Prepare: Lord, open the eyes of my heart.
Read: Luke 13:1-17
Time for introspection: One problem that plagues today's church is self-righteousness. When we hear of someone suffering a dreaded disease/a severe crisis, immediately we recount the story of their sins. Jesus however, reacts in a peculiar way to the report of the massacre in Galilee. He clearly tells the people that the Galileans who died were not worse sinners than they. They must introspect within themselves, and repent to avoid a similar fate.
Roots of righteousness and fruits of compassion: The parable of the fig tree and the vine dresser represents the compassino of Jesus interceding, waiting for the fruit of our repentance. The question in verse 7 must stir us to bear fruit in correspondence with the grace of God we enjoy so freely.
Abundant life: The account of the healing of a woman in verses 10-17 raises three issues. Firstly, what does Jesus consider disease/sickness? Have we become resigned to the physical ailments that we suffer? We must in Christ's name cast out Satan's bondage under any disguise in any sphere of our lives. Secondly, what is our reaction towards the good things others receive of God? The healing on the Sabbath led the religious leader to criticize Jesus indirectly but others rejoiced at the glorious acts of God. Thirdly, what is our perspective of religion? God doesn't appreciate hypocrisy. Christianity is more than just a religion, it is the movement of the Spirit of love in action.
Respond: Lord, help me to bear fruit and remember that Your axe is at the root.
Read: Luke 13:1-17
Time for introspection: One problem that plagues today's church is self-righteousness. When we hear of someone suffering a dreaded disease/a severe crisis, immediately we recount the story of their sins. Jesus however, reacts in a peculiar way to the report of the massacre in Galilee. He clearly tells the people that the Galileans who died were not worse sinners than they. They must introspect within themselves, and repent to avoid a similar fate.
Roots of righteousness and fruits of compassion: The parable of the fig tree and the vine dresser represents the compassino of Jesus interceding, waiting for the fruit of our repentance. The question in verse 7 must stir us to bear fruit in correspondence with the grace of God we enjoy so freely.
Abundant life: The account of the healing of a woman in verses 10-17 raises three issues. Firstly, what does Jesus consider disease/sickness? Have we become resigned to the physical ailments that we suffer? We must in Christ's name cast out Satan's bondage under any disguise in any sphere of our lives. Secondly, what is our reaction towards the good things others receive of God? The healing on the Sabbath led the religious leader to criticize Jesus indirectly but others rejoiced at the glorious acts of God. Thirdly, what is our perspective of religion? God doesn't appreciate hypocrisy. Christianity is more than just a religion, it is the movement of the Spirit of love in action.
Respond: Lord, help me to bear fruit and remember that Your axe is at the root.
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