Day 106 Bible Reading - Luke 17: 32-33 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 26-27, Deuteronomy 28: 1-14, Luke 17: 11-37, Psalm 59: 13-17

Luke 17: 32-33 (ESV)

“Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.”

Verses 32 through 33 from Luke 17 are about Jesus telling his disciples to not be like Lot’s wife when the world ends. I’ve always felt bad for Lot’s wife. Whether out of morbid curiosity or because she so regretted leaving her home, she looked back when the angel told her not to and was turned into a pillar of stone. I think there is that regret in anyone when they are forced to give up their way of life. You look back with longing and regret at what you lost, and these feelings prevent you from moving on from your old life and being happy about your new life. Having these feelings of regret can become a literal or metaphorical death. Looking back at your old life while running from it can be dangerous in terms of slowing you down or making you unaware of your dangerous physical surroundings. But looking back can also represent a metaphorical death because the loss of familiar surroundings means you can feel like you are losing a part of your identity. That loss will feel like death. Christ is saying if you can willing give up your old life, you will be better off in the long run because you will be able to make a smoother transition into your new life. But like anything Jesus says, giving anything up takes great faith. Faith that Christ is leading you to a better life. Faith that tells you God will provide and take care of you in your new life. Lot’s wife didn’t have this kind of faith, and she paid a price for it. Christ tells us we must total faith in him when he comes back to the world, and that our faith will be rewarded in the end.

Day 105 Bible Reading - Luke 17: 10 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 23-25, Luke 16: 19-31, Luke 17: 1-10, Psalm 59: 1-12

Luke 17: 10 (ESV)

“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

I was listening to a bible commentary on verse 10 from Luke 17 which said that we will never be able to put God in debt to us because anything we do for him is such a small repayment for his work in our life. The pastor said even if one were to give up their life, it would still not be payment enough for everything God has done for us. If we were to truly realize how much God has done for us, we would want to serve him out of gratitude. In fact, we would see it as a privilege of being allowed to serve God.

To be honest, I had never thought of my service to God in this way. I am one of those people who constantly complain about how much God wants me to do, and I’m just talking about the laws. I feel like Holy Spirit has been encouraging me to eat kosher style because of my food allergies. I had no idea how hard it was to stop eating dairy and meat products together until I started doing it. I am still bemoaning the loss of eating a “normal” pizza, because according to Kosher dietary rules I can now only eat cheese or vegetarian pizza. But since my food allergy reactions have subsided, I know that eating Kosher style is probably a good way of eating for me and Holy Spirit was right as usual. There is that part of me that is still very independent and resentful of having to follow God’s laws, even if they are good for me. But perhaps the pastor is right. If I think about all the miracles God has performed in my life, I know that I would never be able to repay him for his mercy and generosity through my obedience and service to him.

Day 104 Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 21: 22-23 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 21 & 22, Luke 16: 1-18, Psalm 59: 1-8

Deuteronomy 21: 22-23 (ESV)

“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.”

Verses 22 and 23 from Deuteronomy 21 remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us when he died on the cross. According to David Guzik, there was nothing worse for the ancient Hebrews than being put to death and have the corpse left exposed on a tree to shame, humiliation, and scavenging animals. This type of punishment was reserved only for those who are “accursed of God.” Christ took the place of the one who is “accursed by God” when he was hung on a tree (the cross) and exposed to shame and humiliation for all to witness. We as sinners deserved this kind of punishment, but Jesus took our place so we could receive the blessings of Abraham. I love how everything Christ did could be referenced back to the Old Testament. When I read this verse, I also thought of Judas who hung himself on a tree. Judas knew what was considered the worse punishment for his people, and we must give him some props for killing himself according to Mosaic law so he would become “accursed of God.”

Day 103 Bible Reading - Luke 15: 24 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 19 and 20, Luke 15, Psalm 57: 7-11

Luke 15: 24 (ESV)

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

Verse 24 from Luke 15 is the parable of the prodigal son and tells us how happy the father was when his son returned.  We are reminded in this parable how happy Christ is when we return to him and are repentant. God loves us so much that he gave us free will to do what we want, and that includes letting us make decisions that sometimes aren’t for our own good. When we realize the error of our ways and ask God for his forgiveness, he rejoices that we have learned the error of our ways and takes us back with joy and in celebration. I have often felt like the prodigal child in my relationship with God. I left him and learned my lessons and came back to God several times. Each time Christ was always joyful that I returned and welcomed me back with open arms. What other God would do this for his followers? Only Christ would love us so much to take us back when we leave him.