John 3

John 3:20

For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

This feels like a bit of a contradiction to me.  Those who are evil avoid the Light, to avoid being exposed for what they have done.  But all men are evil, so how do any come to the Light?

I guess this is getting back toward the Calvinism question again, where those who become saved are that way because God chose them out of the darkness.  We didn't choose to come into the Light, God shone the Light on us.  But didn't we still have to choose to accept it?  And why did we accept it, rather than run back to the darkness where it's safe?  Maybe I was just saved too young to understand how this works for those who are really aware of their sins.

John 2

John 2:5

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

Is it just me, or was Mary being very presumptive in all this?  Jesus basically just told her off, saying it wasn't His time yet.  Yet she goes ahead and gives orders to the servants, almost extorting Him.

Was there more to the conversation that wasn't included in the text?  Something that showed Jesus acquiescing to Mary's request?  Or did she simply know Him too well, and knew that He would act to fill the need once made aware of it?

John 1

John 1:3

All things came into being through him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Humans like to think of ourselves as creative.  We like to look at something and be able to say, "I made that."  However, God made everything, and without Him there is nothing we can make.

I wonder if an acute awareness of this verse is why I don't consider myself to be very creative.  I don't particularly like making things, and don't particularly like the things I make.  Is it because I know I didn't make them?  Or perhaps is it a resentment that I can't truly take credit?

Luke 24

Luke 24:27

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

First, how sorry do you feel for these guys?  They've been following Jesus for some time, enough to be meeting with the apostles, and are among the first to see Jesus after his resurrection, but are kept for hours from realizing it's Him.  And not only that, but they didn't understand the prophecies, or how they connected together.  Poor guys.

On the other hand, these guys are among the most blessed in the world.  Jesus chose them to appear to very early on, and took the time to explain everything to them.  They were probably the first humans to truly understand the prophecies on Christ!

Luke 23

Luke 23:25

And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Barabbas was possibly the first man truly saved by Christ.  He was a dead man walking, but Christ interceded and took his place, leaving him to freedom.  Yet even with an example like this, I still have constant trouble letting myself believe that I'm no worse than anyone else who's been saved, or that I actually have been.

Jesus wasn't just sent off to be killed, He was delivered to the will of jealous men.  They wanted Him dead, and Pilate lacked the will to deny them that.  So He would have done to Him all that they wanted, without resistance or struggle, and again man's desires led to destruction.  With anyone else, that would have been the end of a sad story, so we should again thank God that it wasn't the end.

Luke 22

Luke 22:3

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.

I've always wondered how Satan entered at this point, to this person.  It kind of seems to have happened out of the blue.  And how did Satan have he ability to take over one who was so close to Christ?

I have to assume Judas as chosen by Satan because he already had his defenses down.  We know from elsewhere that he was robbing their treasury for himself, so his character was already compromised.  He'd left a door open for Satan, and Satan had just been waiting outside to walk in at the right moment.

Luke 21

Luke 21:5

And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said,

One of my pet peeves today is how much attention goes into making church buildings pretty to look at.  It goes back centuries, to when the cathedral was sometimes the only place where real art could be found, in stained glass windows and religious paintings and sculptures.  Today it's about how much attention your church can get, or how modern the architecture is, or the whiz-bang tech it's stuffed with.

While there are certain things involving tech I look for in a church, I think far too much effort goes into appearances and making things cool.  I've disagreed with the last couple building projects my own church did, because I felt they were too ostentatious and focused on appearance to pull people in.  Maybe it's partly because of my own church upbringing in a school gym, but I feel that money could have been used so much better in ministry, rather than appearance.

Luke 20

Luke 20:35

but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

This is a verse I have to keep in my mind.  It's a verse you hear thrown about a lot in the single community.  Even so, it's one that's hard for me to keep focus on.

The idea of there being no marriage or romance in heaven just feels alien.  I understand it intellectually, but emotionally it just doesn't compute.  The idea that that part of our earthly psyches won't be needed in heaven just feels like you're ripping out the heart of what it is to be human.

Luke 19

Luke 19:9

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

It's never too late for anyone, until they've drawn their last breath.  I've heard this saying I don't know how many times, but always have trouble believing it about myself.  I can usually accept it for others, but I feel like, because I have been saved already, there is a limit to how many times I can mess up.

We believers are also sons of Abraham, by adoption.  As such, Jesus is inviting us also to be saved, and forgiven as many times as we ask for it.  Even though I know all this mentally, emotionally it has yet to really sink in, as I know how far short I fall of God's commands of how I should be living.

Luke 18

Luke 18:24

And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!"

I've often wondered what the standard for wealth is.  Is there some hard number, where you have a certain amount or percentage above average?  Or is it a matter of having enough that you don't feel you need to rely on God for your daily necessities?

Along with that question, I often wonder if I am wealthy to where it threatens my status.  I know that the low money was a factor when I decided not to make missions my career.  Does that, along with everything I have now, further separate me from hearing God?

Luke 17

Luke 17:10

So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

Since I was a teenager, I've always hated getting complements.  I always felt like I didn't deserve the praise being sent my way, but that it would be rude to say so.  So I now try my best to just do what needs doing, and slip away without anyone noticing or thanking me.

The odd thing is, I don't mind giving complements for things well done.  So I can understand both sides of this verse.  I do feel unworthy of being thanked for doing what I was supposed to, but at the same time, I want to reward others who do their part.  When it comes to God, I just feel inadequate, regardless of the circumstance.

Luke 16

Luke 16:8

And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.

I'll admit, I've never really understood this verse.  First, why is the bad manager being praised?  He's effectively stolen more money from his master.  Is he being praised for this vindictiveness?  Or is he being praised for finding a way to get a new job, but that's by scamming his present one?

Also, who's more shrewd?  The wording is confusing to me.  I am uncertain if the sons of the age are more shrewd towards each other than they are towards those of the light, or that they are just more shrewd overall than the sons of the light are.

Luke 15

Luke 15:21

And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

I can easily empathize with the younger son here.  I've been given a great inheritance, but have squandered it on things that are unimportant.  I too am unworthy of being considered a son, and deserve, at the absolute most, to be a servant in Heaven.

However, I have to constantly remind myself that that is not what God has done for me.  He didn't put a disqualification in my adoption papers.  He accepts that I am imperfect, and admits me as a son anyway, even as He encourages me to do better.

Luke 14

Luke 14:10

But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.

I think many have read this passage, and missed a key word.  They think that this is basically a sure-fire formula, that if you publicly display humility, you will be elevated by those around you.  However, this not only shows a flawed motivation, but missed the key word of the passage.

That word is "may."  None of this is a guarantee.  It could be that you truly are the lowest of those there, or the host is oblivious due to other distractions, or that he doesn't want to embarrass those who seated themselves higher.  Whatever might happen, you are not entitled to be elevated, and must accept your situation if it doesn't happen.

Luke 13

Luke 13:4

Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

We have a tendency to look for a reason something happens.  In Christian circles today, the common blame is spiritual warfare.  "If something bad is happening, it must be because Satan is attacking you."

However, Jesus shows this lie for what it is.  Just because something bad happens, it doesn't mean that we're being attacked, or did something wrong.  Sometimes, and in my opinion most of the time, thing happen as a consequence of living in a fallen and flawed universe, and that is the only "spiritual" action that precipitated that bad event.

Luke 12

Luke 12:57

"And why do yo not even on your own initiative judge what is right?

This verse stuck with me today, but for more personal and timely reasons that what I normally talk about here.  A couple days ago, someone online said something that really stuck in my craw, and I called him out on it.  I used some terminology that was direct and unkind, but I believed warranted.

My comments blew up bigger than I ever expected, and have caused a bit of a storm in the small community online this is related to.  I've been debating since then what to do about it, and this has solidified my thinking.  Some time this weekend, I'm going to go back, re-listen to what was said to make sure I heard it correctly.  If I'm still convinced I'm correct, I'm going to write a more detailed note laying out my specific arguments, and if I'm wrong I'm going to apologize.  Either way, I'm going to invite him to discuss more, should he choose.  At least then, I've opened to door for resolving things, and that's all I can do.

Luke 11

Luke 11:13

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

First, Jesus rightly points out that we're all evil.  However, evil people can do not-evil things.  It doesn't get them any closer to being good, but being evil does not mean you don't understand love (however imperfectly).

Second, it's interesting here that Jesus doesn't make the parallel of fathers giving good gifts to children with God giving good gifts to us.  Instead, He's much more specific, and says He gave us the Holy Spirit.  The immediate implication is that the Spirit is not only a good gift but the best possible.  I just with I felt like It was here more often. (and yes, I used It intentionally)

Luke 10

Luke 10:11

'Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom o God has come near.'

The seventy were sent out with a message.  They also had the power to act in Jesus' name, but their main reason for going out was to preach.  The people may have been paying attention to the miracles, but the message was the important part.

That message didn't change, no matter the seventy's circumstance.  If they were welcomed into a city, the message was the same.  If they were not welcomed and had to depart while warning of judgment, the message was the same.  They could not control how the people received the message; their job was simply to preach it, and let God do the work.

Luke 9

Luke 9:62

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

I wonder, what does it mean to put the hand on the plow and look back?  Is this someone who regrets their decision?  Is it someone who simply yearns for the freedom of their previous life?

I once had an opportunity to become a missionary, working with my parents.  However, from the time where that possibility became an option, to when I had to decide, some changes had occurred both at the mission and myself, to where I didn't feel comfortable with the idea.  Did I mess up, and make myself unfit?

Luke 8

Luke 8:56

Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

I'm not sure the purpose of this instruction.  The girl was apparently very clearly dead, and now she wasn't.  At the very least, those who had been there mourning certainly would have figured out what had happened.

Also, note the contrast between this and his healing at the beginning of the chapter.  There, he told the man who'd been cured of demons to tell everyone what had happened; here, bringing a girl back from the dead was a private matter.  What was the difference?  Perhaps it was because the demon-possessed man was living among non-believers (they herded pigs, after all), whereas the girl and her family were Jewish?

Luke 7

Luke 7:6

Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;

I can easily identify with the centurion in this story.  I constantly feel unworthy of God's attention, and do not want to do anything to bother Him.  I feel I should not be calling upon Him for anything but to help me overcome my sin, because that should be the priority over any earthly issues.

However, I have to remind myself that that wasn't the centurion's attitude here.  He wanted Jesus to heal his servant, and sent people he respected to make the request.  But he also understood the power and authority Jesus had, and that he was unworthy, so he requested the minimal effort from Him.

Luke 6

Luke 6:46

"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

I have to admit, this is one of those areas I constantly struggle with.  I was raised in the church, and been through what I'd like to think is fairly thorough.  I know what I'm supposed to do, how I'm supposed to act, and how I'm supposed to feel about it.

However, I find that "expected Christian behavior" to be a constant struggle.  I almost resent the "good Christian" persona I'm expected to follow, because it's so inauthentic.  I don't feel that I'm being molded or shaped to be more like Christ, but instead just learning to wear the mask better while everything behind it is simmering that the requirement.