Reading: Luke 7:1-17

What do those two have to do with each other? Probably nothing in this passage, except that they are featured in this passage, and caught my attention.

“Sick, and ready to die” (2).

“A dead man carried out” (12).

In both cases, the answer was Jesus.

The same is true for me. Whether I’m feeling fine or whether I’m feeling terribly sick, Jesus. Whether my dreams and hopes and plans are alive and vibrant or whether they are almost dead (or completely dead), Jesus. Whether I’m not hurt or hurt a little or hurt beyond repair, Jesus.

“He was worthy” (4).

“I am not worthy” (6).

“Neither thought I myself worthy” (7).

I don’t have to be worthy before Jesus will help me. I like that assurance!

However, I should not think too highly of myself. Or as an Old Testament passage records it . . . .

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).

Thus, in today’s reading I see hope, healing, and humility. I need all three.

from Luke 7:11

A little bit more from Luke 7: He Saw. And More.

Reading: Luke 6:37-49

Walking down our long, dropping driveway, I can pick blackberries, several kinds of apples, two kinds of cherries, and two kinds of plums.

Each from their own plant. Always. Predictably. Consistently. Dependably. Unchangingly.

Because way back at the Creation, God declared it so.

Then Jesus declared:

“For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes” (44).

What kind of fruit do people gather from the tree that is Mark Roth?

What do they gather from your life?

Well, there’s lots of good fruit I would like to produce for the Harvester as well as the harvesters and gleaners.

These days, though, I’m particularly interested in having a friendly face.

I think that’s a fruit that lots of people miss. And want. And would benefit by.

What say you?

from Luke 6:48

A little bit more from Luke 6: Measured to You Again