Luke 16:13-18
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.
In today’s passage we learn that the Pharisees had been listening in while Jesus instructed his disciples. As you read Luke 16:13-18 remember that Jesus is now addressing these religious leaders.
Jesus has a way of putting his finger right on the place of divided loyalties in our hearts. For the Pharisees that place was their love of money, and Jesus minces no words in explaining that the blind pursuit of worldly wealth will eventually enslave a person.
Chasing after worldly comforts and material gains leads us away from chasing after God and God’s Kingdom. It is impossible to serve God when you are already in servitude to the things of the world.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any divided loyalties that may be vying for your devotion. If you have a defensive, knee-jerk reaction to anything that comes to mind, you might want to consider whether you are in danger of being mastered by something other than God.
Share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus openly and honestly.
Read Luke 16:13-18 again with all of this in mind.
The law of God is unchanging because God’s law reflects the nature of God’s Kingdom. Recall the conversation in Luke 10 between Jesus and another religious expert:
“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” - Luke 10:25-28
The specific law mentioned in today’s passage was addressed to a group of men who generally had little regard for women. First century Jewish women had little to no choice in who they married or whether they could stay married. And for a Jewish woman with no agency of her own, a divorce would land her in a perilous situation.
God knows our hearts. If our actions do not reflect love for God and love for those in proximity to us, God is not our master, and we are not free to experience the goodness of God’s Kingdom.
As you end this time of reflection, get quiet and listen to Jesus for a while.
What is Jesus saying to you today?
How will you respond?
Subscribe here to receive these guided meditations free by email Monday-Friday each week. If you find these meditations helpful, please forward them to a couple of friends.
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.
