Luke 11:33-36
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.
As we come to the end of Jesus’ response to the unbelieving crowd, read Luke 11:33-36 slowly and thoughtfully.
We might summarize Jesus’ remarks in this passage as, “Don’t cover your eyes.” This is the gist of what he has been saying to the accusers, the skeptics and the superficial fans in the crowd. They all saw a man set free from demonic oppression and they witnessed Jesus restoring the man’s speech, but they have all, to one extent or another, covered their eyes so they cannot see.
As human beings living in a broken world, the urge to embrace the familiar is strong. It feels very vulnerable to admit that our ideas about God, life, and the world may be flawed, and it is hard not to simply grab on tighter to these faulty paradigms when they are challenged.
Take a moment to consider your “knee-jerk” reactions when your deeply held beliefs are called into question. Are you able to recognize your internal, emotional response? And are you able to move past your initial response to a place of curiosity? Talk openly about this with Jesus expressing any concerns or fears that arise.
Read Luke 11:33-36 again with all of this in mind.
This passage highlights the absurdity of believing that we can have Jesus all figured out. That notion is like putting a basket over our head so that all we see is the inner surface of the basket. If we approach Jesus in this way - through the lens of our own preconceived ideas about him and his teaching - we will only ever perceive bits and pieces of who he really is and what he wants us to learn.
But if we come to him in great humility realizing that we are broken people whose ideas and paradigms have been shaped in a broken world, he will consistently light up the corners of our minds and hearts and so we can see where we need clarity and redirection. And as we yield to him and allow him to be our light, he will gradually transform our minds and hearts so we can become the people we were meant to be.
Take a few minutes to talk openly with Jesus about any thoughts or feelings that have arisen during this time of reflection. Then slowly read Luke 11:33-36 again listening as if Jesus were speaking these words audibly to you.
What do you sense Jesus saying to you through this passage?
What do you plan to do in response?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
