All our ultimate intimacies will be with God.

June 9, 2013 - Luke 20:27-47

    ^27-33 Some Sadducees came up. This is the Jewish party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked, “Teacher, Moses wrote us that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to take the widow to wife and get her with child. Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless. The second married her and died, then the third, and eventually all seven had their turn, but no child. After all that, the wife died. That wife, now—in the resurrection whose wife is she? All seven married her.”

   ^34-38 Jesus said, “Marriage is a major preoccupation here, but not there. Those who are included in the resurrection of the dead will no longer be concerned with marriage nor, of course, with death. They will have better things to think about, if you can believe it. All ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. Even Moses exclaimed about resurrection at the burning bush, saying, ‘God: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob!’ God isn’t the God of dead men, but of the living. To him all are alive.”

   ^39-40 Some of the religion scholars said, “Teacher, that’s a great answer!” For a while, anyway, no one dared put questions to him.

   ^41-44 Then he put a question to them: “How is it that they say that the Messiah is David’s son? In the Book of Psalms, David clearly says,

   God said to my Master,
“Sit here at my right hand
   until I put your enemies under your feet.”

   “David here designates the Messiah as ‘my Master’—so how can the Messiah also be his ‘son’?”

   ^45-47 With everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.”

Jesus answered his opponents that God is the living God and the God of the living forever. After our resurrection, all our intimacies will be with God. It doesn't imply that we only have intimate relationship with God but not with others even including our present family members or spouses. Jesus indicates that after resurrection believers are elevated to a new transformed relationship with God and other believers that transcend our present physical relationship with other people, like our parents, siblings, spouses, children, etc. It does not imply a weakening relationship but rather a new intimacy and relationship that surpass any of our present bodily relationships with other people.

My dear friend Jesus, I must admit that resurrection is always a mystery to me that I can never fully grasp the meaning but only receive it with faith and gratitude. Jesus asserts this new intimate relationship with God and with other believers after our bodily resurrection, and that it also becomes the ultimate and glorious hope of our life. We will be with our beloved Father and Son through the Holy Spirit forever. 

Give Jesus what is Jesus'.

June 8, 2013 - Luke 20:20-26

    ^20-22 Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you’re honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don’t pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

   ^23-24 He knew they were laying for him and said, “Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?”

   ²⁵ “Caesar,” they said.

   Jesus said, “Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his.”

   ²⁶ Try as they might, they couldn’t trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.

Give Caesar what is Caesar's and give God what is God's. Jesus is the Son of God but he still respected the government instituted by God on earth in this age. He builds up the everlasting Kingdom that is not founded on fleshly weapons but by the spiritual weapons of the Spirit. He is the King of the Kingdom whose people are regenerated by the power of the Spirit through the preaching of the gospel. We disciples live in this age, ruled by the earthly Caesar, submit to the laws of this world, but the essential of our life is to be absolutely loyal and faithful to our Master Jesus who is the King of the coming Kingdom of God. Our everlasting status comes from God's Kingdom, our ultimate loyalty must be to Jesus, our weapons to fight against the enemy and bring people into this Kingdom also come from the power of the Holy Spirit, and the destiny of our life is to fulfill God's plan and not our self-ego. 

My Master Jesus, I surrender my life to You and I offer all you have given to me back to you. I give Jesus what is Jesus'. May I satisfy in your presence and love as I walk and work with you today and for the times to come.

Cultivate our vineyards and offer fruits to our Master Jesus.

June 7, 2013 - Luke 20:9-19

    ^9-12 Jesus told another story to the people: “A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone a long time. In time he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed. He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black-and-blue, and sent him off empty-handed. He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street.

   ¹³ “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘I know what I’ll do: I’ll send my beloved son. They’re bound to respect my son.’

   ^14-15 “But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. ‘This is our chance—this is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all to ourselves.’ They killed him and threw him over the fence.

   ^15-16 “What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He’ll come and clean house. Then he’ll assign the care of the vineyard to others.”

   Those who were listening said, “Oh, no! He’d never do that!”

   ^17-18 But Jesus didn’t back down. “Why, then, do you think this was written:

   That stone the masons threw out—
It’s now the cornerstone!?

   “Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, it will be a total smashup.”

   ¹⁹ The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.

Jesus expects to receive harvest of the vineyard that he planted from his people. He sent his prophets to proclaim his words to his people but unfortunately people's hardened hearts responded with ignorance, rejection, or even hatred of prophets and God Himself. Jesus becomes the ultimate revelation of God to his people - His word, judgment, and evaluation of our life will also be final. 

My Master and dear friend Jesus, hold me close to your love first that I know that all I have, the vineyard, opportunities, resources, and even my breadth, all come from you. Give me gratitude and passion to respond with your gifts and things that you entrust to me. Energize me by your presence and love of your Spirit that I can live out fully the life that you give me today and the days to come. 

Our approval only comes from God.

June 6, 2013 - Luke 20:1-8

  ^1 1-2 One day he was teaching the people in the Temple, proclaiming the Message. The high priests, religion scholars, and leaders confronted him and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?”

   ^3-4 Jesus answered, “First, let me ask you a question: About the baptism of John—who authorized it, heaven or humans?”

   ^5-7 They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe him; if we say ‘humans,’ the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God’s prophet.” They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn’t know.

   ⁸ Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.”

Jesus, being the Son of God, was also confronted by people about his authorization or credentials to speak and act for God's kingdom. But Jesus never receded because of people's opposition. He stood firm before the opponents and kept himself in following God.

My Master Jesus, You set yourself as an example for me to follow in serving God's kingdom. The key essence of discipleship is to strictly follow your will through carefully listening to your words and absolute surrender of my will in order to follow your will. Fear of people's disapproval, of making mistakes, of taking risks, of losing my control or other comfort, are the key reason for people not following your will. My dear friend Jesus, show me the Father's love that fully embraces me as I closely follow you by listening to the gentle voice of the Spirit that in Your love and Father's love all my fear are gone and your will can be done in me. I desire to see my life's being transformed and never be the same. I desire to see people that I serve be totally transformed as I follow your will and manifest your Kingdom's ministry by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pray for our city.

June 5, 2013 - Luke 19:41-48

^41-44 When the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you! But now it’s too late. In the days ahead your enemies are going to bring up their heavy artillery and surround you, pressing in from every side. They’ll smash you and your babies on the pavement. Not one stone will be left intact. All this because you didn’t recognize and welcome God’s personal visit.”

   ^45-46 Going into the Temple he began to throw out everyone who had set up shop, selling everything and anything. He said, “It’s written in Scripture,

   My house is a house of prayer;
You have turned it into a religious bazaar.”

   ^47-48 From then on he taught each day in the Temple. The high priests, religion scholars, and the leaders of the people were trying their best to find a way to get rid of him. But with the people hanging on every word he spoke, they couldn’t come up with anything.

Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem as he foresaw the destruction of the city because of its rejection of the personal visit of Jesus. Jesus particularly saw how the temple had become a religious  bazaar or den of robbers instead of a holy place of prayer, real confessions, and intercession for people. Jesus intends his church to be a place of seeking for revival and real transformation of sinners. 

My Master Jesus, help me see what you see, hear what you hear, and feel what you feel as I walk within this city. I ask that Jesus You raise up an army of prayer warriors that we can faithfully pray for people's transformation and healing. People need Jesus. Continue to speak to me that I hear what you say and follow what you are going to lead me. 

Our Master Jesus chooses us to be his colt.

June 4, 2013 - Luke 19:28-40

    ^28-31 After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘His Master needs him.’”

   ^32-33 The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “What are you doing untying the colt?”

   ³⁴ They said, “His Master needs him.”

   ^35-36 They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.

   ^37-38 Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

   Blessed is he who comes,
   the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
   Glory in the high places!

   ³⁹ Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”

   ⁴⁰ But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

Jesus chose a colt which had never been ridden by anyone before to carry him into Jerusalem. Jesus knew and selected his disciples and even the colt for fulfilling his ministry on earth. Jesus affirmed that, "His Master needs him" though this colt was unnoticed by people. The time is in Jesus' hand. The plan is in Jesus' mind. The sovereignty belongs to Jesus who knows us, chooses us, shapes us, and leading us to fulfill his ministry on earth. The colt simply submitted to Jesus, allowing him to be ridden by Jesus, led by Jesus to enter into Jerusalem, fulfilling a ministry of glory but also a ministry of suffering to achieve God's salvation for humankind. 

My Master Jesus, I know that You need me not because of I am able and more intelligent or gifted than the others but of your knowing and good intention in my life. I may be like the colt who had never been ridden by anyone, and have to learn how to be mastered by you, to be under your control, be led by you to enter into your glory but also suffering ministry for God. Your ministry becomes my ministry. Your direction becomes my direction. My dear friend Jesus, may I satisfy in your presence in my life no matter where You are going to lead me. Amen.

   

Hear Jesus' voice and be a good and faithful steward.

June 3, 2013 - Luke 19:11-27

    ¹¹ While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:

   ^12-13 “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’

   ¹⁴ “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’

   ¹⁵ “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.

   ¹⁶ “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’

   ¹⁷ “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been trustworthy in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’

   ¹⁸ “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’

   ¹⁹ “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’

   ^20-21 “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’

   ^22-23 “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—and you’ve acted the fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?’

   ²⁴ “Then he said to those standing there, ‘Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’

   ²⁵ “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’

   ²⁶ “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.

   ²⁷ “‘As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don’t want to see their faces around here again.’”

Jesus used this parable to warn the Israelites who opposed Jesus being the Messiah. Israelites received the revelation and promise of God but they had failed to be the light to the Gentiles and now even rejected Jesus to be the Messiah. Nevertheless, this parable also speaks to each disciple of Jesus as we also need to be accountable to Jesus who will return and judge His people. We disciples are called to be the steward of God, similar to Israel who were called to be the steward of God's revelation, having the responsibility to be the light to the Gentiles. We are expected by Jesus to be faithful and good servants, utilizing our gifts and resources in a faithful way and with a heart of gratitude, for advancing God's kingdom.

My dear friend Jesus, thanks for giving me grace, gifts and opportunities for serving You. In the meantime, you also give me the freedom to utilize my gifts. You do want me to advance Your kingdom in the response of your love, not out of the fear for judgment and other self-ambitions. The one who is fearful in serving will never comprehend God and His kingdom. Grant me faith and with a grateful heart in responding to You as I wait before your leading in the church and my future days of my life. Show me your way and your presence with me as I start a new morning to experience your love and kindness in my life.