Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 6
NT: Luke 7:11-35
Ps: Psalm 68:19-35
Pr: Proverbs 11:29-31
Today´s notable verse:
But wisdom is proved right by all her children.
Luke 7:35 (NIV)
This saying struck me. I'm not as familiar with Luke as I am with other gospels: John, and of the synoptic gospels, Matthew. I am very much enjoying reading the gospel story from Luke's perspective, and I don't remember Matthew mentioning Jesus saying what we read here. I think the meaning is similar to the principle of knowing the true identity of something according to the fruit it bears. Likewise, wisdom proves itself by the outcome or results of its application. The way the text is punctuated, Jesus is quoting something or someone here, but I see no footnote references to the source. I wonder what he's quoting?
The One Year Bible Blog asks:
Wow.... Verse 35 in Luke chapter 7 is such a profound teaching of Jesus' for each of us to consider- "But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it." Take a few moments to really meditate on this verse and what it means. For me this verse is a reminder that sometimes in life we have to move forward in faith on something "wise" we've heard, but maybe not experienced - and then later see that the wisdom is true. ...I'd just say that if there is a struggle in your life that God is calling you to leave behind or move forward on - go for it! If you know you should be doing or not doing something - go with that wisdom you know and then it will "shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it." Please follow it!
First, I like this take on the saying: the idea that wisdom has "children", and that we are those children. Also, he points out that wisdom is something we can prove to ourselves by "trial and error" - we can put the wisdom to the test, so to speak, by applying it to our lives. (Though, I think we need to do so believing that the wisdom is true - see James 1:5-8.)
I know it's not part of today's reading, but something from church this weekend brings me back to a passage we studied earlier this week:
27 But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
During service this weekend, the pastor took us through an exercise at the conclusion of worship, during which we intentionally prayed for our enemies. While I was doing so, God brought to my memory another passage, and an understanding that so struck me that I am compelled to share it here:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
God so very clearly reminded me that those who mistreat us or persecute us are not our enemy. Our struggle is not against them; our struggle is against our true enemy: the evil one and his forces of evil working in the lives of those we would consider our "enemies". Rather than see such people with bitterness and unforgiveness, it is my prayer that we see them with the eyes of Christ:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36 (NIV)
Not our enemies, but harassed and helpless sheep, in need of a shepherd - The Shepherd. As we pray for them, we begin to see them with the eyes of Christ: with compassion. In so doing, we begin to see them not from a perspective of deserving vengance, but rather we see the tragedy of their separation from Christ. it is only then that we resemble and exemplify Christ, and it is only then that God is able to use us to reach them.