve year-old from the dead.  Jesus can do some pretty cool stuff.  So, let's let Him.  Yes, we should preach the gospel at all times, and if we have to use words.  But, I'm starting to think, maybe we should trust Jesus more on the action part and focus on what we say to others.

LUKE 7

 It says Jesus was actually "amazed" at a centurion's faith, and I started to think, "How cool would it be for Jesus to be amazed at anything I did?"  But, think about it - Jesus was just impressed that this guy knew the power of God, trusted it, believed He could do anything.  Don't a lot of us do that?  Yes, but he also acted on it.  Told Jesus about it - in front of people.  A centurion.  Not a Pharisee, not a Jew, but a Roman politician.  

So, acting on faith impresses Jesus, but look at what he says about John.  Of those born of women, no one is greater than John.  Cool, huh?  But wait.  Later he says, "yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he."  What?  How can John be the greatest, but everyone else is greater than him?

Maybe it's not about impressing Jesus.  Maybe Jesus is saying that it's not about being the greatest.  There are no Super Followers or a Mount Rushmore of disciples.  It's not a comparison game.  Just be who you were meant to be.  That's it!  And realize that God can do way more than you can - so have faith in Him!

LUKE 6

 I have been called a "boundary pusher" at work.  Seems like that may be a good thing!  On the Sabbath, Jesus' disciples were picking grain, Jesus was healing people.  It seems like You were big on following the rules, but You were HUGE on people!  

That's the question - my boundary pushing, is it for me or for other people?  If I'm honest, it's probably a little bit of both.  But, I guess it was the same for the disciples.  They were hungry - they ate.  Were You eating the grain too?  And the healing of others, that was all for them too.  Wait, You were a boundary pusher only when it helped others.  I guess that makes sense, You did everything to help others.  

OK, it's time to get back to a Beatitudes type of life (although, I think I'm kind of screwed because we have a lot of money and a ton of food!), and to stop thinking about what helps me and focus on what helps other people.  

At the end of the chapter, You talk about a life that is built on what You say.  It's stable.  It's built on firm ground.  It won't sink.  I feel like my life has been sinking.  Guess why!  

I guess I just forgot that what You say is totally different from what most people think.  But, I think You're right!

LUKE 5

 This wineskin thing always gets me!  Jesus fills up two boats worth of fish, a leper gets healed and Jesus says, "Don't tell anyone", people are coming from everywhere to hear You speak and the only thing I can think of is those damn wineskins.

The first example You use clothes - don't put a old patch on new clothes.  I get it - new clothes are better.  Then, You say, you don't put new wine into old wineskins because it will seep through.  But wine gets better with age (even in Jesus' time, I Googled it!), so wouldn't you put old wine in new wineskins since it's the good stuff.  Although the old wine would have already been in wineskins - it's not like there was wine in a jar and then they would transport it to wineskins.  (Googled it!). So, that makes sense too.  You're saying new has to go with new.

But then, You say that no one who drinks the new wine likes it better.  They prefer the old.  That also makes sense considering how wine gets better with age.  BUT IT MAKES NO SENSE FROM A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE!  

Our old hearts that are focused on ourselves can not go together with Your teachings.  When the Pharisees were teaching about eye for an eye, and punishment for sins, and following their authority - no problem, keep the selfish heart.  That meshes.  But, forgiveness of sins, loving your enemy, sacrifice - that won't go in a heart that is only concerned about #1.  

So, why do You talk about everyone liking the old?  Are you trying to roast the Pharisees?  OK, I think I get it - You're saying that everyone who drinks the old wine (has been following the Pharisees rules for spiritual life) does not like what You are saying.  They want to keep it the same as it's always been.  And knowing You a little bit, you intentionally put it after the wineskin thing to really make people think about it.  Mission accomplished!

LUKE 4

 As I read Jesus' mission statement, I thought, "This is metaphorical - sight to the blind, prisoners set free - that's gotta be spiritual blindness and captivity."  Then, the rest of the chapter is how he is literally giving sight to the blind and having demons leave people's body.  But, with all that said, I think Jesus' mission (and our mission) is to help people see and live out the truth.

One scary thing (and I know the devil is a liar) was when he told Jesus that he was given control over who governs stuff.  I mean, you look at some of the world leaders we've had and you kind of start to think that's true.

Finally, I would have loved to keep Jesus around my town too.  Talk about not needing a doctor - He could just fix everyone!  But, at the start everyone wanted Jesus around.  They were amazed and it said He was liked by everyone.  It was not until later in His ministry that people started to hate Him.  However, the only people who really hated Him in the end were the religious leaders - the authority types.  

I kind of get it.  I was a person who I felt was liked by everyone.  Only in the last couple of years have I realized that there are some people who don't like Tony Melton.  But, again, most of those people are the authority type.  Even now, as a 54 year-old, it still hurts; especially since I try not to do anything mean to anyone.  But, if there were people who didn't like Jesus, then there are definitely going to be people who don't like us.  

One, remember the mission.  Two, and I don't know that Jesus needed to do this because He was pretty confident, but I've got to focus on the people who are for me.

LUKE 3

John the Baptist - interesting dude!  He would have been a great New Yorker - not nice, but kind!  It does make you think about how we live our lives.  Here's a guy who was like #2 maybe on the "What a follower of Jesus looks like" list.  He lived in a forest, dressed in weird clothes, ate weird things, was not nice to people at all, did not sugar coat things and was not worried whatsoever about what others thought of him.

As far as that checklist goes, my dwelling is subpar to some, but nothing out of the ordinary.  My clothes are weird, and I do eat weird things.  I am too nice to people and I do sugar coat things.  The big one - I care way too much about what others think about me.  But, I'm getting better.

I think John was great at the F You Factor.  He listened to God and God alone.  Did that require he step away from life?  Yep.  Did that mean a lot of people hated him? Yep.  But, did he say and do what needed to be said and done? Yep.  

As I think about what my next chapter in life should be - maybe this is it.  Focus on listening to God!  That's it!

Side note: How is it possible that they kept all those genealogy records? No way someone recorded or remembered all the way back to Adam!

LUKE 2

 From 8 days old until 12, and then from 12 until like 30.  Those are some big gaps.  

I wonder what Jesus was like as a fifth grader.  I bet He would be a hard worker in class - probably pretty smart!  I picture Him as being respectful and being someone a teacher could trust.  But, I also picture Him having a lot of fun.  Some may have made fun of Him because He had to be different; however, I see Him as being....

You know what, as I type this, I start to doubt the sterotypical thoughts that come into my mind.  Maybe Jesus was a quiet, shy kid who really wasn't sure who He was.  Maybe He was active and a little rambunctious - just loving life.  He had no sin, so I'm sure He wasn't mean, but maybe He was a little tough to handle because He already realized His real authority was God.  Who really knows?

And then I started to think what He would have been like if He had made it to 54.  What kind of things would He have been doing?  Would He still be traveling around with disciples?  Would He be more of the Joshua type - just kind of hanging out at home and helping people who needed help?  

At the start, I was trying to figure out what I could do to help these kids I teach - who could I help them become.  And then I started to think about how I could be more like Jesus now.  The hard thing is, we don't really know exactly what You were like.  And I'm not sure it even matters.

Really, that prophet may have said it best, "so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."  Because of You, who we are becomes known.  If we are selfish, people will know.  If we care about others, people will know.  If we don't give a rip, people will know.  

Is this crazy?  Our goal is not to become like You, it's to make sure our hearts are in line with Yours so that we become the best us that we can.

LUKE 1

 Now that I've finished the book of Luke, I'm going to try something new - reading the book of Luke!  But, check out this twist - a chapter at a time.  (Makes it a little harder to focus on one thing - so I won't).

Can you imagine if this happened today?  An older lady gets pregnant and her husband goes mute as soon as they find out.  Then, another lady gets pregnant, but it's not from the father.  It's not from any one.  When the first one is born, the father can speak again.  Would people think that was God like they did as recorded by Luke?  Or would they think everyone was crazy?

How about the different reactions?  Zechariah asks an angel how can this be.  OK, your wife is older and I'm not sure how things worked back then, but I bet angels did not appear all that often.  So, I can see where he might have some questions.  But, he's a leader in the temple.  He's literally in the holy of holies - seems like he, of all people, should haver recognized this was an angel, and when an angel tells you something I fell like you believe it.  

Elizabeth gets the news and goes into hiding - for five months!  She wants no part of people or answering questions (my opinion), and decides best thing to do is just live her life without others.

Mary definitely has some questions, but, in the end, says, "OK, You said it, I'll do it, I don't get it, but I'm all Yours." (My paraphrase - not actually in the Bible).  Then, not only does she accept it, she goes on a long monologue about how great You are and how she is honored to have been chosen.  

What's cool about the whole thing is this - everyone is focused on You.  Whether they don't believe You, or want to hide Your news, or just thank You, everyone is praising You.  So many magnifiants (looked that up).  

That's what I'm taking away.  Look for God to talk to you, do it, and give Him the thanks afterwards.

LUKE 24:53

 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. - Luke 24:53

I've always said that Luke was my favorite book of the Bible.  Now, Im not sure why.  I mean, it's about Jesus, and Mark is too short and John is weird.  Why is it better than Matthew?  I'm not really sure. Oh, maybe that's it (I type after a Google search), Luke is for the Gentiles.  Luke shows a more human side of Jesus and there's more of a focus on the "least of these" - that's probably it.

It really doesn't matter for what I'm about to do; because, a while ago I decided I would take a verse from Luke every day and wrote about it and meditate on it.  Sometimes on paper, sometimes in my head, lately on this blog, but it's always one verse a day.  Of course, I missed a few days, but...

 Luke has 1,151 verses.  That's 1,151 days.  If you do the math, that's 3 years and 56 days.  

When I started this, both of my kids were in college.  I was still working at the homeless shelter.  I don't think I was even watching tennis, or I had just started.  I started a long time ago!

And today I'm writing about the last verse!  

"And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God."  Continually!  Is that even possible?  Staying at a temple and continually praising God? I'm not sure, but if you think of our bodies as a temple (that's in the Bible), we are kind of there continually. so........

There it is!  Now it's time to celebrate by going to see the best high school basketball coach in the nation run a practice!

LUKE 24:52

Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  - Luke 24:52

We’ve been reading a lot about worship in our Bible Plan, and I wonder what this looked like.  Were they all singing songs, were people bowing, did they just say great stuff about Him? Did they just sit there silently in prayer and reflect on His greatness?  

Worship can be all these things…and more.  Walking in nature, serving someone, giving money, enjoying a tennis match - really it’s limitless!  

But, what I really like about this is it’s clearly focused on Jesus and the result - GREAT JOY!

LUKE 24:51

​While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. - Luke 24:51

Isn’t that the goal?  Bless people right up until the instance you are taken up to heaven.  Only one way to do that - keep blessing people all the time!

It’s also interesting that Luke adds, “He left them.”  He could have just said, “While He was blessing them, He was taken up into heaven.”  To me, “He left them” kind of gives the impression that it was Your decision.  

Which is weird; because, right after that, Luke goes with “was taken.”  Did You want to get back to heaven?  I bet You did.  And even if you wanted to stay, I bet You were so dedicated to the Father that if it was time to go to heaven, You would obey.

Reminds me of Federico - I bet part of him wants to stay, but he knows it’s time.

LUKE 24:50

 When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up his hands and blessed them. - Luke 24:50

Bethany was Jesus' steps by the Planetarium.  Bethany was Jesus' baseball stadium.  Bethany was Jesus' Cincinnati Open.  Bethany was the place where Jesus would go to rest and hang out with his friends. So, when He decides they need to take a two mile trip, I get it.

I think this was more for You than for the disciples.  You wanted one last time at a very special place here on earth. 

It's good to see Your human side sometimes.  That is something I would do.  If I could choose, I would be sitting on Court 10 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center and then be taken up to heaven (spoiler alert - that's what happens in the next couple of verses.)

If anybody ever read this, I would love to know where their place would be.

LUKE 24:48

 You are witnesses of these things.  - Luke 24:48

Now that's pressure.  How many people did You go to after rising?  Like 20?  I mean, those were the witnesses.  If they decided, "Nah, I'm not going to tell people" there might not be a Kingdom.  If they were like, "I'm going to focus on sports" or "My life is too hectic right now" - maybe no Kingdom.  It was kind of all in their hands.

I think you know where I'm going with this one.  They did their part.  Look how many people know about the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins!  But, what about us?  We are witnesses of some things too.  I know what it's like to not be very popular but always have a best friend.  I know what it's like to not be a great leader but to have a great leader to follow.  I know what it's like to not make a lot of money but to somehow have all my needs met and now a lot more.  I know what it's like to go through stretches of doubt and anger but to eventually come out on the other side.  

I am a witness to all of these things, and I bet there's a couple of things you are a witness (Desmond) to too.  The disciples did their part - guess it's our turn.

LUKE 24:47

 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. - Luke 24:47

Sometimes I forget that part.  The "What" is so impressive that I miss the "Why." 

I mean the sacrifice You made to go to the cross - to even come here.  Pretty impressive.  Rising from the dead - very cool!  But, this whole time I've been focusing on the disciples reactions.  What did they feel?  How crazy it must have been to see You alive.  The emotions of losing a friend and then having Him come back.

That's part of it, but it's not IT!  You weren't doing this solely as an example for us, or just as a cool trick.  This had to happen so that we could have our sins forgiven and have a relationship with You.  This whole thing opened up our ability to have heaven on earth, to be able to hang out with You, to live in The Kingdom.  

It really wasn't the rising from the dead part that got You a little frustrated.  It was the disciples not realizing what all of this meant, wasn't it?  Because I missed that too!

LUKE 24:46

​He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,” - Luke 24:46

OK, that is not hard to understand- I can see where You would be a little frustrated.

Really, how much does it “kill” you when your students don’t get it?  I know. as a fifth grade teacher, when kids don’t know how to line up or say mean things to other kids, it drives me crazy.

You are building a Kingdom.  You are trying to make earth as it is in heaven.  You are trying to give us life to the full.  If we don’t get it, there are HUGE consequences.

But, You don’t give up!  That’s my go to.  These kids wanna mess up - f’ em.  I don’t care if they don’t.  But, Madison is worth it.  Making it a better place is worth it.  These kids are worth it.

Guess it’s time to be more like You!

LUKE 24:45

​Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. - Luke 24:45

You may have just done that for me.  I was in a bad mood.  Now, when I get in a bad mood, it’s not just for a day.  I like to let it linger a day or two - a week tops!  So yesterday was Day Two.  And I was sitting in the Teacher’s Lounge having communion, You reminded me.

You can choose to be in a good mood!  (Exclamation point on purpose). That’s like opening up my mind to Scripture.  

And the weird thing is - that’s exactly what I asked for yesterday!

LUKE 24:44

 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and Psalms." - Luke 24:44

There's a hint of "I told you so" here.  There's also a little dash of "How do you not believe this?"  When Jesus is saying this, in my mind, he's not using a compassionate voice, He's more disappointed than anything else.  It's almost like You expect us to understand things that You say.

But, some times it's difficult.  I mean, I don't know how many times You told these guys this, but there are a few times in Scripture where You say something and it's a little unclear what You meant.  However, I keep on going back to this.  It's more of a heart thing than a mind thing.  If You were disappointed, I still believe it was because their hearts were not open enough to the Spirit, or else they would have understood.  

And I guess that's what everything really comes down to.  Are our hearts open to Your Spirit?  For me, right now, not so much.  Even when I try to do stuff to open it up, not so much.  Can't wait for tomorrow's verse.

LUKE 24:43

 and He took it and ate it in their presence. - Luke 24:43

I feel like this has happened more than once.  This was the way You proved it to them - that You were risen.  To prove that You weren't a ghost?  I guess that was a big deal - You were proving that You had risen from the dead.  

Gotta be honest, not into it today.  There have been a lot of times lately that I realize this is fake.  I do my Bible Plan, I type this blog, I even went to church, but the joy, the love, the compassion - it's not there.  Anger?  Got that.  And it's not just that I don't have those things right now, I don't even care.  I have no desire to try to get there.  I thought, "Thanksgiving!  That will be my start."  Nope.  

But, I guess it's better to keep battling.  Like Mookie Betts, taking swings in between innings at the World Series.  The only difference is that he wanted to get better.  I feel like I'm doing this stuff just because I'm supposed to.

However, back to the verse, if there is anything spiritual in eating, I am all for it.

LUKE 24:42

 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, - Luke 24:42

How did they broil stuff back in those days?  Hmmm, right on the fire.  For some reason, I pictured them inside when this happened, and I guess they could have been.  But, it would make more sense that they were in tents.....or would it?  They did have people's houses that they would stay in and I seem to remember that they were in a room when they didn't want to get noticed.

I know this doesn't really matter, but the whole picture of this scene seems different if they are outside around a fire.  People could have been walking around.  Jesus could have just walked up.  The disciples may have seen Him at different times.

I mean, ultimately who cares.  Jesus came back, in the flesh.  That's what's important.  But, how we perceive that, how we perceive anything can have huge implications.  It can affect how we respond.  And isn't that what this whole thing is really about - what it makes us do, who it makes us become?  I feel like there may be a lot of things about Jesus and His story that I may have to have a more open mind about.