Lenten Readings: Luke 4

Lenten Readings: The two-year Bible reading plan puts the Gospel accounts of Luke and John right between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Whether you're doing the reading plan or not, you can follow along on the blog and read daily meditations based on the accounts of Jesus, whose life and death we remember and cherish during this season of Lent. Check back every day starting on February 14 and until Easter Saturday.

I apologize - the Bible reading plan split up Luke 1 into two days, but I kept it as one. Sunday's blog will not have a reading; consider it a catch-up day if you're following the plan.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
READ: Luke 4 

MEDITATE on Luke 4:29, "And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff." These were the "religious," the ones in the synagogue who were listening and enjoying the nice things Jesus had been saying just a little while before. How is it that the "religious" could turn against Jesus?

REFLECT
The contrast of Jesus rejecting Satan's temptations to follow God versus the "religious" rejecting Jesus' teachings to follow themselves is stark and poignant - we do not necessarily need an obvious encounter with temptation to be swayed away by our own sinful devices. Sometimes the subtle ways in which we subvert Christ's call lead us to have hearts that are so distant and callous toward the things of God. Do you heed the Spirit's conviction of your sin? Do you obey the call to love your enemies? Do you follow Christ's lead in serving others? Are you on mission with Christ?

The other contrast that is provided here is the rejection of Jesus by the "religious" in the house of worship versus the welcoming of Jesus by sick, possessed, and needy out in the villages. To them Jesus came with the gracious power of God and the authoritative Word of God. Why do you need to welcome Jesus? Do you need Jesus?

PRAY
Pray for revival of our church congregations, including EACF! Pray for us to be people of the Word, of prayer, and of the Spirit of Christ, that we may humbly receive and follow Jesus.