October 17th, 2024
Let’s set our hearts on H.E.A.R. (ing) from the Lord as we prayerfully read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11.
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.
Let’s ZOOM into Vs. 37 – 53 on another mealtime with Jesus. Life is messy. In Jesus’ time the roads were dusty and traveling guaranteed a certain measure of dirt on your person. When he was invited to dine with a Pharisee, he was criticized for not washing. They weren’t talking about washing your hands before dinner. They were judging him because he didn’t perform their complex washing ritual.
Jesus, always perceptive, saw their error wasn’t about hygiene but about the heart: “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy — full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?”
When your guests come over — or when you’re considering whether to invite someone — what are you looking at?
The perception of holiness is sadly often tied to outward appearance. The heart of a godly or truth-seeking person isn’t subject to clothing, style or even personal care. Don’t judge what you can’t see. Instead, wash your own heart to love and accept all as they are so God can use you to wash them with the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26).
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.
Let’s ZOOM into Vs. 37 – 53 on another mealtime with Jesus. Life is messy. In Jesus’ time the roads were dusty and traveling guaranteed a certain measure of dirt on your person. When he was invited to dine with a Pharisee, he was criticized for not washing. They weren’t talking about washing your hands before dinner. They were judging him because he didn’t perform their complex washing ritual.
Jesus, always perceptive, saw their error wasn’t about hygiene but about the heart: “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy — full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?”
When your guests come over — or when you’re considering whether to invite someone — what are you looking at?
The perception of holiness is sadly often tied to outward appearance. The heart of a godly or truth-seeking person isn’t subject to clothing, style or even personal care. Don’t judge what you can’t see. Instead, wash your own heart to love and accept all as they are so God can use you to wash them with the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26).
THINK ABOUT IT...
- What in your heart needs to be cleansed to receive all kinds of people?
- How can you accept one another as Jesus has accepted you? (Romans 15: 7)
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