January 16 / Luke 6:37-49

Posted byFred 1 Comment on January 16 / Luke 6:37-49

Luke 6:37-49

Good morning, RTB’ers!

Continuing Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain”. Mathew’s “Sermon on the Mount” is three chapters long – Mt. 5-7. Here, in Luke we have Jesus speaking only twenty verses (Luke 6:20-39). However, Luke has more of what Matthew includes in other passages. (See Luke 11:2-4; 12:22-31, 33-34). The suggestion is that Jesus spoke this message or parts thereof in many locations during His ministry.

Jesus’ words on judgment and condemnation are personal to me; I have long had a problem with judging others. Part of that is probably due to my many years in the classroom – more specifically grading papers and exams and assigning grades. Judgment is absolutely necessary there! But that teaching profession is less about judging and more about lifting all students to know more and to be better citizens. Humility is a lot more effective in the classroom than arrogance! Likewise, when a judgmental situation arises in my head, more often I’ve learned to pray for that person or situation instead of letting judgment reign. And I honestly feel a real sense of relief when I do that.

Blessings!

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1 Comment

  1. Good morning. Hope you are feeling some warmth today.

    I read today’s passage first in ESV and then in The Message version. Here is a portion from The Message version that spoke to me:

    Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘yes sir and ‘That’s right sir, ‘ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, home owner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words to build a life on. If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter, who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built the home and skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.
    Luke 6:46-49, The Message

    Sometimes, reading the modern paraphrase helps me to internalize the passage. I have been struggling with putting Jesus’ words into practice in my life. Trust is one of those issues I struggle with. I believe and want to trust but nagging thoughts still occur and rob my peace.

    Yesterday I had to be at St. Joseph Hospital East on Richmond Rd at 6:30 in the morning. I had promised someone I would pick them up and they were depending on me. When I got up and saw the road outside my house, I prayed and asked God to get me there and back. I don’t like driving in bad weather and usually white knuckle the whole time and am a nervous wreck. The person I picked up was praying for me, and I had a peaceful drive. I felt God’s presence the whole time. When we really trust God for the outcome it is powerful. Have a great day today with God, whatever your circumstances.

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