Thursday, March 30, 2023

During Jesus’ time on earth, it was a well-accepted truth that not everyone was equal. Among the least desirable citizens were women, children, the poor, tax collectors, the unclean/sick, and racial enemies. Jesus definitely shook things up.

The parables found in Luke 18 offer a glimpse of how Jesus lovingly associated with, and often made heroes of, those on the fringes of society. They are filled with powerful lessons that encourage us to live an uncommon life.

• Pray unceasingly like the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) for God who loves you, hears your prayers, and promises to answer. “So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7b).

• Be humble. Be truly repentant of your sins like the tax collector, and resist being prideful like the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14). “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14b).

• Always be like children—innocent, eager, and full of love and grace (Luke 18:15-17). Believe you can be saved by his grace and sacrifice on your behalf, and proclaim it with enthusiasm to those around you, regardless of the resistance you receive. “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (Luke 18:17).

• Worship the Giver, not the gifts. Don’t make an idol of your money and possessions like The Rich Man (Luke 18:18-30). 

• Have faith like the Blind Beggar (Luke 18:35-43). Unwavering faith provides peace during times of trouble. 

We serve an all-powerful God who loved these outcasts and unlikely heroes so much that he sent his Son to earth to die a criminal's death for them. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, paid the price we owed for rejecting God. But when he rose from his death three days later, he proved that sin could be removed and paved the way for us to spend eternity with God.

Regardless of how others see you (or how you see yourself), God forgives you and loves you just as you are. As you work to grow your faith and live out the lessons from Jesus’ parables in Luke 18, consider that you may also be an unlikely hero. 

Be encouraged! You have been created on purpose for a purpose. God has a plan for you and wants you to discover and use your gifts to make a difference in this world. So when you go to the Lord as a guileless, trusting child, you can receive the only gift that will change your eternity.

Questions:
Which parable in Luke 18 stands out to you? What did you learn from it?

What is one way you can live it out?

Do you believe God wants to use you to expand his kingdom? 

Next Steps:
Put Jesus at the center of every day. Plan to read God’s Word every day for 10 minutes or read the LivingItOut Devotional daily. 

Attend GrowthTrack. You will discover your God-given gifts and learn practical ways to use them.

Learn about and decide if now is the time for you to get baptized.

Get and stay involved! Join a Group and/or serve on a DreamTeam to begin making new friends who can encourage you on this adventure with Jesus. 

Prayer:
Lord, thank you so much for saving me from my sinful nature and loving me so much that you provided the only way for me to live in fellowship with you … not only all the days of my life here on earth but for eternity. What a loving Father you are! Please give me the courage and ability to serve you by serving others every day in your strength, NOT my own. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.