WEEKLY SUMMARY

WEEKLY SUMMARY: May 16-22, 2005

Luke Chapter 1-5

DENIAL: Clinging to false beliefs

Analysis: Each character in this reading faced a challenge to their beliefs. Something happened that caused them to rethink what they believed about their situation, other people, themselves and God. They were challenged to see anew by a significant outside occurrence.

Question to Consider: What outside occurrence brought me into recovery?

Implication: Changing how I see things changes what i see.

Question to Consider: Am I really prepared to open my eyes to new truths about myself, my past and my current situation?

From the text:

Elizabeth & Zechariah were the parents of John the Baptist. Zechariah believed that they would never have children because of their age. But he could not change his belief even when an angel of God proclaimed it directly to him. He was stuck in denial & he suffered a period to trial as a result of his resistance to the truth. Elizabeth went immediately into seclusion. This was a sign of her instantaneous acceptance of the truth. Her symptoms could have been from age or disease yet she changed her belief and declared, “How kind the Lord is.” (Lk 1:25).

When John the Baptist was born the people were amazed at how this older couple had been blessed. Still their doubts about just who this child was to be did not influence Elizabeth & Zechariah. They were ready to act on their new understanding when they named him John (Lk 1:57-64) and when Zechariah gave his prophecy (Lk 1:67-80)

Mary & Joseph were the earthly parents of Jesus. They must have believed that they were unworthy of being used in this way by God. When the angel appeared to Mary she was, “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.” (Lk 1:29). She was in denial about God’s purpose for her life, yet her heart was open as she tried to understand this new truth about herself & Elizabeth. When the angel reminded her, “Nothing is impossible with God,” (Lk 1:37), she accepted the truth and broke her denial, “I am the Lord’s servant. I am willing to accept what ever he wants. May everything you said come true.” (Lk 1:38)

Jesus’ birth challenged many to believe something new. The frightened shepherds (Lk 2:9), Simon (Lk 2:25-35), Anna (Lk 2:36-40), the teachers in the temple (Lk 2:47), even Joseph & Mary as they were rebuked by Jesus, “’But why did you need to search?’ he ask them. ‘You should have known I would be in my fathers house.’ But they did not understand what he meant.” (Lk 2:49-50) All acted based on their own experience, hope & faith. Only when they accepted a new truth did their actions follow.

John the Baptist seemed to know exactly who he was and what God wanted from him (Lk 3:2). He pursued his calling even to the point of prison (Lk 3:20).

The Devil, acting on his belief that Jesus could be tempted, went into the wilderness to confront him. Even when confronted with the power of the Holy Spirit, the Devil refused to acknowledge the falseness of his beliefs, “When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opporntunity came.” (Lk 4:13)

Jesus family, friends and the people of Nazareth were unable to see Him in a new light once he began his ministry. Their denial resulted such anger it gave rise to a riot that chased Jesus out of town, “But the turth is, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.” (Lk 4:24) People won't always support us as we act on a new truth.

The Disciples expressed their doubts at first when Jesus told them where to cast their nets, “we worked hard last night and didn’t catch a thing.” (Lk 5:5) Even though they had doubts they did what he told them. When they pulled in their nets they changed their beliefs about Jesus. Here, obediant actions preceded belief and blessing.

The Paralyzed Man and many others that Jesus healed may have had doubts but they acted in faith and were blessed with healing.

When Jesus befriended the Tax Collector, Levi, the beliefs of the day about the righteous were duly challenged. His response caused them to again examine the truth of their beliefs, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call on sinners to turn them from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough.” (Lk 5:31-32)

The occurrence of Jesus caused all who encountered him to reassess their beliefs about their situation, other people, themselves and God. Ones beliefs inform their actions. As our beliefs change, our actions will naturally follow. But sometimes, to break our denial, we must act within our doubts to recieve the blessings of truth.

Question for your comment:

In what way has my past, my current situation, and the beliefs of others about me, locked me into my current beliefs about who I am and who God thinks I am.