Author Archives: tricialathrop

Who Do You Say I Am?

Posted on May 22, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 35 of 49

Fill in this blank: Jesus ____________.

Did you fill it with a noun? Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus, My Redeemer, Jesus, the Messiah, Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Or with a verb: Jesus heals. Jesus delivers. Jesus saves. Jesus died and rose again.

The people who lived in Judea when Jesus walked physically on the earth wondered about his identity. Opinions ranged from the promised Messiah to Beelzebub. What an individual believed about him determined their response to him. 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

Mt 16:13–20.

It’s interesting that Jesus begins by asking them what others say about him. This occurs later in his ministry. The disciples walked with him for almost three years. They’ve witnessed multiple miracles of healing and deliverance. They’ve heard his words spoken with authority. They’ve seen how he ministered to the hurting with grace.

They’ve listened to the opinions of others.

Some say John the Baptist. John had a powerful ministry and would have been fresh in everyone’s mind. Herod believed Jesus was John the Baptist (Mt 14:2). 

Some said Elijah. Even today at a seder meal, a chair is saved for Elijah. 

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” 

Mal 4:5–6.

Others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. They believed he spoke with the authority of the prophets and a similar message of repentance. 

When Jesus asked what the disciples thought about his identity, Peter jumped in, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus then said that Peter received this revelation because God revealed it to him. Peter’s statement of faith did not keep him from faltering in his faith, acting foolishly, or denying Christ. However, God remained faithful to Peter, and his faith and confidence in Jesus Christ grew and developed over time.

Like Peter, we came to know Jesus Christ, not because of our actions, but because God gave us his grace. We are a work in progress, still learning and growing in our faith. We may falter in our faith, act foolishly, or deny Christ and depend on our own resources…but God is faithful and will continue to draw us back to his way.

As we reach out to others with the hope that is available in Christ, remember, it is God’s grace that will bring them to life. 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Eph 2:1–10.

Lord, thank you for your salvation that you gave through Jesus Christ. Help me to walk faithfully as you lead. Help me to be transparent when I fail. Thank you for not giving up on me.

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Parable of the Sower

Posted on May 21, 2022 by tricialathrop

This is one of the few parables that includes the explanation. But during Jesus’ ministry, only the disciples received the explanation. All others were left to consider what Jesus meant. Who was the sower? What was the seed? How did their lives match up with the three conditions given? Were they withering or thriving?

Today I’m not going to make any comments on the passage. Read it. Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear so that you can understand what the Lord is saying to you.

The Parable:

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 

4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 

5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 

6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 

7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 

8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

9 He who has ears, let him hear.” 

The Explanation:

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 

20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 

21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 

22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 

23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” 

Mt 13:3–9, 18-23.

Lord, open my eyes and my ears so that I can perceive the truths that are in your word.

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Hired Laborers

Posted on May 20, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 33 of 49

The Kingdom of God

Have you ever been in a situation where you worked so hard and then someone came late, didn’t work as hard but got the same credit? 

We have a sense of fairness in us that says, the one who works harder should get more pay than the one who doesn’t work as hard. So at first glance this parable of the hired workers can cause us to wonder about God’s fairness. 

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 

4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 

5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 

7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 

8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 

9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 

10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 

11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 

12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 

13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 

14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 

15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 

16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” 

Mt 20:1–17.

The characters: The master of the house who hires laborers, laborers hired in the morning to be paid a denarius for the day, laborers hired at 9 am, to be paid whatever is right, laborers hired at noon and 3 pm, to be paid whatever is right, and laborers hired at 5 pm.

A denarius was standard pay for a day of work. The first workers agreed to work for a denarius, a fair pay. Each group hired after that thought their pay would be a fraction of the denarius. But at the end of the day, they all get a day’s pay.

Owners of the vineyards and farmers needed more help at certain times of the year. Men needed jobs to provide the daily necessities for their family.

If a man could not find work, his family did not eat. The Law commanded that those who hired day workers paid them their wages each day and did not hold onto it. 

“You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. 

You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin. 

Dt 24:14–15.

The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 

 Le 19:13.

The first workers knew from early in the morning that their family would be provided for that day. Not only that, if the worker did a good job, it is likely that he would have a job throughout the crunch time, job security.

As the workers came on later in the day, they knew they were getting some provision for their families, they might have to sacrifice because it was not a full days pay, but there was hope for future employment. 

The final group spent the whole day worrying about their family. What would they do if they didn’t find work? 

At the end of the work day, the master paid his workers. He began with the ones hired at the last hour. Imagine their joy at receiving a denarius, all the worry of the day gone in an instant.

Those hired first watched each worker receiving a denarius and begin to expect that they would receive more, after all they worked all day, in the heat of the day. They complained about their pay, even though it was what they had agreed to. 

His reply let them know that he could do whatever he wanted to with his money, and he chose to be generous to those who came later. 

There is an implication that after they complained, they were not invited back to work the next day. He told them to “Take what is yours, and go.” 

The Jews knew from the time of Moses that they were God’s chosen people. They had his word, his promises and the stories of how God came through for them over and over. All their lives they had the opportunity to learn about God.

Gentiles did not have the same heritage. They did not have the promises, his word, or stories of God’s intervention in their lives. They were without hope (Eph 2:12). 

And yet, God chose to grant them forgiveness and repentance that leads to the same promise of eternal life he gave to the Jews…and they rejoiced greatly (Acts 11:18).

I became a Christian as a child. I grew up with the security that God loves me, that Jesus died for me and that I have a place for eternity. There were choices I made as a believer that freed me from regrets later in life. I am grateful for God’s early intervention in my life. 

Those who become Christian as adults didn’t have that same security. But they can have great joy because God has forgiven those decisions they made that caused great regrets.  

Lord, thank you for reaching out to me and assuring me of your love and care. Thank you for providing a means that I can hope in you for my future. Give me a heart to rejoice when you bless others. 

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Ten Virgins Wait for the Bridegroom

Posted on May 19, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 32 of 49

The Kingdom of God

Weddings today can be great extravaganzas. They take lots of planning, sometimes those involved get stressed out, and we’ve all heard the stories of bridezillas. 

Weddings bring friends and families together. It’s a time to celebrate the creation of a new family unit. Hopefully the day is filled with joy and laughter and not too much drama. 

First century Jewish wedding celebrations lasted a whole week. Community and family came together to rejoice with the couple.

The wedding began with the betrothal. The promises made at the betrothal could only be broken through divorce. After the ceremony, the groom returned home to his father’s house and prepared the a place for his bride. Only when the place was prepared and the father approved, would the groom go and bring the bride to his place for the wedding and celebration.

Families lived together in an insula. The mother and father lived in the main rooms. When a son married, he would build or fix up an extension to the insula where he and his wife would live. These rooms surrounded a central courtyard where life’s activities like cooking and cleaning, or getting together for songs and stories took place. 

While the groom worked on the home for his bride, wedding invitations went out. They didn’t have a specific date or time, because it totally depended on the house being prepared for the bride. The people in the community had a general idea when it would take place because of progress on the house and the preparations for the celebration. 

When the time came, servants would go out to the invited guests letting them know the party was starting. The groom would go and get the bride, who knew the time was near and so constantly watched and prepared for her groom. 

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 

2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 

3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 

4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 

5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 

6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 

7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 

10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 

11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 

12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 

Mt 25:1–13.

In this parable, we can assume the wedding feast is all set. The invited have been called to come. These virgins were invited guests, waiting for the bridegroom to come for his bride. I think the virgins were part of a group that accompanied the bride and groom from the bride’s house to the party at the groom’s place. The lamps may have been part of the celebration, drawing attention to the bride and groom.

It doesn’t say why he was delayed, just that he didn’t come when expected. All ten virgins fell asleep. Some virgins came prepared for a possible delay.

So the call came at midnight, “Come and greet the bridegroom”. Those who came with an extra supply of oil joined the party, while the others went to buy oil for their lamps…at midnight when a party was going on. By the time they arrived with their lighted lamps, it was too late. 

Commentaries debate the lamps and the oil. Did they symbolize faith, good works, the Holy Spirit? Any one of those can work in applying this parable to our lives. We need to have faith in the Lord, and our good works glorify the Lord, and we can’t do any of it without the Holy Spirit.

Does it symbolize those that have trusted in Jesus as their Savior, and those just going through the actions of believing? 

Perhaps this is just a simple warning to persevere in our faith and good works, because the Lord has delayed his coming. We don’t know when he will come, and we want to be found doing his will. 

Lord, you know that I am going to fall asleep and fail as I follow you. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit who will continually work in our lives and nudge us awake so that we can rejoice with you for all eternity.

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Growth of the Kingdom of God

Posted on May 18, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 31 of 49

When I was little, I swallowed a charm with a mustard seed in it. I remember it so I was old enough to know better. It was more of a pain for my mom than me.

When I studied the Word as a Christian, this memory came up as I learned about faith the size of a mustard seed. I think sometimes God uses our life experiences to secure some spiritual truths in our lives. Stories and our life experiences will often stick with us far longer than a lecture. 

In yesterday’s devotional, we looked at a treasure and a pearl. Jesus often used pairs to get his point across. Today, we will look at a grain of mustard seed and leaven.

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 

It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 

He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” 

Mt 13:31–33.

The mustard seed growing into a tree confused me. It doesn’t really grow into a tree, but it can get 5-6 feet tall, and is larger than all the other plants in a garden. 

I’ve always viewed these two parables as a picture of the growth in the Kingdom of God. But perhaps it is not just about the expanse of the Kingdom, but the small start.

The mustard seed was the tiniest seed known to man in the first century. It became the proverbial comparison for anything small. 

Jesus said that if we have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, nothing would be impossible for us. 

We see small, and we think insignificant. Jesus saw small and knew great things can happen.

For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” 

 Mt 17:20.

And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 

 Lk 17:6.

Jesus brought up another small thing, leaven. Leaven or yeast can cause bread or cakes to multiply in size. Just a little bit goes a long way. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Ga 5:9).

Usually, Jesus used leaven in a negative sense. “Beware the leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees” (Mt 16:6). 

But he compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a grain of mustard seed and leaven. Both begin small. Both take time to develop and grow. Both expand exponentially compared to the small beginning.

There is a saying, “Don’t despise small beginnings.” 

Don’t we all look for the big finish? 

The people in Jesus’ day looked for the grand Messiah to overthrow Rome and establish a permanent throne in Jerusalem where all the nations would come and bow to the chosen one. Big ending. And one day that will come to pass, but not yet.

Jesus chose twelve disciples from the hill country. He walked around proclaiming the Kingdom had come, healing and delivering the people…one by one. Small beginning. 

The disciples received the Holy Spirit and began to spread the message of hope. First day brought 3000 to belief…but after that, the ministry spread with healing and deliverance…one by one. 

Lord, help me not to rush to achieve the big and the flashy. Help me to be faithful in the small things that you have placed before me. Let me find joy in the process as you develop and grow your plan in my life. 

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The Value of the Kingdom of God

Posted on May 17, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 30 of 49

It is said that if you want to know what a person values, look at their calendar and checkbook. How we spend our time and money do reveal what we find important…what we truly treasure.

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

Lk 12:31–34.

Forrest Fenn created a treasure hunt, saying that he had buried a bronze chest filled with gold and gems somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Many people tried to find it, my daughter included. There is something fun about a treasure hunt. We think that finding a treasure or winning the lottery will solve all our problems. 

He reported it has been found in case you were going to look for it.

Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God in parables. He explained some to his disciples, but mostly he painted word pictures. He made it clear that we are to seek the Kingdom, not the stuff of this world. 

I love the phrase in Luke 12:32, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” He is not sending us on a wild goose chase, he wants us to find it.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 

Mt 13:44–46.

These two parables tell us the value of the Kingdom. 

Many people in the first century buried valuables on their land. Banks didn’t exist. If it stayed in the house, it could be stolen. If the person who buried it died and had not revealed where it was buried, a descendant could be unaware of his valuable asset.

Pearls and other gems served as currency in the first century. Dollar bills didn’t exist and coins were heavy to carry around. (I think the Templar’s developed the banking system that allowed a person to carry a note that could be exchanged for money.)

The first man stumbled on the treasure. The merchant searched for the pearl. It doesn’t matter how we come to know about the treasure, it’s what we do next.

Both men sold everything they had in order to buy it. 

How much do we value the Kingdom of God? Is it worth the time to study the Word and to pray each day? Can we take time to encourage someone who is struggling? Are we willing to give money, clothes or other items to the poor? 

Our core values determine how we speak and what we do. If we are focused on the temporal assets on earth, we miss out on the heavenly perspective. Every thing we have or don’t have will fade away. Our words and actions…those have eternal significance. 

Lord, thank you for reminding me that the things on earth have no lasting value. Help me to spend my time and money wisely, with my eyes on eternity.  

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:7–14.

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Kingdom of God

Posted on May 16, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 29 of 49

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 

29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 

31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 

33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. 

Mk 12:28–34.

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God/Heaven wherever he went. He sent his disciples on trips two by two to declare the Kingdom of God. We generally think of this in the future tense, when Jesus Christ returns in all his glory. However, Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God in the present tense. 

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

 Lk 11:20.

The Kingdom of God is one of love of God and love of one another, righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom 14:17). Isaiah 9:7 tells us that the kingdom is upheld by justice and with righteousness, and that there will be no end of peace.

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 

21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” 

Lk 17:20–21.

I like to watch Star Trek. One episode had Geordi and Ro out of phase with the crew of the Enterprise. They walked on the ship, they saw and heard the crew, but they could not be seen or heard without a special instrument. 

I see us that way with the Kingdom of Heaven. We are out of phase with the spiritual realm. It is all around us, it affects us, but we cannot sense it with our physical senses. 

Daniel and Elisha spoke of this disconnection. Isaiah and Ezekiel explained visions of heavenly places. Even John on Patmos had an out of this world experience. 

Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 

13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 

Da 10:12–13.

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

2 Ki 6:17.

Why is it important for us to have an awareness of God’s kingdom? Jesus declared it to the people in his day. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for his kingdom to come and for his will to be done. One day we will see it in all its glory, but today, we can behave as citizens of that city. We can declare it to the world by our words and actions. 

Over the next few days, we will look at the parables about the Kingdom.

Lord, open our eyes to see the truths about your kingdom. Guide us as we present to this world the eternal hope that we have because of who you are and what you have done.

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A Story of the Prodigal Son…or is it?

Posted on May 15, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 28 of 49

We often look at parables through 21st century eyes. And while we do get some understanding while doing it that way, there is a lot we miss when we take out the first century perspective. 

A good book to read is “Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller” by Gary M. Burge.

Before this parable in Luke, the Pharisees and scribes grumbled about how Jesus hung around with sinners. Jesus then tells the story of the one sheep that was lost and the shepherd left the 99 to look for it, followed by the story of the lost coin of a set of ten, the woman cleaned until she found it. And then, this parable.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 

 12  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 

 13  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 

 14  And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 

 15  So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 

 16  And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.  17  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 

 18  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 

 19  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 

 20  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 

 21  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 

 22  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 

 23  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 

 24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.  25  “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 

 26  And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 

 27  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 

 28  But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 

 29  but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 

 30  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 

 31  And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 

 32  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”  

Luke 15:11–32

The younger son asks for his share of the inheritance. The older son received a double portion when the father died, because he would be responsible to keep the land in the family and take care of all who were there. 

We see the sons request as rude and entitled. However, in the first century, only a degenerate son would ask. it was a way of saying, “I wish you were dead”. It brought great shame on the father.

The father took the shame, and gave the son his portion which he promptly went off and squandered. He ended up very far from his roots, not only in physical distance, but in attitude. When things got very bad, he hired himself out and took care of pigs, an unclean animal in the Jewish dietary laws. 

And it says that when he came to himself, he decided to return home, not as a son, but as a servant. He knew the kind of man his father was, and that he would do that much for him, he could not expect more.

In the first century, this son would have been one of the worst offenders of the Law. His work with the pigs would make him totally unclean, practically unredeemable in the eyes of the Pharisees.

He headed home, and while he was still coming, his father ran to him. We say today, how much the father loved the son, he saw him afar off and ran to him. 

It goes deeper than that. When the father headed for the son, he brought shame on himself. Honor demanded that he wait for the son to come all the way to him. Also, he ran to the son, a man with honor always walked. Once again, the father took the shame on himself.

The father restored this son to a son’s status. He had no more inheritance, but was restored to being a son. Like the story of the sheep and the coin, we see God’s heart to restore those who are lost in sin to fellowship within his family.

But Jesus did not end there, he told of the older son.

The older son did not look for his brother to return, so he did not see him when he came. When he found out about the party for the younger son, he refused to enter. He brought disgrace on his father by the refusal. 

Again, not waiting for the older son to come to him, he went out to his son, he took the shame upon himself. 

The son complained about the father’s disservice to him…faithful service and no party with his friends. 

The Pharisees knew he was talking to them. For the Pharisee, it was difficult enough to keep the actual Law, let alone all the oral traditions that had been added to it.

Once at a relative’s bar mitzvah, one of the aunt’s said that when she came back in another life, she wanted to follow a different religion because the Jews had too many laws. 

The father assured him of his position as his son and recipient of the inheritance. 

And then a challenge to the son, your brother was dead, and has returned. Come and rejoice with me.

We don’t know whether the older brother entered the party or not.

Like the younger son, the older son shamed his father. The father came out to both of them, bringing shame upon himself. The Pharisees needed forgiveness just as much as the sinners in the land.

This story is about the lengths the father would go for his sons. He did not shy away from walking in shame in order to restore his sons to a good relationship with him. 

Jesus took on our shame at the cross. By doing so, he opened the door for us to have relationship with God. And he rejoices at our salvation. 

Lord, thank you for reaching out to me when I was lost in sin, unaware that I even needed you. Thank you for taking on my shame, help me to honor you in my words and actions. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

 2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:1–2

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Isolation

Posted on May 14, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 27 of 49

Isolation

Leviticus 13 explains the rules for leprosy. Today, when we hear leprosy, we think of the skin eating disease. However, according to the descriptions given, measles, chicken pox, small pox, all diseases of the skin were a leprosy. 

The passage contains instructions on dealing with a leprosy. A person would go into isolation for seven days, then be inspected by the priest. If it had not improved, another seven days, then another inspection. 

While the person was unclean, they had to wear torn clothes, let their hair hang loose, cover their upper lip and cry out to all, “Unclean, unclean”. Whoever had the disease had to live outside the community alone. 

Once declared clean by the priests, they washed their clothes and were able to return to the community. 

We are still dealing with Covid. Two years ago, isolation and separation became the normal way of life. Many people died alone, or with a considerate nurse in attendance, the disease so contagious that it threatened all who came in contact with it. 

We all covered our upper lip and stayed six feet away from others. A cough was the same as saying “unclean” and brought a barrage of dirty looks. A diagnosis of Covid meant ten days of isolation. 

We discovered that people do not do well in isolation. Even though we have great technology that allow us to keep in touch, it does not replace the person to person contact that we need for survival.

I wanted to add to yesterday’s devotional. The nurses, doctors, EMTs, and police deserve many thanks for the times they entered into the fearful situations of Covid, sat by the side of the lonely and fought for the health of those who were sick, at times separating themselves from their own families to help other families. 

And with them, we can thank the teachers, grocery store and department store stockers and clerks, truck drivers, and restaurant employees, who weathered the risk mostly for minimum wage jobs, so that we could continue to have what we needed while in shutdown.

So lepers in the first century dealt with loneliness fueled by hostile separation from those who feared the disease. And all this was added on top of a debilitating disease, a miserable existence. Leprosy not only affects the skin, but  also affects all relationships, mental health, and one’s moral.

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 

 3  And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 

 4  And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 

Matthew 8:2–4

The man said to Jesus, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean”. Jesus reached out his hand and touched him…touched him…and made him clean. 

And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 

 13  and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 

 14  When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 

 15  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 

 16  and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 

 17  Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 

 18  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

 19  And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” 

Luke 17:12–19

Ten lepers asked for mercy and received healing, only one came back in gratitude. 

As the disciples missionary journeys two by two, one of their commands was to heal the lepers (Matt 10:8). God desires restoration. 

As we look at the people around us, are we aware of those suffering effects from their experience with Covid? It could be a lost loved one, and the sorrow of not being able to say good bye. It could be a fear of infection that continues, and they remain in isolation. It could be a pulling back from any social contact, they got comfortable doing church in their pajamas. 

Isolation is not good for any of us. God does not want us to be alone.

Lord, give me the eyes to see those who are hurting in isolation. Give me courage to reach out, again and again, if necessary. 

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Price of Eternal Life

Posted on May 13, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 26 of 49

A rich young ruler approached Christ with a question about eternal life. He wanted to know what good deed would guarantee him entrance into the Kingdom of God. Mark actually adds the word one, “what one good deed can I do”. 

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 

 17  And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 

 18  He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 

 19  Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

 20  The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 

 21  Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 

 22  When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  23  And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 

 24  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 

Matthew 19:16–24

Some people think that our good deeds will be weighed against our bad deeds, and if the good deeds weigh more, we get into heaven. In reality, our good deeds on our own are just dirty rags. Our works will be measured against the holiness of God, the only way to heaven is accepting Jesus Christ to stand in our place. 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 

 2  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 

1 John 2:1–2

I find it interesting that this man was seeking the one thing that could open the door of heaven. When Jesus told him to keep the Law, he asked which ones he had to keep. 

This may have been common thinking in the first century…and today. A person obviously cannot keep the entire law, therefore I should concentrate on the important ones.

He probably breathed a sigh of relief when Jesus stated the ones that could be measured…I don’t think he heard Jesus’ sermon on these particular commands. He said, “All these I’ve kept.” 

Jesus did not contradict him and expose his failures to keep the Law. In Luke, it says that Jesus had compassion on him. 

So then Jesus told him the one thing he had to do, give all that he owned to the poor. And added a second, follow Jesus.

The man left, deflated, his riches were more important than eternal life.

Is there something you are holding that keeps you from total commitment to Christ? Money? A habit? A person? I’m going to have to do some reflection on this.

Reading suggestion: “My Heart Christ’s Home” by Robert Boyd Munger.

And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 

 29  And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 

 30  who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” 

Luke 18:28–30

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