Monday
Luke 9:12-17
12 The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did so and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
- When have you felt like what Jesus was asking you to do was too much for what you had to offer?
- How did Jesus provide for you and those you served?
- What has Jesus blessed and broken in your life in order for his kingdom to expand to others?
Jesus, thank you for meeting us where we are at, even if it is at the end of our rope. Thank you that you don’t leave us there but give us the provision we need to be faithful to what you have called us to do. Help us to receive from you what you have provided for us. Amen.
Tuesday
Luke 9:18-20
18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.
- Who do you hear those around you say Jesus is?
- Who do you say Jesus is?
- How does your belief in who Jesus is shape who you are and how you live in your context?
Jesus, as we walk with you, we continually learn what is means to follow the Savior of the world. Thank you that we are the recipients of your saving grace and agents of your grace in our context. Help us to stay connected to you and to who you are that we might continue to shine your light to our world around us. Amen.
Wednesday
Luke 9:20-22
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” 21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
One would think that this is the good news to be proclaimed to all. But Jesus ordered them to be silent about who he was. And then he added that this Messiah, the one they had been waiting for to overcome their oppression, was actually going to suffer, be rejected and killed, only to be raised up.
- What surprises you about Jesus’ command not to tell anyone?
- How does it feel to follow one who would be rejected and even killed by the leaders of the church at that time?
- How have you experienced suffering, death, and resurrection in your daily following after Jesus?
Jesus, thank you for knowing what is best. Help us to stay close enough to you that we hear your voice and follow you above the other voices around us. Give us the courage to stay close to you. Amen.
Thursday
Luke 9:23-27
23 Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.
- What feelings are stirred as you read this invitation to discipleship?
- Are there ways that you are forfeiting yourself and what Jesus has for you for the sake of something that doesn’t matter?
- What do you hear Jesus saying to you in the midst of this?
Jesus, thank you for your desire that we follow wholeheartedly after you. You know how easily we become distracted by the world around us, even good things, and lose the focus of our relationship with you. Thank you for meeting us where we are and we ask that you renew our desire to follow you each day. Amen.
Friday
Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
- Have you had experiences with Jesus that are too profound for words?
- Can you think of a time where you didn’t want the experience to end?
- Are there other voices in your life that might be keeping you from hearing the voice of Jesus?
Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting us in deep and profound places. Help us to carry your voice with us into our daily lives so that we hear your words of loving guidance over the noise of the world around us. Amen.