Sunday, 8 January 2012

Future, Present and Past

Prepare: Father, you are the God of the future too.
Read: Luke 5:27-39

Today is yesterday's tomorrow and tomorrow's yesterday. We can only learn from yesterday and apply the learning for a better tomorrow. All this can be done only today. Lets see why the title has the time line going the opposite direction.

Future:  Jesus follows up on what He said about forgiveness in yesterday's portion. He calls out to Levi, a much hater tax collector, to follow. Jesus did not let Levi's past interfere with the future that he could have, Forgiving someone has to follow up with acceptance and the promise of a renewed future and not take the path of avoidance.

Present: We, who have Jesus in our lives today, should rejoice. We cannot mourn about what is gone or what might not come. We should rejoice every moment in Him in the present.

Past: Our commitment to Christ cannot be a patch on our old life style. Else, we will end up messing up our entire lives like the garment. Neither can it be hidden on the inside of our existing present like new wine in an old bottle. As Jesus points out, it is difficult to accept the new when you are habituated to something else. But it would be wise to let go of the old and taste the brand new life that Jesus promises.

Respond: Jesus, knowing You will accept me, I now accept You and ask You to help me start a brand new life in You. 

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