podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/ea887f3d/because-i-know-too-much-not-to-share-luke-37
It is not flashy or high tech. It is often difficult to understand. It requires focus and discipline to avoid being pulled away by distraction. And yet – one new study shows that consumption four times a week reaps the following benefits in a person’s life:
Feeling lonely drops 30%
Anger issues drop 32%
Bitterness in relationships drops 40%
Alcoholism drops 57%
Sex outside of marriage drops 68%
Feeling spiritually stagnant drops 60%
Viewing pornography drops 61%
Sharing your faith jumps 200%
Discipling others jumps 230% 1
And these days, it is so available and accessible!
What is it? The Bible.
I have loved the Bible since my mother first gave me my very own when I was four years old. And I tell you true, as every month goes by, I love it even more. The Bible alone holds the answers for life and living—and as noted above, regular reading of Scripture is more than informative--it is life giving in tangible ways.
That is the reason I write. Morning Briefings are drawn from the Word, with applied meaning and understanding, and are available wherever someone finds himself in the world via email.2 In his first chapter, Dr. Luke said he wrote ‘so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught’.3
So that you may know about Jesus, we turn our attention to the ninth chapter of Luke’s gospel: How rich, how full, as Luke details Jesus’ ministry to the curious, convinced and conniving.
In length, 62 verses, a link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 9&version=ESV
[If you click, on the left above the scripture, there are five small symbols; if you tap the speaker, you can listen as you follow along with the passage, 7:43 in length. When I do this, I find I retain even more as two of my senses are involved.]
A lot happens including: Jesus sending out the 12 disciples with power and authority; they teach and heal! Herod mystified by Jesus--'who could this man be?' Jesus speaking plainly about the cost of following him. And twice, he tells the disciples he will be handed over to die...can you imagine? Jesus again does the miraculous--as no other has ever equalled.
And. Jesus. asks. a. question. - a question every one of us will have to answer.
Luke writes, "Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9.18-20
Who do you say that I am? This really is the question for all of us. Who do we say that Jesus is - who is he to us? Is Jesus the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the Messiah? Yes! Okay, but who is he to you? Is he Friend, Lord, or something else entirely? It is a personal question Jesus asked of his disciples, and it is a personal question he asks you and me today.
It really is simple; it is we who make it complicated—we listen to competing voices, including religious ones. Friends, we must never add something to Jesus; it must never be Jesus - plus - anything else. In personal discussions, folks have said to me, ‘I’m not sure about Jesus, but I do believe he was a good teacher.’ Well, that’s a good start, but it stops short. Consider this and realize, "You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."4
The question gets at the heart of the matter. And one great thing about our 24-7 technology is that we can easily access the historical evidence and the eyewitness accounts for the Man, the Miracle worker, the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth—of course in the Scriptures, but also the details recorded by first century historians, and corroborative proofs of archaeology.
Let me ask you: as you have considered the historical account of Luke and perhaps the other gospel writers ... as you have experienced something of Him yourself,
Who do you say that Jesus is?
Friend, I couldn't help but tell you this great news about the power of the Word of God... I just know too much not to share!
What better response?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf6C0L_7-CA
How Great Thou Art!
Christine
Luke, #37
1 - from REVERING GOD, Thaddeus J. Williams. p. 8. Savoring this book, reading a couple pages a day. 'Join me in reading it?
2 - and social media sites: Facebook: Morning Briefings and THRIVE,OC as well as allaboutgod.net
3 - Luke 1.4, NIV
4 - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
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