Luke 5 has Jesus going to the Sea of Galilee to teach a large crowd of people. While there, he speaks to Simon, who had come in from an entire night of fishing, and tells him to go back out into the deep waters and cast out their nets again.

This was completely contrary to what a fisherman would do!

It would be something like God telling you to go back to work after your shift has ended and you did not have a very good day!

Simon responded to Jesus by saying, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and have caught nothing. But because you say so, I will let down my nets.”

After this experience, Jesus calls Simon to follow him as a disciple.

This is exactly the response Jesus needs to have from us if we are going to be his disciple. We can express our misgivings and even have our doubts – but can we obey?

Prayer: Dear God, I confess to you that there are times I am tired and don’t feel like doing the things you want me to do. I confess that I do not like to fail, and I worry that I cannot do those things you ask of me. Strengthen my faith and encourage me when I doubt. Lead me in your path. Amen

Luke 4

In this chapter we read the familiar passage of Jesus going into the wilderness where he is both tested and called. When “the Devil was finished with him, Jesus returned to his home in Nazareth and the people in his hometown rejected him.

I cannot imagine being rejected by the people I grew up with!

Jesus experienced a lot of rejection in his lifetime.

And he did not turn bitter. Quite the opposite! His heart opened more and more to others who knew rejection. 

His first miracle was offered to a man possessed by an evil spirit… 

Can you imagine anyone in our society who is more misunderstood, feared, and cast aside than those who seem to be possessed with evil, or have an illness that causes behavior we do not see as normal?

We have a double-sided challenge/opportunity to see in this first miracle. 

First, we can trust that Jesus will embrace us with love when we are open with him about what we see as “flaws” or “abnormalities” in our life whether they be emotional, spiritual, physical or intellectual. Jesus will never turn away from us or be embarrassed by us.

Second, we should look at how we see others who are different from ourselves. Do we “shun”, “Look away from” or even “look down upon” people who are different physically, emotionally, spiritually or intellectually? 

If we do, we are not unlike the people in the text who rejected Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to be honest with you about what I see as failures or shortcomings. As you love me, help me to love myself. And dear Jesus, give me eyes to see, a heart to feel, and a mind that understand my brothers and sisters as you would have me understand. Amen

Luke 2:21-40

Before we move forward into the life and teachings of Jesus as an adult, this passage brings a very old man and a very old woman onto the scene to affirm to Mary and Joseph that their baby son was indeed the “Son of God”. Have you ever ventured into something new, wondering if it is the right path for you; wondering if you are capable of doing it; wondering if you might mess everything up?

Sure you have! So have I!

It is times like this when we are tempted to quit or talk ourselves out of moving ahead.

But then someone comes along and gives us affirmation and encouragement. 

Often, it is because of the support of others that we are able to keep going.

God knows we need one another for strength and courage to keep moving forward. Sometimes YOU are the one being sent to offer this, and sometimes you are the one who needs it!!

The age of Simeon and Anna reminds those of us who are “older” that the encouragement we offer one another is a gift!!!

Is there someone you can offer encouragement to today?

Today we have the very familiar Birth story from Luke 2:1-20.

Another story that is so familiar that some of the shock has worn off. 

To have the parents of God’s son travel by foot and donkey to a strange place and end up in an animal’s stable is NOT what one would expect of divinity!! And then to have shepherds and animals as the only visitors in the stable, is also unexpected and extremely important. 

Luke is paving the way to show who God is intentional to reveal God’s self to. The lowly. The outcast, outsiders and even outlaws.

And who God is intention to invite to come!

As we come to the manger to meet Jesus- a vulnerable baby with humble beginnings – perhaps we must examine who we are and how we come!

As you approach God today, is there something going on in your life that you would rather God not know about? 

Something that seems “not good enough”?

Perhaps even something that is embarrassing? 

The path has been cleared and set by Jesus himself, for everyone and anyone to come to God “just as we are”.

So, let’s come …

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see you in my vulnerabilities. Help me to see you in the vulnerability of others. And in seeing you, help me to come in humbleness of heart. Amen.

Continuing in Luke 1:57-80 the son that God promised to Zechariah and Elizabeth is born, and he is given a name. The entire community balked at the chosen name. It was not a family name! People who lived in these Biblical days enjoyed and followed tradition as much as any other time in history. There was a right way and a wrong way of doing things.

HHHmmmm. That sounds familiar! A right way and a wrong way!

I definitely grew up with a right way and a wrong way to do things.

How about you?

But sometimes following God leads us to step over the line!

Once Zechariah confirmed to the grumbling crowd that the baby’s name would be John, as God directed, his tongue was loosed and he could talk! For the first time in 9 months, Zechariah could talk!!!

Is there something God is asking you to do … to speak … to stand up for … that you are hesitating to do?

Perhaps God is asking you to do something you have never done before, but once you say “yes” and move forward with it, you will find a freedom you have not experienced before!!

Ask God today for clarity to hear the message and courage to follow.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to trust that you ARE speaking to me, you ARE leading me, and you DO love me even more than I am able to love myself. And in that trust, may I learn to say YES. Amen

As we continue reading in Luke 1:26-56 the narrative changes from an elderly couple to a very young woman (probably a teenager) being told that she would conceive and bear a child. Not only is this woman (teenager) young, she is also unmarried. This is more of a scandal than the story we read yesterday! 

This narrative about Mary, coupled with yesterday’s sets the stage early and firmly that God works, not just in mysterious ways, but in ways that will include both the young and the old. 

Sometimes we get so familiar with certain Bible narratives that we are no longer surprised by them. Looking at this passage we see that Mary was surprised! She was not expecting to hear from God or expecting to be used as a vessel for God’s gift to the world. But once God spoke, she listened. She rejoiced in God’s gift.

Her response to God was “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me as you have said.”

What unexpected gift might God want to give to you today?

What opportunity might God want you to accept (even though you are unprepared for).

Can you respond as Mary responded?

Pause for more than a moment – perhaps as you receive communion or as you receive the imposition of ashes – and listen for God’s gift.

God’s opportunity.

Prayer: I am your servant, Lord. Help me to accept my role in your larger plan. Use me; send me; as you will. Amen

Luke 1:5-25

Luke begins his gospel narrative with the story of a priest named Zechariah, being told while in the Holy of Holies that he and his wife would bear a son and call him John. There are many fascinating aspects of this encounter, not the least of which is the fact that up to this point Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth were desperate for children, but could not conceive. They were also well past the physical time of being able to have a child. The stage is set for the entire gospel of Luke in this opening miracle story of an elderly barren couple having a baby.

God brings life where there is no life.

God brings hope where all hope has vanished.

God brings a future to people who feel most of their life has already been lived.

Let’s reflect on this message for our personal lives today.

Where is God offering hope, life, a future to you?

How will you receive it?

Prayer: Loving God, open my heart today to the gift you have for me to explore and possibly delight in. Show me that you want to provide for me what I cannot acquire on my own. I give my heart to you. Amen