Category: QuietTimes

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.  And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”  But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:19-21 [ESV]

Once again, we have a follow-up comment by Jesus in the context of ‘The Sower’ parable. When I first read this passage, I was caught off guard and quietly said under my breath, “Jesus! That’s harsh!” What cannot be lost in the reading of these passages is the focus on LISTENING.

By Jesus’ reckoning, true family relationships are no longer represented biologically but now spiritually. Only those who hear the word of God and do it, as the parable of The Sower tells us, can claim rights as Jesus’ mother and brothers. In Luke’s way of speaking, the moral weaknesses of Jesus’ family not only dampen any potential propensity to glamorize members of the holy family (outside of Jesus – think of how the Catholics idolize Mary) but also serve to establish the circle of obedience as the fundamental community in the emerging kingdom of God.

The scenes in these passages are all about hearing. Jesus tells a story about four types of seeds and soils. The first seed falls beside the path and represents people who don’t hear because of demonic forces. The second seed represents people who hear the word but give up when they face persecution. The third seed represents people who don’t hear because of life’s distractions. The fourth seed represents people who hear the word and bear fruit. The most important thing is whether they obey his teachings and bear fruit. For Luke, the quality of one’s life is the most accurate way to measure one’s standing in the Kingdom of God. And the quality of one’s listening to Jesus is the crucial predictor of whether they will bear fruit or not. Even Jesus’ own family members could not guarantee their position inside his family if they failed to listen.

Application:

Am I LISTENTING?? I am so thankful for the work the Lord has done in my life and I cannot overstate the pure joy and love I have for the Holy Spirit as He reveals God’s TRUTH to me. The most important part is whether I apply what I am hearing Him reveal to me day in and day out. Additionally, am I straining to hear everything He has to say? Looking for how the Lord might be speaking to me has been a very big part of my study as of late and more and more it is a repetitive tap on the forehead of my spirit to pay attention.

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.  Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Luke 8:16-18 [ESV]

Yesterday I had the privilege of recording a Podcast episode with Pastor Graydon Cress who is the Pastor of the Canyon Hills School of Discipleship in a series about “Calling”. We talked primarily how I juggle my work, family, and ministry life as well as any tips and tricks I had for navigating secular work as born-again Christian. Today’s time in God’s Word is right in line with some of things we talked about in regard to living out your Faith in your work environment and seeing that activity as your ministry or mission field.

In today’s culture and society, the world makes it very hard to comfortably set our lamp out for all to see. We run the risk of getting canceled, persecuted, belittled, sidelined, or even fired for what we believe. What Jesus says here in verse 17 is that if we are genuine born again Christians and following Jesus obediently, we will not be able to hide who we are or what we believe; it will be revealed exactly who we are in our behavior, love, respect, and integrity….we can only hope for this kind of exposure as we seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.

Verse 18 is an awesome and frightening verse at the same time. First let’s talk about what it really means because this could be interpreted as the wealthy person will get wealthier and the poor person will become poorer and lose everything. This is true but not in the context of ‘money’. Jesus is speaking in context of what followed previously which is the Parable of the Sower and that is specifically Spiritual knowledge and understanding. So, when we think about what kind of ‘Soil’ we are, Jesus is saying we need to be careful in how we ‘listen’ to the Living Word. Do we consume and apply diligently the Word of God and grow in our sanctification; which result in more understanding and growth in our relationship with Jesus? Or, does the Word fall flat and we don’t heed the instruction and not or mis-apply the instruction we are given? If it is the latter, Jesus says we don’t have a depth of knowledge and relationship we think and what we do have will be taken from us. Umm, this is scary. FYI – I believe this is a person who has not had a true conversion; one who has not been transformed by the renewing of their mind in Salvation (Romans 12:2).

What a wonderful cap to my time with Graydon yesterday in the scope of my work and how I present myself at Microsoft. I am constantly learning how I can better live out my faith and keep the lamp of the light of Jesus right out there for everyone to see and be available and ready to answer the question that comes —> “Ben, what makes you so different in the work that you do?”

One of the passages I have spent time in over the last 2 weeks (and coming back to it today) is the Parable of the Sower. A contemplation of the types of soil that the seed of God’s Word are distributed, and their explanations is a great study.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.  And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.  And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 8:5-8 [ESV]

Meaning of the Parable:

Parable Item	Meaning
Sower	God
Seed	God’s Word
The Path	Represents those who never really ‘took’ the Word. They heard but they did not heed. Satan whipped it away before they believed.
The Rocks	Those who are happy to hear the Word but there is no depth in them. In time of testing they fall away…they have not roots to hold them down.
The Thorns	Those who have potential for Spiritual advance but they fill their lives with so many ‘GOOD’ things that there is no room for spiritual fruit.
Good Soil	Those who bring a good and honest heart to the hearing of the Word. They retain the word, and in adhering to the Word they bring forth fruit.

Some people identify more with sowing the seed and this is an often ‘preached’ approach to this passage. However, I think that this is much better applied to ourselves and also as a way of ensuring that we don’t get out of our lane. So, when applied to myself the question I need to ask is what soil am I? If I identify with the good soil, am I bearing spiritual fruit? Is there an aspect of my spiritual walk that is more thorns than good soil? What about the Rocks in my life where I tend to fall apart when in certain circumstances? I know that ‘the Path’ is not reflective of anywhere in my life as I find my solace in God’s Word and His instruction is the life blood of my existence here on earth. I must be honest with myself on these other areas though and ensure that I am cultivating the areas of my life that are not yet ‘Good Soil’.

As for the ‘getting out of our lane’ aspect of this parable…I think that we all too often grade ourselves on who and how many of those we share the gospel with actually accept Jesus and are transformed. But God is the Sower; He alone knows where the seed falls. The bible also says that God is the One Who calls individuals to Himself. He already knows those who have good soil that will result in a fruitful spiritual life. When I start to feel like I can change someone’s heart condition relative to the acceptance of the gospel, I am getting out of my lane. I need to stay in the state that I am…a state of freedom that allows me to share the gospel broadly and rest in the knowledge that God will do the work of calling. I can rejoice and glorify God when I see that He has allowed me to participate in the calling of someone to Himself when I have shared my witness/testimony with them. We just need to share Jesus and let others see Jesus in us…and then let God do the rest.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. Luke 6:41-42 [ESV]

As I read through Jesus’ teaching to the masses (this one likely the Sermon on the Mount – Luke calls it the ‘Sermon on the Plain’), I am constantly convicted by the instruction of Jesus to the people who wish to learn and follow Him. This passage I know so well but how little do I apply it to my own life. Essentially, I have a lumber lard in my eye…

When I look at my ministry as an Elder, a Life Group leader, counselor, husband, and father, I feel so short of achieving where I need to be in my walk with others when it comes to admonishing and encouraging those in the faith. I can’t go 4 steps without being able to point out my own short comings…yet, God still uses me. How much more effective might I be if I were walking even more upright? With what I just said there – we must tread carefully. That can quickly delve into a ‘works-based’ approach to our Christian walk.

Rather, our focus needs to be on the worship of our God and King. Through worship the ‘Lumber Yard’ will start to dissipate. Not that this frees us up to find and call out the specks in other believer’s eyes; no, it only grows our heart more fondly toward our Creator and makes us more aware of what He is laying in our path to grow His Kingdom. It also draws us closer to His Spirit that resides in us, to the point that our worship branches out into forms of service that become more effective, like being an Elder, a Life Group leader, counselor, husband, and father.

"give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

I am taking my time in pouring over the sermon Jesus taught in Luke 6 and making sure I understand all the nuances of the examples and analogies He uses.

This one today is “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap”. The analogy here is in regard to the grain sellers in the market. When you would go to the local market in New Testament times and want to buy grain for baking, you would buy by amount and not always by weight. In some cases, a shady or rushed seller would lightly fill a measuring container before dumping the contents into the storage container the buyer had brought to bring their grain home. I generous seller would fill the measuring container to the top, then tamp it down, tapping the container on a surface to settle the contents, and then add more to fill to heaping before pouring into the buyer’s container. This is how Jesus wants us to be with our giving…and He says that when we do so, we receive the same measure back to us.

There are many examples and analogies that Jesus uses to communicate this same set of points but this is the first time I have finally been able to wrap my brain around this specific one.

Application:

Am I giving of my time, energy, resources, and money in this way? Is it just enough to tick the box or am I considered a ‘Generous Giver”?

…love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36[ESV]

Today was a day filled equally with stress, productivity, rest, and relaxation. I call that a good day. It ended with a trip to the Relaxation Station with Marianne for a 60 min massage. At $45 it is hit and miss but tonight for both of us it was a hit! All around a wonderful end to a good day.

This passage today felt very appropriate for not only me in this season but also for several dear sets of friends we have that are going through tough trials in their marriages or with their kiddos. The ending of the passage is the hardest to implement -> Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Being merciful like the Lord has been merciful to me, is outrageous! He has given me so many chances, so many second starts, and even in the depth of my sin He sent His Son to die on a cross for me. When I look at how my internal dialog goes when I am faced with a situation where I have an opportunity to show mercy, I am mortified by my rigid alignment to my malformed justice. I find myself sometimes seething at someone’s choices or treatment of someone else…but I have been guilty of the SAME THING…but God has been merciful to me anyway.

When you look at all the things Jesus called out before the end of this passage, the call to be selfless is clear. Lord Jesus please lead me in my sanctification in this area of my husbandhood, fatherhood, and friendships.

I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.  And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:27-31 [ESV]

This is one of the hardest things for me to do. I am a regimented, right vs wrong, and very principled person. My tendency is to let a person get what they have coming to them. I am a heavy proponent of just law and order. Listing to this segment from the sermon from Jesus shows me how far I have come, yet at the same time reveals how much further I have to go.

At work I have really made good strides at loving on, praying for, and encouraging those I don’t get along with. Just recently (if you have been following me here), I had to eat crow by apologizing to a co-worker for getting angry with them. Since this episode, we have worked well together, and I have even been sending them prayers of mine over text for their mother who has brain cancer. I am so much more lenient with people who are crazy on the road. Thanks be to the Lord God Almighty, I am in much better control of my anger towards people who don’t like, abuse, or combat me.

However, I have so much more I can do. I need to open my hands more to those who are destitute or in need of help/assistance. More importantly I not only need to be listening to God’s direction toward these people….I need to be seeking them out. I want to increase my tolerance, grow my giving, and widen my forgiveness. Just as I have stated above, in moments where I extend grace to those who have come at me, I have found some of them seeking me out for advice and to work more closely with me on projects. To God be the Glory.

What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. Luke 6:22-23[NLT]

Wow, is the message appropriate for me in this stage in life and career. I have so many opportunities at work on a daily basis to represent and show my faith in how I present and handle myself. In the past several years, I have increasing confidence that the way I’ll be let go from my job is because people will learn that I am a devote follower of Jesus.

Our culture has developed a perception that Christians == homophobe, transphobe, and racist…which is the farthest from the truth for a genuine believer and follower of Jesus. When a person is living an obedient life to the teachings of Jesus, there is no greater lover of souls than those people.

I needed to be reminded today that living my life sold out to Jesus may impact my livelihood. When or if it does, I can walk with my head held high and with joy that I have been persecuted in His name.

And solemnly lifting up His eyes on His disciples, He said: Blessed (happy—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition—and to be envied) are you poor and lowly and afflicted (destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor), for the kingdom of God is yours! Luke 6:20[AMP]

When I read this verse that comes out of my passage today, I find myself wanting what they (the poor) have. And what is it that they have? Well, the amplified version tells us -> “Destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor“ Ok, none of us probably want that; but what does it mean that they have because they are in the situation that Jesus calls out here?

Quite simply, they don’t have earthly things, so they cling to spiritual things. I’m going to have to look up where, but there are other places in God’s word where it talks about the fact that when we seek to people please, the recognition that we get when we do (here on earth) is a receipt of the reward we are looking for (paid in full). So, like that reward, the security of money, influence, position, and honor fulfill a need that we… we are not looking for the spiritual comfort and peace that God can give us when we are destitute.

QUESTION: Am I living a life in my job security, worldly possessions, and comfort that have me leaning into the Lord like I need to? If I’m answering honestly, probably not. Do I need to lose all of these things in order to attain a closeness with the Lord that he desires for me? I don’t think so, but it means that I have to be prepared to lose everything, to give everything away if I don’t feel like I am getting as close to the Lord as I should, while having all of these things. This has kind of rocked me today… and I’m still processing.