October 13th, 2024
Let’s set our hearts on H.E.A.R. (ing) from the Lord as we prayerfully read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 5.
Write your responses to your H.E.A.R. prompts and discuss with a near one or group. Look for opportunities ‘to do the book’ in your daily traffic patterns.
The B.L.E.S.S strategy is one we learn and observe from Jesus.
B. – begin with prayer
L. – listen with care
E. – Eat with your neighbor (This will be our focus this week; reading Luke’s Gospel of how Jesus used eating as an opportunity to minister and teach.)
S. – Serve with love.
S. – Share the story of the Gospel.
Let’s FOCUS ON Vs. 27 – 32 – With whom did Jesus eat?
In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were pretty much hated by the people. These were Jews who were taking advantage by collecting Rome’s taxes plus a surcharge to line their own pocket. To many, they were considered “outsiders” and just as much enemies as the Romans. Jesus eating a meal with a tax collector would be like you having dinner with a loan shark. How would your friends and family react to that?
We know that Jesus wasn’t just responding to an invitation; he sought Levi out and had a purpose in mind: “Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him.” Jesus wanted this man — this enemy of the people — to be saved. Each of us, before we came to Christ, were God’s enemies (Romans 5:10). But God loved us so much that he not only wanted to make us friends, but he also wanted to make us family (Ephesians 1:5).
THINK ABOUT IT...
- H. – highlight – i.e. Prayerfully take time to highlight or underline the words or phrases that stick out most to you.
- E. – explain - Thoughtfully write out in your own words what you understand and why it’s significant.
- A. – apply – i.e. – consider ways this passage connects to your life.
- R. – respond – i.e. – prayerful response with your heart to the Word for transformation.
Write your responses to your H.E.A.R. prompts and discuss with a near one or group. Look for opportunities ‘to do the book’ in your daily traffic patterns.
The B.L.E.S.S strategy is one we learn and observe from Jesus.
B. – begin with prayer
L. – listen with care
E. – Eat with your neighbor (This will be our focus this week; reading Luke’s Gospel of how Jesus used eating as an opportunity to minister and teach.)
S. – Serve with love.
S. – Share the story of the Gospel.
Let’s FOCUS ON Vs. 27 – 32 – With whom did Jesus eat?
In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were pretty much hated by the people. These were Jews who were taking advantage by collecting Rome’s taxes plus a surcharge to line their own pocket. To many, they were considered “outsiders” and just as much enemies as the Romans. Jesus eating a meal with a tax collector would be like you having dinner with a loan shark. How would your friends and family react to that?
We know that Jesus wasn’t just responding to an invitation; he sought Levi out and had a purpose in mind: “Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him.” Jesus wanted this man — this enemy of the people — to be saved. Each of us, before we came to Christ, were God’s enemies (Romans 5:10). But God loved us so much that he not only wanted to make us friends, but he also wanted to make us family (Ephesians 1:5).
THINK ABOUT IT...
- Do you know any “enemies” who need Jesus?
- Be like Jesus and invite a neighbor who is different than you to your home for a meal.
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