Luke 7:36-50

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat…….Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

More Thoughts:

Here’s a familiar story, the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. I’d break it down into 4 characters of this story. You have Jesus who is Love, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his home (hypocrisy & judgement), the “woman in the city who was a sinner (brokenness) and those who sat at the table (the onlookers, those who were curious about Jesus had their own opinions, just probably not bold enough to engage Him for themselves.)

Now I’ve read this enough and heard it preached enough to know that the Pharisee had ulterior motives in having Jesus at His home (Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him). He like many knew His popularity, it would draw many people to him and his home. However, he could also embarrass/judge Jesus publicly and could amass some favor from the other Pharisees. He saw the perfect scenario that would show this Jesus was no messiah, when a woman (a woman in the city who was a sinner) entered the home and engaged with Jesus. He secretly judged Jesus (or at least he thought) by internally stating what he really thought about this Jesus (This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner). This Pharisee saw Jesus as just a man who would be ashamed if he only knew what type of woman he was allowing to touch him. Yet in public he would seeming treat Jesus like the other believers when conversing with Him, by acknowledging him as Teacher (So he said, “Teacher, say it”). This was more hypocrisy on his end thinking that Jesus didn’t know his true feelings. However, it was pretty interesting that this (nasty in his eyes) woman freely entered his home and knew her way around…

Lessons:

*Although he wanted to ridicule Jesus by bringing Jesus into his home; Jesus demonstrated Love and shared Wisdom to this Pharisee. Glorifying God in midst of all those whom he invited.

*The Pharisee would have an important choice from this point on; would he receive what Jesus shared with him or would he like so many be offended by Jesus and rather than change reject the Gift of God.

Next Time: The Woman in the city

Luke 7:1-10 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum….10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

So there are several nuggets that jump out to me as I read this text again (now mind you these are just my random thoughts while walking thru the text):

1. I had to refresh my English skills to see that the Centurion did not already know Jesus (vs 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die). Because Jesus was referred to as Him in vs 1 (Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum) it took me a minute to realize it was not the same him. I was reading too fast.

2. The Centurion sent Jewish Elders to Jesus; this Centurion obviously had clout because he sent Jews to do his bidding. He was also obviously responsible for building the synagogue; (And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”); now what’s not clear is to whom they referred because I’m not sure that the servant was even a thought in the Jewish elders eyes but this Centurion definitely was.

3. What happened between asking for Jesus to come and Jesus beginning His journey to the Centurion; that he determined Jesus should not come? Didn’t he know before he asked that he wasn’t worthy? Or is that in desperation he heard Jesus saves and immediately without thought ask for Jesus’ help only then to realize who Jesus really was. Something clicked after the centurion made his request known. Interesting

4. Then he also realized just how powerful Jesus’ authority was. The centurion noticed that in his own life authority gave him both obligations and privileges (vs 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”). Now hearing the stories and understanding the authority in which Jesus had. He only needed to (But say the word, and my servant will be healed). Wow!! What an assessment.

5. After hearing the research, evaluation of the data, and final conclusion of this Centurion: Jesus (vs 9 He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”). Now this was an incredible proclamation to the Jewish crowd because He was in no clever way saying that this outsider (most likely Roman) had greater faith than all that were in the nation of Israel. That in itself is pretty bold to declare, but also humbling as a Jew to hear.

6. Lastly, Jesus has always and will always reward Faith. (And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick). Just like He healed the servant because of the Centurion’s Faith, He will step in and change the situation we have Faith in.

7. What are your conclusions to that you’ve been researching, evaluating?? Did it end in Faith to believe Jesus is the same one they healed this servant? Increase your faith because of who Jesus is. This Bible is full of truth about Jesus, but this world is also full of people who’ve experienced Jesus for themselves. Have Faith.

Matt 26:37-39 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

Here is Jesus, the greatest Super Hero known to man to man, yet He is demonstrating vulnerability with His closest disciples. The ones seeking Him for the “Words of Life.” But Jesus was willing to show His humanity.

Sometimes, I’m seemingly great at this. I’m good at this with my friends, I can share things that are sometimes shocking.

I suck at this with my family, I want to share the areas of hurt, pain, struggle even fear. But I struggle with doing it. What will they think of me? How can they trust me to take care of them, will they still look at me the same? Here is the crazy part, they would look at me differently in love. Differently, because now they know me a little better, they know that I trust them, and they know how to pray for me. So why is it such a challenge???

Jesus Knew His Purpose.

Jesus Knew His Worth

Jesus Knew His Father’s Love

Jesus Knew His Why

Purpose: He knew that He was sent to Glorify God; to Love God’s People; and demonstrate how to follow God’s plan.

Worth: He knew His life would save everyone else. So therefore He served us all. Our worth is seen in how much we give….

Love: God’s love is experienced in His favor; His protection; His wisdom; His provision; and His direction. When we know we’re loved; we know what we have access to.

Why: Jesus’s why was Obedience; Service; Sacrifice. Obedience to God’s redemption plan. Service to those in need; Service to those He loved. Sacrifice of Resources; Sacrifice of Reputation , Sacrifice of Desires.

Jesus was at His lowest point and was capable of sharing with his friends. Even Jesus realized that He needed others. Even He didn’t do it alone. He sought help. Will we learn to do the same?? Will I learn?? I truly hope so

Gen 4:3 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 

The grass always seems greener on the other side.  In this case, the oldest son of Adam and Eve experienced that even as the tiller of the ground.  The actual word “tiller” means to work or serve.  It’s no coincidence that, over time, this role became the sole responsibility of the enslaved people in just about every land from then on.  It was difficult, back-breaking work.  Cain was the first person after Adam to be required to do this work.  If you remember, this responsibility was given to Adam, and well, it was not a responsibility but a curse.  Gen 3:18 “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”  Cain’s job to till directly resulted from the curse, what his parents did and not his own doing.  Have you ever been the one who has to step in to clean up someone else’s mess?  Or forced to complete a task not previously required because someone else messed up.  

I remember in the summer of 1993, the year our Academy class was placed in charge of the new incoming freshman class.  It was our first time to be completely in charge of training and developing the next group of future leaders at the Coast Guard Academy.  It was a great time to put into practice all that we’d learned and now our responsibility.   However, during the year prior, the leaders in charge of training another class had broken some rules and gotten themselves in trouble.  Because of that, a ton of new restrictions, regulations, and limitations had been placed on us.  We still had the same job but didn’t have all of the “tools of the past” at our disposal.  This resulted in us becoming more creative, developing new techniques, and ultimately becoming better leaders.  However, that was not our initial take; we were bitter, angry, and resentful because of what others had done to put us in this position.  Early on, it also showed up in how we interacted with the new class.  

Could Cain’s jealousy have risen because of the difficulty of his work, compounded with what could have been perceived as an easier job that his younger brother Able was required to do?  In the end, the results of his hard labor were not considered (or respected) as the results of the labor of his little brother?  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.  Cain’s countenance fell, literally meaning that his face fell.  Cain’s head dropped.  His self-worth was depleted, and his perception of himself lowered.  Was that God’s intention by rebuking his offering?  Of course not.  God required an acceptable offering, and Cain didn’t meet it.  The truth is, we cannot meet that requirement either.  I thank God for Jesus, who came and met the requirements for our sake.  I’m not sure I would be or have been any different than Cain.  I’ve felt like murdering many people, but Praise God, that level of anger has never played out in my actions.  Jesus gave us a way out by taking Cain’s Jealousy, our lack of self-worth, and our anger to the cross so we would not have to.  God made it simple for Cain:  Gen 4:6-7 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”  Sin is waiting at the door for us all, but Jesus is also waiting.  Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  

Anger can build up over time, one disappointment on top of a failure on top of feeling that someone let you down…before you know it your anger is at a 12, causing you to act in a way that harms both you and others. Cain’s Jealousy and anger resulted in the death of his little brother, because Sin was waiting at his door.  Well, someone is knocking at your door….Someone who understands what you’re going through and wants to give you the answer to your pain.  Open the door to Jesus. He wants to come in and clean up your mess.  Let Jesus into your heart today, your life will never be the same.  He’s got multiple answer for  dealing with anger and will help you be a blessing to others and not cause harm.

Pro 6:20-22 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.

“Tie them around your neck”. As I read this text last week the tie that binds comes to mind and this is what I gleaned:

1. He Walks With You: Tie them around your neck…When you roam, they will lead you Whenever and wherever I roam or wherever I walk the Word walks with me. That means that Jesus goes with me everywhere I go. Why? Because I have His words tied around my neck; I cannot go any place without Him being there. After all it is the truth; “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there (Ps 139).”

2. He Protects You: Tie them around your neck…When you sleep, they will keep you One we can go to sleep, many people are unable to get a good nights sleep; whether they’re anxious and afraid or just cannot find or maintain that deep rem sleep. This proverb lets us know that Jesus’ Words provide comfort and security; so much so that we are able to close our eyes and physically, mentally and emotionally check out. Not to worry about our health, our stuff or whether harm will come our way. Why? Because His words give us REST “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone (Ps 91).”

3. He Speaks to You: Tie them around your neck…And when you awake, they will speak with you After we’ve walked and rested, we the open ourselves to wake up to Jesus’ voice. The Word speaks to us, when we tie His word around our necks regardless of where we are Jesus is always speaking to us . The text shows us that it’s not a one way discussion. The text says that they will speak with you. With you implying that you are involved. It’s not a lecture but a conversation: “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven (Ps 20:6). He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him (Ps 91)”

Al-Khwārizmī is a famous mathematician, and his work introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals and algebra to European mathematics. The words algorithm and algebra come from his name and the title of one of his works. Then in the early 1800s, Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician and daughter of the poet Lord Byron, wrote the first algorithm for a machine and is considered the first computer programmer.

Technically, what Ada created was the first computer algorithm. An algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. Today while algorithms have become significantly more complex, the creation and combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have them extremely powerful. What they are hoping to create is the ultimate problem solver.

While this should be great news for us, it has been found that algorithms can also have unintended consequences. Scientists and computer engineers are seeing these AI-inspired algorithms creating filter bubbles, perpetuating bias, and undermining human creativity, choices, and opportunities. What does that look like? News content is mixed with misinformed articles and flat-out lies. This information is sent to individuals based on their internet history and preferences. This means that specific lies and falsehoods are spreading as truth, which has birthed the phrase “Living My Truth.”

With all of that being said, this is what the Bible says about Truth, Direction, and Wisdom:

James 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

We don’t have to go to an AI algorithm for solutions to our challenges and problems. We do not have to determine whether what we see on the internet or in our emails is real or fake. We have the ultimate problem solver, the unfiltered truth in the “All-Wise” God. We need not lean on AI algorithms to tell us what to believe and what decisions to make. We have the Truth Holy Spirit who will lead us to Proverbs (3:5-6) to remind us to Trust in the Lord to lead us. We need only to ask God for wisdom which He will give it to us generously (James 1:5).

Today, more than ever, people are being led astray by some social media algorithms, especially our young people. The amount of mass violence and suicides are some of the highest numbers ever. However, we don’t have to fall for the lies of the AI algorithms out there in cyberspace; after all, remember who is behind those lies:

Eph 2:1-2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.

We’re in part 5 (should be the last one, but who knows) of a word of encouragement from the Lord for those of us bold enough to admit we’re insecure. God has a Secure place for us. We learned in Part 1 that we can each declare, “I Praise God; For Choosing Me to Love; For Bringing Me Home, and For Accepting Me As I Was.”

For Accepting Me As I Was

Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His Grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved,

As I Was, we usually see the phrase “He accepted me as I am.” However, Jesus does not accept us as we are because He formed us in our mother’s wombs, and He knows our end before the beginning. He accepts us as “As I Was” because the minute we say “Yes” to Jesus Christ, our past no longer matters. Because of Christ’s shed blood, all our sin and bad decisions are removed, never to be seen again. Sure, people will remember them and try to remind you of them, yet God says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more ” (Heb 8:12).” 

1. God’s Grace is Praiseworthy: to the praise of the glory of His Grace.  God’s Grace is the most influential force in this world. It gives supernatural power, innovative ideas, unprecedented wisdom, and even compelling vision. The magnitude of this gift is worth praising God for, so we should be honored to receive this Grace. God’s Grace is honorable and dignified, much like the very savior who died to provide it to us. His Grace covers a multitude of sin, reconciles us to God, empowers us to overcome weakness, and guides us into purpose, and that is Praiseworthy. 
2. We’re God’s Perfect Creation: by which He made us. When God created the earth, He said it was good (Gen 1:25); when He created Adam and Eve, He said it was very good (Gen 1:31); and when He created you and me, He said we were masterpieces (Eph 2:10). He created man in perfection, then Adam fell and caused us to be born into sin. Yet, since we were in God’s mind before the foundation of this world, He already had a plan for our redemption, which would restore us in God’s eye to the perfection of Christ, His Son (Eph 1:7-14). God made us perfect, and Jesus made us “perfection.” 
3. We’re Acceptable to God: accepted in the Beloved. The word accepted in this text is χάρις charis; from the word graciousness, favour, gift, and Grace. Therefore, the text says that we are graced into the beloved. The word also means to grace, to indue with special honor, to make accepted, and to be highly favoured as in the process of receiving this Grace. So, there is an immediate acceptance into the beloved and a process of becoming the beloved. God immediately received us when we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. And…our process of believing we are the beloved, our actions reflecting the beloved, and our understanding of our place in the Beloved often takes time. However, as He is, so are we in this world (1 Jn 4:17); when our faith lines up with God’s truth, our position in the beloved becomes our reality. 

God “Accepted Me As I Was” because of the gracious work of Christ on the Cross. That enormous act of Grace is Praiseworthy because of the one who gave us the Grace. This Grace was the finished work to restore us to the original perfection God created in us before the foundation of this world. God graced us to be accepted into His Beloved, and as our faith aligns with His, we will walk boldly as His Beloved Sons & Daughters.

We’re in part 2 of a word of encouragement from the Lord for those of us bold enough to admit we’re insecure. God has a Secure place for us. We learned in Part 1 that we can each declare that “I Praise God; For Choosing Me to Love ; For Bringing Me Home and For Accepting Me As I Was.”

I Praise God

Eph 1:6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

We praise God because that is what Paul did in this 3rd verse..the first word “Blessed“ means (blessed, or praised); therefore we praise God by calling Him Blessed.

WHO: We are praising the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus our savior and redeemer. Praising the God of Jesus and of me. His role as God is powerful and humbling to me because I don’t feel that I’m worthy to be in the presence of such royalty; a King of all Kings. The word used for God in this verse is actually theos; (of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially the supreme Divinity, a magistrate). It this powerful position that immediately feeds into my insecurities. However, we’re also praising the Father of Jesus Christ. This Loving, understanding and gracious Daddy who intimately loves Jesus also intimately loves me melting all of that insecurity in His loving Fatherly arms. It’s the most secure we will ever feel because any insecurity is engulfed by Daddy’s abundant love. We become saturated in an undeserved far reaching love.

WHAT: God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. It says that He blesses us right?? No, it specifically says that He does not just bless us, but God blesses us with every spiritual blessing. Try to comprehend this, spiritual is the word (pneumatikos) which means: non-carnal or (divinely) supernatural, it’s not common but well beyond natural (powerful, plentiful and always present). So let me remind you that God chooses to over abundantly bless and empower us with super powerful and amazing things, and with every single one of them.

WHERE: He blesses us in the heavenly places in Christ. God blesses us in the heavenly places; which is very literal God blessed us in heaven (above the sky; celestial, in heaven(-ly). There’s quite a bit of blessing for us located in heaven, see for yourself:

Matt 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Col 1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel. Phil 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason it is laid up for us in heaven is because God wants His will to show up here on earth as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You see when He stores it in heaven it cannot be stolen, contaminated or tampered with by the enemy. The easiest way to access these blessings is to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, which is in the heavenly places. I have not even touched on the most important location: in Christ. But really that says everything!!