Jesus calls us to obey
Luke 11:21-28
21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armour in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.
23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”
27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
In this passage, Jesus warns against complacency. We can be tempted to think that our time with God’s people on Sunday or at growth group during the week is enough to wave the ‘wand of holiness’ over our lives for the week.
However, Jesus calls us to not only hear His word, but obey it. If you cast your mind back to 1 Samuel earlier this year, you may recall that Israel ‘put away’ other gods in the same way that someone going on a diet might ‘put away’ some chocolate, knowing that they may well find it again. Do you attend church and then try to ‘put away’ God for the rest of the week?
Jesus wants us to be on his ‘side’ – verse 23 of today’s passage makes it pretty clear that neutrality with Jesus is not possible. Whether intentionally or not, are you working against Jesus in aspects of your life?
Head: are you trusting in your possessions? status at work? position in your family?
Heart: what, in your life, do you need to surrender to Jesus today?
Hands: is there someone at church you could help in a practical way today? call/SMS to let them know you’ve been praying for them? childminding? dropping over a meal?
Prayer: Lord, in your mercy turn our hearts from trusting in earthly things. Instead, please help us to hear your word and obey it.
A song to listen to: Put your hand in the hand
Oliver Meehan- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- Carina
