March 19 | Luke 14:7-11

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DAILY READING

Luke 14:7-11

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REFLECTION

Where to Sit

By Kathleen Serio

I often find myself wondering why life has to be so complicated. Why does it matter where people sit? Can’t they just enjoy dinner? I started to think about all the scenarios where the place people sat actually mattered. Then I got stuck on the idea of actually being in this situation and feeling embarrassed as Jesus is describing. That’s when I just got annoyed at how complicated life seems and I had to stop. It isn’t complicated. There is nothing confusing to be found in this situation. Jesus tells us exactly where to sit. He tells us why, and all we have to do is follow what He says.

So I then wonder that, if this is such a simple idea, then why do we continue to study this passage if it is as simple as learning that when you go to an event, you should sit in the spot of least importance? Thankfully, this question has an easy answer as well:  there is far more that Jesus is teaching us in these verses than where we should sit.

Jesus is using this parable to help us understand the main point that He makes in verse 11 that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Because unlike sitting at a table at a wedding, the act of humbling ourselves is not an easy idea to fully grasp. Jesus is reminding us of one of His key teachings- the first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matthew 16:20). Jesus is reminding us that being humble, having humility, and thinking of others is important. It is a way for Jesus to reinforce that it is by the Grace of God, and ONLY the Grace of God, that we are saved and may enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9).

PRAYER

God, thank you for the parables that Jesus used to help us understand ideas that are far beyond what we could grasp on our own. Thank you for the reminders that he gave in his teachings and the examples he showed. Help us to remember to humble ourselves and think of others. Remind us that we are dependent on you and help us to remember to praise you for the Grace you have given us.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHLEEN SERIO

I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.

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March 18 | Luke 14:1-6

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DAILY READING

Luke 14:1-6

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REFLECTION

Silence?

By Kim Starr

Can you remember a situation where you were uncomfortable? You felt like everyone was looking at you. Maybe people were pointing at you or talking in hushed tones. Maybe you wondered if you’d worn the right clothes. Maybe you wondered if you had something on your face. Maybe the actions of these other people made you so uncomfortable your face turned red. Or maybe you couldn’t stand it and you left. Afterward you reviewed the situation over and over in your head wondering what you could have done differently, or if you should have even gone in the first place.

Jesus spent a great deal of his ministry among people who didn’t understand him or looked at him in a different way. In verse 1, it says that Jesus, “was being carefully watched.” It is one thing to think you are being watched or feel  like everyone is talking about you. In Jesus’ case, he knew it was true. Yet, he continued to put himself out there.

One Sabbath, Jesus was at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Right in front of him is a suffering man. Jesus had seen lots of people like this. It's almost as if the Pharisees put him there as a plant to see what Jesus would do. Jesus takes the bait and asks the Pharisees and the experts of the law if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. To no one’s surprise, they say nothing. Jesus heals the man and sends him on his way. He then asks if, on the Sabbath, their child or animal fell down a well, would they pull them out? Again, they say nothing.

What does their silence mean? Are they approving of what Jesus did? Doubtful. Are they shaking their heads and thinking, “He did it again.” Probably. Are they going to cook up yet another plot to trap him? Absolutely. While we don’t know exactly why they were silent, we do know that their speaking up would not have made a difference. Jesus was headed to the cross regardless. That was God’s plan.  

Today is a different day. We’ve already been saved by Jesus’ dying for our sins. However, God’s ultimate goal of bringing all of the world to know him has not yet been fulfilled. So, if we were in a similar situation as the Pharisees and the experts of the law, what would we do? What would our silence mean? What effect might our speaking up have? Depending on the situation, it takes courage to do either one. Let’s ask God what he would have us do and then listen and follow.

PRAYER

Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to show us if we should be silent, or if we should speak. We want to bring you glory by our words and actions. Help us to heed your direction so we point others to you. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KIM STARR

I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.

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March 17 | Luke 13:22-30

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DAILY READING

Luke 13:22-30

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REFLECTION

A Hard Word

By Dave Mann

This is a hard passage.  This is one of those difficult sections that I tend to skip over rather quickly to get to something more pleasant.  If I were to list the Bible passages on my Least Favorite list, this would be near the top. 

I prefer to have a Jesus who is nice and polite. But since I claim to be a follower of Jesus, maybe I should give even the hard verses a serious listen-to.  Here are the words that make these verses hard for me.  What does Jesus have to say about the number of people who will be saved on the last day?

• Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. (v. 24)

• 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.’ (v. 25)

• There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. (v. 28)

Well, those aren’t very kind and gentle words, are they? 

God is loving, right?  But something in my heart says, “He is also holy, right?”  OK.  I also need to embrace the many Scriptures that describe our God as holy, magnificent, highly exalted, and coming with authority to judge -- 1 Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 5:16; 6:1-5; 29:13; 52:10; Matthew 5:48; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 19:15.

If I am honest there are times when I would say in response to the narrow gate imagery of Jesus, “How can this be?  Who could ever rejoice with such a thought?”  However, the more we sinners are in alignment with the true God (as revealed in Scripture) -- who is holy and loving, who requires that nothing impure should enter into his presence, who suffered and died that I might be in his holy presence -- the deeper that my appreciation grows for the gift of the shed blood of Jesus on the cross -- the gift of eternal life, the gift of imputed righteousness, the gift of being clothed in Christ!  I finally realize that our holy Lord is indeed loving.

PRAYER

O holy Lord, there will come the day I stand in your judgment.  I know that by myself I will have no basis to withstand your penetrating, all-knowing gaze.  The only way I will survive that day is to be in Christ.  On my own, I would certainly be excluded.  Nevertheless, because of Jesus’ righteousness, I will be eternally grateful to be in your presence forever, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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