Out In the Deep

Posts Tagged ‘Luke’

Present Tense Sinner

In Devotional on February 19, 2012 at 6:10 pm

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”  (Luke 15:21)

The startling revelation was not that the son was a sinner – everybody knew that.  The startling revelation was in the mind of the son when he finally awakened to this fact about himself.  It is easy to hide from our own sin.  We can, as the younger brother, relegate sin to some distant future preoccupation as we distract ourselves with our present goals and lusts.  We can, as the older brother, relegate sin to some past deliverance as we stand upon our present perfection.  It is difficult to be sinners in the present tense.  But when we are convicted of a sin and our heart is opened to admit it, this is a moment of grace.  Repentance then is the resulting act of turning back to God and when this happens, the father delights to welcome us home.

Light On the Horizon

In Devotional on January 30, 2012 at 8:16 pm

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28)

This time of year in the middle of winter seems like the hardest.  The fall trees are brown.  The holidays have ended.  Even the distraction of football (a draw for fans – I’m not) will go dark in a week.  We tunnel into the middle of winter.  But an idle comment someone made got me to thinking – the days are actually growing longer.  The light in the evening is growing brighter.  There may be a few more months of winter before Jesus returns.  But we are moving in the right direction.

Waiting For Justice

In Devotional on January 7, 2012 at 3:36 pm

“Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?” (Luke 18:7)

My first reaction was, “yes”.  A trial or injustice may last a very long time before it is resolved.  Evil may reign and do its dastardly work for an extended period.  But when the change happens – the trial is resolved, the injustice righted, the hurt relieved – it happens swiftly and the joy afterwards makes the times of trial diminish to a distant memory.  Waiting always feels like forever but in God’s economy it is a short time.  God’s response ushers in a time of lasting joy.  Therefore, keep crying to God.  It is not as long as we think.

The Christmas Story

In Devotional on December 25, 2011 at 8:09 am

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:27)

At times, like Charlie Brown, I would develop a little cynicism about Christmas.  After all, how many ways can one tell this story of the Christ child?  But the point isn’t creative writing to discover new facts or to explore a new sentimental angle.  Linus had it right – he got up and read the gospel of Luke and said, “This is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown”.  It is a story that needs repeating and revisiting.  It is a story to be read in homes across the land.  It is a story that is to be cherished in our hearts.   It is a story that must never be forgotten.

A Step Into History

In Devotional on December 23, 2011 at 8:24 am

“For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.”  (Luke 1:68)

In today’s religious climate where the primary goal of spirituality is self-help (a sentiment I have been guilty of falling into) it is good to reorient myself to a culture where one waited expectantly to see how and when God was going to make the next step in His plan for the ages.  There was no guarantee that it would happen in Zacharias’ lifetime but it did and that was a cause of great joy and outburst.  When, Oh Lord, are you going redeem your people and make things right in our confused and conflicted world?  We look with joy at God’s footprints in human history in the past and wait expectantly for what will unfold some day in the future.

God Came Unawares

In Devotional on December 16, 2011 at 12:16 pm

“While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6)

Much is made of the frantic, unwelcomed couple and the poor accommodations they found themselves in. This view makes us guilty of looking at the story through modern eyes. In actuality, Joseph and Mary were not looking for a hospital or a Hampton Inn. The roof over their head was not such a step down from the common, communal inns of that day. The point is, that Jesus was born a common man – nothing special and without fanfare. He was not expected. No one, but a few, saw the entrance of God into human affairs. No one thought to celebrate or to make special preparations. They were another night’s rent for an inconvenienced inn keeper. When the world expected God to arrive with a great display of splendor, God came unawares.

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