SCRIPTURE: Luke 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. [Luke 8:1-3] This, to me, is a picture of ‘church’: following Jesus in the streets, demonstrating and declaring the good news of the kingdom. It is a movement made up of those impacted by the kingdom message, dedicating their own time and resources to see this good news spread.
I was taught that the true church is where the Word is truly preached (i.e. good sermons), the sacraments properly administered, and church discipline faithfully exercised. What an inadequate definition of the church. Preaching of the word is an in-house exercise, we do it ‘in church’, not in the streets like Jesus did. And the focus is primarily on right doctrine, whereas Jesus stressed right practice [Luke 8:21]. And the idea that the sacraments were Jesus’ second highest priority – this is just ludicrous.
The ‘church’ is wherever people follow Jesus in living and sharing the kingdom life. This is what He died and rose for. The good news is not that we are forgiven and get to go to heaven; it is that Jesus is restoring paradise, and we get to join Him in this. His promise to be with us is always in the context of our following Him. He doesn’t hide in a building, waiting for the world to come to Him. He’s in the streets, and looking for us, His partners, to join Him. The demon-possessed man wanted to take refuge in Jesus; Jesus sends him back to his own community to spread the message (seed). As that seed is spread, it will receive a variety of responses, but that is not our concern – our concern is to live it and share it. We are a light shining where everyone can see it.
We are like the disciples (including the women mentioned here) who have been powerfully impacted by Jesus, and who are dedicating our lives and resources to spreading the word – at work, school, in our neighbourhoods. THIS IS CHURCH! When we gather together, it is to encourage one another toward love and good deeds, in the streets! [Hebrews 10:24-25]. Jesus doesn’t care if we are ‘members’ of His family (church), He is waiting for us to practice what He says and does.
PRAYER:
Lord, the more I think about You and Your kingdom work, the more I sense that we are missing the boat
Hello Norm….your dare is not really much of a dare….its just that it takes time and effort. I am finding the adjustment to my self imposed new phase of life is much harder than I expected. My ‘new phase’ as I call it is a conscious descion to work less and pray more. But – easier said than done. To get into the habit of a prescribed reading time is difficult and then to journal even more difficult and then to do the SOAP thing on top of that… my thoughts do not flow … at all… when I am journaling. However, I am not discouraged, but I am impatient. So – when I get into the groove I will do some sharing on your blog….I promise.
“My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
To hear is to do. All to often my students in class do not do as I have asked. Therefore, they have not listened/heard because they did not do as asked and/or understand and/or just went and did their own thing. So it is with the hearing of God’s Word. When I hear His Word I must also do. To listen is also to do. It shows how well I have listened. Listening and doing go hand in hand.
It is good for the people of God to come together to hear the Word – to be re-energized, refreshed, renewed and going out to put that Word into practice. As the Jesus followers then learned from their Master, so we too have learned and must go out and do as our Rabbi – to become like Him each day – becoming like our Teacher. Just do it.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.
The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.