Dr. F.B. Meyer tells of a church that was seeking revival. An elder got up and said, "I don't think there is going to be a revival here as long as Brother Jones and I don't speak to each other." He went across to Jones and said, "Brother, you and I haven't spoken to each other in five years. Let's bury the hatchet. Here's my hand."
Has your faith ever caused you to make a choice? Have you ever had one foot on the boat and one foot on the dock, and intentionally decided to go in a direction God was calling you instead of another road? If so, you understand exactly why Jesus said what he did.
Jesus describes another kind of church-- a church where the people work at feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and the imprisoned, and reaching out and touching the untouchables of our world.
Walt’s goodness, and kindness, and generosity, were well documented, but it weren’t enough to get him into heaven. Only the work of Jesus on the cross could accomplish that. Walt is in the kingdom, and we will see him again when our time comes to die. May that promise fill you with hope today.
Jesus said, "Don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food...." I remember spending quite a lot of time fretting over the wedding dinner—filet mignon, walleye or squash ravioli. Insisted on a soup course—cream of wild rice. Life is more than food.
Jesus didn't need to increase the size of the faith of the disciples. They already had faith. He assures them of that and states that, even though their faith may be small, God can accomplish great things through them. And we know that he did. With God's help, they changed the world.
What is your greatest fear? Chances are it would have something to do with your future--your mortgage--your health. Add to the list. To run with Jesus you don’t need no baggage, no ticket, to get on board. Just be ready
The parables of Jesus are not about you and me. They're about the nature of God. And God's love is not a limited resource reserved for those who deserve it. He has more than enough for all who ask. The Pharisee didn't ask. The tax collector was so broken, that's all he could do.
Twenty centuries later, we read what Jesus said, and we say “Right on, Jesus! You really gave it to those pious Jews. Good for you.” What we fail to realize is that the message of Jesus has not changed in 2000 years, except now he is speaking to us.
Next time you're around somebody who seems overly cocky, and you feel your blood beginning to boil, think of the Pharisee in the parable as a little boy locked up in a grown-up body who's still trying to win the approval of his mommy and daddy.