Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:1-7, NIV).

I love this Discipleship Lesson: Reap a Harvest of Joy.  As a person who has been through my share of stuff and has daily reminders of my sin nature, passages like today’s always bring me a Harvest of Joy.  For those of you familiar with this Scripture and the two stories that follow it in the Bible, we’re about to see Joy in the Lost and Found three times over.

Jesus is surrounded by tax collectors and “sinners.”  If you stop to think about it, even the Pharisees and the teachers of the law gathered there, they were all sinners.  Jesus was the only sinless one of the bunch.

In Jesus’ midst were those who understood the truth about sin and those who did not. 

Jesus and the tax collectors/sinners understood that all of mankind falls into the sinner camp.  Only Jesus, the Son of God, was sinless.  The Pharisees and the teachers of the law saw themselves as righteous and Jesus as welcoming sinners and therefore being polluted.  It’s why they muttered.  They were grumbling and grouchy and wanted to find fault and take Jesus down a notch, or take Him down, period.

Jesus tells the parable of the Lost Sheep.  This is one of my favorite parables because of the way He speaks of the shepherd’s (indeed the Good Shepherd’s) relentless search for those who are lost.  And when the shepherd finds it, joyfully putting it on his shoulders saying,

Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

To know that there was rejoicing in heaven when I repented of my sin, to even think of Jesus’ joy at finding me (though I was lost and totally undeserving of anything) and yet, to be reminded of the magnitude of Jesus’ love for the lost–it is simply amazing!

There aren’t words to say it any better than this parable…

For further thought:

• Have you been found by Him?  If yes—then thank Him and praise Him today.
• Are you still lost in your sin, thinking of yourself as righteous?  See the love of God present in this parable, repent of your sin, and hear the angels sing as you experience the loving touch of the Good Shepherd and Reap a Harvest of Joy as one who was lost and now is found.

Psalm 126:1 A song of ascents. When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him (NIV).

We’re nearly half way through our Songs of Ascents.  This is Discipleship Lesson #7: Reap a Harvest of Joy.  In a world where we Expect Opposition and Cry Out ‘Have Mercy,’ we can still Seek God’s Presence and Know His Peace.  We Gaze Beyond the Hills and Remember God’s Way of Escape.

He gives us Blessings of Security and we Reap a Harvest of Joy.

How much of your Christian life has felt like sowing in tears, going out weeping?  Suffering is a huge part of the faithful Christian life and yet, it doesn’t have the final say.  As God brings each of us along on this pilgrim’s journey, we may experience difficulties.  But after the suffering we endure, He gives us joy.  He restores us.

So many passages of Scripture speak of this turning weeping into joy!  Consider these words of encouragement:

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning… You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever” (Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12 NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV). 

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.   A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy  (John 16:20-22, NIV).

It is no wonder that pilgrims would turn their thoughts to a Harvest of Joy that awaits saints heading to Jerusalem to be in the presence of God.  He has freed the captives and given us life.  There is rejoicing among the saints on earth and rejoicing in heaven.  There is a Harvest of Joy.

Therefore my people will know my name;  therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it.  Yes, it is I.”   How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,  who proclaim peace,  who bring good tidings,  who proclaim salvation,  who say to Zion,  “Your God reigns!”   Listen!  Your watchmen lift up their voices;  together they shout for joy.  When the LORD returns to Zion,  they will see it with their own eyes.   Burst into songs of joy together,  you ruins of Jerusalem,  for the LORD has comforted his people,  he has redeemed Jerusalem.   The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations,  and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.    (Isaiah 52:6-10)

I’m presently in purge-mode.  My husband and I had been window shopping one day and admiring latest styles of furniture.  He thought one item was particularly nice and asked if we had a place to put it.  “No,” I said, “we’re all filled up and if we take on something new, something old has got to go and it’s likely to be one of your favorites.”  That solved that.  I’m purging, down-sizing, and simplifying.

Today’s passage (Luke 12:15-33) shows three vignettes that might not seem connected at first blush and we’ve purposely taken this passage out of the journey’s sequential order of Luke to make a very different point on this long and winding road of discipleship.

Hoarding 101 is Don’t.

When we hoard, we worry about what we’re hoarding.  That’s because hoarding is basically a less offensive term for greed.  Blessings of Security have not been acquired on our own.  They are God’s gift and therefore, cannot be kept secure by hoarding.  They come at the daily cost of complete surrender, knowing that God is faithful to provide each day.

1. In Luke 12:15, Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Hoarding possessions just causes us to worry.
2. In Luke 12:22-23, Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”  Hoarding food or clothes just causes us to worry.
3. In Luke 12: 29-30, Jesus says, “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.”  When we hoard food or drink or make it the pursuit of our life, we act as though we don’t have a God who provides.  We look no different than people who have no god.  Hoarding just makes us worry.

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” (Luke 12:31-33).

It isn’t wrong to be good stewards, to enjoy God’s blessings of material goods, or to save for the future.  But, I feel sorry for those who become consumed by their possessions, kind of like the Traveler’s Insurance dog in the commercial, worrying about the security of the bone he values.  He should just trust the hand who feeds him.  Likewise, our key is where our heart is.  If the blessings become what we seek and we worry about how to protect them instead of relying on the God who provides them all, it’s time to purge our lives of the lesser gods.  Seek first the Kingdom…

For further reflection:

1. Are there things in my life that have a hold on me?
2. Am I seeking God who is my treasure in heaven and giving Him to others by sharing His gospel?
3. In what ways am I tempted to hoard?  What do I think hoarding is a protection against?

Luke 14:1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched…

Insert Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi shouting, “It’s a trap!” 

But Jesus’ reaction to the trap was not an evasive maneuver.  He headed straight into their trap, exposing their pious pride by turning the tables. 

Pride is presuming our high position, finding fault with others, judging the One who will someday judge all of us, and thinking we are owed, by our pious actions, the very Blessings of Security given as a gracious gift of God…to those undeserving.

The stage was set for the perfect Pharisaical trap:

Sabbath, check!

Eating, check!

Prominent, check!

Pharisee, check!

Then they carefully watched Jesus as “There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy” (v.2).

Insert Sesame Street… Four of these things belong together… “One of these things is not like the others.” 

Why would a man suffering from dropsy not belong in this Pharisaical picture of table fellowship?  

Because he had dropsy.  Pharisees were careful with associations and Sabbath cleanliness.  Rather than Jesus agreeing what didn’t belong, He pointed out why the other four things were misunderstood.  The proud had gathered to trap and to judge Him.  He served them a three course meal of crow. 

The thing they thought didn’t belong…was the one thing…that did.

• Crow Appetizer (Blessing of Compassion):  “Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”  But they remained silent.  So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away” (verses 3-4).
• Crow Main Course (Blessing of Humility):  “When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:  ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited… For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted'” (verses 7-8, 11).
• Crow Dessert (Blessing of Grace) “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (verses 13-14).

God’s Blessings of Security are His gracious gifts of mercy and love to the undeserving.  They are meant to be humbly shared with and extended to others equally undeserving.

Then right on cue (verse 15): “When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, ‘Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.’”

So proud, this man still didn’t get it after three helpings of crow.  Jesus exposes the trap of pious pride by telling a parable in which the one thing they’d assumed didn’t belong was the one thing that did.

• Blessed are those who understand that Sabbath cleanliness is inward, expressed as compassion toward every person’s need for God’s holy and healing touch on human lives marred by sin.
• Blessed are those who live humbly, seeing ourselves and others through the lens of God’s priorities.
• Blessed are those who understand the meaning of grace, knowing the healing we need…we can never repay to God…even with our most pious lifestyle.

Don’t fall into the Piety Trap, trying to earn God’s blessings.  Blessings of Security come by God’s grace alone.  Our personal piety is a humble response because we know we’re undeserving.

For further thought:  Have your actions ever been under the microscope?  What has been your response?
Have you ever been around people with religious pride?  What does valuing correct doctrine at the cost of compassion say about their piety?

Psalm 125:1 A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. 3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. 4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. 5 But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.

The journey “Up to Jerusalem” has been a long and winding road of discipleship, with many lessons along the way.  The climb has been steep and the lessons have been necessary and sometimes difficult to accept.  Expect Opposition.  Gaze Beyond the Hills.  Seek God’s Presence and Know His Peace.  Cry out, ‘Have Mercy!’  God’s Way of Escape is a narrow costly one.

If we focus only on the opposition, narrowness, and difficulty, we will miss the beauty of Psalm 125 and Discipleship Lesson #6: Blessings of Security.

In this sixth Song of Ascents, the psalmist speaks of vindication and eternal security that revives the hearts and souls of weary travelers because this hope is as reliable as God Himself.   Looking forward to the temple and the presence of God among His people, the pilgrims enjoy the security of the favor of God upon His people—a security that lasts forever!  It cannot be shaken!  A Mount Zion kind of trust that is rock solid because God is our Rock!

As God’s people, we are secure.  We are protected.  Our journey pauses at a rest area—a place to experience the reviving of our souls, the refreshing of our spirits as Christ’s living water showers us with the love and grace and goodness of God.

Do you need the refreshing presence of God today? 

• Bask in the warmth of His love.
• Feel the Holy Spirit rain down upon you.
• Know the promise of His grace, the unmerited favor of God.
• His love is forever.
• His protection is secure.
• His people are vindicated and cannot be shaken.
• God is eternally unchanging and forever faithful!

These are the Blessings of Security paid for by God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.

 He has become a high priest forever,  in the order of Melchizedek.   (Hebrews 6:19-20)

Today is a perfect day to enjoy the rest area and praise Him,  enjoy Him,  and cherish His being Emmanuel,  God with us…

Do you get the feeling that the farther “Up to Jerusalem” we’re climbing, the harder the lessons get?  God’s Way of Escape has been our hardest lesson to date. And the hits just keep on coming.

Luke 13:31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day– for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! 34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'” (NIV)

We’re hearing the Songs of Ascent as the background musical score: Expect Opposition; Gaze Beyond the Hills; Seek God’s Presence and Know His Peace; and Cry Out ‘Have Mercy.’  God’s Way of Escape begins with the dark notes of a world of sin from which we need to be delivered.  Look at all the problems of this world: spiritual darkness, physical problems, rejection, death, persecution, desolation.

But God is concerned with redemption!

In today’s passage, Jesus looks beyond the darkness and opposition of Herod and others who don’t accept God’s Way of Escape.

He presses onward with His calling. 

He presses on toward the goal! 

He presses into the hard way to the Cross, to His death, and to God’s Way of Escape.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going—but this is far more than that!  It is acknowledging that God’s Way of Escape is rarely the painless or easy route. 

Just like our discipleship journey is a long and winding road, Jesus’ journey to the Cross had been paved since before the creation of man.  Now He was showing us the fullest extent of His love:  Christ Our Redeemer.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,  but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake (NIV) 1 Peter 1:18-20

For further thought:

1. Are there aspects of your life that God wants to redeem?
2. What opposition has taken its stand against God’s Way of Escape for you?
3. In what ways has the easy route seemed better to you?

Luke 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

The Songs of Ascents are carried on the wind to the towns and villages through which pilgrims traveled on their way to the Temple in Jerusalem.  Expect Opposition.  Gaze Beyond the Hills.  Seek God’s Presence and Know His Peace.  Cry Out ‘Have Mercy!’ Remember God’s Way of Escape.  These are the discipleship lessons of our journey.

Some discipleship lessons are hard to accept.  God’s Way of Escape is one of them. 

I don’t know about you, but there’s a part of me that is uncomfortable with the idea that some will be in the Kingdom of heaven and some will not.  Moreover, if I’m honest with you, I can tell you that some who will be in the Kingdom I would probably have liked to put outside and some who will end up outside of the Kingdom I’d wish were in.

The whole concept of election to salvation is complex, disquieting and uncomfortable.

Is it disquieting because it’s out of my control and requires my trust in the holy character of God to always do what is right?

God’s Way of Escape requires uncomfortable faith.  God doesn’t ask my opinion on what I think justice and mercy look like.

There are many people who look at passages like our Scriptures for today and believe it must be erroneous somehow.  After all, it goes against the grain of our culture to believe that Jesus would have a narrow door.  But according to Jesus, “many…will try to enter” but “not be able to” do so.  Being able to enter requires faith and the righteousness that comes by faith.  We cannot rely on our own righteousness no matter what good people we might think we have been.

In today’s Scriptures, the owner of the house (a picture of God) tells us what the narrow door involves and what the identity badge for entry looks like:

• “I don’t know you”—the narrow door requires a relationship with God and an identity badge clearly stating Child by Faith.
• “or where you come from.”—the narrow door involves one God-given way (Jesus), not a million different ways.   The identity badge says Believer in Jesus.
• “Away from me, all you evildoers!”—the narrow door is holy and the identity badge says Righteous (not evildoer).

For the Kingdom of heaven to remain true to its namesake, it must remain a holy place for children of faith, believing in Jesus Christ, who have been made righteous by His death for their sins. 

Clearly, God’s Way of Escape was not a comfortable one for Jesus, either.

For further reflection:  It’s an uncomfortable and difficult discipleship lesson to acknowledge “God’s Way of Escape.”  Take time today to pray about your reaction to Jesus’ words.

Luke 13:1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them– do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

I recently had a shopping experience where the cashier forgot to give me one bag of my items.  I discovered soon afterward that some of the most expensive items I bought (and really wanted!) were in that bag.  So I called the retailer who told me that the manager would have to look at the tape from the transaction, but that they’d call me back after they looked at it.

Over an hour went by with no return call, so I decided to give up, go to the store with my receipt, and get the items that I’d paid for.  When I arrived at customer service, I began the long wait while everyone assumed I was guilty of trying to scam the store instead of being the loyal customer who shops there every week who simply didn’t get what she paid for.  They reviewed the tape and found that the cashier had forgotten to give me the very bag of items I was missing.  It was 2 hours of time during which I was (wrongly) considered guilty until proven innocent.

I was angry.  After all, no one who is actually innocent likes to be considered guilty.

If God were to review the tape of my life, no matter how much I might protest that I’d lived a pretty good and moral life and should be considered innocent, God’s review of the tape would show my life was a mixture of sin and goodness.  He couldn’t call the guilty innocent.

Today’s passage of Scripture reveals the very same truth: you and I start off as sinners and therefore we are guilty, having no innocence of our own to stand on.  Our only way of escape is what God provided.  Jesus paid for our sins and we gain His righteousness only by repenting and believing in Him.

Jesus looked at the lives of the Galileans and those killed in the collapse of the tower of Siloam and saw they were guilty sinners.  Did they die because they were worse than anyone else?

No, they died because of sin…the number one killer of human beings since the fall of man. 

Ironically, it’s the most curable killer because its effects were overcome by Jesus’ victory over death on the Cross.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3: 22-24)

For further thought and meditation:

In a world that is perishing and “Guilty until Proven Innocent,” have you repented of sin and embraced God’s Way of Escape through faith in Jesus Christ?

Psalm 124:1 A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side– let Israel say– 2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, 3 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; 4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, 5 the raging waters would have swept us away. 6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Our discipleship lessons in the Songs of Ascents so far have been:

1. Expect opposition
2. Gaze Beyond the Hills
3. Seek God’s presence and Know His Peace
4. Cry out, Have Mercy on Us!

Today we come to the fifth Song of Ascents and the lesson might be called: God’s Ways of Escape.  The poetry in this song is easily apparent.  If the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been swallowed alive, swept under, torn apart, or captured.  But “Praise be to the LORD!”  We have escaped.

Interestingly, this is a pilgrim’s song looking back at the spiritual and physical journey.  The pilgrims offer praise to God for their safe arrival in Jerusalem.   

Looking ahead through the windshield, they don’t forget to check their mirrors for what they’ve journeyed through.

In some respects, we live in a very thankless culture. 

Sure, there might be a superficial “Thank You” said at the checkout in some store’s cashier lane, or stamped on the plastic bag containing our purchases.  We might hear praise from a friend or receive a “Thank You” note for a good deed done.  That’s not the kind of praise and thanksgiving I’m talking about, though.

I’m talking about giving thanks to God. “Praise be to the LORD.”

How much of our prayer life is focused on asking God for help rather than praising Him for who He is and thanking Him for the help He has already provided?   When we only look ahead through the windshield, we don’t gain the perspective of checking the mirrors. 

When we check the mirrors of our spiritual journey, we see:

1. The very constancy of God is praiseworthy instead of common, routine, or mundane.
2. God’s ways of escape are not always obvious, but they are the complex and mysterious workings of our perfect God.
3. God’s ways of escape, of help, and provision may require our suffering injustice or self-denial.  Deliverance always involves being delivered from something. His way of escape for us involved the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for us.

Take time today—while looking forward to Easter Sunday—to remember the rich history of your discipleship journey and be refreshed in this moment through praising and thanking Him for His help.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.  He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth (1 Chronicles 16:8-14)