Week 1 - Luke Reflections Posted Saturday, January 3

I deleted the original post by mistake....still learning!
In Luke we start with chapter 5:27, where Jesus calls Levi (Matthew). We end with chapter 8 where Jesus raises Jarius' daughter from the dead. Like Genesis the spiritual lessons are many and diverse. I encourage you to read a passage more than once. As you read pay attention to words or phrases that resonate with you. Go back to those phrases/words and ask yourself why that particular word struck you. Often in this pattern of reading scripture, you will find God speaking to you about a particular issue or struggle in your life. Please remember we are reading the scriptures for spiritual formation in this exercise, not simply information. We need to practice both types of scripture reading, but our primary purpose this year in these readings is formation.Ok, so here are some reflection questions/observations as you read Luke this week.

1. Luke 5:27 - Jesus calls Levi (Matthew). Like Abram, Levi picks up and follows. It is probable that Levi was familiar with Jesus' ministry in Capernaum and maybe even knew him. In this passage Levi goes from a some time follower to a full time disciple. I see myself here...how about you? I am very familiar with Jesus and his teachings. However, Jesus calls me to a deeper relationship - a disciple. The question for all of us - will we go?

2. Luke 5:36-39 Wineskins. Are you stuck in a religious rut? Is Jesus calling you to something new in 2009 while you want to stay in the old wineskin? Pray for courage. Pray for insight. Pray for listening ears.

3. Luke 6:12 Jesus prays in solitude all night. The next day he chooses the 12 apostles. When was the last time you prayed long and hard about a major decision you needed to make? More often we make the decision based on our assumptions and ideas and then ask God to bless it. Ouch. I am guilty as charged. I wonder what our lives would look like if we prayed "all night" before a major decision? More than that, what would our lives look like if we obeyed?

4. Luke 6:20- 49 Luke's Sermon on the Plain. Well, I could ask about a 1000 reflection questions for this passage. Let's go with two to get you started. Love your enemy....it is very difficult to love/forgive/serve someone who has wronged me. As my teenagers would say "Really???" Jesus just can't be serious here. But He is. Who do you need to forgive in 2009? Who is your difficult "love them anyway" person?

And how about 'do not judge'? My study Bible makes this note, "Jesus did not relieve his followers of the need for discerning right and wrong (look at verses 43-45 ), but he condemned unjust and hypocritical judging of others." We truly never know what is happening in the hearts and homes of people. We simply must love first. Pray to look at people through the eyes of Jesus.

5. Luke 7:1-10 The Centurion. I am struck by the faith of the Centurion. What if I lived my life like this? What if I saw myself as not worthy to have Jesus in my house? What if I believed Jesus? What if I followed him with simplicity of heart? What if I wouldn’t reason away my faith? What if.....?

6. Luke 7:11 Quite frankly I had forgotten about this story. Today I am struck by Jesus' compassion for the widow...."don't cry." How about you?

7. Luke 8:4-15 Parable of the Sower. No matter how many times I've read this parable, it still convicts me. Which soil are you? Why?

8. Luke 8:22-25 Jesus asks the question "Where is your faith?" And your answer?????

9. Luke 8:42b-48 "She...touched the fringe of his clothes..." This woman always moves me. As a last resort she risks everything to simply touch his clothes. He acknowledges. She believes. He forgives. She lives. Is this not our story?

Ok, well there is enough food for thought for this week. I'll try to post some on the Psalms tomorrow. Peace.