The Biased and the Bold

April 11, 2024April 10, 2024 ~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told this parable:

A man was left by the roadside, robbed and beaten, bloody and helpless. Two men saw him there. They were religious men, schooled in the Torah, serving at the synagogue. They each crossed the street to walk on the other side, eyes averted, robes clean and unsoiled. They not only scorned the bleeding victim but also the man who followed behind them, a Samaritan.

The Samaritan was deemed inferior, not good enough for the religious men or worthy of their attention. But—he stopped to help the beaten man. He did not avoid him by crossing to the other side, but stooped to bind his wounds. And then he went the extra mile, figuratively and literally. He lifted the injured man to his own donkey and brought him to an inn, promising to return and pay any expenses his patient may incur.

As familiar as I am with this parable, it touched me anew. I stopped reading and confessed my reticence to be inconvenienced.

Everyone is our neighbor and we are all expected to be first responders. We are all called to show “Samaritan” mercy. Jesus ends His parable in Luke 10:37 with these words,

“Go and do likewise.”

God, give us responsive hearts.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

The Wheat and the Weeds

April 4, 2024April 10, 2024 ~ Barbara ~ 4 Comments

Jesus told this parable: A land owner sowed good seed in his field, but that night his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat. After time, both sprouted. His servants asked the owner if he wanted them to pull up the weeds. He answered, “No… because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:29).

Weeds are aggressive in their attempt to smother what is holy. They spread twisted half-truths and send out tendrils of intimidation. We do our best to make right choices, resist our lower nature, and be good. We depend on God to water, nourish, and shine on us. We fight to thrive and be all God designed us to be, and do all He planned for us.

If we had our way, we would have the weeds pulled up but our Father sees danger in that—His precious wheat may be prematurely uprooted in the process. Ever protective of His own, He will not endanger us by pulling up the weeds—so we coexist. Until it’s harvest time.

Wheat is not planted to create a pretty field but to be harvested. So we wait, among the weeds, for the day of harvest when our Father will separate us for Himself and bring us safely home.

The Son of Man will send out his angels,
and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Matthew 13:41, 43

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

Image by Petra from Pixabay

The Carpenter and the Crossbeam

March 28, 2024March 27, 2024 ~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

The son of a carpenter, Jesus grew up feeling the grain and inhaling the fragrance of hewn wood. It is not a stretch to imagine Him hefting a hammer or pulling a saw to construct…what? A table? A chair or a baby’s cradle? Woodworking was not His calling, but it was His trade.

Years later wood became a symbol of His calling when He was forced to carry a crossbeam up to Golgotha. This time the wood Jesus held was not to create something useful, but to accommodate His death. It hurts to think about it.

The severity of His suffering, coupled with the humiliating shame, causes me to squirm. His attitude makes me even more uncomfortable—no objecting, defending, ranting—just quiet submission. And here’s what I find really unbearable. Jesus created that wood. He created the hill on which He would die. He created the Jews who condemned Him, the soldiers who mistreated Him, the thieves who hung next to Him.

Jesus, Creator God, suffering and dying by the products of His own creative power. How great was His love for us that He would pay such a price—a price we cannot calculate or fathom.

We call tomorrow “Good Friday”—only so because Easter follows. Our sins are erased from the record. The door to a merciful God is open wide. Our forever is secure.

Jesus, thank you for carrying that crossbeam.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

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Good News

March 21, 2024March 20, 2024 ~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem was exciting, joyful, hopeful! But days later, nothing seemed triumphant when He was arrested and sentenced to death. His crucifixion had to stymie His once enthusiastic followers. Those who threw up their hands in worship days before, must have thrown up their hands in confusion. But then, the unimaginable happened. Incredibly, gloriously, victoriously—Jesus rose from the grave!

Forty days later He had His true triumphal entry. In the sight of angels and His disciples, Jesus triumphantly ascended into heaven—the New Jerusalem. He regained His place of glory and sat on His throne to forever reign.

His victory came through suffering we could never know—it came so we would never have to know. Jesus’ life purchased life for us and for all who accept Him.

I love Peter’s summary of Jesus’ ministry in Acts 10:34-43:

“I… realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him* and does what is right…

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and… He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him…

“All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Let’s allow ourselves to be caught up in the emotion of Palm Sunday and worship the One who made a Triumphal Entry into our hearts. He gives us life now and for eternity.

Our Triumphal Entry awaits us!

*honors, respects, loves Him