Reflecting God Devotions for Holy Living – Sunday, 29 December
2013 “Dirty Feet” Scripture Luke 6: Judging Others
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn,
and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it
will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running
over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure
you get back.”
39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a
blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the
teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why
do you see the speck in your neighbor’s[a] eye, but do not notice the log in
your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor,[b] ‘Friend,[c] let me
take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your
own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s[d] eye.
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear
good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered
from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out
of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of
evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that
the mouth speaks.
The Two Foundations
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell
you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words,
and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply
and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against
that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.[e] 49 But
the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the
ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it
fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 6:41 Gk brother’s
b. Luke 6:42 Gk brother
c. Luke 6:42 Gk brother
d. Luke 6:42 Gk brother’s
e. Luke 6:48 Other ancient authorities read founded upon the
rock
“Dirty Feet” by Greg Mason
The main thrust of discipleship is to learn and obey the
teachings of Jesus. In essence, in Jesus day, a student of a rabbi was a
disciple. A lot has been written about the relationship between a student and
his rabbi. There was a huge time investment in the relationship. Literally, the
disciple would follow the rabbi as they traveled from point to point.
Jesus admonishes us to stay focused on the teacher as opposed to
the judging (or observing) the lives of others. The distraction of
judgmentalism will keep us from watching Jesus. Of course, sitting at the feet
of the rabbi or teacher meant often sitting in the dirt, listening. You can
understand the old Jewish proverb that said, “Follow the rabbi, drink in his
words, and be covered with the dust of his feet.”
In this way: by following, listening, and observing the Teacher,
we can become like Him. Our fruit resembles His fruit. Our language sounds like
His language. Our souls are filled with His influence and nature. We love what
He loves.
How dusty are you today?
How dusty are you today?
Hymn for Today:
“Where He Leads I’ll Follow” by William A. Ogden
1. Sweet are the promises,
Kind is the word;
Dearer far than any message man ever heard;
Pure was the mind of Christ,
Sinless I see;
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Refrain:
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
2. Sweet is the tender love
Jesus hath shown,
Sweeter far than any love that mortals have known;
Kind to the erring one,
Faithful is He;
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Refrain:
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
3. List to His loving words,
“Come unto Me!”
Weary, heavy-laden, there is sweet rest for thee;
Trust in His promises,
Faithful and sure;
Lean upon the Savior, and thy soul is secure.
Refrain:
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
Thought for Today:
“The Cross and Self-Denial - Then Jesus told his disciples, “If
any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their
cross and follow me.”(Matthew 16:24).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in India.
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