Luke 11:27-28
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today we continue with Jesus’ response to the skeptical, unbelieving crowd. Read Luke 11:27-28 keeping in mind what we have seen in our last three mediations on Luke 11:14-26.
Remember that the people in this crowd are divided in their response to Jesus with some of them attributing his power to evil and others demanding more proof for the origins of his ability to cast out demons. Apparently at least one woman has another reaction, and her response also falls short of being helpful.
Jesus’ words are more than inspiring speech, and his teaching is more than intellectual or philosophical fodder. If we are drawn to Jesus by anything other than a recognition of our own helplessness and a true desire to be freed, transformed, and used for good by him, we are simply playing at faith.
Stop to consider how you would characterize your relationship with Jesus. Are you an enthusiast? An admirer? A defender? A disciple? Something else? Talk openly with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 11:27-28 again.
The Greek word for disciple (mathétés) has its roots in the same word from which we derive the English word “math” and it carries the idea of “the mental effort needed to think something through" (Strongs, 3101). A disciple is a “student” or a “learner” – someone who is seeking to think things through so they can become like their teacher.
It does us very little good to be enamored of Jesus’ eloquence or his wisdom if we don’t give him access to our inner thoughts and if we don’t do what he says. Our part is to open ourselves up to his transforming power through the ordinary practices and habits of our daily lives and then to act on anything he calls us to. His part is to lead us to true life – life in God’s Kingdom.
Take a few moments to get quiet and recognize the presence of Jesus in and around you. Just listen to Jesus for a while.
What might Jesus be inviting you to reconsider or do today?
What do you plan to do about that?
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