Let’s set our hearts on H.E.A.R. (ing) from the Lord as we prayerfully read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 5.
Write your responses to your H.E.A.R. prompts and discuss with a near one or group. Look for opportunities ‘to do the book’ in your daily traffic patterns.
The B.L.E.S.S strategy is one we learn and observe from Jesus.
B. – begin with prayer
L. – listen with care
E. – Eat with your neighbor (This will be our focus this week; reading Luke’s Gospel of how Jesus used eating as an opportunity to minister and teach.)
S. – Serve with love.
S. – Share the story of the Gospel.
Let’s FOCUS ON Vs. 27 – 32 – With whom did Jesus eat?
In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were pretty much hated by the people. These were Jews who were taking advantage by collecting Rome’s taxes plus a surcharge to line their own pocket. To many, they were considered “outsiders” and just as much enemies as the Romans. Jesus eating a meal with a tax collector would be like you having dinner with a loan shark. How would your friends and family react to that?
We know that Jesus wasn’t just responding to an invitation; he sought Levi out and had a purpose in mind: “Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him.” Jesus wanted this man — this enemy of the people — to be saved. Each of us, before we came to Christ, were God’s enemies (Romans 5:10). But God loved us so much that he not only wanted to make us friends, but he also wanted to make us family (Ephesians 1:5).
THINK ABOUT IT...
- H. – highlight – i.e. Prayerfully take time to highlight or underline the words or phrases that stick out most to you.
- E. – explain - Thoughtfully write out in your own words what you understand and why it’s significant.
- A. – apply – i.e. – consider ways this passage connects to your life.
- R. – respond – i.e. – prayerful response with your heart to the Word for transformation.
Write your responses to your H.E.A.R. prompts and discuss with a near one or group. Look for opportunities ‘to do the book’ in your daily traffic patterns.
The B.L.E.S.S strategy is one we learn and observe from Jesus.
B. – begin with prayer
L. – listen with care
E. – Eat with your neighbor (This will be our focus this week; reading Luke’s Gospel of how Jesus used eating as an opportunity to minister and teach.)
S. – Serve with love.
S. – Share the story of the Gospel.
Let’s FOCUS ON Vs. 27 – 32 – With whom did Jesus eat?
In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were pretty much hated by the people. These were Jews who were taking advantage by collecting Rome’s taxes plus a surcharge to line their own pocket. To many, they were considered “outsiders” and just as much enemies as the Romans. Jesus eating a meal with a tax collector would be like you having dinner with a loan shark. How would your friends and family react to that?
We know that Jesus wasn’t just responding to an invitation; he sought Levi out and had a purpose in mind: “Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him.” Jesus wanted this man — this enemy of the people — to be saved. Each of us, before we came to Christ, were God’s enemies (Romans 5:10). But God loved us so much that he not only wanted to make us friends, but he also wanted to make us family (Ephesians 1:5).
THINK ABOUT IT...
- Do you know any “enemies” who need Jesus?
- Be like Jesus and invite a neighbor who is different than you to your home for a meal.