Week 5: Seeing as Christ Sees

contributed by Assoc. Pastor Andrew Brown

Monday, 3/03

Back to Business

"He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ " (Luke 2:49)

I lost our son one day.
I was studying, and my wife was reading in the other room. Our middle son (who was about two) was playing in the house. I thought she was watching him and she though I was watching him. Soon we realized he was gone. Panic ensued! After 15 minutes of frantic searching, we found him in our neighbor’s house watching TV and eating a snack. What joy filled our hearts when we found our son.
I can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary to think she had lost the son of God. It would be hard to explain that one. Yet, I feel her joy of finding him was t, do we love our dog the same way we love pizza? We may not fully understand love until we see love in the life of Christ.
God the Father affirmed His love for Jesus and continued to pour out his Spirit through his Son. Through this love and through this Spirit, Christ accomplished more than he ever could have alone.
The world needs love. We as followers of Christ have that love to give. Let these words sink into your soul.
You are loved, God is well pleased. Take a moment each day to say these words from God to you. Begin seeing yourself as God sees you.

Ask yourself: Do I see me as God sees me?

Wednesday, 3/05

Anointed for Service

"and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ " (Luke 4:17-19)

What in the world are we here for?
Jesus had a clear understanding of his mission. He clearly shared this passage from Isaiah in his hometown synagogue. He followed it with the words “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. He knew what he was here for – to be justice and mercy to the world.
Are we living for justice and mercy? Do we intentionally seek ways to bring good news to the poor, or are we comfortably hidden in church? Are we seeking the supernatural power of God’s healing presence or do we sit idly by while the suffering of the world increases?
We continue the work that Jesus began. We are called to see with His eyes, love with His love and serve with His heart. Let us turn to Christ’s for the example of how we are to live and love.

Ask yourself: Where in my life do I need to let the love of Christ be shown?

Thursday, 3/06

Life Given for Others

"Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' "(Luke 22:19-20)

While passing the communion elements down the row a child dropped the tray and scattered the elements all over the floor. The attentive communion server quickly took additional elements to the now crying child. The server said, “Don’t worry, there is enough for everyone.”
Jesus understood his life was not his own. His was a life given to him so that he could give it to others. Jesus’ body given and blood shed is enough for everyone – to be forgiven, to be healed, and to be empowered for service.
Are we giving what we have been given? Our lives are not our own, we have been bought with a price – the life of Christ. We therefore follow in his footsteps and give our lives for others.

Ask yourself: How can I give myself to others this day?

Friday, 3/07

Famous last words.

" ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ "(Luke 24:46-49)

Last words can say a lot about a person.
“Lord help my poor soul.” ~ Edgar Allan Poe
“I die hard but am not afraid to go.” ~ George Washington
“How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?” ~ P. T. Barnum
“The best of all, God is with us.” ~ John Wesley

I thank God that Jesus’ last words were not - “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Instead, the Father carried Jesus through death and into life eternal so that the Son could speak his last words on earth. According to Luke, Jesus’ last words were a restatement of the mission of his followers and a promise of his Spirit.
We understand God’s promises were fulfilled and our study of his word helps us to better understand who God is. We know we are to take the good news of God’s love to all people. Our acceptance of all people makes the good news available to more people. We know Christ will give us the power to do this, because we are unable to do this on our own. Let us be people reaching out to others with the power and promises of God.

Ask yourself: Where do I need to share God’s promises?