The Man Who Fell Among Muggers

Luke 10:30-36
A Parable by John Killinger

And Jesus said that a certain man, while doing his Christmas shopping, fell among muggers, who stripped him of everything, beat him to within an inch of his life, and left him in an alley behind St. Luke's Church.
The minister came along on his way to a service, and, when he saw the man, hurried into the church, afraid of becoming involved. And likewise an elder of the church came by and hurried past, as frightened as the minister. He even dropped the holly wreath that he was carrying and didn't return to pick it up.
But the neighborhood agnostic, who didn't even believe in exchanging Christmas presents, when he heard the poor man groaning, investigated and felt sorry for him.
Bringing his car around, he helped the man into it, ignored the blood on the velvet seats and drove him to the hospital.
"Here," he said to the receptionist, who presented him with a battery of forms. "This is my credit card, and he is my brother. Give him a private room and the very best of care and, if it exceeds the limit on my charge account, I'll borrow the money and pay you. What the heck, it's Christmas Eve!"
Which of these three men, do you think was the neighbor to the man who was mugged? And which one had a Merry Christmas?


NOTE: I hope you don't mind that I didn't write a devotional this morning. I may not even write one this week. There is so many last-minute things to do as I plan to spend these holy days with friends and family.  If I am unable to write something, I'll still try to share something with you each day this week. I plan to continue to journal into the new year. Thank you for your faithfulness in reading.

You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Psalm 117, Psalm 119:81-176, 2 John 1 and 3 John 1.

Seek God's Glory

Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. -John 12:42-43 (NRSV)

Even after Jesus has done all kinds of miraculous signs in their presence, most of the people still do not believe. And yet, at the same time, there are many (even among the leaders) who do believe but will not confess their faith openly for fear of what might happen to them; they love the praise of humans more than the praise of God.

I suspect that all of us struggle with loving human glory more than the glory of God. I know that in my ministry through the years, this has been a constant temptation. I have made decisions knowing that they would please people more than God. There are things that I should have said but did not; there are things that God would not have had me say that I said.

When I love human glory more than the glory of God, I let the opinions of others determine my value and my worth. My highest goal becomes pleasing others rather than pleasing God. Today, my highest goal is to please God. My main objective is to seek God's glory even when it's not the easiest or most popular choice.

May God grant you the grace seek God's glory more than humanity's glory today.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 15-18. On Sunday, I encourage you to go to a church of your choice. If you don't have one and live in the Fayetteville area, please join us at First United Methodist Church of Fayetteville (8:30 and 11). Sunday's suggested readings are John 19-21. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional from 1 John 1-5.

Heart Break

Jesus wept. -John 11:35 (NIV)

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, becomes ill. Mary and Martha immediately send word to their dear friend, Jesus. Jesus, upon hearing the news, acknowledges that this illness will not end in death and then does not make his way to Mary and Martha for two more days.

By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has died. Both Mary and Martha tell Jesus that their brother would not have died had Jesus come right away to help. Jesus assures Martha that Lazarus will rise again because Jesus is "the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me (Jesus), even though they die, yet shall they live." Yet even though Jesus knows that Lazarus will live again, he is nevertheless moved to tears by his friend's death.

The verse on which I have chosen to reflect this morning is mostly known for being the shortest verse in the Bible. If you ever need to memorize a scripture verse, this is the one. And yet what strikes me about the verse is not that it's so short but that's it so revealing.

Jesus, the son of God, who has the power to make the lame walk, the blind see, and the dead rise, is arguably so overcome with grief following his dear friend's death that he cries. Jesus, who knows more than anyone else that death is not the final chapter, is nonetheless stung when it hits close to home.

With last Friday's tragedy in Connecticut still fresh on my mind, I find that the tears are still flowing for me. I can only imagine what it's been like for the families and friends of the victims. I'm sure that some well-meaning but ill-timed comment has been made to them like: "Don't cry. Your loved one is in a better place." I believe that with all of my heart, that even though these those teachers and students died, they live. I believe then and now that in Christ death has been swallowed up in victory. And yet, the tears still come. Oh how they come! And indeed oh how they should.

Today I pray that God would grant all who grieve the grace to trust that the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father knows what it's like to have a heart broken by death. He cries, thus validating your tears. And he goes one step further by promising that even though our loved ones die, yet shall they live.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 12-14.

Offering What Little You Have

Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. -John 6:12 (NIV)

Jesus and his disciples are sitting up on a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee when a crowd begins to gather. Jesus asks Philip where they can buy enough food for all of the people to eat. Philip replies that eight month's worth of wages would not be enough to provide each person with even just a bite. Another one of the disciples, Andrew, speaks up about a boy who has five small barley loaves and two small fish. Still, Andrew is unsure how so little food can go so far in serving so many. Jesus takes the bread and fish that the boy has brought, gave thanks to God for it, and then distributes as much food as the crowd wants. After every one has their fill, there are twelve baskets of bread remaining.

I want to be more like the boy in this account but find that I am often more like Philip and Andrew.

When Jesus asks where they can get food to feed the crowd, it seems Philip's first reaction is to say that it cannot be done. Perhaps Philip is thinking only in terms of what he can do and he knows that it is humanly impossible to feed that many people.

You might argue that Andrew has a little more faith. At least he goes and assesses the situation, trying to determine if there is any way that the people can be fed. He finds a boy with a little bit of food but Andrew himself offers nothing of his own for the cause. Perhaps he doesn't have anything to offer or perhaps he just doesn't want to share.

 Jesus takes the boy's loaves and fishes, presumably not by force but because the boy is willing to give what he has to Jesus. Jesus gives thanks for the food and then begins to distribute it. Amazingly enough, there is not only enough to feed those in attendance but there are 12 baskets left over after everyone has been fed.

Like Philip, sometimes I sense a need but decide that it is impossible for me to meet it, even with Jesus by my side. Sometimes I have a little more faith, not enough to offer what I have to help meet a need, but at least I try to find someone else to help. But I want to be like the boy in this story. What I have to offer often does not seem like much but today I will offer it to God. I will be mindful that Jesus can take what little I have to offer and use it to meet the need of others.

May God grant you the grace to see the needs around you today and a willingness to offer what little you have to meet those needs.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 9-11.

Motivation, Not Resignation

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” -John 5:6

While in Jerusalem for one of the three required feasts, Jesus passed known for its healing power; many disabled people had gathered there. One man had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed.

I find it interesting that the man does not directly answer Jesus’ question. Instead of answering yes, the man offers an excuse: “Sir, I have no one to help me get into the pool when the water is stirred; someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

I can’t help but wonder if this man had resigned himself to the fact that he would never be healed. After all, it had been 38 years and it would have been easy to become discouraged. And yet, if he had become resigned to his condition, why did he still go to the pool every day?

Many people come to church for the same reason that this man went to the pool. They recognize a need for healing and restoration in their lives. Perhaps they thought if they would not sleep in on Sunday, if they’d get up, get dressed, and come to church, healing would magically happen. Then, when just coming to the pool (or the pew) does not instantly provide the healing they desire, many resign themselves to a life of brokenness and despair. They offer excuses like, “God obviously does not care about me” or “Not one single person has ever bothered to help.”

After Jesus heals the man, he commands the man to take the initiative in his life (“Stop sinning or something even worse than a disability may happen”).

Just showing up at church, just reading my Bible, or just praying about something may not be immediately result in healing taking place. I may need to take more initiative. God may be calling to me to be more actively a part of the answer to my prayer. I also need to make sure that faith, and not resignation, is the motivating force in my life. I don’t want to just sit by the pool (or in the pew) and simply wait on God to do God’s thing. If God desires that I do something or change something, I want to do it. With God’s help today, I will not sit around making excuses but will instead look for how God might be calling me to be a part of the solution.

May God grant you the grace to know if God wants you to be more active in bringing about healing in your life or in the lives of others.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 7-8.

Living in the Light

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God was not with him." -John 3:2 (NIV)


As a Pharisee and as one of the most religious people of his day, Nicodemus had been taught to believe that salvation came from strict obedience to the Jewish law.  But the miracles and signs of Jesus left Nicodemus convinced that Jesus had come from God. Afraid of what the other Pharisees might think but determined to find out more about Jesus, Nicodemus goes to speak with Jesus in the cover of night (darkness).

I've lived much of my life in darkness. I have struggled to turn over parts of my life to Christ. In some cases, it was because I was not quite ready to give up control in those areas. In other cases, it was because I was afraid to acknowledge to God (and others) the sin that was hiding there in the dark. What would people think if they knew the sin that lurked there? Just as Jesus describes in John 3:20, I preferred the darkness; I did not want my sin brought to the light.

In the aftermath of last Friday's tragedy, I've given a lot of thought to darkness and light, goodness and evil. But before I consider pointing out the darkness and evil in another person's heart, I'm going to begin this week by exposing any darkness or evil in my own.

Today I will take an inventory of my life. If there is an area that I've tried to keep locked and hidden from God, I will open it to God. I will not only open it to God but also to a trusted friend. A friend will help keep me accountable, especially when I tempted once again to lock certain areas of my life off to God.

May God grant you the grace to identify the areas of your life that need to be exposed to the light of Christ today. And may the light of Christ overtake your darkness and the darkness of our world.  





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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 5-6.

Taming the Tongue

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse the very men and women who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this ought not be so!  -James 3:9-10 (NRSV)

In this morning's suggested readings, James spends an almost an entire chapter talking about the tongue. In the same way that the small bit in a horse’s mouth is used to turn the whole animal and in the same way that a large ship is steered by a small rudder, so the tongue has that kind of power. James compares the damage that the tongue can do to a raging fire and suggests that the tongue cannot be tamed.

My first thought is that, if the tongue cannot be tamed, why should I even bother trying? Can I not do all things through Christ who strengthens me? But perhaps James is just trying to make the point that we are not and never will be perfect. There will always be times when the same tongue we use to praise God will be tempted to curse God or others; we who are created in the image of God are also bent to sinning.

But that does not mean that we should not attempt to tame our tongues. I have seen in my own life how, with God’s help, the tongue can be tamed. And I have seen the benefits of taming the tongue; it can certainly keep a person like me out of trouble.

Today, I ask God to help me tame my tongue. When I am tempted to complain about something, or tell a joke I should not tell, or gossip about someone, or brag about something, I will ask myself if my speech brings praise to God and God’s creation or does it curse that which is created by God and/or harm another child of God? There are benefits to choosing words carefully. There is value in leaving some things unsaid.

May God grant you the grace to pause before you speak today...especially if what you are about to say might damage your relationship with God or other people.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are 1 Peter 1-5. The suggested readings for Sunday are 2 Peter 1-3 and John 1. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional through from John 2-4. 

I pray that you have a blessed weekend and I hope you'll worship in a church of your choice on Sunday. If you don't have a church and live in the Fayetteville area, I invite you to either the 8:30 or 11 am worship experiences at First United Methodist Church. 

The Value of Valuing

Let mutual love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. -Hebrews 13:1-3 (NIV)

If you're in the hospital on Christmas Day, you are very sick! My family and I learned that truth years ago when our son became critically ill and was hospitalized in mid-December. As Christmas Day approached, the hospitals emptied of patients and staff except for only the sickest people and the staff needed to care for the sickest people.

With so few cars in the parking lot on Christmas Day, we were surprised when there was a knock at our door and a small group of people stood there with presents for the children hospitalized on Christmas. We were so touched by their thoughtfulness that my family and I decided that we'd begin doing the same thing on Christmas Day: delivering toys to critically ill children in the hospital. We did this for a couple of years but stopped because we realized that lots of people remember critically ill children at Christmas but far less likely are critically ill children remembered throughout the rest of the year.

In today's scripture, we are instructed to make time for strangers. Doing so may turn out to be a big blessing; we may be entertaining angels without even knowing it. Additionally, we are challenged to put ourselves in the shoes of others, specifically those who are imprisoned and those who have been mistreated.

Perhaps during the holiday season, you are more attentive and sensitive to strangers and those who have been mistreated and imprisoned. Perhaps you've purchased presents for an angel tree child or made a donation to a domestic abuse center. Perhaps you've purchased a gift whose proceeds support the children of inmates or perhaps you have sent Christmas cards to prisoners. Thank you for assisting the stranger, the mistreated, and the imprisoned during this holy season.

But I encourage you to not just be a Hebrew 13 Christian at Christmas and Easter only. May God grant you the grace to see the value of valuing the stranger, the imprisoned, and the mistreated throughout the entire year. You'll no doubt be blessed... and they will too.




You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are James 1-5.

While You Wait

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation for those waiting for him. -Hebrews 9:28-29 (NIV)

Yesterday afternoon I had an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. When I flew to Disney two weeks ago, my ears stopped up on the plane. When they did not unstop, I decided that I needed to go have it checked out.

I don't know if you've ever been to an ear, nose, and throat doctor before but guess what? They spend a lot of time looking in your ear, nose, and throat. So I always try to get to the doctor's office early. While I wait, I go to the restroom to brush and floss my teeth/tongue and then for extra precaution gargle a little mouthwash. I don't want my breath kicking like a Bruce Lee movie when the ENT asks me to open wide. I also Q-tip my nose and ear to make sure that those passageways are as clear as possible. Finally, I make sure my hair is combed and that there's no evidence of lunch on my mouth or the front of my shirt. All of these things I do as I wait to see the ENT. He's never said so, but I'm sure he appreciates it!

Now if I were going to see a podiatrist about my foot, I wouldn't worry too much about getting to the office early enough to floss. But you better believe that I'd bring some baby wipes and a fresh pair of clean socks with me. I'd go to the bathroom, give my feet a quick once-over and then put on those fresh pair of socks while I waited to see the podiatrist. I'd cut my toe nails and maybe even shine my shoes as I wait for the podiatrist to examine me.

In our scripture lesson this morning, we are told that Christ is coming again. In fact, I've suggested in these daily devotionals that Christ is always coming to us. So that begs the question: are we doing anything special in anticipation or preparation for his coming? As we wait and prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas, what are we doing to be as prepared as possible to see Him?

May God grant you the grace to be prepared for the many ways that Christ comes during this season.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Hebrews 12-13 and Jude 1.

Easy to Miss

But Jesus lives forever; he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. -Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

This morning I'm on my way to Nashville for a meeting. I read the suggested scripture readings and nothing quickly came to mind for a devotional thought. Perhaps it will as I make my way to Nashville.

So instead of a devotional thought on one of the assigned readings this morning, I thought I'd share with you the link that I used in our contemporary worship service on Sunday. It's a youtube video and it's about a minute long. I want you to especially notice that near the end of the video (at about the 50 second mark), a statement is printed on the screen about missing something. Ask yourself this question: what might this statement have to say to me as I prepare my heart, mind, and soul for the many ways that Christ comes?

Here's the link to the video: Awareness Test


You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Hebrews 9-11.

Why He Comes

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. -Hebrews 2:17-18 (NIV)

This morning I'm thinking of several mothers I know whose children died way too young. There are few things, if any, that break a parent's heart like losing a child. And yet what amazes me about these women that come to mind today is the way that they have been able to minister to countless others who have experienced the death of a child. These women have been so much more helpful than me to other grieving mothers because they know how these mothers feel. Oh how I wish that these women had never known the premature death of a child but I thank God that they've allowed God to use their painful experience to help others experiencing similar pain.

That's one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth, at least according to the writers of Hebrews. Jesus came in order to know what's it like to be me and you. Walking among humanity helped him to be even more merciful to us. It made him uniquely qualified to be a mediator on our behalf to God. He better understood our pain, our temptations, our shortcomings, our struggles and everything else about us.

The Good News of Advent is that the One who came on Christmas still comes today. He still knows our struggles. He still knows our pain. In fact, that's one of the reasons why He still comes.

May God grant you the grace to experience the presence of Christ today in a special way... and may you find in Him the help and the hope that you need.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Hebrews 5-8.

Saying Yes to God's Call

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. -1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NIV)

Paul realized his unworthiness of being called and thanked God for God's mercy.

Paul was so successful in sharing the gospel with the Gentiles. It would have been easy for him to "believe his own press clippings." But he never forgot that he was a sinner saved by grace. He never forgot how unworthy he had been to receive such a call. He never forgot to give thanks for God's mercy.

During this season of Advent, as we prepare our minds for the many ways that Christ comes, I am reminded of all the different times in scripture when God came to people that I might have avoided: people with questionable pasts, people who were unimpressive, uneducated, uncultured, and/or unlikely. Paul comes to mind. Mary, the mother of Jesus, also comes to mind in these days leading to Christmas.

Mary was from Nazareth, a town not even on most maps during Jesus' day, a town known for its peasants and farmers more than anything else. She was a seemingly insignificant woman from a seemingly insignificant family from a seemingly insignificant place. Indeed, as Nathaniel once asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" And yet God used Mary, granting her grace and favor, and she birthed the Savior of the world into the world.
 
None of us reading this devotional are worthy to be called by God to do something. The reasons NOT to call us are likely far more numerous than the reasons in favor of calling us. And yet God still calls each of us (yes, you too). And though it's not always the easiest or most enjoyable call, we should thank God for the call, in humility recognize our unworthiness to be called and we should seek to be faithful to the call. Just like Paul and Mary.

May God grant you the grace to hear the way that you're being called, the humility to recognize your unworthiness to be called, and the faithfulness to nevertheless say yes to the call.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are i Timothy 5-6 and Titus 1-3. Sunday's readings are 2 Timothy 1-4. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional thought likely from Philemon and/or Hebrews 1-4. 

Consumed

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

Recently someone said that the days leading up to Christmas are especially difficult because his thoughts often turn toward earthly possessions: the things that he wants but does not have. It's not like he can afford these things; his credit card bill is already more than he can pay off and he hasn't even begun shopping for Christmas. 

The scripture lesson this morning leads me to think that God's word for us today is to not get consumed with commercialism this Christmas. Our focus needs to be on the real reason for the season, not on material things that will one day end up in the trash dump or at the recycling center. I'm not saying that we shouldn't give gifts. I like to give them, I like to receive them, and I have friends who own businesses that depend on us to buy them for their own family's livelihood. But perspective is key. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that can't be wrapped and placed under a tree.

May God grant you the grace to focus on the things that are heavenly during this season, not as a way of escaping, but as a way of realizing what's really of great value.



You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are 1 Timothy 1-4. 

Preparations

So you must also be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. -Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

The season of Advent is the beginning of the Christian year where with intentionality we reflect on and prepare for the many ways that Christ comes to His people. Yes, Christ came as a baby in manger over two thousand years ago but Christ continues to come to us today. Christ is always coming. Advent reminds us of the importance of preparing for the many ways in which Christ comes.

A young couple I know is expecting a baby. Ever since they found out they were expecting, they have been preparing a place for their child. They did not wait until a week or two before the child's arrival to get ready to receive their child; they have been getting ready for months.

As we begin this season of Advent, we may be already tired of Christmas decorations, sales, and Santa suits. But let's not let our attitude about those things stop us from getting our hearts and minds ready for the Savior. Read the Bible more faithfully. Pray more regularly. Form or find a small group that's determined to be intentional about making their lives ready for the many ways that Christ comes. As one of my favorite Christmas hymns puts it, "Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing."


You can sign up to receive these daily devotionals by email each morning by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email into the yellowish box.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Ephesians 5-6 and Psalm 119:1-80.