Luke 9.23 - I Gave Up Hawaii for Lent!

We flew back to Beijing Ash Wednesday, bidding “aloha” to our homeland. Lent is an ancient Christian discipline that can build spiritual strength. Many sincere Christians around the world renounce pleasures to focus on Him these 40 days awaiting His Resurrection celebration. Israel was tested 40 years in the wilderness. God’s True Son was tested 40 days in the wilderness – and won! Today - Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox – the Christian life is to be God-focused. Dying to self and being conformed to the Savior is slow and often painful. Could you grow by giving up something you love too much?  Lenten efforts can never save us, if you repent and believe He did that already! It’s a choice to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus. His cross and resurrection work finished our salvation. Now having been saved by grace through faith, discipleship begins with discipline.

Luke 15.32 - If you’re Reading this, it is Probably Not for You…

Rather, I am writing to lots of our brothers and sisters who think they’re wiser than God. I am sure they’d never speak such words, but their actions declare this. They came to Beijing from Christian churches and godly homes. In fact, those prayer supporters think they’re in church with you now reading this. But life took over. Studies pushed out Scripture. New friends are more exciting than fellowship. Parties beat prayers. Far from home means freedom!! Not surprisingly, they don’t wake up in the mornings wanting to read Bible or attend church anymore. When you squeeze them some prayers pop out, but so do their new favorite expletives. They’re here for higher learning but they forgot basic truth. Love God, love neighbor. Seek God first. Follow Me! If you are reading this, remind them of our prayers and love.

Luke 16.13 - Constant Discomfort

Jesus: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16.13

Thousands on every side are continually trying to do the thing which Christ pronounces impossible. They are endeavoring to be friends of the world and friends of God at the same time. Their consciences are so far enlightened, that they feel they must have some religion. But their affections are so chained down to earthly things, that they never come up to the mark of being true Christians. And hence they live in a state of constant discomfort. They have too much religion to be happy in the world, and they have too much of the world in their hearts to be happy in their religion. J.C. Ryle, “Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Luke,” 1858

Luke 19.41 - The Heaviness of Hosanna

‘Holy Week’ determined the eternal destiny of the whole world. It began with Palm Sunday. That ride on a borrowed donkey sparked events in Jerusalem that God ordained before time.  Thousands acclaimed Him, waving palm branches (politically significant since the time Judas Maccabeus drove Syrians out of the Temple). They shouted ‘Hosanna’ - a word freighted with revolutionary expectation meaning ‘save us,’ i.e. ‘save us from the Romans’! Truly, He was coming into their city to save them. But they had no clue how it would happen. Sometimes this enthusiastic display is called the ‘Triumphal Entry’ yet that won’t really happen until Jesus comes again in time-stopping Glory. While the crowds shouted out their agenda for Him, Jesus was probably lost in His own thoughts. Why, those near him must have wondered, would He burst into tears amidst their happy shouts? (Luke 19.41) He alone knew.

Luke 19.42 - Man in a Mob

Palm Sunday began with disciples ‘borrowing’ a donkey. Try that when you need to get across Beijing! This ‘holy looting’ starts the most important week in human history. Hundreds acclaimed Him, waving palm branches (symbols of Judas Maccabeus ousting Syrians from the Temple) and shouting ‘Hosanna’ (a cry of revolution: ‘save us from the Romans’). He had come to save them, but no one in Jerusalem could imagine how. This enthusiastic display is called the ‘Triumphal Entry’ – a practice run for Jesus’ return in time-stopping Glory. While the crowds exalted in their agenda for Him, Jesus was probably lost in His own thoughts. Why, those near him must have wondered, would He weep amidst their happy shouts? He bid any who would listen, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19.42)

Luke 22.14–20 - Receive and Remember

Jesus commanded two observances for the church:  Baptism and Communion (Matt. 28.18–20; Luke 22.14–20). Churches calls these solemn oaths “sacraments.” Both are simple but profound enactments of salvation truths. Baptism symbolizes our start with God, Communion sustains us in the journey. Baptism is once, Communion is often. Baptism declares we have received Jesus – who died and rose for us! Communion remembers His broken body and shed blood. They give a united testimony to Christ.  Together they say that redemption is all of Him, through Him, by Him and in Him - without Him we are nothing. Some elevate other practices to a sacramental level and impose them on believers. Foot washing, quiet times, fast days, feast days, might be good and helpful but they are not mandatory. Preaching, prayer, and the sacraments are “ordinary means of grace” instituted by Christ Himself to build His Church.

Luke 24.27,44 - Right Reading: Honors the Savior, Humbles the Sinner

Be careful about the deadly mistakes of legalism and moralism as you read your Bible. When you read Daniel look for Jesus – He is author, subject, and goal (Luke 24.27,44, John 5.39, 1 Peter 1.10,11). Legalism is trying to add to the finished work of Christ; trusting anything other than Jesus for heaven. Moralism says the Gospel can be reduced to improvements in behavior. These twin tragic mistakes deny that Jesus alone saves and sanctifies. “Legalism robs the Savior of his crown of glory, earned by the cross, making him a second Moses, offering stones of law instead of Gospel life-bread...” Geerhardus Vos  Heaven won’t be a talk show with each of us getting 15 minutes to gloat. No, those who get there will be fully aware they don’t belong and will forever sincerely cry, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!”