March 24, 2013

  Holy Day Of Rest For Whom?  Usher Him In!

Luke 14: 1 - 6

Luke

One Sabbath day Jesus was in the home of a leader of the Pharisees.  The people were watching him closely, because there was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.  Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Well, is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?"  When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.  Then he turned to them and asked, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath?  If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you proceed at once to get him out?"  Again they had no answer.   

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Thoughts.....

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus was ushered into Jerusalem with honor and praise.  Just like Jesus was invited into the home of a leader of the Pharisees in todays lesson, albeit he was probably  not  welcomed in with as much acclaim or honor. 

Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees kept stating that it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath.  That one should not work on the Sabbath.  Let me clear some things up at the onset.

First of all the Sabbath was the Holy Day for the Jews.  Per the calendar they used/use, that day is Saturday.  The calendar the majority of the world uses now shows Saturday as the last day of the week.  The Christian religious doctrine is currently that Sunday is the Holy Day for Christians, because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead on the 3rd day, that being a Sunday.  It is the first day on the calendar most in use.  So, Christians chose Sunday as their Holy Day in remembrance and in celebration of Christ's resurrection.  Christians consider Sunday, their Holy Day, their Sabbath.   

Does it matter?  Not really.  Technically we are to keep God in our hearts and honor him EVERY day, so EVERY day should be holy because he is in it.  In todays lesson, Jesus is telling us that every day is a work day in the eyes of God.  He clearly indicates to the Pharisees, who were probably trying to trick him, per some theologians, that they work on the Sabbath, as well, whether to feed their animals, move them, or rescue them, so why shouldn't he heal on that day?

In Genesis 2:1-3 we learn the following:   'So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.  On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.'  

On the seventh day, God finished his task.  NOTE:  he finished on the 7th day, therefore he worked on the 7th day.  God declared the day holy, 'because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation', when he finished his task/work of creating the heavens and the earth and everything in them, on that day.  Huh.  So we gripe when we have to work 5 days a week and work hard.  I'm thinkin' God had a larger load....and don't think he's done working yet!  And it really shouldn't matter if he started the week on Sunday or Monday......7 days is 7 days.  However, you could say that Christians should then view Saturday as the 7th day, since Sunday is the first day on the calendar, which would make it the same day as the Jewish calendar.  Hmmm. 

Ok, so God worked 7 days.  He finished his task in 7 days.  God declared the day holy because he was finally able to rest, after he got everything done he needed to in 7 days.  I know I am repeating myself, but you need to get this....so do I. 

And the Pharisees were griping because the Sabbath was a Holy Day, one in which one should not work.  That, my friends, is doctrinal.  Traditional fallacy.  Inaccurate.  Not based on Scriptural facts.  YES, God's 7th work day was declared holy by God.  BUT one can/should still work 7 days.  And THEN rest when your work is complete.  God worked on the day he declared holy.  Who are we that we should not, if he was God [He was....is] and he worked, we better get our behind in gear.  I know.....most of you will wonder if you can EVER get all your work done at all, let alone in 7 days....it's never-ending.  I'm feeling that thought right along with you.    

If you had a heart attack and you went to the emergency room and there was no one there because it was a holy day....of rest....how do you think you would feel?  Would you even live?  Oh, you might say, 'well they chose that profession'.  Lucky for you they did, and that they do work on a holy day.  They, too, will be able to rest when their work is finished, if on that day.  The same for folks like myself who preach/teach the Gospel/Word of God, Truth in action, if you will.  We work...so you may know the Word of God, be filled with it.  Ok, so some days are more overflowing than others.  Hey, did you pay me like you would have paid the emergency room worker?  We are both here by the grace of God to show you the way to save your life. 

In the midst of the folks at the Pharisee's house, was a man whose arms and legs were swollen. The next sentence makes us wonder if the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus, or if Jesus was trying to trick them, for he asks them, "Well is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?"  Either way, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.  On the Sabbath.  Read what he said to the Jews in John 5:17 (Read all of John 5, if you choose):  "My Father never stops working, so why should I?"  The New International Version reads. "My Father is always at his work, to this very day, and I, too, am working."  Oh, that we would all be doing work with the Father and Jesus. 

What a blessing that Jesus WAS the 'emergency room attendant' that day!  He stands by, 'at the ready', even today, with his Father, God, just for you, to heal you, too.  God can become your Father, if you but ask, just as Jesus can be your healer, your Savior, your Lord.

Will you usher Jesus into your life with praise today?  Will you allow him to heal you?  To give you a new life?  Will you give him the glory for having done so?  Will you ask God to forgive you for any sins you have committed, known and unknown?  Will you ask God and Jesus into your life?  Will you praise them anew with thanksgiving, and honor them by living your new life WITH Jesus and God?  And go forth doing FOR them in thanksgiving for what they have done, and will do, for you?  Will you perfectly love God and Jesus, and worthily magnify their Holy Names?  Will you ask Jesus to baptize you with Holy Spirit?  Will you let Holy Spirit fully into your life, so he may teach you all truth in all things?  And comfort you as you go forth? 

God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit stand 'at the ready'.  God is watching to see if you usher in his Son today with praise.  Choose this day whom you will serve....and work for....and with whom you may enjoy rest.   

Be healed! in the name of Jesus.           

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Let Us Pray

Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I know you are in my life because you knit me in my mother's womb.  But now I want you fully in my life in a way that you fully become my Father, not just my Creator.  Jesus, please heal me.  And please come into my life....save me.  I want you to become my Savior and I desire to make you Lord of my life.  Paul said in Romans, 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak'.  As I sit here tired, seeking a day of rest, I know that my work is not complete, and I ask you to help me complete my tasks for this day and every day.  Help me know how to make you Lord of my life.  By listening, accepting your direction, walking with you....these are only some of the ways I know.  Please baptize me with your Holy Spirit, so I may learn all truth, receive the fruits, as well as the gifts, of the Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit, I want to grow and live in your truth, so that I may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name, God's and Jesus'.  Holy Spirit, please fill me to overflowing with all you have to give.  Help me, protect me, please, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit along the very rough road of life.  Save me, keep me, love me, heal me.  Thank you.  In Jesus' name I pray, by and with the power of the Holy Spirit, to dear Heavenly Father God.  Amen.   

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, please feel free to share what I've written, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know, and you are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen! 

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  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you! 

BesidesBesid   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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