Who saw the resurrection first?

The first to learn of our Lord's resurrection were not the disciples or the religious leaders. It was the faithful women who were willing to tend the 3 day dead body of Jesus (Luke 24:1-12). While the greatest miracle ever performed was unfolding, Jesus included those of the lowest social order and gave them a significant place in the eternal story. How are you including others in the greatest story?

The problem with the cheering section

 

While entering Jerusalem, a crowd of excited followers cheered Jesus. The religious leaders were terrified that the occupying Roman army would overhear the crowd calling Jesus "king" and then kill everyone in the assembly (Lk 19). Jesus asserted that the crowd had to proclaim this, even though their proclamation would certainly result in Jesus' death. What stops you from praising Jesus with your words and life?

Who would you exclude?

Jesus was famous for accepting the least desirable people into his teaching sessions. This often irritated the religious scholars and those who sought to live pious lives (Luke 15). Jesus made it clear that God loves everyone, especially those who are disenfranchised. In Luke 15, Jesus managed to teach both groups at one time, showing that he cares for all.  Who you would exclude from attending church or Bible study? 
 

Bargaining with God

 

In our attempts to avoid suffering, we often try to bargain with God or find some key activity that will ensure our safety or success. In Luke 13, Jesus teaches that hardships are not the result of a person's specific sin, but a result of our fallen world. The hope of the Christian is not for an easier life, but rather for the hope to come in the resurrection of our souls and of the world itself.

Mary participates in Bible study

When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Jesus commended Mary for choosing to listen to Jesus rather than participate in the activities usually associated with a woman of that time (Lk 10). Martha was left to perform the tasks that Mary neglected, and we have to wonder, why was Martha not invited to leave her work to join the disciples in this time of learning? Is there anyone you have not invited to Christ?

Coming off the mountaintop

 

When Jesus and his disciples returned from the one of the greatest experiences of imaginable, they were met with a man needing immediate healing for his son (Lk 9). Christ did not rebuke the man, but provided immediate relief. How do you respond when your "mountaintop" experience is cut short by other's request for help and attention?

Powerful words

 When asked to heal a Roman military leader's servant,  (Matt 8:5-13) The leader declared that Jesus need not physically attend to the healing, but could simply speak the healing into existence. The request revealed just how power Jesus is, that his word could, by itself, heal the servant. Our words can't heal physical ailments, but our words are still very powerful. How do you use your words? To heal or to hurt?