Luke 11:45-51
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’s passage is the continuation of Jesus’ warnings to the Pharisees and religious experts with whom he is dining. Read Luke 11:45-51 noting anything that stands out as you read.
Finally one of the religious experts can no longer remain silent, and his reaction is pure defensiveness. Rather than take the opportunity to do some self-reflection, he attempts to turn the confrontation back on to Jesus by accusing him of being insulting. But Jesus is not deterred. He is far more concerned about exposing the tragic mistakes of these leaders than he is about their hurt feelings.
Take a moment to meditate on these words from the prophecy of Hosea:
“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us.
He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.
In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
– Hosea 6:1-3
Stop to consider whether you have ever experienced the discipline of God when you were headed in the wrong direction. How did you react? Talk this over with Jesus.
Read Luke 11:45-51 again.
Jesus’ laser sharp indictment of these leaders cuts to the core, but rather than turn to him for healing and redirection, they continue to close off their hearts. If only they could allow Jesus’ words to penetrate their false ideas about God, they could be rescued from their dead form of religion and brought into the life-giving light of Jesus. But pride and stubbornness keep them trapped.
For the final moments of this time of reflection, picture yourself in the physical presence of Jesus. Open your hands to Jesus and ask him to search you and reveal any false ideas you might have about God. Then listen to him.
Is there anything Jesus might be inviting you to do today?
Will you?
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